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December 9, 2016 #38

Admin IssueGHC, HNC, SOUNDINGS & CCLT

Choir Community Newsletter <><><><><><><><> Quick Reminders! <><><><><><><><>

Cancelled Soprano/Tenor Sectional Re-ScheduledThursday, Dec. 15, 6:45 - 7:30 pm (corrected)

Details in the GHC News & Business section

Soundings ConcertsDec.10, 7:30 pm, Oak Bay United Church

Dec.11, 2:30 pm, St Mary's Church, SaanichtonDetails in the Community Events sectionDenis will have tickets at GHC evenings

GHC Our Place SWATWednesday, Dec. 14, 5 - 6 pm

Details in the Opportunities To Sing section

Water Is Life Flash MobSat. Dec. 17 at the Bay Centre

Details in the Opportunities To Sing section

Coastlines CD Release Concert(our Jan. 2015 Concert Guests)

Sat. Dec. 3 at Oak Bay HighDetails in the Word Of Mouth / Recommendations section

Holiday BreakGHC Dec. 16-Jan 1 – HNC Dec. 7-Jan 2

2017 Start-ups: GHC wk of Jan 2, 3 & 5 – HNC Jan 3

End of Fall Season ConcertsJan. 27 & 28 with Fintan O’Brien

Details on our web site’s Concerts Page

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>For access to all current and archived issues please go to: http://www.gettinhigherchoir.ca/choir_life/newsletters.php

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Admin Team Notes

Denis

I am particularly jazzed about the Soundings concerts coming up in a few days (Saturday and Sunday - info in this newsletter). It would be so great to see lots of you there! Tickets are easily (and safely) available on-line here

Stay warm, everyone!

~ Denis

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Gloria

Weather permitting - we’ll be singing together for one more week and then off for the Christmas break. It feel like the songs for the January concert are all coming together and sounding good. There will be posters to put up in January and of course, tickets to buy for our friends and families. Some of you have asked how long concert tickets will be available and the answer is….right up until the days of the concerts – unless we are sold out.

See you all next week.

~ Gloria

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Gettin’ Higher Choir InfoGHC Swat Schedule

Sing When Asked To (“What’s a SWAT” and other info)

Open SWATat Our Place Wednesday Dec. 14, 5 - 6pm

Please gather at 4:30 in the foyer at 919 Pandora Ave. We will have a 30 minute warm up / rehearsal upstairs.

We have room for only 30 singers for this SWAT. Please note that the repertoire will include a few songs from past seasons (see * below), so we are calling for strong singers who know all these songs. 

Light is Returning

Amazing GraceBe ThouHere is My HomeMay it Be Water is LifePeace Joy at Christmas TImeBambelelaHappy Christmas (John Lennon) There is More Love Somewhere

We will also include a few seasonal songs, led by Denis, for all to join in on.

Please sign up at choir, or email shivon@gettinhigherchoir.ca if you can join us. Put your name and section on the subject line.  Thank you. **********************

GHC Swat Schedule (cont.)

Flash Mob…  "Water is Life / Mni Wiconi"  Update

See WATER IS LIFE Flash Mob page on Facebook. Lots of details there.

Rehearsal at 548 Dallas Road. Monday Dec. 12, 6:45-8:15.

Tia Benn came to GHC last Tuesday, and will come again next Thursday evening, and sing the song with us, and see if anyone else wants to take part in the Flash Mob and/or other events. 

All who know the song well enough to sing it through,  off book,  are welcome to take part!    To hear Sara singing the song go to: Water Is Life page

~ Shivon & Denis

*********************** QUOTABLES ***********************

The new media giants [Google, Facebook, etc.], for all their glamour, are glorified phone books, connecting the message senders with message receivers.  They just present businesses with a yellow pages of people, organized into audiences.

Frank Pasquale, The Black Box Society

Editor's Collection

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New:   corrected Fiddler On The Roof Singers Needed! (GHC goes off-Broadway)

Last year, a sing-along Fiddler on the Roof was put on at the Synagogue on Blanshard Street.

The show was sold out, and was a big hit!  This year, it is happening again, on Sunday March 27 26, afternoon, and Monday March 28 27, evening.

Director Zelda Dean approached the choir, with the invitation that we provide 20 strong singers for the 2 shows, who could learn the 7 main songs, and sing them with confidence from one of the balconies, as a way of supporting the audience to sing along as well.  One half of the proceeds from both shows will be donated to The Caia Connection, the local Charity that supports our projects in Mozambique.

Cathy Roper Baker and I (Shivon) will be leading several rehearsals over the next few months, and there will be one or two rehearsals at the venue with the band (The Klez) closer to show time. The songs are easily learned from YouTube versions, especially if you are already somewhat familiar with them.

Please email Shivon@gettinhigherchoir.ca to let me know if you are interested.

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GHC News & BusinessChoir Sectional Schedule

The Dec. 8th “Cancelled because of snow” sectionals for Sopranos and Tenors have been re-scheduled for Dec. 15th starting at 6:45. Please be there a bit before then so we can warm up early and be singing repertoire starting right on time

Home sectionals & Cross Sectionals can, of course, happen anytime anyone wants to host one. For more information about sectionals and hosting them please see details in the GHC Home Sectionals section below and/or visit: http://www.gettinhigherchoir.ca/choir_life/#sectionals ~ Shivon & Denis

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My Schedule

If you have fees to hand in and I am not there please hold them until the next time you see me or, if needful, you can give them to Gloria (or to Shivon if Gloria isn’t there).

My schedule for the next couple of weeks is…

Monday Dec 12 Tuesday Dec 13 Thursday Dec 15

If you have information to pass on to me or questions to ask feel free to contact me at bill@gettinhigherchoir.ca or 250-920-4160 (9 to 9 daily).

~ Bill

**********************GHC News & Business (cont.)

Choir Gift MarketAll proceeds to the worthy causes specified

GHC Concert TicketsAvailable at choir from now on

Concerts are January 27 and 28 - 7:30With guest artist Fintan O’Brien

At the Alix Goolden Hall, 970 Pandora

Tickets are $25 and $20 (senior/student/unwaged) and will be available at choir from December 5 right through and including the days of the concerts (you’ll be able to have them held at the door for pick-up).

Also remind anyone who’s interested that they can buy the tickets on line by going to www.gettinhigherchoir.ca .

Great for gifts, stocking stuffers, etc.

When you purchase them at choir please make it easy on the ticket sellers by working out in advance which concerts you want tickets for, how many of each type you need and their total cost.

If you need to change the concert night later simply bring the tickets back and exchange them. 

Please make cheques payable to The Power of Hope

~ Gloria

Gift Cards

Power of Hope and Caia Connection gift cards will be available at all choir nights…until the Christmas break.

Cards are $10 each - with the following text: A gift has been made on your behalf to support 1. Power of Hope programs, or 2. Kuwangisana Education Programs

Thanks in advance for supporting our two Charities through the purchase of these gift cards.

Submitted by Gloria Hansen, GHC Admin and Board Member of The Power of Hope and The Caia Connection

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BILL HUOT'SCHRISTMAS AND SOLSTICE

MUSIC SAMPLERS

I will be selling my seasonal music compilations again at every GHC practice from now until the break.  I am a Yuletide music historian and folklorist. These are compilation CDs with detailed interpretive liner notes focused on various seasonal themes.  Some of them feature songs about the birth of Jesus, the angels, shepherds etc, while others have songs related to the secular celebration of the Christmas holidays.  Some, like this year’s new sampler, celebrate the Winter Solstice, not Christmas.  See detailed descriptions here.  Each 78 minute (or longer) CD features a wide variety of performers and styles of music, carefully selected and organized to reward active listening. The musical selections are drawn from my extensive collection of recordings (many of which are out-of-print).

I request a donation of $15 each – $5 for people on low income.

ALL of the proceeds are donated to the Power of Hope and to the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation.

Submitted by: Bill Huot erratic GHC bass

GHC Home Sectionals

For fun and practice…Host A Home Sectional!  (During our holiday break or in January)

Next week’s Community Issue is the last newsletter before the holiday break.If possible it would be excellent to have your home sectional listed in it!

Sectional = Participants from one sectionCross Sectional = Members of all 4 sections in relatively equal numbers per section (8 to 20 total) is best.

Sectionals, and Cross Sectionals, hosted in members’ homes (or residential buildings’ social rooms) are a very enjoyable ways to practice our parts and to get to know each other better. Including a finger food, or full meal deal, pot-luck as part of a social time also goes down well.

Usually sectional hosts extend an open invitation and usually a half dozen to a couple of dozen singers will participate. If space is limited a first responder maximum number can be specified.

Cross sectional hosts usually specify 3 to 5 people per section to get a good balance and to maximize the ability of everybody to hear all the parts clearly.

Denis and Shivon will get to as many of the sectionals as they can but the cross-sectionals are usually directed either by a capable member volunteer or co-operatively by the participants.

If Denis or Shivon are not participating you can either:

use a keyboard, guitar or other means of giving starting notes if you, or you have someone, who knows how (if you don’t know how ask around in your section for someone who does).~ or ~

sing along to the appropriate parts files from our web site played either via a computer or downloaded to a suitable device or played using one of our Practice CDs. 

Just pick a date and time that works for you, let me know and I will:

1. add your sectional to the “Home Sectional Invitations” list in the appropriate issues of the newsletter

2. post your invitation in our site’s Choir Life: Calendar

3. email a special advance announcement (for sectionals but not cross sectionals) to everyone in your section and email you a call list of names and phone numbers for members of your section who are not on email.

Our last choir night before the holiday break is Thursday Dec. 15 and we start up again Jan. 2

If you are interested but want some questions answered, or concerns addressed, feel free to call me at 920-4160 (9 to 9 weekdays).

~ Bill

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Scheduled Home Sectionals

Basses @ Bills   ~ Jan. 4th

I am hosting a home sectional for all Basses on Jan. 4th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  The more of us there are the better it will be.

Beverages of choice and snacks to share are welcome. The practice will be followed by a social gathering for those feeling social.

77 Gorge Rd. West, (at Wascana across from Wings ~ #8 or #11 bus). Follow the signs from the gate. Map: http://www.crucible.ca/home77.jpg

For further information or answers to your questions please contact me at 250-920-4160 (9 to 9) or at bill@gettinhigherchoir.ca 

Submitted by: Bill Hanson, multi-night rotating Bass

Section? @ Your place? – When?

If you want to host a home sectional setting the date and time in time to be listed in next week’s newsletter would be good!

Submitted by: ????????

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Other Info About OurCommunity Of ChoirsHigh Noon Choir News & Business

High Noon Choir….A daytime community choir

Join us for the Winter Session - here’s when, where and how

When: Tuesdays 12 noon – 1:30 pmWhere: Church of Truth 111 Superior St. (James Bay)

Our Winter Session runs from Jan. 3 ‘til Mar. 21New singers always welcome Orientation for new singers - Tuesday, Jan 3 – 11:30 – 12:00

This is a non-audition choir, all are welcome.

Shivon Robinsong and Gloria Hansen HNC Director and Registrar

**********************Soundings News

& Business

Soundings Concerts

Hello Friends of Soundings - I am excited to let you know about our upcoming concerts! We have some new gems and some old favourites for you, as always, and we hope that you will be able to come to one of our concerts. The info is below, and I have attached a copy of our beautiful poster. 

“A Soundings West Coast Winter”

In our annual December concert Soundings celebrates the dark time of the year in music ranging from Medieval carols and wassails to contemporary songs by Pentatonix, The Roches, and Ola Gjeilo. Please join us for a lively and uncommonly diverse feast of Christmas music, and be prepared to sing along a bit!

Saturday Dec.10, 7:30 pm, Oak Bay United Church, 1355 Mitchell StSunday Dec.11, 2:30 pm, St Mary's Church, Saanichton, 1973 Cultra

Tickets $20 adults, $15 seniors, students, and unwagedavailable now at www.soundings.eventbrite.ca

I hope you can join us!

 Denis

**********************Admin Team

Special AnnouncementsFrom time to time Shivon, Denis, Gloria or Bill will use this section to announce activities and events that they are involved in, or support, outside of their normal

work for the choirs and the CCLT. A Child's Christmas in Wales

Brian Wismath wishes to share Vox Humana Chamber Choir’s event with you…

… “Always on Christmas night there was music” …

A Vox Humana tradition. Dylan Thomas’ quintessential Christmastime story read by Welshman Melville Jones and accompanied by carols. Enjoyed best with friends and family, and fun for all ages!

Performances:December 22nd, 2016 – 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm), Sylvan United Church (985 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay Rd, Mill Bay, BC V0R 2P2)

December 23rd, 2016 – 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm), St. Mary’s Anglican Church (1973 Cultra Ave, Saanichton, BC V8M 1L7)

December 24th, 2016 – 2:30pm (doors open at 2pm), Alix Goolden Performance Hall (907 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC V8V 3N4)

Tickets: By Donation

Facebook page

~ Denis

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Winter Solstice in Victoria

Rejoice, sunset is get a little later each day now.

Dec  Sunrise      Sunset        Daylength

10    7:55 am     4:18 pm     8:23:46      Earliest sunset21    8:03 am     4:21 pm     8:18:33     Winter Solstice (shortest sunlight)31    8:05 am     4:29 pm     8:23:33      Latest sunrise

This happens because of the difference between how we measure time using watches and the time measured by a sundial.

~ Bill (because it seemed interesting and timely. Source: Ernie Sketchley, GHC Mon Bass)

*********************** QUOTABLES ***********************

What is money (and all its derivative forms) other than information about how much of our collective goods and services its owner can demand?  And what are reputation and search firms establishing other than new currencies for allocating opportunity and attention?  All these firms try to process information in order to score quick gains.  But we should never lose sight of the fact that the numbers on their computer terminals have real effects, deciding who gets funded and found, and who is left discredited or obscure.

Frank Pasquale, The Black Box Society

Editor's Collection

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CCLT UPDATESCommunity Choir Leadership Trainings

A two week workshop for current and prospectivecommunity choir leaders facilitated annually by Denis & Shivon

Nancy Watters, CCLT1 - 2004/5

In recent years Nancy’s musical focus has been on playing, presenting workshops on, providing sound therapy with and selling crystal bowls.

To check what she is offering this holiday season click here.

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Cari Burdett, CCLT3 - 2006/7

.6th Annual Winter Solstice Concert

Cari Burdett, along with acclaimed Fado singer Sara Marreiros and their talented musician friends return this year to present the 6th Annual Winter Solstice Concert.  This year’s event will be visiting Mill Bay and Victoria; the Victoria show takes place on the evening of the Winter Solstice itself.

Mill Bay, Sunday, Dec. 18Oak Bay, Wednesday, Dec 21

Every year they offer an array of different songs and 2016 will not disappoint! For Featured performers, locations, tickets and other info see the event Flyer and/or Poster

For more musical opportunities check-out Cari online newsletter

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CHOIR & ADMIN TEAMWEB SITE LINKS

The Gettin’Higher Choir

GHC Choir Life Home & Calendar

Accessing Our newsletters

Using Our Newsletters

CommunityChoirLeadership

Ubuntu Choirs

Shivon Robinsong

Denis Donnelly

Soundings Music Ensemble

Bill’s Digital Dance Computer Tutoring

The above list doesn’t appear in all issues of the newsletter

Suggestion: If you haven’t previously done so copy it to a Word or other text document for storage on your computer, or to print out, for future reference.

================== THATS NOT ALL FOLKS ================Our Choir Community Issue (Part 2) follows next Friday with lots of

interesting submissions from other choir community members plus some Quote Breaks and the Just For Fun section!

Please submit any items you have for it by midnightnext Wednesday to bill@gettinhigherchoir.ca

=====================================================You can always find links to both current and past newsletter issues at:http://www.gettinhigherchoir.ca/choir_life/newsletters.php

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