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 [email protected], or
the Chatter editor, Dick Zang, at [email protected]. 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
[email protected] [email protected]
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