BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??

Subject: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 03:53 PM

Used to be when I was in highschool...

Just curious really...

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Tony Burns
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 03:56 PM

Yikes! There's a web site.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 03:59 PM

Of course there is!

But that doesn't answer my question...

Any Mudcatter's members?

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Burke
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 04:49 PM

Wrong gender here, but the hubby of one of my best friends is deeply involved. He's a judge, arranger, director of a chorus, the whole 9 yards.

It's as much a consuming passion for him as Sacred Harp is for me. I guess it's a lot of fun for the participants, but like many similar activites has a lot of gray hairs in its major membership.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 06:31 PM

It's nice music..not my first interest, but always nice to hear...and....I was listening as a kid in 1954 when the championship was held, and The Orphans,a group from my home town, Wichita, KS...won first place.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Gary T
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 06:45 PM

Okay, I give up, what do the letters stand for?

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 07:04 PM

Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 07:07 PM

Should have noted:

The "Ladies Auxiliary" is called the "Sweet Adelines."

John

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Scotsbard
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 07:11 PM

*handing you a kleenex*
Ghezundheit!

...

I sang with the Tidelanders for a while, but I was single and the demographics weren't exactly promising. Fun singing though!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Gary T
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 07:17 PM

Thanks, John. I was stumped on some of them--I don't think I ever would have guessed "encouragement."

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 10:56 PM

Mr. Sorcha used to do this, before his Real Life got too busy. Once in a while he still tries, but once in a while is not usually good enough for them. They want full committment,not that I blame them. Takes practice to sing full harmony.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 12:02 AM

I've never been a member of SPEB, but for a while as a young pup I hung about with a couple of guys who were very active, and we have a couple of friends now who participate.
The drill is four part close harmoney, and the holy grail is to "hear the fifth note." It is most amazing when the audience hears it too - and it does happen.

Some of our guys who get all cranked up over how to tune their gittars should really try it - then they'd understand what "in-tune" really means.

Incidentally - it don't happen with an equal tempered scale.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: DougR
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 12:12 AM

Not now, but I conducted a chorus in the mid fifties.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 01:24 PM

I'm thinking of looking around to see if maybe there's a local chapter... just fer shits and giggles...

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: paddymac
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 05:24 PM

I sang with the local chapter for nearly 20 years, but then got involved in other thing. I still help out with the annual show, but haven't kept up with the music. SPEBSQSA is actually sort of a misnomer at this point, as there are many offshoot organizations in other countries, and not all of them English-speaking peoples. We used to say it was the most fun you could have with your clothes on. I'd say that about most music now. There is a magic when the group really locks that barbershop 7th chord. And then when you hear the overtones, the hairs on you arms and neck stand up, but when its the undertone, its the hair on your legs. Haven't the slightest idea why that is, but any barbershopper will attest to it. As a group, they have a major event at least every 90 days, with twice-a-year international gatherings and twice-a-year District gatherings. Then there are the "special events" that vary from District to District. Basically, you can go to a quality song fest of some sort every six weeks or so if your budget and calendar permit. Great fun, and, most especially, a great way to develop a proper foundation for teh science and art of good singing. I highly recommend it. A great bunch of guys, from all walks of life, brought together by the love of good singing.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: RedCelt
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 10:00 PM

Do these guys work with absolute beginners? Their website says "All it takes is "wanna" - -we can teach the "how to.", but I don't seem to find anything more than that encouraging teaser...

I thought perhaps one of you former member-types would know, and save me the trouble of tracking them down if they work better with more experienced people.

Thanks,

Jeff

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone here in the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.??
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 11:16 PM

Yes, Jeff they do. You have to seriously want to do it and attend almost every chorus meeting but they will work with you. Mr. Sorcha says that the most fun is in the Quartet stuff---not a chorus but just 4 men who are truly dedicated to the music.