That Was the Week That Was - May 16-23rd

That Was the Week That Was - May 16-23rd

I think there used to be a news-type TV show on by this name when I was a kid. Since I never got around to doing a blog about Regional Competition or anything else this week, I'll use this title to give a brief rundown on "My Week That Was."

Competition:

I am a member of a Sweet Adelines chorus. If you don't know what that is, it's Barbershop singing, but for women only. Barbershop singing is A Capella singing without accompaniment (like piano, organ, full orchestra), very tight 4-part harmony. If you're familiar with "The Music Man," in that movie there was a group of four male singers who sang several songs throughout the movie. Most people who are familiar with Barbershop, can trace their familiarity to this movie.

A week ago we were in Spokane, Washington, for our annual Regional Competition. This was one of the high points of my week. We ended up with a third place medal in the mid-size (31-60 member chorus) for our efforts and hard work throughout the year. We also saw quartets perform, and at the Show of Champions on Saturday night, heard the championship choruses we were unable to hear because we were the last performers. Lots of good music!

Choreo Queen

The other highlight of the week came on Monday night at our chorus Installation banquet. We generally hold it the Monday evening after competition. We gather as a chorus to install officers for the coming year, announce the "Sweet Adeline of the Year," and "Choreo Queen." The Sweet Adeline of the year is chosen from among a group of ladies who are nominated by other chorus members for their outstanding support of the chorus throughout the year. We vote for our choice in March, but don't find out the winner until Banquet night. The Choreo Queen is chosen by our chorus choreographer and is the most-improved in choreography for the past year. Choreography is a big part of our repertoire. Not that we dance, but there are some choreographed moves, as well as facial expression, which is a part of our type of singing. Imagine MY surprise when my name was announced as Choreo Queen! This has been a difficult thing for me to do, as a quiet and shy person. I've been a member for 4 years, and it has taken lots of work to overcome my shyness and "perform" while singing. I have a nice plaque which says "Choreo Queen" and my name, which I have to give back next year so the next Choreo Queen can have it for the next year, but I am deeply honored that our choreographer thought I worked harder than anyone else in our chorus to achieve this distinction.

End of the Year Blues

Most of the past week has been spent in sorting out our money issues for the chorus. I am the Treasurer, and this is the beginning of the new fiscal year. Of course there are still some money matters that are unresolved for the past year, so this week has been busy for me as I sort out the incoming and pay bills for the outgoing. I will probably still be doing this into June, because Competition related-stuff falls into the past fiscal year, even though it occurs in May (year end is April 30th). At least this year I have a nice, new, fast computer to do the bookwork on.

Happy Birthday, Baby B!

Today is my youngest granddaughter's first birthday! We'll be leaving shortly for her home to bring gifts, pay homage, eat, and enjoy her company, along with other family members. Doesn't seem possible that a year has sped by already. Many happy returns of the day!