Troubadour

Chordiologist

A registration is the same price whether you chose to sit in the auditorium, or join some friends on stage and sing. So increase your ‘fun to finances’ factor and join in!”

Comment: “But, I'm worried about our scores.”

Response: “Nothing to fear. All scores will be non-published and for evaluation only. No stress. No worries. The only one that will know your score is you, that is, unless you want to share it with others. It's all about the fun and camaraderie of singing and quarteting. Yes, we always want to sing well, but it's more about just enjoying the quarteting experience!"

Question: “By the way, what does the term ‘Contest Chordiologist’ mean?"

Answer: “Well, strictly interpreted the term Chordiologist means a person that studies “barbershop chords”. So a Contest Chordiologist is someone that studies those barbershop chords for the purpose of singing them on the contest stage and having a lot of fun while doing it!”

Comment: “But, I might sing a wrong note.”

Response: “Hey, nothing we haven't done.”

Comment: “But, I'm left handed.”

Response: “Now, you're just looking for excuses. You know you want to sign up, but are not sure how it all would work. Trust us. We'll get you the information you will need. And just for the record we will not discriminate based on your dominant hand preference or any other criterion for that matter. I mean, look at the four of us. Clearly we aren't picky.”

Comment and a Question: “I’m intrigued and want to learn more. What do I do next?”

Response: “GREAT! Read below!”

What To Do Next?

* First off just let us know that you are interested in becoming a “Contest Chordiologist” by sending us an email at ContestChordiologist@Chordiology.com

* In your email, please include:
* your name
* home chapter
* phone number
* what part(s) you sing

* After you send us the email you will be teamed up with at least 2 members of Chordiology in your quartet. If you'd like to be in the same quartet as someone from your chapter or a friend just let us know and we'll make sure that happens. And if you have three members and only need one member of Chordiology to fill out your group, we can accommodate that as well. Even if the numbers don't work out right and we have too many of one part, Chordiology will supply the remaining parts needed. Again, it's all about the fun of quarteting!

Short A Full Qt To Compete?
(click image for website)

Chordiology

Did the last quartet competition have you all geared up about the future of the Pioneer District? How would YOU like to be a part of that future? Have you always wanted to get up on the contest stage (or get back on it), but don't have a quartet?

Well, now you DO! Chordiology is offering to sing on the contest stage this October with ANY man that would like to, but doesn’t have a quartet.

Think about it! Think about what it would be like to enjoy the rush of being introduced in a quartet and walking out from behind the curtains, to live out all of the fun that goes along with being on the stage with a true barbershop crowd behind you every moment of the way and enjoying all of their supportive applause, to hear the music you are making being amplified throughout the auditorium, to see your face up on the big screen (and don't forget that you can even get the video of it), and to enjoy the camaraderie that takes place between the quartets behind the scenes both beforehand and afterward! --- This could be and should be YOU!

We’re not aware of this ever having been done in Pioneer before, and you may have some questions, so we have created a "Q&A Section of Sorts" to help and explain a little bit about becoming a “Contest Chordiologist”:

Q&A Section of Sorts

Comment: “This is really different.”

Response: “It's supposed to be different. Our goal is to see more people enjoying singing and quarteting at convention than ever before, and this will be a great way to get that started.”

Comment: “But, I'm a chorus man.”

Response: “Great! We don't want to take anyone away from chorus singing. Choruses are vital to our District, and to our Society. But, did you know that quartet singers are among the most sought after chorus members in the Society? Ask your director about this phenomenon. So join us in the fun and raise your chorus member ‘stock’. Be careful though, you may soon find yourself moved to the front row in your Chorus!”

Question: “But, won't there be additional costs at the convention if sing on the stage?”

Answer: “Nope. If you register for convention and are a member in good standing there are no additional fees for entering the quartet competition.

* We have listed four possible song choices of songs for people to choose from and that we also will be learning. All songs have the highest quality learning tracks available on the market today and are available through BHS Headquarters. Feel free to learn all four songs if you'd like, but you only need to know two to go on stage. :) Call 800-876-SING to order your learning tracks and music today!

The songs are:

* A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet – Society Stock #200108

* It’s a Brand New Day – Society Stock #200093

* There’s a New Gang on the Corner- Society Stock #8844

* I Don’t Mind Being All Alone – Society Stock #7399

* We will be performing the songs exactly as they are recorded on the tracks so no worries about interp either.

* Rehearsals? Given that you have the music well in advance and that we are singing the same interp as on the learning tracks you will be able to rehearse with the learning tracks as often as you would like in order to be ready to enjoy the weekend the fullest. In addition to the great learning tracks and consistent interp, Chordiology will be checking into the hotel as early as we can on the Friday of convention and will be "rehearsing" (most likely in the lobby of the hotel) with anyone that will be joining us on stage.   So we encourage you to check in early and join us in the lobby and have some fun singing!   Heck, even if you're not going to be a Contest Chordiologist come and join us in the lobby and have some fun singing!

* Attire will be "stage appropriate", but don't worry about everyone matching. Wear what you would wear with your chorus or quartet on a stage performance. Again, it's about the singing and the camaraderie.

* As a side note, Audacity may be a helpful tool while practicing. Not familiar with Audacity please see  tinyurl.com/6e7fou

There you go. Those are the basics. An opportunity for all of us to have a great time singing together and bringing our joy of song to the stage. So, if you have more questions, would like to learn more, or you and a bunch of your friends would like to join in then just send us an email and let us know and we'll get you the information you are looking for. We're looking forward to singing with YOU.

We've never done this before so things may change, so stay "tuned" and remember to send that email to ContestChordiologist@Chordiology.com or call us at 734-812-5757.

As always, let us know how we can help.

The guys of Chordiology
Cliff, Paul, Dave and Rob



July 2008 Archive \| Ads \| Submissions \| Links Online Edition #7