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Newsletter of the Danbury Chapter, Yankee Division, Northeastern District of the Barbershop Harmony Society
Meeting every Tuesday, 7:15 p.m. at Church of Christ, 90 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, Connecticut
Volume 23 Number 11 www.madhatterchorus.org Post Holiday Freeze
The Mad Hatters performing at the annual Holiday Concert. Picture by Mary Dunkle
Hatters Harmonize
Through Holiday Season
By John Bradley and Terry Dunkle
On November 19, a baker’s dozen of Mad Hatters performed
at the Bethel United Methodist Church’s Holiday Bazarre,
entertaining an appreciative audience as they were munching
on their lunches.
Scott praying that all goes well. Picture by John Bradley
With music director, Joe Hudson, not in attendance, Scott
Coleman ably directed. Walt Barlow, a former member of the
chirch’s congregation, told a touching story from his youth,
when he skied to church one Sunday morning, stealing candy
from some old lady on Main Street along the way.
On December 3, Director Joe Hudson and 22 singers
entertained 90 guests at our annual holiday concert, The Secret
of Christmas, at our host venue, the Church of Christ. The
event benefited the John Dunkle Memorial Membership Fund,
which provides scholarships to send local high-schoolers to
Harmony Explosion Northeast each August.
Andy Bayer’s solo during “Do You Hear What I
Hear.”Picture by Mary Dunkle.
Contnued on the next page
The Danbury Mad Hatter Barbershop Chorus
Hatter
Chatter
- 2 -
Holiday Hatters
Contnued from previous page
Andy Bayer and Joe Hudson delivered rousing solos in "Do
You Hear What I Hear?," and Assistant Director Scott Colman
stepped in with expert direction while Joe sang.
The Mad Hatter’s final holiday performance was at the
Patterson Public Library’in Patterson, New York, on
December 10. The chorus has performed there a number of
times, always receiving warm ovations, and this year’s
standing one was no exception.
At the Patterson Library. Picture by Terry Dunkle.
Singing in the shower? Some of the Mad Hatters testing the
acoustics in a bathroom at the Patterson Public Library.
Picture by Terry Dunkle.
The chorus in Bethel, CT. Picture by Mary Dunkle.
Waiting in the corridor outside the library venue (while a
business meeting was going on inside), we were treated to this
scene. Apparently someone’s spouse was a lawyer. When the
meeting ended, we started singing the bell chords in “Jingle
Bells” while filing into a sold-out room. Picture by Terry
Dunkle.
Don Smith, our long-time Sunshine Chairman, surprised us all
by showing up for the Patterson Library concert. Afterwards,
he sang a couple of songs with us. Picture by Terry Dunkle.
Four to the Bar. Picture by Mary Dunkle.
- 3 -
Traveling Men. Picture by Mary Dunkle.
Blue Moon. Picture by Mary Dunkle.
Kismet. Picture by Mary Dunkle.
Happy New Year From Al
Paparesta
By Dick Zang
Al and Eileen have settled into their new lifestyle very nicely
in The Villages in central Florida. The breaking news is that
Al has joined the local BHS chapter, The Heart of Florida
Chorus (heartoffloridachorus.org), in Lady Lake, FL, and is
really enjoying it. They have about 30 members year-round
and about 20 more when the snowbirds arrive. They joke that
the average age of the year-rounders is – deceased! They just
put on their annual show, reinforced by the Heralds of
Harmony, the International Competition chorus from Tampa,
and another Tampa mixed VLQ – Voctave.
Both Al and Eileen are kept busy by the intense social life in
the community. Al is playing golf twice a week and has been
singing with a new group of doo-woppers called the Hi-Lites.
He’s even found time to join the Paisanos Club.
Needless to say they love it all. They wish everyone a Happy
New Year and extend an invitation to drop by anytime. Drop
them a note at Alpappy621@gmail.com.
Three Things
After every coaching session, each
chorus member is asked to contribute
three things he can take away and/or
share with the others from that session. Following is a
collection of items contributed after December’s session with
Joe Hunter.
A need to be confident that a chord is tuning is not a valid
reason to put a fermata over the word "the."
We need to be conscious about what word is being
emphasized in each phrase of a rubato song.
Too many big breaks ruin the line of a ballad.
The secret to becoming a great chorus is learning our
notes and words at home. Only then will we sing
confidently enough to learn higher-level secrets in
rehearsal.
The secret to ringing a chord is hearing and reproducing
the right pitch and vowel with absolute precision. Singing
well is only the beginning of barbershop; we must also
learn to listen well.
We can't learn to sing well without watching and listening
to performances by great choruses. YouTube is our best
friend.
Often the most dramatic dynamic change is softer, but
more intense, rather than louder.
Singing a note or chord as written is okay for proving that
you know the note or chord, but not for conveying the
sense of the lyric. Sing a phrase as you would say the
phrase.
An over the top gesture or move can be funny but only
when everyone does it with commitment. A few
nonparticipants spoil the effect.
Elongate the second “sweetheart.”
Everyone needs to think and sing "Younger"
Joe’s subtle reminder. Picture by Terry Dunkle.
- 4 -
Emails to the Editors
Please e-mail your questions and
comments to either the Hatter editor, John
Bradley, at jbrad1313@earthlink.net, or
the Chatter editor, Dick Zang, at
jezang@charter.net. If your e-mail appears, you will receive
an autographed picture of our 2008 Yankee Division Bulletin
Editors Award.
As a result of many years of foolish dental hygiene and pipe
smoking I have had to have most of my teeth removed and
have gotten dentures. Now I have to learn to adjust and
relearn many things with them, but will I ever be able to sing
again?
Dan from Danbury
Good question, Dan. I’m very lucky to still have all of my
teeth so I never really thought of the effect false teeth might
have on singing. I checked with my old college friend, Tom
Yankum, who happens to be a singer and a dentist, to get his
thoughts. According to Tom, you should be fine. Some
famous singers he has known sang fine with dentures. You’ll
get used to it. You might want to record yourself a few times
during the adjustment process to ensure you're not "clicking"
or making "sloshing" sounds. Given time, your brain will
teach your tongue to adjust. Also, your dentist can tweak the
fitting or a vocal coach can give you some workarounds.
Any of them singing with dentures? Picture by Terry Dunkle.
My grandfather sang in a barbershop quartet many years ago
in Indiana. I have a lot of pictures of them showing they had a
lot of fun wherever they went. They always wore hats -
different ones to suit the season. In recent pictures of quartets
from his old chapter they are not wearing hats. I think all
quartets should wear hats. What happened to all the hats? I
think barbershoppers look better when they wear hats.
Hattie from Panama.
Hattie – seems that you are in favor of quartets wearing hats.
Am I correct? Barbershoppers have been trying to modernize
thjeir image in recent uears. Wearing hats went out of style
when Eisenhower was president. That was a long time ago –
long before the young generation we are trying to recruit was
born. Barbershop music has been getting more contemporary,
as are our costumes.
Quartet Corner
News from our chorus quartets
Real Chemistry – By John Bradley
Real Chemistry briefly interrupted its world tour to sing at
Ridgefield, Connecticut’s Founders Hall on December 7 for
the senior center’s annual holiday party.
Real Chemistry after their performance.
Each room in the building had different performers, food and
wine. As we moved from room to room we realized that a
bunch of imbibing seniors was actually good for our sound.
We warmed up for about 30 minutes in the mens room before
performing. We were amazed that no one in a senior center
came in to use the facility that whole time – a testiment to the
prostate doctors of Ridgefield.
Santa saying “please sing your last song, or I’ll consider all
four of you naughty.”
- 5 -
The.President’s Podium
By Danny Anderson
Presently I am in cold Minnesota with my son
and his family. Linda and I went with
William and family to see Santa at Macy’s in
downtown Minneapolis. This has been an annual event for
William’s family and we’ve been able to go with them a few
times. The line wound throughout the shopping area, winding
up on the 8th
floor where the workshop is located.
I hope that each of you have had a good holiday season and
have been able to spend time with family and loved ones. The
time spent with family is important as you get to share
memories, and make new ones. A special joy is spending time
with the grandchildren and sharing stories.
The year 2016 has been a good one for the chorus. We are a
better singing and sounding chorus than last year. This is a
result of the leadership from the music committee, led by
Wynn Wilcox and from our music director, Joe Hudson. The
establishment of monthly goals to work and build upon has
been a good practice. Joe and Wynn continue to bring out the
poster board to serve as a reminder of the things we should be
doing. (Smiling, standing properly, completing the phrase,
etc.).
Valentines Day will be here before we know it. The number of
Singing Valentines delivered the past two has been less than
desired. I am asking that each member of this chapter book
ONE singing Valentine. That could be to your wife or
girlfriend and you could join the quartet on your voice part
when singing to her. We have members who book 5-10
Valentines each year, so booking one should NOT be a
problem. Four to the Bar delivered Singing Valentine’s for
the first time last year and expressed that they enjoyed being
able to experience seeing the joy that the recipient had in
receiving their Valentine. You too will feel that joy when
singing to your wife or girlfriend.
We have had good coaching throughout the year and will be
starting the New Year with a retreat in Lake Carmel, NY, on
March 11. Mark your calendars now and plan on attending
this all day session.
Last year’s annual show was one of our best shows. Plans
have begun for the 2017 show which should be even better
that the previous. Once again, Peter and Walt will be the co-
leaders for the show. One of the areas we need to improve
upon this year is the sale of advertisements. We each need to
commit to this effort and not expect someone else to do this
job. The goal that I set when becoming the chapter president is
to have the sales of ads to cover all the costs related to the
show. We have done a good job in years past, but last year’s
ad sales were not as strong as past years.
I am asking that each of us attempt to recruit one new member
to the chorus. This way we will double our membership.
More information will be coming to help with this effort. Stay
tuned.
Wynn demonstrates the new Cha-Cha choreography to “My
Romance.” Picture by Terry Dunkle.
Scott seems overwhelmed by the performance.
Picture by Terry Dunkle.
Searching for the pitch pipe. Picture by Terry Dunkle.
Baritone Deep Thought When I see lovers’ initials carved into a tree I don’t think it’s sweet. I just think it’s surprising how many people carry a knife on a date.
- 6 -
December Board
of Directors
Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order by
Danny “Elf on the Shelf” Anderson at 6:07 pm on 12/06/2016
at the Church of Christ.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: The minutes from the last
meeting were posted by Art Cilley and received on a motion
by Dickson Demarche, seconded by Robert Golenbock.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Our expenses are under budget.
We received a check for our Bethel performance. We received
free-will offerings for our Holiday concert, but the money has
not yet been counted. The report was received on a motion by
Andy Bayer, seconded by Robert Golenbock.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Last week our Board had a special
meeting to learn more about the Membership Committee’s
plan for growing our membership. If the Board endorses the
plan, the general membership will receive a presentation as
well.
VP PUBLIC RELATIONS: We had a good crowd for our
holiday show. No new promotional activities are planned, but
Art is already working on the print promotion for Singing
Valentines. We plan to start work on this year’s Harmony
Explosion camp scholarships.
MUSIC COMMITTEE: The written Contest proposal,
encompassing our members and members of the Bridgeport
chapter, has been submitted to the Board, the chorus, and the
Bridgeport chapter. We await word from Bridgeport. We
intend to have a Saturday retreat in the spring. Joe Hunter
returns next week. We are also engaging John Ward. We are
looking into another VLQ for the Annual show. Wynn will
continue to work with random quartets every rehearsal.
OLD BUSINESS: In consideration of the significant programs
of the membership campaign, the general membership must
support the plan and recognize that the Board stands behind
the recommendations. Wynn noted that historically previous
goals that did not have the members’ commitment to change
have failed. Dickson added that we need a clear timetable of
the five year plan. Andy explained that the sequence is still
under development but will be worked on if we have
commitment. Dickson also recommended prioritizing the
goals since some items may not be acceptable while others
may not have even been thought of yet. Terry is developing a
spreadsheet for five years with a budget that would fit the
logic of his business plan. Wynn added that among the
important items would be a new meeting venue that enhances
socialization and a coach who could show up weekly for a few
months to solidify our learning processes. Wynn moved that
the Board should indicate whether or not they support the
Membership Committee’s plan for membership after the
Committee’s follow-up report on January 3, 2017. The motion
was approved on a second by Jimmy Hopper.
Two of our guys stole a calendar, and they both got 6 months.
Details at 11.
NEW BUSINESS: The installation dinner details are still
forthcoming. But plan to go because it’s always a lot of fun.
MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Dunkle, T Marrow
OFFICERS PRESENT: D. Anderson, W. Gadkar-Wilcox, D.
Demarche, P. Daubner, A. Cilley, A. Bayer, J. Hopper, R.
Golenbock.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm. Next meeting 1/3/2017.
Music Committee Notes
Submitted by Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox
In our December 2016 meeting, the
music committee focused on our upcoming contest and annual
show. We have scheduled an all-day (9am-4pm) chorus retreat
at Arts on the Lake, 640 Route 52, Carmel, NY. On that day,
we will have John Ward for coaching. We also plan to have
Joe Hunter and Steve Delehanty working with us leading up to
the contest.
At the December 20, 2016 rehearsal, we had our first
competition rehearsal. This initiated our new qualification
procedure for the competition chorus. This procedure is as
follows: first, members of the competition chorus have been
organized into random quartets (if you do not know your
quartet mates, please contact Joe Hudson). Each of these
quartets will practice the two competition songs, "For All We
Know" and "After You've Gone," during breaks, before and
after rehearsals, and on their own if they wish. They will also
be taken out during rehearsals to work with a member of the
music committee. When they are ready, the quartet will sing
for Joe or a qualified member of the music committee and
each member of the quartet will be evaluated individually. To
qualify, members must sing at a 60 or B- level by society
standards (accurate in notes and words and together in proper
interpretation). We may also have members of other choruses
joining us as dual members for the contest. If so, they will be
subject to the same standards.
We are also preparing for singing valentines this year. Those
who are not in a regular quartet but may be interested in the
singing valentines programs should contact Joe Hudson.
We are also deep into the planning for the annual show on
April 1, 2017, a tribute to Richard Rogers. More information
will follow in the coming months.
Remember our contest goals set for this year:
A) Win our Division.
B) Have a minimum of 25 guys on the risers.
- 7 -
For Northeastern New Chapter Leaders "Elect" and/or
Current Chapter Leaders, and/or the Interested
Chapter/Member "Influencers" of the Future!
Do you want to strengthen your chapter? Do you want to be a
strong, successful chapter in 2017? Singing more and being
successful? Recognized as a premiere community singing
group?
If you answer “yes” to these questions, please make plans to
attend the Northeastern District Leadership Academy 2017 to
be held at Worcester State University, Worcester, Mass, on
Saturday, January 7, 2017.
Once again we have an outstanding faculty ready to teach the
leaders of your chapter how to be successful in their jobs in
2017.
Along with the traditional training being offered to chapter
officers, we are excited to be offering two general sessions
devoted to Leadership Principles, which should be very
beneficial to all chapter officers and especially to future
chapter leaders.
Another new addition to this year’s curriculum is a two-hour
session entitled, “THINK.” This interactive general session
will be a journey of “self-discovery” for your chapters
designed to empower each of our chapters to identify itself,
align what it does and engage with its members and with it’s
chapter life.
Finally, there is fabulous opportunity - for our chapter music
leaders, directors, assistant directors, and music teams - to
learn from one of the best directors in the Society! Joe
Cerutti, will be leading a full-day Director’s Workshop. This
is a “must attend” workshop for anyone aspiring to provide the
musical leadership so necessary for a strong and successful
chapter. Sign-up is first come, first serve! Fills FAST!
With these three great reasons to attend, I hope that every
chapter will send their leaders this year to NED Leadership
Academy.
The tuition schedule is the same as last year and online
registrations are NOW OPEN!
The first registrant from a chapter will be charged $200.00 and
each registrant after that will be charged $25.00.
All registration information, course descriptions and course
schedules are available on the NED web site. See the listings
and download the detailed PDF documents.
Use this link to register:
https://www.nedistrict.org/leadershipacademy
Please look over what is there now - for the latest information.
Please DO register as soon as possible for this event! This is a
full day event, on Saturday, January 7 and although designed
for chapter officers, Leadership Academy is open for all and
any chapter members to attend.
Open to all members of the NED, Sweet Adelines
International and Harmony, Inc.
If you have any questions, please contact Ed Fritzen, Dean of
this year’s Leadership Academy.
Your first step for a successful 2017 is to attend Leadership
Academy! I hope to see you all there. Sign up today!
Ed Fritzen
Dean of Leadership Academy
Executive Vice President, NED
elfritze@gmail.com
(860) 608-7724 (cell)
Interesting Musical Fact
Did you know that The song, "When Irish Eyes
Are Smiling," was written by George Graff, who
was German, and was never in Ireland in his life?
- 8 -
Ye Olde Joke Boarde
Submitted by the Unknown Barbershopper
Two factory workers are talking. The first, a barbershop baritone, says, "I can make the boss give me the day off." The second
replies, "And how would you do that?" The baritone says, "Just wait and see."
He then hangs upside down from the ceiling. The boss comes in and says, "What are you doing?" The baritone replies, "I'm a light
bulb." The boss then says, "You've been working so much that you've gone crazy. I think you need to take the day off."
The second man starts to follow the baritone and the boss says, "Where are you going?" The man says, "I'm going home, too. I can't
work in the dark.”
. . .
Once there was a King who was loved by all of his subjects, especially because of the hunting excursions he shared with them. As
will happen, one day he died and his eldest son, a barbershop baritone, took the throne. This new king was an animal-lover to the
core, and immediately outlawed all forms of hunting and fishing. His subjects accepted this for only a short time before they ousted
him. This was a truly significant event, because it was the first time a reign was called on account of the game.
. . .
A barbershop baritone observed a woman in a grocery store with a three year old girl in her cart. As they passed the cookie section,
the child asked for cookies and her monther told her “no.” The little girl immediately began to whine and fuss, and the mother said
quietly, “Now Ellen, we just have half of the aisles left to go through. Don’t be upset. It won’t be long.”
He passed them again in the candy aisle. Of course, the little girl began shouting for candy. When her mom told her she couldn’t
have any, the little girl began to cry. The mother said, “There, there Ellen, don’t cry. We only have two more asles to go then we’ll
be checking out.”
In the checkout aisle the man ended up behind the pair. The little girl began clamoring for gum, then burst into a terible tantrum when
she realized there would be no gum today. Her mom said patiently, “Ellen, we’ll be through the checkout in about five minutes. Then
we’ll go home and you can have a nice nap.“
The man followed them out to the parking lot and complimented the woman on how patient she was with little Ellen. The mother
replied, “My girl’s name is Tammy. I’m Ellen.”
Current Mad Hatter Repertoire
Regular Repertoire
It’s A Brand New Day
Drivin’ Me Crazy
May I Never Love Again
Long And Winding Road
Lida Rose
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Tonight, Tonight
Come Go With Me Daydream
Shenandoah
Bye-Bye, Love
After You’ve Gone
In Progress
You’ll Never Walk Alone
My Romance
For All We Know
I Still Miss You Baby, But My Aim’s
Gettin’ Better
Patriotic/Inspirational
God Bless America
I Believe
So Many Voices Sing America’s Song
Star-Spangled Banner
Holiday
Jingle Bells
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
O Holy Night
Jingle Bell Rock
Have Yourself a Merry Little
Christmas
Feast of Lights Medley
Feliz Navidad
Silent Night
Do You hear What I Hear
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Secret of Christmas
- 9 -
The Danbury, CT Chapter
SPEBSQSA 104 Lexington Blvd, Bethel, CT 06801
203-744-9480
President: Danny Anderson
Musical Director: Joseph Hudson
Assistant Director: Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox
Membership VP: Andy Bayer
Public Relations VP: Art Cilley
Music VP: Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox
Secretary: Robert Golenbock Treasurer: Dickson DeMarche
Program VP: Vacant
Member at Large: Peter Daubner
Member at Large: Walter Barlow
Member at Large: Jim Hopper
Immediate Past President Robert Bradley
Uniform Chairman: Andy Bayer
Harmony Foundation
Chairman: Danny Anderson
Music Librarian: Peter Daubner
Sunshine Chairman: Don Smith
Package Show Chairman: Dick Walter
Chorus Manager: Robert Golenbock
The Hatter Chatter
Serving the Mad Hatter community since last Tuesday
John Bradley, Hatter Editor Dick Zang, Chatter Editor
39 Beekman Drive 2 Camelot Crest
Lake Carmel, NY 10512 Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Jbrad1313@earthlink.net jezang@charter.net
The editors of the Hatter Chatter welcome
submissions from all chapter members and friends
of the Mad Hatters. E-mail, mail, paper airplane
us your thoughts, observations, opinions, singing
tips and whatevers, and we’ll turn them into
Pulitzer Prize copy
Baritone Quiz This is the flag of a large and powerful country in
North America. Can you name it?
A. Canada
B. United States
C. Brazil
Mark Your
Calendars
Installation Dinner
Thursday, January 12: 6:15 PM at The Meeting House
Pub, 37 Stony Hill Road, Bethel, CT. $25 per person.
Annual Show
Saturday, April 1: Western Connecticut State University
Visual and Performing Arts Center, 43 Lake Avenue Ext.,
Danbury , CT. Details to follow.
Yankee Division Contest
Saturday, May 6: Lake George, NY, with guest
performances by the Toronto Northern Lights (2013
international Champions), Forefront (2016 International
Champions) and Voices of Gotham (2015 Mid-Atlantic
Chorus Champions.
Contest Rehearsal Schedule:
Tuesday January 17: 6:30 pm, Holy Trinity Lutheran
Church, 406 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT.
Thursday January 27: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ. Thursday February 9: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ.
Tuesday February 21: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ. Saturday March 11: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Arts on the Lake,
Route 52, Lake Carmel, NY.
Thursday March 30: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ.
Thursday April 13: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ. Tuesday April 25: 6:30 pm, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church,
Trumbull.
Tuesday May 2: 7:15 pm, Danbury Church of Christ.
Contest on Saturday May 6.
WE WANT YOU
TO JOIN WITH YOUR FELLOW MAD HATTERS FOR A
SOCIAL AND MUSICAL
EVENING AT THE
INSTALLATION OF THE
2017 MAD HATTER
CHORUS BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OFFICERS,
THURSDAY EVENING,
JANUARY 12, 6:15 PM at
THE MEETING HOUSE
PUB, 37 STONY HILL RD.
BETHEL, CT.
Cost: $25.00 per person.
CASH BAR,
Recommended