23 February 2011
Brumbies
Thanks to everyone for a solid membership response to challenging events at the beginning of this year. I was delighted with your turn up at the Brumbies Meet the Players gig last Saturday even though I could not be there myself.
As stated before, we need to remember that the Brumbies are our principal source of revenue and the General Manager is a strong supporter of the ARC's place in the Brumbies' scheme of things so please has the Brumbies home games in your diary for Season 2011.
Brumbies v Chiefs
This Saturday, 19th February, Brumbies have just advised that our performance times at games are to fit around the Canberra Stadium need to have full access to the PA system.
The times are:
- West Gate 5.35pm – 5.55pm
- East Gate 6.00 – 6.15
- West Gate 6.20 – 6.45
Therefore, please try to arrive to assemble for 5.00pm. I am disappointed with this outcome but have no opportunity now to argue the toss at least for this weekend. As Max Brennan (joker) once told me "Remember the Golden Rule – he who has the gold makes the rules!" So let's make a great start to the season. We'll have to lively between gates.
Brumbies vs Chiefs, 5.00 for 5.30pm Saturday 19 February, uniform will be polo shirts, the 2011 Brumbies cap and with spray jacket at the ready. We hope to have further supplies of 2011 caps on the night but please bring your standby 2010 cap.
Please add the following songs to the usual Brumbies repertoire list:
Sloop John B;
Take Me Out to the Brumbies (both can be sung with books for the next few weeks);
A Roving.
Colin will decide repertoire on the night depending on our progress with learning the new songs and the voice part balance available.
We hope to add a few more songs over the next few weeks which then will allow us to finalise the 2011 Brumbies Blue Book indexes.
Music Directors
Andrea will be back with us on 1st March as her Army leave has been varied so that she will be in Canberra until mid-November. Colin continues to do a fantastic job and I have only heard expressions of appreciation for his efforts in backfilling during Andrea's absence. We are indeed fortunate to have the likes of these two talented people at the musical helm. Many thanks, Colin.
Blazer Voting
You have until the end of practice on 1st March to participate in the "Blazer Ballot". All financial members should have received an email from Returning Officer Geoff Ford with the survey analysis, the committee rationale, arguments FOR and AGAINST the introduction of a blazer, and the very specific question to be voted on. You are encouraged to carefully consider the arguments and vote.
Wollongong Regional Tour
Please notify Max Brennan of your intention to participate in the Wollongong Regional visit with the Arcadian Lamplighters on the weekend of 21-22 May. Max needs indications of your attendance, whether your partner will accompany you, whether you will be interested in taking up places on a coach, and whether you will need group motel accommodation. Complete Max's sheet at practice.
Antarctica Conference
Details are still forthcoming but our participation is likely to be on Tuesday 28th June at Llewellyn Hall. I expect that this proposed gig will develop apace when Andrea returns because she knows the movers and shakers at the School of Music who are driving this event. She is very excited by the songs and the nature of the proposed performance. Watch this space.
Committee News
Your committee was heartened by the response to the suggestion that our Annual Concert this year might target both the Aged Care market by holding a "matinee/dress rehearsal" concert during the week in daylight hours; and to be followed by a full concert on Saturday afternoon, 15th October. We have almost certainly decided to seek to return to Hughes Baptist Church Hall and John Williams is investigating that possibility. Our Retreat weekend has been booked once again at Goulburn Conservatorium for 17-18 September.
Can I appeal to everyone please that when you have ideas, thoughts, submissions for Committee consideration that in exercising your right to write/email the committee that you send your initial piece only to one member of the committee, preferably the President or the Secretary. It can be counter productive and even unhelpful if all members of the committee are copied the same notice. You are assured that any overture to a committee member will be included on the agenda for consideration or forwarded to the appropriately delegated committee person for action.
Remember to access the promotional e-flyers for display wherever you note an opportunity. This was a major element of last year's Forum to enhance promotion and recruitment so use the resources now made available please.
From the London Gig 2012 Sub Committee
Late Joiners
In the expectation that there may be a few choristers/partners seeking to join the current group of 57 (31 choristers and 26 partners) heading to London in July 2012 for the World Choir Concert in Alexandra Palace we have approached the accommodation booking agent (Melody Music) with a request that an additional 10 rooms be held for the period 5 - 8 July at the Novotel West London pending confirmation by the end of May 2011. We are pleased to advise that Melody Music has agreed to that request. It may be possible to secure rooms for a longer period; however the early bird will have the better chance of getting the worm in that regard.
Choristers who may decide to perform in the London Concert but who choose to accommodate themselves elsewhere will have up until the end of May 2011 to make their intentions known to either Ric Dresser or Frank Bergersen.
Choristers seeking to perform in the Concert who make their aspiration known to Ric or Frank later than May 2011 will be considered on a case by case basis but need to understand that their application may be declined.
From Rodney Clancy 0408 488 749
Hello Gents,
I am inviting you all to attend the annual Snowy Mountains Choir Festival held in Cooma on the 10th September. This event is to support community music in Cooma and local region with people travelling from as far away as the south coast. It is building and developing music awareness in the region.
This year is a particularly big and exciting year. We will be performing a concert version of the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera Trial By Jury. I am inviting you to join our 100 or so regular attendees of this festival by learning the male parts of the Trial By Jury. Rehearse it before you come so that we can just put it together with the soloists from the ANU School of Music and other singers and also with the Canberra Festival Orchestra to perform it all within the one day on the 10th September at the Snowy Mountains Christian School in Cooma.
Participation in the day is a lovely trip to Cooma, a small $10.00 fee, food is for sale on the day. I am happy to run, co-ordinate or help in rehearsals for you if needed for your singers before the day. Music for the event is a case of finding your own copies but some help can be offered for you all if you need it. Please phone your numbers of participants through to me as soon as you can so I can get the ball rolling on other aspects of the festival. Thanks for your time and I hope to see you all at a rehearsal soon. Hope that you can all join us on the 10th September for a fun singing day. We are expecting over 150 singers this year.
From Mick Rice
Colin Fischer is also Musical Director of Canberra Philo's performance of 42nd Street. This is to be performed in the Erindale Theatre between 10 & 26 March 2011. Tickets can be obtained by calling 6257 1950 and are on sale now.
Many Parts in Tune
Paul
Related files:
- Warble 17 Feb 2011 (PDF 76.0 kb)