Atlantic Gazette

Atlantic
Gazette
In this Issue
Volume 83; Issue 69 December 2015
The Monthly Newsletter of the
Red Bank Area Chapter
Mid-Atlantic District
Barbershop Harmony Society
Chapter Officers Installed
By Bruce Hanson
November
Caroling..................4 ‘T is the season for the Chorus annual installation dinner, where members,
Colts Neck
Veterans Honored..6
Idle Chatter................7
The Songs We Sing...8
From the Board.........9
November Birthdays
& Anniversaries.....9
spouses and friends get together for a nice dinner, swear in next year’s
officers and recognize members for their achievements. Seabrook has
become the venue if choice and delivered once again with good food, a
nice room, pleasant and helpful catering staff, and a reasonably priced
cash bar. It was also nice to see former member Jim Young, along with his
daughter. Those who saw the November Gazette know that Jim was just
inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame.
Following dinner, the officers were invited to join Jim Hawthorne for
the ritual swearing-in (see photo below). Though their faces might have
been familiar, there was a changing-of-the-guard this year. Chapter President Andy Ferreira will be passing the gavel (or is it pitch pipe) to Terry
Schmalzried. Andy is taking a much-deserved Continued on page 2
Chapter Officers Installed continued from page 1
“rest,” by assuming the Secretary position vacated by Terry. Otherwise the 2016 officer slate
remains the same as 2015. Following the
swearing-in, the audience demanded a song
from the officers, who obliged with a rousing
rendition of “Bring Back Those Good Old Days”
Next, it was awards time, with President
Ferreira naming Chorus Director Craig Page
and Idles Director
Continued on page 3
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December 2015
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Chapter Officers Installed continued from page 2
John Huetz as “co” Barbershoppers of
the Year for their tireless service in
support of our music. Next, Director
Page tapped Frank Glaz with the 2015
Director’s award for his love of singing
and for reaching out with quartets to
veterans and other groups. (It as also
Frank who did all the arrangements for
the Installation Dinner.) Secretary
Schmalzried then honored Jack McDermott for achieving his 50th year
anniversary as a Barbershopper, and
John Huetz pointed out that we were
also celebrating Ray Volz’ birthday.
Jim Hawthorne, Herb Van
Note and Tom DeBruin were
also recognized as barbershop “Golden Oldies.”
Finally, director Craig
Page closed the “official”
program, leading the chorus
in singing a few songs ending with “Irish Blessing.”
“Unofficially” the evening
continued with dancing to
the music provided by a DJ
until the curfew hour.
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December 2015
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November Caroling
By Bruce Hanson
Once again, the Chorus played its part in kicking off Red Bank’s holiday shopping season.
Fourteen enthusiastic members showed up on
ginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” This
called for an extra effort to “get it down,” so “It’s
Beginning…” became a song of choice at every
stop. After about an hour on
Broad street the singers headed
off to our favorite indoor stops
which are somewhat off the
beaten path.
Following a route that has
been successful in the past, the
carolers first stopped into New
Corner Pizza for a few songs,
then crossed over Front Street to
pack into the tight quarters of the
Sugarrush cupcake shop where
the staff kindly offered us complimentary coffee and hot chocolate.
Their next stop was right next
door at Leonardo Jewelers where
an unseasonably warm afternoon to
show off our holiday repertoire along
with a few other sentimental favorites.
Rain was in the forecast, but we were
optimistically unprepared. The “show”
started on Broad street, where the
singers discovered there was some
uncertainty as to the lyrics of “It’s Be-
they were welcomed by both staff and
customers. It was then off to the Front
Street Trattoria where tables of diners
also enjoyed a quartet performance of
“Little St. Nick.” Just a few steps south on
English plaza was Nails Plus, the next
destination, followed by a walk around the
corner to Hair and Co., a long-time favorite stop. It was then on to the Dublin
House in a light Continued on page 5
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December 2015
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November Caroling continued from page 4
drizzle where the chorus was surprised to find an empty patio out
front. This called for several songs
to appreciative passers-by, including “It’s Beginning…” whose words
by this time had been thoroughly
memorized. Then it was across
Monmouth Street to the Emporium,
an Antique center with parallel stairways in the entry way which make
for great singing, For a change of
pace, everyone crowded the left
hand staircase rather than working
both sides. The great acoustics are
always a pleasure.
A caroling tour of Red Bank
would not be complete without a
final stop at Tiffany & Co. on the
way back to the parking lot. So
the chorus hustled down Broad
street, dodging the light raindrops and arriving at Tiffanys
reasonably dry. The 3 hour sojurn ended there with “Feast of
Lights Medley” and “Oh, Holy
Night.” It was a pleasant, festive, and mostly precipitationAtlantic Gazette
December 2015
5
Colts Neck Veterans Honored
By Bruce Hanson
A fter having heard Chris Papa’s various quartets sing at Colts Neck Memorial Day Ceremonies over the years, Pastor Chris
Durkin of the Colts Neck Community
Church thought the Chorus or a quartet might be able to sing at his church’s
9/11 ceremony this year. So he contacted Chris to see if it could be arranged. Since the chorus was already
engaged, Chris suggested he keep us
in mind for future events.
Pastor Durkin did just that, contacting Chris again about a Veteran’s
Day Celebration at the church. Chris,
who was “medically indisposed” at the
time and unable to participate, contacted Andy Ferreira who arranged
for eleven available chorus members
and Associate Director Kirk Thomson to attend.
Not knowing just what to expect, but with
a desire to show appreciation to our Veterans,
the singers arrived at the church and were directed to a warm-up room where we waited
anxiously for Kirk, who had phoned that he was
stuck in traffic on the GSP. Andy took charge of
the warm-ups. Kirk finally arrived, just in time for
a few quick run-throughs before the group was
ushered into a large community room filled with
people. The singers were greeted with polite
applause from the seated diners, several of them
in military uniform.
Atlantic Gazette
Kirk introduced the group and started
things off with a rousing “Bring Back Those Good
Old Days.” When it ended, the audience burst
out with thunderous applause, leaving no doubt
that they were happy to have us there and enjoyed what they had just heard. What followed
were several more songs, including “America the
Beautiful” and “God Bless America,” each rewarded with a very enthusiastic audience response. The eleven man mini-chorus closed its
performance with a heartfelt “Irish Blessing,” and
exited to a standing ovation.
It is appreciative audiences like this one
that remind us why we love to do this. Thank
you for the opportunity, Pastor Durkin!
December 2015
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Idle Chatter
by John Huetz
nother Sing-Out by the Matinee Idles took place at the WE
CARE ADULT CARE SENIOR
CENTER in Red Bank, NJ. on
11/11/2015. This event was
special since the opening of
the program celebrated the Veterans present
that day as seen by the photos and including
the Idles Veterans. Ray Volz opened the
singing w/the National Anthem and ended the
show directing “How Great Thou Art”.
when Ed Smith queried the title for “I Want A
Girl, Just Like A Girl ....” And they answered
...”That Married Dear Ole Dad”.
As usual the guests, as they are named
since they attend on a daily basis, were very
familiar of the songs we sing especially when
the quartet sang the Valentine package and
Traveling and singing throughout
the year to various establishments
such as these is very rewarding and
gratifying, knowing that you touch and
affect people’s feelings and memories
and knowing they will make it for another day and then some.
Atlantic Gazette
December 2015
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The Songs We Sing
“Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”
By Chris Papa
E very Christmas holiday show has included this
old seasonal favorite of the Chorus of the Atlantic. And, if Dave Murch happens to be the Master of Ceremonies at the event,
provides him the opportunity to
repeat his Soviet-era joke which
ends with the homonymic,
“Rudolph the Red, Knows Rain,
Dear”. Despite this, the chorus
members are always eager to
include the song in the program
because it invariably delights
both the young and old in the
audience.
The origin of “Rudolph”
can be traced back to 1939
when Robert L. May wrote a
story titled “Rudolph, The Red
Nosed Reindeer” which was
published in booklet form by
Montgomery Ward. The original
story was written as a poem in
the meter of “’Twas the Night
Before Christmas” and has since
become a standard in Christmas
folklore. It has been successful
not only as the very familiar
song, but has been featured in
cartoons, comic books, feature
length film, TV and as children’s
toys.
Again, it is not surprising for you to know
that the originator of this famous Christmas story
was Jewish. (Think Irving Berlin and “White
Christmas”) Moreover, it was his brother-in-law,
Johnny Marks, who composed the memorable
song we sing. He, too, by the way, was Jewish
and the composer of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and
more than a dozen other songs, all dealing with
Christmas! He composed many other tunes, as
well, and was a member of the Songwriters Hall
of Fame.
I guess it is a little strange that “Rudolph
the Red Nosed Reindeer” became an instant hit
10 years later, when it was recorded by the
Atlantic Gazette
popular singing cowboy, Gene Autry. (The talented Autry also actually composed “Here
Comes Santa Claus”, and later managed to be-
come the owner of the Los Angeles Angels baseball franchise.) Gene’s recording of “Rudolph”
became the number one recording of 1950 and
went on to sell 1.75 million copies the first year.
The totals subsequently have been over 150
million copies, second in popularity only to Bing
Crosby’s “White Christmas”.
“Rudolph” has been recorded by a long
list of popular entertainers, including Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Dolly Parton, Burl Ives, The
Jackson Five, Ray Charles and Alvin and the
Chipmunks. Seems like the Chorus of the Atlantic is in good company when it comes to perform-
December 2015
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Jack Somers Passes Away - a note from Jack McDermott
Jack Somers was known by many Barbershoppers in N J as one of the really 'good' guys. To know him
was to love him for his 'upbeat' love of life! He was a dedicated Chorus singer and administrator. He
loved singing in Quartets where he most often wowed the audiences with his Jokes and telling very funny
stories!
Jack was 93 yrs old when he died Oct.30, 2015. He was 67 yrs. a Barbershopper and married to
his Gladdie for 54 yrs. Although confined to a wheeled chair in his home for many years, he remained upbeat, his answer to "how are you" was as always "still getting away with it" with that smile and wellknown giggle!!!!
I will remember Jack as a great friend, wonderful joke teller and although I would never tell him...
my favorite Bass!
Remember him in your prayers and God Bless Jack Somers. - Jack McDermott
From the Board
Highlights from the Minutes of the November 9, 2015 Meeting
Present: Andy Ferreira, Frank Glaz, Bruce Hanson, Ken Hicks, Frank Niemann,
Terry Schmalzried
Absent: Allan Dean, Jon Greene, Carl Stainagle, Jim Weythman
Secretary – Terry Schmalzried
Terry attended Leadership Academy on November 7th and encourages other new or returning board
members do the same. The last opportunity this year will be January 9th in Newark, DE.
Treasurer – Bruce Hanson
The board accepted the treasurer’s report.
The estimated budget for 2016 was discussed.
Music & Performance – Ken Hicks
The board is considering these dates for the Spring Show: April 16 or May 7th. (May 7th was subsequently chosen based on availability of the OTHS auditorium)
Marketing & Publicity – Allan Dean (submitted by email)
Allan suggested we might consider giving a stuffed teddy bear with singing valentines instead of
rose. The board discussed and prefers giving a rose, but wants to discuss it with Jon.
Allan heard from Riverview and they would be glad to have us come sing. Allan will pursue arrangements.
Jim will work on the show flier this week to get to Jamm early next week.
Programs – Frank Glaz
Frank is all prepared for the Installation Dinner.
Future Meetings
The next meeting will be held December 14th at Frank Niemann’s house.
Important Dates - December
Members’ Birthdays
Frank Glaz
Bruce Hanson
Jim Hawthorne
Ralph Jeffers
Atlantic Gazette
Anniversaries
Liz & Bruce Hanson
Betty & Phil Wilderotter
December 2015
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Chorus of the Atlantic
Red Bank Area Chapter
Mid-Atlantic District
Barbershop Harmony Society
P O Box 8403
Red Bank, NJ 07701-8403
(732) 842-3117
Music Director........................................Craig J. Page
Associate Music Director.....................Kirk Thomson
Manager ...................................................Dave Murch
Matinee Idles
Director.......................................................John Huetz
President.................................................Dan Cahalane
Manager..............................................Phil Wilderotter
Bulletin Editor
Bruce Hanson
28 Markham Place
Little Silver, NJ 07739
[email protected]
Photographer: John Huetz
Production Manager: Bruce Hanson
Chapter Officers
President.................................................Andy Ferreira
VP Music & Performance..........................Ken Hicks
VP Programs..............................................Frank Glaz
VP Chapter Development..................Frank Niemann
VP Marketing & Publicity........................Allan Dean
Treasurer .............................................Bruce Hanson
Secretary.........................................Terry Schmalzried
Member at Large.................................Jim Weythman
Member at Large..................................Carl Stainagle
Immediate Past President.........................Jon Greene
On the web at RedBankChorus.com
Project Managers
GUESTS ALWAYS WELCOME!
The Red Bank Area Chapter meets
weekly on Tuesdays at 7:30 P.M. at
the Red Bank Middle School, 101
Harding Road, Red Bank, NJ
Historian.....................................................Bob Artale
Librarian..............................................Jim Weythman
Uniforms...................................................Dave Murch
Harmony Foundation........................Ed Wengrowski
Sunshine Chairman...............................Carl Stainagle
50-50 Assoc.........................................Armando Orsini
Webmaster.............................................Dan Cahalane
Atlantic Gazette
Bruce Hanson
28 Markham Place
Little Silver, NJ 07739
The monthly bulletin of the
Red Bank Area (NJ) Chapter
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Correction Requested
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December 2015
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