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 24 Number 1 www.madhatterchorus.org Spring Training

A Very Valentine Tuesday

By Andy Bayer

As memory recalls, Tuesday February 14 dawned beautifully

yet somewhat “nippy.” Cold enough that Traveling Men lead,

Danny (“I’m from the South”) Anderson, chose to wear his

long johns beneath his spiffy tuxedo.

The quartet lubed up their voices and tested the coffee blend

(and their own) at the New Colony diner where tenor Art

Cilley, responding to the surprised look of a questioning

customer, picked up a quick additional valentine delivery for

the group.

Traveling Men crisscrossed the state (traveling, at least, as far

away as Hamden) singing its combined heart out to swell the

hearts of an all female recipient list. Some memorable

delivery highlights:

Experiencing our deliveries for the first time with Rich singing tenor and Art, baritone.

Learning from Rich how to catnap between deliveries---

those power naps apparently do wonders for a tenor!

Singing to Danny’s bride and hearing that the new

company president emerged from his office to see if the

building was under some sort of attack. We might have a

new purchaser next year since rumor has it that he was

seen smiling

Drawing a considerable crowd as multiple heads bobbed

up from behind partitions as we serenaded a fellow

employee at Linda’s place of work

Having Jimmy Hopper join us as we serenaded Marti at

her work. She was seen grinning and blushing somewhat.

Bringing the Mad Hatters’ singing valentines program to

the VA primary care office where the group produced

ringing chords and broad smiles for the nurses and office

staff as well as to a deserving veteran who snuck in while

the delivery was being made.

Bringing recognition to a “veteran” employee/volunteer at

the Newtown Town Hall where her many colleagues

gathered to hear their unique way of saying “we love

you.”

Entertaining an engaged group of seniors with a “double

valentine” at the New Fairfield Senior Citizen Center…..a

good number were singing along.

Continued on the next page

Mad Hatters Eye Five-Year

Growth Campaign

At the Mad Hatters’ February 28 rehearsal, a task force

appointed by the chorus’s board of directors presented a plan

for putting 100 men on the risers by 2021. (Our current

membership is 30.)

“To grow, we must have

the courage to take bold

and audacious steps,”

incoming membership

VP Terry Dunkle said to

the seventeen other members in attendance.

He was quoting On The

Sunny Side, music VP

Wynn Wilcox’s history

of the Mad Hatters.

Wilcox, Dunkle, and new Executive VP Andy Bayer comprised the task force, which invested hundreds of hours in

creating the plan. A blueprint had won endorsement at the

board’s annual retreat on January 15, pending completion of a

business model and buy-in from the general membership.

“This can’t be done by just a few people,” Bayer cautioned.

According to the business model, the growth campaign will

require about 40 minutes’ additional effort per week per

member—shrinking to 10 minutes by Year 5 as more hands

come on board.

The campaign will be financed by a portion of our 2016 budget surpluses; new revenue sources such as patrons, grants,

corporate sponsors, and bequests; and higher income (as

membership grows) from annual shows, singing valentines,

singouts, and other events.

The plan exploits a common-sense insight that choruses

frequently ignore. As Dunkle expressed it: “The easiest and

cheapest way to grow is to sing better.” Our music training

and coaching budgets will double this year and include partial-

matching for private singing lessons.

Continued on the next page

The Danbury Mad Hatter Barbershop Chorus

Hatter Chatter

- 2 -

Valentines

Conntinued from the previous page

Being captured by multiple college students’ cell phones

as we recognized their professor and then showing other

students outside the classroom how romancing is actually

done, when we sang to them!

Delivering not only a singing valentine, but a huge

bouquet accompanied by an even bigger teddy bear (that

wouldn’t fit anywhere) to a dental worker in the middle of

a procedure. She didn’t appear overly impressed with any

of it.

Delivering a prom proposal while also delivering a singing valentine to a young couple following our earlier

delivery to the boy’s parents who were seated just a table

or two away. (By the way, she said “yes”…..the boy was

the one who got all emotional!).

Performing at another restaurant in Newtown for a

woman (and man) who got married to the barbershop

strains of Alan Lamson’s quartet when they lived in the

capitol region. They seemed to enjoy it (and we did too)!

Having Wynn join us to deliver the final heartfelt

valentine of one very long day.

I urge one and all to form a quartet, if only to prepare for this celebration. When and where else can you gather memories

like these and share them with your friends and quartet mates!

Growth Campaign

Continued from the previous page

Members will be expected to master words and notes at home

so that rehearsals can concentrate on artistic expression.

“Yes, the project is ambitious—but we’ve done this before,”

Dunkle observed. The Mad Hatters grew from 0 to 99

members in their first decade—partly by applying the same

principles that the task force has built into the new plan.

“The wind is at our back now,” Dunkle added, because our

market (men living within 15 miles of Danbury) has more than

doubled since our 1976 membership peak.

In addition, a cappella singing is extraordinarily popular these

days—especially on TV and in high schools and colleges.

Finally, he said, the growth will snowball because of

compounding: “We’ll add far more members in the fifth year

than in the first.”

Other highlights of the presentation:

To increase our visibility, we’ll stage flash mobs, block-

party barbecues, and “walk-in” singouts at barbershops,

taverns, and restaurants.

We may organize a “Hoopla Committee” like the one that

operated early in our history, comprising spouses and

other helpers who don’t actually sing.

We’ll equip ourselves with better tools: audio-visual gear,

special-purpose brochures, high-tech business cards, a

website facelift, recruitment tags and songs, promotional

videos, more intensive social-media marketing, updated

uniforms—and more.

Referring to Wilcox’s quote about courage, Dunkle closed the

presentation by asking, “Do we have that kind of courage? Are

we willing to express it with a serious commitment of new

effort? Will we step cheerfully to the plate when help is

requested? And are we able—eager—to instill the same

attitude in our fellows?”

If the membership agrees, the plan will go public later this

spring. The next major steps, says Dunkle, are “naming a

permanent membership committee, finalizing a calendar of

recruiting events—and most of all, staging an annual show so

thrilling that it makes every man in the audience wish he was a Mad Hatter. Practice like you’ve never practiced before!

Quartet Corner

News from our chorus quartets

Real Chemistry – By John Bradley

After taking a couple of months off

to “recharge the batteries,” Real Chemistry has gone back on

the road, continuing our global tour.

Last night the quartet performed at the Gran Teatro de La

Habana in Havana, Cuba, also known as the Great Theater of

Havana I believe we are the first American barbershop quartet

to sing in Cuba since the normalzation of relations between

our countries.

The Great Theater of Havana

The theater has been home to the Cuban National Ballet and,

on its main stage, to the International Ballet Festival of

Havana.

Continued on the next page

- 3 -

Quartets

Continued from the previous page

We opened for Omara Portuondo, a singer and dancer. She

told us how much she loves a cappella singing, and said to us

after our mic testing, “Ustedes sonarían mucho mejor si

cantaban en la misma llave.”

After our first song, “Ten Feet Off The Ground,” I saw big

smiles and heard laughter in the audience. They really seemed

to be enjoying our sound. A few people in the font row yelled

out, “Canta tu última canción!”

Today we will be going to Santiago de Cuba to visit the site of

the Battle of San Juan Hill. It will bring back lots of

memories for our bass, Dick Walter. When Dick was in the

US Navy, he helped provide cover fire for the Rough Riders.

We’ll be heading home after that to prepare for the Mad Hatter Annual Show on April 1.

I-i-i-i-t’s Showtime - Annual

Showtime 2017 Edition

By Andy Bayer

HOLY MACKERAL! Can it really be that time again?

Actually, it can…..and IS! On the heels of our very successful

singing valentines campaign and many deliveries, we are

already in the final preparatory stages for the 2017 Annual

Show, “A Grand Night for Singing.” How did this happen?

The short answer rests with the scheduling of the NED’s

spring division contest (in which we are participating) to the

first week in May, the typical week for our Annual Show.

As noted elsewhere in this issue, membership vice president

Terry Dunkle presented a detailed outline of “So Many

Voices,” our membership growth initiative which is

approaching “ready for prime time” status. A major

component of that initiative is improved performance, and

much of our first year’s budget will be focused on just that.

As music vice president Wynn Wilcox has noted, while there

are certain performance issues that can be worked on

communally during rehearsals, there are other idiosyncrasies

that we all are in need of addressing that can make a huge difference in our sound. The board would like to partner with

as many of us as funds will allow to secure individual voice

lessons that will eliminate a large number of these issues.

This preamble leads to the important role each of us has in

making our program book ad sales campaign and ticket sales

promotion as successful as possible this year. The more

successful we are in all aspects of the Annual Show, the more

members we will be able to support with lessons, the better we

will sound and the more attractive a group we will be to

potential new members.

With all this in mind, the chorus kicked off its program book

ad sales project at the February 28 rehearsal. Chorus members

received their materials and a “pep” talk as to the importance

of making a full commitment to this effort, even if it resides

outside of one’s natural comfort zone. Among the materials

shared with chorus members was a listing of things to “do” when approaching a solicitation. These suggestions were

made to help chorus members reduce anxiety. In addition,

assistance was offered to help by engaging in pre-sales role

plays as a way to practice a solicitation and alleviate the “fear

factor.” In lieu of that, it was suggested that one practice with

a spouse, son, daughter or “significant other.”

As of this publication date for the HATTER CHATTER, we

are heading in the right direction and somewhat ahead of ad

sales in comparison to last year. Coupled with the 54 singing

valentines sold recently in February, an all-time Mad Hatter

record, the chorus is on its way to being well positioned (our ticket sales will be the determining factor) for strengthening its

plans to improve, grow and meet our goals of continuing to

spread joy and harmony throughout the region. Encouraging

everyone within earshot to treat themselves and their friends to

an evening of wonderful entertainment will be just what we

need to fill the VPAC concert hall at WCSU and fulfill our

growth plan!

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

I am usually playing guitar when I sing, but I am working on a

song with a pianist and am concerned about what to do with my hands when I don’t have the guitar. Should I keep them at

my side? How much hand movement is too much?

Wendy from Waterbury.

Wendy, years ago barbershoppers had to keep their hands at

their sides and sing in a position that was almost like being at

attention. But things have changed and we’ve had discussions

within our chorus and with contest judges about what to do

with your hands when singing.

Your voice needs your whole physical and emotional being to sing or speak best. Not being able to use your hands could

shut you down vocally, Your hands are connected to your

arms, which are connected to your spine which is connected to

your ribcage which is connected to the edges of your

diaphragm. What we do or don't do with hands can affect the

diaphragm, which is the organ that is responsible for balance

of breath support and control,

Most of the advice I’ve heard is to do what comes naturally –

what relaxes you. But don’t use overly dramatic or large

moves because that might distract the audience

- 4 -

Singing Valentine

Favorite Memories 2017

By Art Cilley

All singing valentines are fun when they are a surprise and

often even when they are not. Of the about three dozen I

delivered this year with one quartet or another, I have three

favorites.

The first was early on Sunday afternoon, a day when most

smart people did not attempt to drive since we had had more than six inches of slippery snow in the previous few hours.

But Blue Moon is made of sterner stuff. It was a challenge to

get where we were going even with hardly any traffic on the

roads.

We parked in the driveway at the address we had been given,

and Doc slogged through the snow to the front door to see if

anyone was home. We were expecting a lady who was

celebrating her 95th birthday. The woman who came to the

door did not look old enough but she invited us in and

announced that she was not sure the honoree would make it in view of the weather. She thanked us for coming, however,

and graciously offered to pay us for having made the trip.

We figured we might as well sing since she was paying

anyway. As we prepared to sing, three other family members

appeared from somewhere in the house to listen. Great. We

had an audience, so we sang.

When we were about to leave, along came a car with four

more people including Betty, the birthday girl! So, of course,

we sang again after Betty assumed her place in the chair by

the fireplace.

She must have been a fan of barbershop music because she

seemed to know all the words and listened happily. The

family saw our announcement in the online version of the

News Times. We invited them to the annual show in April and

hope to see them again.

The next day Blue Moon delivered fifteen valentines. One of

them was to the receptionist at a dentist’s office in Danbury.

An admirer sent her a singing valentine the year before and

did it again this year so she sort of knew what to expect.

She invited the other people in the office to come listen.

Pretty soon we had a couple of hygienists, a dentist, and a

patient still wearing his blue bib standing around.

The patient must have been a regular because he made a

mildly amusing but mostly salacious suggestion to the already

self-conscious recipient that made him sound a lot like Al

Paparesta (Bronx accent). After we sang, the patient went

back to the chair to have a tooth pulled. Ouch.

On Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, I was scheduled to deliver sixteen valentines with Traveling Men. We met at 8:30 at the

Stony Hill Diner for coffee before our first one at about 9:30.

I was the first to arrive at the diner all decked out in my

tuxedo and red accessories (bowtie, cummerbund and pocket

square).

Two men sat down at the next table and asked where I was

going all dressed up.

When I mentioned singing valentines, one of them said he saw

something about that in the newspaper and asked if we would

sing for his wife that morning. So we hurried through

breakfast, collected our fee, sang a song for the diner crowd on

the way out, and were singing for his wife only a few minutes

later. Based on her reaction I think he will be glad that he ran

into us. I like it when our experience confirms the sales pitch

that “Nothing thrills like a singing valentine.”

Baritone Deep Thought

The poet wrote an ode about a tractor. It was a

classic case of man verses machine.

Interesting Musical Fact American composer John Cage composed a work in

1952 entitled 4’ 33” which consists of four minutes

and 33 seconds of silence.

I wonder if you can harmonize to silence?

- 5 -

Former chapter president, Bob Bradley, addressing attendees

at the 2017 officer’s Installation Dinner. Picture by Terry

Dunkle.

The 2017 Mad Hatter Board of Directors. Picture by Mary

Dunkle. Picture by Narilyn DeMarche.

Wynn Wilcox receiving his Mad Hatter of the Year award.

Other winners included the bass section for Most Improved,

Robert Golenbock for Above and Beyond and Walt Barlow

and Paul Meyer for Oustanding Service. Picture by Terry

Dunkle.

Peter and Andy displaying the cake they were up all night baking. Picture by Terry Dunkle.

Chris Andrade directing the first combined Danbury/Bridgeport contest rehearsal. Picture by Terry

Dunkle.

Bob Bradley and Joe H udson at NED leadership training

school. Picture by Terry Dunkle.

- 6 -

The.President’s Podium

By Danny Anderson

Valentine’s Day will have come and gone as

you read this article. I want to thank each

quartet for delivering the valentines assigned

to them. Thanks to those members who booked valentines for

their wives, friends and acquaintances. 2017 was a record

year – 54 valentines sold.

Once again, we were able to bring “a tear” to the eye of the

recipients and joy to the lives of the couples. It is always a

pleasure to deliver a love song, a rose and a card to brighten

someone’s day.

Now we turn our attention to the annual show. The show is

earlier this year, April 1. The venue is the same, Western

Connecticut Performing Arts Center, on the west side campus.

With the show being a whole month earlier we needed to get

an early start on selling ads for the program book. And the

results have been good - we have had an increase in ad sales

over last year.

That’s good news. As you can see, many members do a good job selling ads. But NOT everyone participates. We normally

meet the goal of covering the cost of the show with the ad

sales. Just think what the results would be if EVERYONE

contributed!

There’s still time for each of us to invite someone to come to

the show. We all have friends, family members, work

associates, fellow parishioners, club members, etc. who you

can ask to attend. Once again if everyone did this we would

have an overflow crowd. If these friends cannot attend, ask

them to send an angel gram message and contribution for the

program book.

It seems as though I am always asking members to sell ads,

singing valentines, tickets, etc. Some members say that this is

a voluntary organization and not a job. That it’s a hobby.

That is all true, but if the volunteers do not contribute to the

financial success of the organization, then it cannot continue

to exist, let alone grow. We all have a responsibility, and

should look to contribute in the way that best fits the

individual.

I put forth the idea in my last HATTER CHATTER article that we each strive to bring one new member to our “hobby” this

year. The only way to accomplished this is to tell people

about what you are doing and the fun you have by being a part

of the Mad Hatters. To ensure that these men will return after

their first meeting is to be sure they have fun and experience

great singing.

The Board feels that better singing will equate to more

members. To improve our singing, we will be building on our

skill sets. In addition, there will be teaching sessions on

reading music, singing and voice lessons. These sessions will

be for all members, however some of us will be getting

individual sessions. These efforts and sessions are all with the

intent of improving the chorus.

I am proud of the work that everyone has done to date in their

personal preparation. Please continue to work every day on

your music.

January Board of

Directors Meeting

Minutes

Agenda: Danbury Mad Hatters Barbershop Chorus Board of

Directors meeting

Meeting called to order by Exalted Leader Danny Anderson at

6:07 pm on January 3, 2017, at the church of Christ.

SECRETARY’S REPORT: There were minutes. Apparently

nothing to crow about. Nevertheless, they were received on a motion by Andy Bayer, second by Art Cilley.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Our income projection matched

our earnings for the year. Our expenditures were quite a bit

lower than expected thanks to savings on the annual show.

Also, we only went to one contest, we had significant

donations, and we spent less than usual on music. The report

was enthusiastically received on a motion by Robert

Golenbock, seconded by Andy Bayer.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: The membership growth

committee reported their latest information. Terry Dunkle did a business plan to determine the viability of the membership

growth concept that the committee developed. He used a

“start-up business” model. The numbers are very encouraging

for a five-year project despite significant outlay in the first two

years. The plan requires effort from every member of the

chorus. Andy Bayer handed out a report explaining what the

timeline for 2017 might look like. This plan will be used as a

framework for our Annual Planning Meeting on January 15.

VP PUBLIC RELATIONS: We need to set up Facebook ads

and refresh our website for the upcoming Singing Valentines campaign. We are again using the online Patch sites, our e-

mail friends list, and print posters and “postcards” as

handouts.

MUSIC COMMITTEE: It appears from a lack of any

response that Bridgeport members have lost interest in singing

with us at contest.

OLD BUSINESS: We are preparing a list of who is available

to sing singing valentines on the four days that we are offering

appointments.

NEW BUSINESS: The installation dinner reservations are

filling up fast. We anticipate 40 people. We also anticipate

paying for 40 people regardless of how many show up, so

please sign up.

Continued on the next page

- 7 -

Board Meetings

Continued from the previous page

MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Dunkle, Eberhard Anheuser.

OFFICERS PRESENT: D. Anderson, R. Golenbock, A.

Bayer, D. Demarche, J. Hopper, W. Gadkar-Wilcox, A. Cilley,

P. Daubner

February Board of

Directors Meeting

Minutes

Meeting called to order by

Danny “ ” Anderson at 6:08pm on February 7, 2017, at

the church of Christ.

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Heaven alone knows where last month’s minutes are. But the Planning Session notes were

pretty good. Those minutes were received on a motion by Joe

Hudson, seconded by Terry Dunkle.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Distributions for our installation

dinner, ASCAP fees, and quarterly fees put us in the red. The

report was received on a motion by Andy Bayer, seconded by

Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Wynn will announce the Growth

Plan today. We are looking for a commitment from the chorus. Their understanding of the plan is key. Terry has prepared a

2017 budget that includes spending $10,000 of our surplus.

However, Terry does not expect to spend all of that $10,000 if

all of the members participate in the program. The motion to

approve the plan was tabled pending the final figures. Terry

will be asking people for help. Wynn made a motion,

seconded by Joe Hudson, that the Board give Terry approval

to present his plan to the membership with the understanding

that the budget will be revised by that time. The motion was

approved.

VP PUBLIC RELATIONS: A small contingent of Mad Hatters is visiting the Danbury High School boys’ a cappella

group, “Mad Men”, on March 3. News releases were sent out.

The News Times on line and in print on page one reported on

our singing valentines campaign. We have heard from people

responding to our information on Instagram, Facebook, our

website, and The News Times.

MUSIC COMMITTEE: Our retreat is scheduled for Saturday

March 11 with John Ward in Carmel.

Scott will be giving short lessons in musical skills including

how to read music. He will start after the division contest. Robert Golenbock recommended that Scott then move on to

sight reading using the instructional manual we purchased

several years ago. In addition Wynn plans to have professional

voice coaches do individual lessons. Wynn made a motion,

seconded by Andy, that we seek grants to support our mission

to expand our membership to include a larger and more

diverse chorus including minorities and youth. The motion

was approved.

OLD BUSINESS: We have quartets available to cover the

four days of our valentines campaign from Saturday to

Tuesday.

NEW BUSINESS: Peter Daubner is beginning our Annual

Show campaign: ads, angels, program book, tickets,

advertising – all have a responsible member and a budget.

Our talent is the quarte, Timepiece. Andy is preparing a

definition of the position of Executive Vice-President. The

specific responsibilities are determined by the President and

the Executive Vice-President. Dickson DeMarche made a

motion, seconded by Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox to approve Andy’s job description as an addition to our By-Laws and make it a

voting position. The motion was approved.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Adolph Coors

OFFICERS PRESENT: D. Anderson, T. Dunkle, J. Hudson,

A. Cilley, A. Bayer, W. Gadkar-Wilson, Peter Daubner, D.

Demarche, R. Golenbock

Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm. Next meeting is March 7.

2017 Super Extraordinary

Executive Session Retreat

Danbury Mad Hatter Chorus Board

of Directors

Respectfully submitted by Robert Golenbock, MD, Secretary

The meeting was called to order on January 15, 2017 at 2:15

p.m. at the home of Terry Dunkle.

Andy stated that the goals for the meeting were to consider the

endorsement of the proposal made by the Membership Growth

committee at prior Board meeting sessions and to develop a

budget with or without that plan as a consideration. There was

a document distributed at the last Board Meeting detailing

how funds requested to support the plan in 2017 would be

spent. Members had been asked to read the document prior to

today’s session and the committee is prepared to respond to

any questions members may have. In addition, the committee

has continued to refine a five-year business plan and has made

some adjustments to the training (or “coach-in-residence”)

component of the document distributed at the last Board meeting. Wynn will explain the changes during today’s

session.

At that point, Terry took command of the meeting to present,

in detail, his business plan of income and expenses, illustrating

the feasibility of the membership growth plan over a five-year

period of time.

Continued on the next page

- 8 -

Executive Retreat

Continued from the previous page

In summation, the business plan projected greater expenses

over income in the first two years (and potentially a third year)

with a “turn around” in the fourth and fifth years as our

membership increases resulting in increased income from

different sources (like the annual show, singing valentines,

chorus singout performances, and new sources such as

sponsorships, patrons, grants and bequests). In addition, Terry

pointed out and illustrated how the “turn around” to

profitability can be expedited by two factors: “Trying Harder”

and “Buying Smarter.”

Our ability to “grow” our chorus requires all chorus members

to understand, support and commit to a high level of

participation, whether it be in their personal preparation for

rehearsals and performances or in the selling of annual show

ads and singing valentines or in bringing friends and potential

recruits to rehearsals. While the membership vice president

needs to (and will) be an evangelist for the chorus, all chorus

members need to be its engaged missionaries.

The business plan model generated much discussion about its

financial impact on the chorus’ currently healthy economic condition. There was a specific concern with committing the

chorus to deficit budgeting beyond an initial year without

seeing specific results, whether it be in increased membership

numbers or increased member participation. Andy made the

point that this has been an exercise in developing a bold,

viable plan to increase chorus membership that the committee

believed had the greatest chance of success. However,

nothing will happen with this plan without board endorsement

and the full “all-in” support and engagement of the chorus

membership. If all cannot commit to it, then we should not

implement this plan. Jim recommended more outreach to bring

in members. Terry reminded us that the fastest way to get more members is to sing better.

After a short break, Wynn described the changes made to the

training/”coach-in-residence” section of the initial proposal:

the change in focus from group to individual improvement. In

addition, he explained what the revision hoped to address and

how it was to be achieved through the expenditure of

requested funds. Wynn stated that it is his/our belief that we

are losing members due to mediocre singing. While he and the

music committee have been working at addressing this

concern, Wynn stated that they, alone, are not capable of rectifying the many issues that individual members bring to

rehearsal and performances and which effect the chorus sound.

For a full description of strengths, weaknesses and areas of

musical production concerns in addition to specific

recommendations as to ways in which the chorus can address

and alleviate them, see the PowerPoint presentation/printout

distributed at the meeting.

Wynn will be making the same presentation (of musical

production concerns and specific steps and offers of support

which the chorus will make to encourage individual

improvement) to the chorus membership on Tuesday, January 24. The members’ response will be one gauge of the chorus’

level of commitment to improve our singing quality, the first

necessary step on the mission to attract new members.

Danny stated that he needed to review the business plan in

greater detail but, more importantly, have proof that our

membership will “buy-in” to the whole process. The first opportunity for them to demonstrate that is by selling more

valentines, for example, thus generating more income which

the chorus could use to support/pay for some of the other

expenses in the proposal.

Jim, Dickson and Danny reiterated their concern with a

multiple-year deficit spending plan. Wynn spoke for the

committee stating that we have identified the different

components that would be required to make this plan a success

and that a lot of initial research has gone into its development

(for example, a plan to attract minority community

participation in the chorus; incorporate and expand our repertoire in the coming years to appeal to a larger singing

audience; seek out grants that will fund some innovative

outreach to the community; locate a new rehearsal venue,

etc.). Wynn reminded everyone that his music committee

budget and our membership growth proposal can be viewed

solely as a vision for 2017. His recommendation would be to

endorse the plan and fund the first year only. If sufficient

progress isn’t seen within the year, the board can end its

support of the plan and the chorus can go back to what it has

always done or adopt something different. It was noted that

we have sufficient reserves to get through the first year of deficit spending without endangering the chapter’s existence.

Jim Hopper made the following proposal: that the recruitment

task force in conjunction (or in concert) with treasurer

Dickson DeMarche develop a budget for the calendar year

2017 that allows for deficit spending of no more than $10,000

(not including the Dunkle Fund). Dickson seconded the

motion. The presumption is that this is a one year budget. The

revised budget must be approved by the board. The motion

was passed unanimously.

In attendance: Dickson Demarche, Peter Daubner, Joe Hudson, Robert Golenbock, Adolphus Busch, Terry Dunkle,

Art Cilley, Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox, Andy Bayer, Danny

Anderson, Jimmy Hopper

Music Committee Notes

- 9 -

Our Society grows when chapters

grow, so we are investing today for

your success.

By Marty Monson, BHS CEO/Executive Director

Our growth investments in programs, volunteer leadership,

personnel and strategic planning over the past year have been

unprecedented. We have added dedicated resources to support

the life of our chapters through the Healthy Chapter Initiative.

We’ve completed a sweeping effort to understand our past and

present barbershop world, as lived by you, and told in your

words, through the Chapter “Gut Check” Survey, Member

Survey, and Associates Survey.

We’re synthesizing your needs and dreams into a

comprehensive Strategic Plan — a decades-long view of a

future world of singers preserving the joy of ringing chords

together.

We’ve reached more people with the sound of barbershop and

the rewards of the barbershop experience: the joy of singing,

the joy of friendship, the joy of joining together, and the joy of

making a difference in people’s lives. And we’re just getting

started! If you want to grow—as an individual, quartet, or

chorus singer — then your Society is ready to help you.

You can augment your weekly chapter experience by

becoming a better educated singer, more engaged with the life

of the global barbershop movement, and have more fun in

more settings!

Our Harmony University team continues to deliver more

content online (more than 50 new videos released in the past

year) and more class options at our weeklong school at

Belmont University in Nashville.

Harmony University offerings at Midwinter and International

Conventions mean more ways for you to learn from worldwide-recognized experts — free with your registration!

Our music publications team has dramatically increased the

number of titles published, and introduced more voicings for

the education market (SSAA) and the growing fans of mixed

harmony (SATB).

The All-Chapter Chorus and the pilot Seniors Chorus Festival

at Midwinter were huge successes.

Both are permeating into the District conventions,

encouraging more singing time for our attendees and attracting

those who might not normally attend a District convention

because they aren’t interested in competition, just the joy of

singing with their barbershop brothers.

Our direct support for chapter success has expanded

We have created a dedicated full-time staff member who

services and fields calls and correspondence for ALL chapter

and district leaders about best-practice, including what

resources are available.

Working through the Leadership Operations Project Team, we

have deployed new BHS Leadership Curriculum Topics for

chapters and districts.

We have published and commissioned the “THINK” program that has already been introduced and impacted close to 100

chapters this past year.

We’ve commissioned 15 Certified Leadership Facilitators who

have made an impact at 7 districts this Leadership Academy

cycle and have already packed in more than 200 hours of

engagement with chapters.

We have published online many more baseline tools and

resources that chapters need to do their valuable work —

training videos, updated manuals, tutorials, easier accessible document center, and more.

We are accomplishing this all while maintaining financial

stability. Even with flat/declining membership revenues, we

will see no Society dues increases for the fourth straight year.

Meanwhile, the Society has been able to grow our programs

and budget by nearly 21%. How?

One reason is we are seeing increased interest by non-

members in our services and programs. Our Midwinter

Convention in San Antonio was a virtual sell-out, reflecting the variety and strength of the show, contest and education

offerings.

Las Vegas 2017 will continue to expand the range of

entertainment, and with our least expensive rooms starting at

$104 per night, it might be the best-value convention you’ll

ever attend.

Philanthropy within our membership continues to grow, with

donations through Harmony Foundation International fueling

programs in outreach, chapter support, and continuing education through Harmony University.

Your contributions have reached over 100,000 people, which

is significant growth, considering that four years ago the

Outreach department didn’t even exist. Thank you!

A Better World. Singing - You are building it. We are building

it. We are making a difference in people’s lives with every

chord.

- 10 -

Ye Olde Joke Boarde

Submitted by the Unknown Barbershopper

A young man wanted to get his beautiful wife (who happened to be a Sweet Adelines baritone) something nice for their first wedding

anniversary. So, he decided to buy her a cell phone. He showed her the phone and explained to her all of its features. Meg was

excited to receive the gift and simply adored her new phone. The next day Meg went shopping. Her phone rang and, to her

astonishment, it was her husband on the other end.

"Hi, Meg," he said, "how do you like your new phone?" Meg replied, "I just love it! It's so small and your voice is clear as a bell, but there's one thing I don't understand though..."

"What's that, sweetie?" asked her husband.

"How did you know I was at Wal-Mart?"

< < <

There was once this second-rate orchestra led by a second-rate director, who was also a barbershop baritone.

In the orchestra was this guy on the cymbals who never banged them at the right time. So the conductor said, "If you don't get it right

this time I'll kill you."

When the time came for the percussionist to get it right, he didn't. And so the director pulled out a gun and shot him dead.

Of course, the police came and arrested him and eventually the conductor ended up on death row. The day came when he was sent to

the electric chair. As the crowd watched, the executionist flipped the switch. Nothing happened. Everyone wondered what when

wrong.

But the director knew. Saddened by all that had taken place, he said, "I never was a very good… conductor!"

Current Mad Hatter Repertoire

Regular Repertoire

It’s A Grand Night For Singing

You’ll Never Walk Alone

There is Nothing Like a Dame

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

For All We Know

In Progress

I'd Rather Have A Bottle In Front Of

Me Than A Frontal Lobotomy

Climb Ev’ry Mountain

My Romance

I Wouldn't Take Her To A Dawg Fight

Cause I'm Afraid She'd Win.

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

- 11 -

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

Executive VP Andrew Bayer

Membership VP: Terry Dunkle

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

Proofreader: Miss Taralily

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

Mark Your Calendars

Annual Show: A Grand Night for Singing.

Saturday, April 1: Western Connecticut State University

Visual and Performing Arts Center, 43 Lake Avenue Ext.,

Danbury, Warm-up 5 PM, Performance 7:30.

Songs – First Half

It’s A Grand Night For

Singing

You’ll Never Walk Alone

My Romance VLQ

Blue Moon Quartet

There Is Nothing Like A Dame

Traveling Men Quartet

More Tenor! Quartet

Climb Ev’ry Mountain

Second Half

Timepiece Quartet

For All We Know

After You’ve Gone

Keep the Whole World Singing

So Many Voices Sing America’s Song

Annual Show Dress Rehearsal: Thursday March 30:

7:15pm, Danbury Church of Christ.

Yankee Division Contest

Saturday, May 6: Lake George, NY. Lake George, NY

with guest performers the Toronto Northern Lights (2013

international Champions) and Forefront (2016

International Champions) and Voices of Gotham (2015

Mid-Atlantic Chorus Champions

Contest Rehearsal Schedule:

Thursday April 13: 7:15pm, Danbury Church of Christ. Tuesday April 25: 6:30pm, Holy Trinity Lutheran

Church, Trumbull.

Tuesday May 2: 7:15pm, Danbury Church of Christ.

Contest on Saturday May 6