November 2014 - Long Island Harmonizers

this issue President’s Message P.2 Eyes & Ears P.4 Election Results P.5 The Best Vocal Coach P.6 Wild About Harry P.7 Parting Shots P.9 The comfortable auditorium in the Helen A. Dolan Center at Friends Academy in Locust Valley, NY with superb acous cs and marvelous sight lines for audiences. Thanks to a gracious invitation to use facilities at
Friends Academy in Locust Valley for its 65th Annual
Show, the Long Island Harmonizers will be bringing its
chorus, quartets and guest entertainment
to the
auditorium in the Academy’s Helen A. Dolan Center for
our organization’s Spring performances.
An evening show is set for Saturday, April 25th, and a
matinee will be offered on Sunday, April 26th.
The decision to accept the school’s kindness came
after a delegation of N-MI members visited the 65-acre
campus on Duck Pond Road, personally saw its
auditorium and spoke with several members of the
staff. The show committee headed by Wayne Lazar is
excited at the prospect of taking to the stage in the
Center that made its debut at the Academy in 2000.
Friends Academy is a coeducational, independent,
college preparatory school teaching approximately 700
Chapter President Seelinger gets some auditorium capability answers from Friends Academy technical director, Michael Grant. students up to the twelfth grade. Its Director of Arts is
Tracey Foster. She also was among those on hand to
answer questions.
Prices for next year’s Show when purchased in
advance will be $15 for general admission, and $13
for seniors and students. All tickets will be $15 at the
door.
“We are working on a lineup of great songs old and
new in four-part harmony,” says Chapter President
George Seelinger, “and we continue to hone our skills
to make the 65th Annual Show the best ever. The
setting is conducive to a thoroughly enjoyable
experience.“
Additional details about the Show will be announced
as the Spring dates come closer.
Toosday Toons ‐ Page 2 ‐ November 2014 From the Corner Office
“Timely Words”
George Seelinger, Chapter President
Toosday Toons A publication of the Nassau Mid‐
Island Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, a nonprofit, charitable and educational society. Chapter meetings are held at 8:00 pm on Tuesdays at Winthrop Hall, Church of the Advent, 555 Advent Street, Westbury, New York. All articles not accompanied by a byline have been written by the editors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the members nor of the officers of the Nassau Mid‐Island Chapter. Opposing points of view are welcomed and encouraged. All editorial submissions must be received no later than the 21st of every month prior to the upcoming issue in order to be considered for publication. Editor Bob Heim [email protected] Editor‐At‐Large Chiz Bell [email protected] Assistant Editor Bill Ruth [email protected] Additional Contributing Team George Seelinger Wayne Lazar Eva Milauskas Bill Vesely Design & Whiz‐bang Dan Gilmartin, Chapter Webmaster Chapter Census (October, 2014) Life ‐ 1 Regular ‐ 27 Senior (SL) ‐ 19 Senior (SN) ‐ 10 Visit us at: www.LongIslandHarmonizers.org Bill Ruth has often told the story of the guy who didn't want to go to church but was told by his mother that he had to go because he was the minister. I have to confess that sometimes I just don't want to go to chapter meetings. I may be too tired, or just not in the mood, but even when I force myself to go, I never regret my decision. Chapter meetings always seem to have some moments that get me stirred up and I come home energized and have to wind down a bit before I can go to bed. I think that we're a pretty good chorus, but certainly not as good as we could be. We spend too much time at chapter meetings doing work that should be done at home. Maurice has recently asked that everyone devote three fifteen minute sessions a week learning their notes and words so he doesn't have to teach them on Tuesday nights. When I think about how much time I waste every single day, his request seems minimal to me and maybe not enough, but it couldn't hurt. When someone tells me (and some people have) that they just can't do that much, I fail to understand it. They're either not being honest or they just don't care. As of now, we're planning to go to the Northern Division convention next June and to compete in the chorus contest. We keep telling ourselves that we get better every year and one way to find out is to get the objective and expert rating we'll receive there. I hope all of us will be willing to put in the effort to improve on our past results. It'll take a lot more than forty‐five minutes a week. Will we finish first ? No, but to paraphrase Lord Tennyson, "It is better to have tried and lost than never to have tried at all." Toosday Toons ‐ Page 3 ‐ November 2014 It won’t be the last time we talk about preparedness. In that vein, I’ve been thinking about some of the other things we should bring to rehearsals other than ourselves, a willingness to learn and the consequences of practicing the planned music at home. Looking around the rehearsal hall recently I saw only a small fraction of our members wearing barbershop name tags. It would make a lot of sense to have yours handy so that guests, newer guys and even some of those who have returned after an absence can place names to faces. A water bottle should be part of your preparedness, now that they are not freely available on a complimentary basis as in the past. SIGN OF SUPPORT: Tommy Ho, owner of a store selling promotional items at 682 Willis Avenue in Williston Park, LI , reached for this magnetic bumper sticker as a sample when asked what he had in the shop that could serve as a music‐related item. (Not knowing it your Toons editor was doing the asking.) Conversation about the Long Island Harmonizers chorus then ensued, and the fact that those bumper stickers grace our cars to promote interest in attracting new members.
A folder for take‐aways (sheets distributed at rehearsals or promotional material available in quantity) safely puts such materials in one place for your later review and use. A pen or pencil in your possession will negate asking the person next to you for a writing implement and loosing focus (ok, I’m guilty, but not any more). Ask longtime members what resources we have that can be given to you without charge. We have a few of our magnetic bumper stickers, for instance for cars ( see photo on this page). It is yours for the asking as a proud member of the Society who wants to see our Chapter and barbershopping grow. Pins like the ones that say “I Sing” are great incentives when guests look around as first‐
timers. Be creative; come prepared. TRIVIA QUESTION: Four animated pigs sang a few measures of one of the great songs associated with barbershopping in a TV segment with Elmo. (How sweet.) Guess what it was. Answer on page 9. Toosday Toons ‐ Page 4 ‐ November 2014 Alison Lazar, Wayne and Carol Lazar’s daughter, has joined GSN (Game Show Network) as Vice President, Publicity and Corporate Communica‐
tions based in New York. She has worked in the television industry for many years for, among others, AMC Networks, Disney/ABC Domestic Television, ESPN and Netflix. GSN is a joint venture of DirecTV and Sony Pictures Television, part of Sony. We are sharpening our skills to play Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Ed Andreassen drew rehearsal applause and lots of "wows" when he was recently handed his new membership card. He has been with us and the Society for 42 years. Congrats Ed. Mark January 15th on your calendars as a date you won’t want to forget. A dinner evening for members and guests is set for Westbury Manor where the N‐MI Chapter will have the official installation of its 2015 Board and also reveal the name of our 2014 Barbershopper of the Year. We’ve found out (shhh) that Tony Leone’s “stage name” is Tony Paradise, and the fact that the “j” in Wayne Lazar’s e‐mail address (jwayne314) stands for his first name, John. He was born when John Wayne was such a dominant star on the large screen. HEIM “OVERHEARD IN’S” Overheard In A Pet Shop Our musical parrot has been trained to say: Give me a George, George and forget the cracker. Overheard In A Children’s Day Care Setting Arnold sings the words to Twinkle Twinkle as blue, blue, green, green, yellow, yellow, green. Overheard In A Chorus Rehearsal When he joined he WAS a tenor, but at 83 he’s moved to the bass section.
Overheard In A Dry Cleaners Our quartet was hitting the last chord and the ketchup seemed to come from way in the back.
It has been decided to scrub Chapter rehearsals the nights of Dec. 23 and December 30, figuring you might be scrambling with last‐minute wrapping and finding the noisemakers put away. Toosday Toons ‐ Page 5 ‐ November 2014 Election Results for Next Year’s N‐MI Board Official Installation, January 15, 2015 President ‐ George Seelinger VP Music & Presentation ‐ Hal Verity VP Chapter Development ‐ Bob Merrill VP Program ‐ Vincent Colonna VP Marketing & Public Relations ‐ Bob Heim Treasurer ‐ Michael Creaney Secretary ‐ Ray Shotter Immediate Past President ‐ Jon Ayers Board Members At Large Dennis Weiss (2015‐2017) Bob Miraglia (2015‐2017) Bill Spencer (2014 ‐ 2016) (Open) (2015‐2016) Wayne Lazar (2013‐2015) Don Rausch (2013‐2015) Administrative Personnel Chorus Director ‐ Maurice Debar Attendance ‐ George Seelinger Bulletin Editor ‐ Bob Heim Librarian ‐ George Seelinger Chapter Website ‐ Bob Heim Uniforms ‐ Tony Leone Chapter Counselor ‐ Steve Marrin Section Leaders Tenors ‐ Harold Verity Leads ‐ Steve Brausa & Vincent Colonna Baris ‐ George Seelinger & Bob Miraglia Basses ‐ Jon Ayers Annual Show ‐ 2015 Show Chairman ‐ Wayne Lazar Toosday Toons ‐ Page 6 ‐ November 2014 Your Answers From the October Toons Question: November 22 Has Been Dubbed "Go For a Ride" Day. Where would wish to ride to in celebration? THE BEST VOCAL COACH As Seen In A 2011 Issue Of Concho Capers, San Angelo, TX Current Bulletin Editor ‐ Paul White I still remember the first time I heard myself on a tape recorder. It didn’t sound anything like me! My friend sounded exactly like herself, but that strange voice singing with her just wasn’t mine. I was shocked to realize that it was indeed me. I suddenly know that the “wonderful voice” I have lived with all of my life isn’t the same voice that everyone else hears. For months, I taped myself singing in the chorus. I listened in amazement to this awful voice—it sang wrong notes, wrong words, bad vowels, made funny sounds, scooped, and even went flat! I became very aware of pitch and went right to work to produce a better voice. Little by little, I improved myself as a singer under the cold truth of this heartless coach, my tape recorder. Yes, your tape recorder is the best coach you’ll ever find! It gives you the opportunity to hear the voice that everyone else hears. Remember that the only person who hears the voice in your head is you! Any time you are serious about good singing, the truth is there for you to hear. Just press the button. Obviously all this extends to all the advancements in technology as well. – Ed. “Given the choice I would like to ride to Hawaii but the bridge hasn't been built yet. Hope springs eternal.” ‐ Bill Ruth “I would like to take nice relaxed ride to Tennessee to visit old friends . You can see and hear some real down home clogging and country music. That is probably why the society moved down there.” ‐Bill Vesely “Ride through my old neighborhood in Brooklyn and reminisce.” ‐Howie Bailin “My initial response was for Dianne and I to take a ride to visit Marist College, my alma mater, in Poughkeepsie, NY. Driving there in the Fall is scenically magnificent. However, as of Monday, 10/13, at 4:38 PM the choice dramatically changed when my only niece, Angela, gave birth to her first child, a son named Ethan David Crouse. Now, my ride would be to Indiana to see my new Great Nephew (we hope to do just that in December).” ‐Michael Creaney Do you have the “write” stuff?
Do you have the “write” stuff? All editorial submissions must be
received no later than the 21st of
every month prior to the upcoming
issue in order to be considered for
publication. - The Editor.
Toosday Toons ‐ Page 7 ‐ November 2014 End
End Notes
Notes Wild About Harry - Harry Truman, That is
His love of music was expressed at a ceremony in observance of “National Music Week” in 1951 I appreciate most highly your thoughtfulness in presenting me with this wonderful piano as the culmination of the celebration of “National Music Week.” My fondness for music, I'm happy to say, is in line with the other Presidents you have named. I have always been very, very fond of music. Since I was 12 or 13 years old, I have heard all the great pianists from that time until now, and I have heard all the great singers from that time until now. I had a smattering of piano education from the time I was about 7 until I was 14 or 15 or 16, and decided that I would have to go to work and earn a living. There are some people in the country who think maybe the country would have been better off if I had gone ahead and become a professional musician. I can't say that I agree with them. I am prejudiced, however. I have heard Paderewski; in fact, he gave me a lesson on how to play his Minuet in G once. And I have heard De Pachmann, and Josef Lhevinne, who I think was the greatest of them all. I have heard De Pachmann play the famous Mozart Sonata, the 9th, which he always played. And I have heard the great Myra Hess, and Augusta Cotlow, and also these modern ones‐‐Iturbi and Rubinstein‐‐I wasn't old enough to hear the first Rubinstein; and nearly all the modern pianists. In fact, I found a very talented young man in the Army at Potsdam, Eugene List‐‐he doesn't spell it like the great composer of the last century. I am still very much interested in music and what it does for people. My daughter has some interest in music. My wife had, too, when she was younger and has now. My sister has. My mother was very fond of music, and my father used to sing in the church choir. So I come by my love of music honestly. I am sorry to say that I do not pretend to be a proficient pianist or a musician that could contribute anything to the real music of the age. I am very fond of light opera, and some of the parts of heavy opera. I can't say that I can go to a "high hat" opera for social purposes and enjoy it all. But there is usually one aria or one song in nearly every great opera that is worth listening to‐‐most of the rest of opera music is boring. I don't want you to say that out loud, it may hurt the Metropolitan Opera! [Laughter] I am very fond of Gilbert and Sullivan. There used to be a musical show when I was a young man called "The Girl From Utah"‐with Julia Sanderson, Donald Brian, and Joseph Cawthorn‐‐ and there were the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan. And there was Fay Templeton and Emma Trentini in "The Firefly." Those were all great, great shows. [At this point it was brought to the President's attention that Otto Harbach, the composer of "The Firefly," was among those present. The President then resumed speaking.] "The Merry Widow" and other light operas that came along about that time were all highly appreciated by the people. Now they are to some extent coming back. We can get them all on records, of course, and I have several of all those old musical shows, and a great many records of the great pianists playing those wonderful things of Mendelssohn and Beethoven, Mozart and Bach and Chopin. I hope I will always have an appreciation of music, and that you will continue what you are doing to educate our people to love good music. I have no objection to the noise they call music these days, any more than I have to the "daubs" they call art these days, but I would like to see you continue to get people interested in good music. Whenever we have a banquet here, this gentleman, Major Santelmann, usually plays the music, and he knows what I like and he plays it for me, and I think everybody there enjoys it and that it contributes to the musical education of a great many of the people for whom you have played; and other bands as well‐‐whenever I have had a chance to listen to them. I want to thank you all for the courtesy which you have shown me, and I appreciate it. Thank you very much. ‐Continued Next page. Toosday Toons ‐ Page 8 ‐ November 2014 End Notes, Continued from page 7 Editors Note: Our 33rd President of the United States was a card‐carrying Barbershop Harmony Society supporter. The famous Muehlebach Hotel in Kansas City, where a chance meeting of two businessmen led to the idea of forming our barbershop society, was the White House headquarters for Truman when he visited nearby Independence, MO. A YouTube clip of the former President at the piano with James C. Petrillo, head of the American Federation of Musicians, is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_6ONmlWQHw THE SONG IN YOUR HEART To study the benefits of choral singing on the body, researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy at Sweden's Gothenburg University studied the heart rates of high school choir members as they sang in unison. Their findings were recently published in Frontiers in Neuroscience. Musicologist Björn Vickhoff, who led the study, observed that not only did the choir members' heart rates slow down as they began to sing, but their heartbeats gradually synchronized, eventually beating as one, with the song's tempo as a guide. “Singing regulates activity in the vagus nerve which is involved in our emotional life and our communication with others and which, for example, affects our vocal timbre," he said in an academy‐released statement. "Songs with long phrases achieve the same effect as breathing exercises in yoga. In other words, through song we can exercise a certain control over mental states." Vickhoff plans to continue exploring the biological impacts of music on the body and health in a long‐term project called “The Body’s Musical Score." It is hoped that it will lead to new music‐based medical treatments that may be used in rehabilitation and preventive care in the future. Dave D’Antonio, Chiz & Bess Bell, Mary McCoy, Gene & Dorothy Kammerer, Sally O’Connor, Joan Rampolla, Bob Roth, Bill Schlageter, Steve Stojowski, Joel Trent, Jack & Susan Szaluta, Diane Vesely Reading your Toosday Toons on your computer or tablet instead of printing it out on paper is good for the environment. November
Celebrations
Anniversaries: Former longtime member Harry Ruvolo & his wife, Agatha (26). Birthday Wishes To: Karel Boersma (1), Steve Ritz (5), Joel Trent (9), Marlene Muscarnera (19) and Bill Ruth (25). Toosday Toons ‐ Page 9 ‐ November 2014 CHAPTER
QUARTETS
All In A Chord Bill Ruth, Tenor Steve Brausa, Lead Bernie Genzer, Bass George Seelinger, Baritone Contact: [email protected] Cloud 9 Jon Ayers, Tenor Vinnie Colonna, Lead Home ‐ where Creaney’s heart (and voice) were at the Long Beach Fall Festival. A recently reconditioned floor took shape in Winthrop Hall. AHRC Nassau Associate Executive Director Stanfort Perry accepted a charitable donation from N‐MI . John Brolly, Bass Wayne Lazar, Baritone Contact: [email protected] Just Duckie Harold Verity, Tenor Steve Brausa, Lead Maurice Debar, Bass George Seelinger , Baritone Contact: [email protected] Guest Bill McCarthy (blue shirt) learned barbershopping with new friends. Five Town College's Facetones quartet (front row left) were quests at a recent rehearsal. Long Island Express Bill Ruth, Tenor Gene Kammerer, Lead Joe Massaro, Bass Bob Roth, Baritone Contact: [email protected] No Treble At All Bernie Genzer, Tenor Bill Vesely, Lead Ken Wunsch, Bass Wayne Lazar, Baritone Bob Roth and Dave D’Antonio with fellow barber‐
shoppers sang for their supper (uh lunch) at Roth’s home in Massapequa. It was “Post Time” recently with the use of an American Legion Hall for our rehearsal. Contact: [email protected] Quatrain Bob Kelly, Tenor Steve Marrin, Lead Answer to Trivia Question on Page 6. Al Fennell, Bass Sweet Adeline Paul Santino, Baritone hear it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sTLqvfpIvs Contact: [email protected] Toons’ Chiz Bell was looking and feeling well at an October rehearsal.