FYI from Rita

Sue –

Would you mind sending this note out to the singers with regards to St, John’s Blue Christmas service.  If they would like to join us to sing for that service, it will be Thursday Dec 23 at 7:00pm.  Come to the music room at 6:30 to run through “If this Child”.  The service  should last a little less than an hour.  Dress should be church semi dressy/church clothes (?) We will not be wearing robes.

If anyone would like to sing Christmas Eve Service with us, we will rehearse that music at 6:15.  It is all very easy (J - do you think they will believe me?!) and we would love extra singers.  Christmas Eve Service is Dec 24 we will sing through at 6:15.  Service begins at 7:00pm and will last an hour.

Thank you!!!

Rita

Holiday Concerts

Well folks - Our holiday concerts are over and we have a chance to soak up the holiday season and rest our voices.  Below are the highlights of this past weekend.

We had our first concert on Saturday with the presence of CCN recording us for future broadcast.  Their broadcast schedule can be found here, and the first airing of our concert will be this Wednesday, December 15th at 7:30PM on channel 8 (for some of us).  Also, although we were all worried about the weather forecast for Sunday it turned out to be too warm for snow, and our program wasn't disrupted by inclement weather.  You could feel the energy in the air, and the aching hearts at the thought of Rita and Todd's last concert with us, but we sang our hearts out (I think better than on Saturday), and finished to a rousing encore.

Afterwards we met in the rehearsal room to say our official goodbye to Rita and Todd and welcome our new (and old) director, Tom Ruhl, and accompanist, Connie Pauling-Young.  Below is their contact information if you need to get hold of them (or send them a Christmas card!):

Thomas Ruhl
310 Lincoln Ave.
Williamsport, PA 17701,
Tele.-570-329-3070, Cell-570-220-1544,
TRuhl56@yahoo.com
 
He is Exec. VP and Chief Operating officer of Keystone Staffing , Montoursville, PA.

Connie Pawling-Young
8 Hafer Circle
New Columbia, PA 17856
Tele. 570-568-2183, Cell-570-428-5780

She currently is choir director at First Baptist Church in Milton and a retired music teacher from the Warrior Run School District.
 
If anyone has any pictures of the concerts this past weekend, please share them with the group!  You can email them to me at megan.i.hauck@gmail.com.

In addition, our wonderful quartet spiritedly performed at many holiday functions and are proudly representing BVS.

It's that time of year!

Just a few reminders for the upcoming concert: Dress -white short sleeved blouses with long black skirts, black stockings and black shoes for women; white short sleeved shirts, black tie, black trousers, black socks and shoes for men.

Please plan to attend the social after Sunday's concert so that we can all honor Rita and Todd. The members-at-large will provide cold cuts, rolls and beverages.Others should bring finger foods, such as appetizers or desserts.

At rehearsal Thursday evening there will be cards to sign for Rita, Todd, and Sue Trate, as well as the sign-up sheet for the spring season. These will all be available at the concerts on Saturday and Sunday too.

BVS Quartet Performances

The BVS Quartet, the Victorian Carolers, has 3 December engagements. 

• December 5th, 7pm - Elmcroft "Hanging of the Greens"
• December 15th and 16th, 4-5pm - Victoria House High Tea

In addition, there will be a performance in February.

• February, 16th - (time?) Victoria House High Tea

Singers are Ruth Blankenship (soprano), Lucie Rivoire and Judy Blee (alto), Joe Keller (tenor), and Lloyd Wolf (bass).

Happy Holidays :)

Rehearsal Announcements - 11-29

This Sunday, December 5th, we will be singing the Lights of Love Concert at Evangelical Hospital.  We will meet at 3:30pm in the cafeteria.  See you there!

For our next Monday rehearsal (December 6th), we will gather to set up at 5:15pm and the smaller ensemble will practice at 6:30.  Regular rehearsal will begin at 7pm.

Concert Blurb

Here is the link to the concert blurb, in case you'd like to send it to anyone in an email or print out any copies.

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B4wh7j9EGNL0M2Q3ZDMzYTItODIzZi00MmM3LWJmYmItNmQ2ZDhiM2Q5ZDA5&sort=name&layout=list&num=50

Winter Concert Poster

Britten - A Ceremony of Carols (03) There is No Rose

This is a great recording of "There is No Rose", but it's SSA.

Rehearsal Announcements - 11-8

- Poinsettia money should be handed in within two weeks. Flowers come with 6-8 blooms per plant and there are 5 varieties (Red, White, Pink, Red with With Speckles, and Mixed). Karen Reigle will be helping with orders, so you can see her or Bill Vint for more information.

- We are still accepting applications for director and accompanist, so keep spreading the word.

- Help is still needed to set up and tear down the stage before and after concerts. If you are interested, please sign the list in the red book.

- About 4 ushers per concert date are needed. See Diane Moles if you are interested.

- A solo sign-up sheet went around during rehearsal this past week, so if you missed the opportunity to sign up, see Rita.

A Random Act of Culture

Thanks to Karen Schrawder for sharing this amazing link!

(From the Creative Minority Report Website - http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2010/11/awesome-pop-up-hallelujah-chorus-at.html)  Just this past weekend, shoppers at the the Macy's in Philadelphia (the old Wanamaker building) were surprised when over 600 choristers who were there mingling with regular shoppers suddenly burst into Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. It's pretty awesome.

The Opera Company of Philadelphia was instrumental in bringing it together to perform one of the Knight Foundation's "1000 Random Acts of Culture" which they'll be doing over the next three years across the country. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world's largest pipe organ - the singers burst into song at exactly noon.



I must admit that it made me cry a little! I'm such a baby...but to see that many people enjoy something so much to take time out of their day to deliberately stop and sing an amazing piece of music! And oh to be one of those people who weren't in on the secret :)

Job Postings

Buffalo Valley Singers are looking for a new director to start in January of 2011. Rita Griffith announced she is unable to continue as director because of personal and professional obligations as well as the lengthy commute from her home in Centre County. BVS Board President Margaret Reier will accept resumes from interested candidates until November 15^th.  Resumes should be sent to: Buffalo Valley Singers, Attn. Margaret Reier, 1050 Buffalo Rd., Lewisburg, PA 17837. For more information, email Margaret at mreier4@hotmail.com.  

 

Todd Hummel will also be stepping down as accompaniest next season. Anyone interested in that position should also contact Margaret.

My Favorite Britten on Youtube...

It's only SSA, but it's really beautiful!

If you look under the name "wizard9a9" you can find the rest of the tracks from the Ceremony.

Rehearsal Announcements - 11-1

On Saturday, November 13th, there will be a Barbershop Chorus Concert that will include three local Barbershop Choruses, as well as one High School Barbershop Chorus.  The concert will start at 7:59pm at Central Columbia High School.  See Matt Poremsky for more information.

Also on Saturday, November 13th at 8pm, will be an"Evening with Lincoln" at the Slifer House.  Pre-Concert music will begin at 7:45pm.  See Ruth Blankenship for more information.


Poinsettias will be on sale this winter for $8 a piece.  Four colors are available:  pink, white, red and mixed.  These will decorate our winter concert stage and be available for pickup afterward.  See Bill Vint for more information.

Did you know....?

...that you can "Follow" the BVS Blog?  

Following Publicly: When you follow a blog publicly, your profile image and a link to your Blogger profile will appear in the blog's Followers widget.  This site will also show on your Google Friend Connect profile for all the sites you've joined using Friend Connect. You will also be subscribed to updates for this blog which will appear in your Reading List on your Dashboard. Additionally, following a blog will create a subscription to the blog in your Google Reader account.

Following Privately: When you follow a blog privately, your profile image and link to your profile will NOT be displayed in the blog's Followers widget and the blog will not be displayed in your Friend Connect profile on other sites. However, you will be subscribed to updates for this blog which will appear in your Reading List on your Dashboard. Additionally, following a blog privately will create a subscription to the blog in your Google Reader account.

Also, if you would rather receive email updates each time a message is posted, let me know.  Unfortunately, I can add ONLY 10 email addresses, so this will be first come, first serve.  Email me if you would like to be added to this email list.

Barbershop Choruses Plan Program of Favorites

[transcribed from The Daily Item, Thursday, October 14, 2010]

Williamsport - West Brand Chorus and Heart of Pennsylvania, local men and women's barbershop choruses, will entertain with a variety of music, jokes, and stories at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Community Theater League in Williamsport.
The West Branch Chorus, based in Lewisburg, is under the direction of Matt Poremsky and assisted by Kevin Zimmerman.  The group will sing favorites such as "When I'm 64", "Love Me Tender", "Aura Lee", and "What A Wonderful World".

Three men's quartets will also be entertaining:  Enduring Chords, WB-4 and A Long Way from Perfect.  Master of ceremonies for the men's group will be Ken Paulhamus.

The female group, the Heart of Pennsylvania chorus, under the direction of Dee Casteel, will entertain with such songs as "San Francisco Bay Blues", "I Got Rhythm Medley", "Battle Hymn of the Republic", and "Shall We Gather at the River", and arrangement written by the Rev. Robert Lowry of Lewisburg.  Two women's quartets, Generation Gap and Heart's Desire, will also perform and Bev Staman will emcee.

Barbershop music is a staple in the CTL concert line-up.  The West Branch Chorus has been making a stop at the Community Theatre each year for nearly a decade.

Tickets are two for $25 and $15 for adults and $8 for students and can be purchased online at http://www.ctlnet.org/showDetail.aspx?sId=14 or by calling 327-1777, weekdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COOL!

Cyberbass - Britten Parts

Below is a link that will take you to the parts of the Britten.  You can listen to the parts separately, or all together, and all sections of the Britten are included.  If you feel creative, you could burn them onto a CD to listen in your car, or even upload these to your iPod!  Have fun!

http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Britten_B/britten_ceremony_carols_satb.htm

A note about the directory link...

FYI - I'm not sure why the directory can  not be previewed in google docs, but it can still be downloaded and viewed from your own computer.  Sorry about this!  I've tried everything I can think of to fix this and it just isn't working.  If anyone has any issues about accessing the file, let me know and I'll email it to you directly or try to get you a print version. 

This link is still valid, despite the preview malfunction, to download the file:  https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4wh7j9EGNL0Zjg3NjdmYmQtYzdlNy00NmM4LThhMGYtMDFjNzA4MDAzOGNj&hl=en

2010-2011 Membership Directory

Hi Folks,

The 2010-2011 BVS Membership Directory is finally finished!  If you go to https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4wh7j9EGNL0ZmI2YWM4MGEtZGIxMi00NjM0LThiOTAtYTFjMWMzNGYxZWU0&hl=en (10/23 update:  file is now compatible with older versions of word), you can view and download the file.  It will always be available online, so don't feel required to download it unless you really want.  Also, in order to protect our personal contact information the file is password protected.  The password will not be posted online, but it will be sent out in an email and shared during rehearsals.  Also, you can always email me at megan.i.hauck@gmail.com if you still can't find it.  Please use the directory for communications between members, and hopefully our community can grow a little closer!

-Megan H.

Buffalo Valley Brass

Judith Blee - Trumpet

David Heberlig - Trumpet

Karen Mansfield - French Horn

W. Thomas Mecouch - Trombone

John P. Letteer - Tuba

The BUFFALO VALLEY BRASS, organized in 1982, is comprised of musicians from Lewisburg, Mifflinburg, and State College.  Their repertoire includes Christmas, classical, Dixieland, folk, jazz, spirited marches, patriotic, pop, and religious music. The Brass has performed in many central Pennsylvania communities as well as at the State College First Night, Mifflinburg’s Christkindl Market, and even at the White House in Washington, D.C.   Additionally, their performances have included their annual Christmas Concerts with the Buffalo Valley Singers, church services, school assembly programs, building dedications, arts festivals, weddings, summer concerts in the park, dinner entertainment for service clubs, and shopping mall concerts.  Organizations or persons interested in engaging the BVB should contact John P. Letteer, Lewisburg @ 570-523-3756 or any member of the quintet.

Judy Blee (trumpet & piccolo trumpet) lives in Lewisburg and is a retired music teacher from the Lewisburg Area School District.  David Heberlig (trumpet), also from Lewisburg, is a retired elementary principal from the Lewisburg School District and a former instrumental music teacher and band director.  Karen Mansfield (French horn) lives in State College and is Director of Hotels for the HFL Corporation, which owns and operates the State College Comfort Suites and Sleep Inn.  Tom Mecouch (trombone) resides in Mifflinburg and is a counselor at Lewisburg’s Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School.  John Letteer (tuba), also a resident of Lewisburg, is a retired elementary and middle school instrumental music teacher and band director from the Lewisburg Area School District.

Inclement Weather

Just so you know, the blog can be used as a resource for possible rehearsal or concert delays and cancellations. I will be notified before 3pm on a rehearsal date if changes are made to our schedule and will post it on the blog as soon as I can after that.  You also have the option of being emailed or called, and these two options will be discussed in choir rehearsal next week.

Pronunciation Guide for the Britten

Rita has suggested a website to use a resource for the pronunciation in the Ceremony of Carols.  As she has repeated in rehearsals, we will not be following the guide EXACTLY, and we will discuss other pronunciations in rehearsal.

http://www.pronunciationguide.info/English.html

Rehearsal Announcements - 10-4

• October 22nd, 7:30pm at the Williamsport Community Theatre League:  The West Branch Chorus and The Heart of PA Chorus are sharing the stage in an evening of tight harmonies and a capella fun. Quartets from both choruses will also strut their stuff.  Follow this link to buy tickets!  http://www.ctlnet.org/showDetail.aspx?sId=14
• The Muncy church that BVS used to rehearse at lost their roof in the recent storm.  Please keep them in your thoughts.
• The final version of the directory will be "published" soon.  If you have not already checked your information, please email me at megan.i.hauck@gmail.com.  

Oktoberfest: Mifflinburg Style

Hello friends!

Please support Mifflinburg's Oktoberfest celebration on October 1st and 2nd!  Come out and enjoy a brat and a mug brimming with German beer, while listening to German bands and polka music.  Check out the official website for details!

http://oktoberfest.mifflinburgpa.com/

Video Suggestions

Hello all!  Below are some suggestions of recordings of Ceremony of Carols that can be found on youtube.com. I tried to find one of each voicing for you to listen to.  There are many more quality recordings, and these are only suggestions, but maybe this will make it easier than finding your own!

The St. Maurice Masterworks Choir, under the direction of Dr. Brent Alexander, presents the Benjamin Britten Ceremony of Carols. December 6, 2009 at St. Maurice Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Philomela Wyble, harp. Cheryl Esposito Kaufman and Laurie Racculia, sopranos.

Benjamin Britten's

A CEREMONY OF CAROLS

Opus 28, for 3-part treble chorus and harp

Sung by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge

Harp: Frances Kelly

Conductor: Richard Marlow

1997

Rehearsal Announcements - 9-20

• Bring along some water!
• We are still in need of at least 10 additional members to help set up and tear down the risers before and after concerts.
• Midi audio files of all parts together and individual parts of the Ceremony of Carols can be accessed at http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Britten_B/britten_ceremony_carols_satb.htm.  You can download these files and access them from your computer, burn them onto a cd, or put them on your mp3 player!

Rehearsal Announcements - 9-13

• The patron program is important to keep the group alive!  Donations are tax deductible and forms and additional information are located on this blog.  Send any patron information to Sue Barnhart (sbarnhart614@verizon.net).
• Reminder:  The red binder is used for planned absences, so please fill it out if you know you will not be at rehearsal.
• A stage crew list is circulating - If you are interested in helping and are able to come early and leave late from concerts, please sign up.
• Due to our "Victoria's Secrets" showing, changes to our concert uniform have been discussed and voted upon.  The result is that women should always wear a short sleeve white blouse and long, black skirt to concerts.  The blouse should be simple and a camisole should be worn underneath.  Black panty hose and shoes should be worn.  Also, "everyone (including men) must wear deodorant".  (Some of the things Margie says are too funny to not write down...)

First Rehearsal!

Hello Folks - Happy first rehearsal!


Below is attached the Blog Tutorial handout, which details a few different features on our blog, as well as some handy tips to help you find your way around. Also, if you notice any typos or errors, please send me (megan.i.hauck@gmail.com) a quick message and I'll get it fixed right away. Remember, you can download and print most of the documents and forms available on the blog, so if hanging it from your fridge is easier than checking online, then feel free to print things out!

Click here to view and/or download the Blog Tutorial.

Let's Get Started!

Monday, September 13th marks our first rehearsal of the Fall 2010 season, and Judy and I are doing as much as possible to get this website up and running with as much information as possible before that date!  Feel free to post comments and send either of us an email if you have any questions.  We hope you find the site easy to use and informative, and please check for updates often!

Mark the following concert dates on your calendars now!:  December 5th, 11th, 12th, March 27th, and May 7th and 8th.