Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Msg #22: Next to last weekly update

Welcome to our twenty second preparedness update.All previous updates can be found at https://nehbprepare.blogspot.com 
Useful info and links at the bottom of this update..

Only Important Details
  • Ticket Sales for the Saturday Night Show now available (promo page, direct ticket ordering)
    • Bring friends, family and co-workers - a direct invitation works best
  • Uniforms:
    • Everyone will need a pitch pipe. :-)
    • Singouts call for Hawaiian shirts, jeans and sneakers
    • Chorus performance: white men's dress shirt, solid color tie, solid black pants & &shoes &belt & socks. If you need suspenders - black or solid colors.
  • The ride forms for rides to and from the rally will be closing tomorrow, and I will start arranging for rides on Friday.

Links To Everything

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Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Msg #21: Two Weeks To Go - preparations are now packing suitcases. :-)

Welcome to our twenty first preparedness update.All previous updates can be found at https://nehbprepare.blogspot.com 
Useful info and links at the bottom of this update..

Keeping the info tight, and keeping it real. :-)

Only Important Details

  • If you still owe the rally money, please pay in advance - that's much easier for our Treasurer, and allows you to get to singing more quickly.
  • Uniforms:
    • Everyone will need a pitch pipe. :-)
    • Singouts call for Hawaiian shirts, jeans and sneakers
    • Chorus performance: white men's dress shirt, solid color tie, solid black pants & &shoes &belt & socks. If you need suspenders - black or solid colors.
  • We are still planning a Sing With The Judges opportunity, info soon
  • If you enjoy NEHB, there are plenty of associated Harmony Brigades around the country and the world that you might also enjoy.  Calendar here - but remember that applications are usually 6 or more months in advance.
  • The ride forms for rides to and from the rally will be closing soon - fill them out now.
  • Reminder: the 2020 rally is going to be held one weekend earlier than usual, to accommodate the Jewish holidays
  • MEMBERS there was a minor error in one motion, where the term Barbershop Harmony Society was missing the word Society.  The official record has been updated, but I wanted you to know.


Making the Quartet Contest More Fun

A quartet uniform makes everything better - matching t-shirts, scarves, anything you can think of.

Bring props for certain songs, in case you draw them in contest.

 Kazoos have been known to make an appearance during Come Follow The Band... picking upon a traditions started at the European Harmony Brigade.

 Choreography, a common story, a quick rewrite of lyrics to make them clever or fun - make every song your own. (Last year my quartet stole a routine from Chordiac Arrest for Come Fly With Me.)

 Traditionally people have "bribed" the Judges.  While alcohol has certainly been used, most quartet singers can't drink that much booze (or fly it home) and it violates hotel alcohol policies.  Be original.

 But mostly, have fun - this is your event and your special weekend.


Links To Everything

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Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Msg #20 (3 weeks to go) Summary of important information

Welcome to our twentieth preparedness update.All previous updates can be found at https://nehbprepare.blogspot.com 
Useful info and links at the bottom of this update..

To prepare to sing properly, stand tall and squarely with pride, unlock your knees, and take a deep breath through the nose.  What's that  you smell?  You can almost smell the excitement for the Rally!

Much Important Information, Kept Brief

  • Run throughs are still useful, and we encourage you to schedule and attend them.

  • We are still looking for 2 members to become Board Members at Large, please write to Daniel to volunteer
    • If you plan to apply for membership, you can also apply for the Board.
  • We are still planning a Sing With The Judges opportunity, info soon

  • Housing forms have been received, rooming assignments will be coming shortly.  You can still order upgrades like extra meals or a single, for a limited time.

  • The ride forms for rides to and from the rally will be closing soon - fill them out now.

  • Reminder: the 2020 rally is going to be held one weekend earlier than usual, to accommodate the Jewish holidays


Random Quartet Contest and Advice

This year the contest format will be SLIGHTLY different, but no less fun.

When random quartets are assigned after dinner, only the quartets for the first half will receive their assignments.  They will get a block of time to rehearse, and then compete.

Just before intermission, the second half's quartets will be announced.  They also get an equal block of time to rehearse, and then compete.

This makes things a touch more fair, because not only will quartets in both halves get about equal rehearsal time, but quartets that have to share a singer (for part-balancing purposes) can be split between the first and second halves, again making a fairer rehearsal time.

Last year, we wrote a guide for new Rally attendees on how to maximize your rehearsal time in a random quartet - or really, in any pickup quartet during the weekend.



Links To Everything

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Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Msg #19 (4 weeks to go) Summary of important information

Welcome to our nineteenth preparedness update.All previous updates can be found at https://nehbprepare.blogspot.com 
Useful info and links at the bottom of this update..

Only The Important Stuff

Coming Soon

  • The form for purchasing tickets
  • The final schedule will be available soon 
  • Information on Sing With The Judges
  • Information on becoming a member will be sent to eligible candidates soon.

Fun Stuff - Become a Tramp/SuperTramp


One of the possible activities during the rally, is to fill out your "dance card", which lists every attendee at the rally.  If you fill out your dance card for all 3 other parts, you are eligible for a a "Tramp" award/badge.






If you know more than one part, and sing with EVERYONE - you get the coveted SuperTramp badge.

But there is a basic etiquette to the pursuit of these awards - people come to sing with you, and may enjoy their first song with you so much, they will want a second.  Please be careful not to make your pursuit of these badges too high a priority.  The memories of friendships made through singing far outweigh the badge itself.

Hotel's Alcohol Policy

We cannot emphasize this enough - the hotel will not permit alcohol purchased outside the hotel in the common spaces (hallways, conference rooms).  Alcohol consumed in the public spaces MUST be purchased from the hotel.  You may consume alcohol you have purchased elsewhere only in your room.

Yes: this is a way hotels make money, and that is part of it. But also, it is a condition of their license to sell alcohol.  If attendees violate the alcohol policy, it might not be the hotel that comes down on you, it might be local regulators.

We could lose access to the hotel in the future, if we violate the alcohol policy.  Regulators take it seriously, the hotel takes it seriously, we take it seriously.  Please don't violate the policy.

Links To Everything



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Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Msg #18 (Only 5 weeks to go) Deadlines and useful stuff

Welcome to our eighteenth preparedness update.All previous updates can be found at https://nehbprepare.blogspot.com 
Useful info and links at the bottom of this update..

While preparation is critical, you will find these weekly messages are turning into factual updates - worth at least skimming.

Important Dates And Useful Information

  • Withdrawal Deadline (with refund for the paid hotel portion of the bill) is August 18, midnight Eastern time.  There will be no exceptions after that, as the Brigade will be required to pay the hotel for your stay. The Withdrawal Form is here.

  • The rooming preference form is coming very soon.
    • It will allow you to specify a roommate, request a single room, pay for meals for guests.
    • If you request a roommate that person must also request you - if you don't ask for a roommate (or your request is unrequited) you will be assigned a random roommate.
  • If you are a donor to Harmony Foundation, you can now direct a portion of that donation to New England Harmony Brigade, for which we would be very grateful. 

  • Members - we recently discovered that our mailing list for members was not up to date, and some of you did not receive important information (and some ex-members did also).  The mailing list is now up to date (we think) and you will be receiving that same email this afternoon. If you don't get the duplicate, and are sure you are a member, reach out to us.

Fun Stuff

It is the best time of year to host a run-through, because by now people know most or all of the 12 songs.

It is an even better time to attend one, as there is no better way of learning (as I often do) that you have a wrong word-sound or a wrong note.

Every year, I post a link to a little-known resource - the Extreme Quartetting Database, which includes information on every AXQHB brigade. ever.  A great source of trivia, a fun way to look for songs to learn (for quartet or chorus).

Links To Everything



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Bonus Preparation Post: Clarifying Checking

Friends, apparently there is some confusion about the new checking policy, so I want to send around a fresh copy of what I sent in June.

CHECKING UPDATE
Your NEHB staff and officers, and your sponsors, are committed to helping you be prepared for the rally - being fully prepared is the best way to have fun and make fantastic music together.

We make preparation as easy and fun as possible. You have always responded - the payoff has been that nearly all attendees are well prepared. 

In recognition of that, checking will be different and largely invisible this year.

All you will need to do, is sing. 

We will have a few key staff listening. If our staff identify under-prepared singers (or if you confidentially identify them to us), we will privately speak with them, and see if we can help them at this and future Rallies. 

We have confidence in you, and that is why we are doing away with checking panels for this year.  Your commitment to us has inspired us to try this approach. 

I avoid the phrase, but this seems like a good time to say it: "Coming unprepared is not an option". 

Please continue to ask for help with your preparation, so that you can come and sing with confidence, ease and total enjoyment.
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Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Msg #17 (Only 6 weeks to go) Stuff You Gotta Know, Now

Welcome to our seventeenth preparedness update.All previous updates can be found at https://nehbprepare.blogspot.com 
Useful info and links at the bottom of this update..

This week's update - important facts and details - this is a good newsletter to read thoroughly.

Seven Important Things

Item 1: Summary: don't panic
At this point, people are usually in one of two extreme moods about preparedness: either you feel fine (because you started early) or you feel worried.  In the former case, there's probably a word or note you can fix.  But in the second case - don't feel alone.  Many people, at this stage, lack confidence.  Talk to your sponsor (if you have one) or talk to me - experienced attendees can help you accurately assess your situation, and can help you finish the task.  We want you to attend and enjoy, and we will work to help you achieve that goal.
We truly want to help, and stand ready to do whatever it takes to help you feel ready and confident. 

Item 2: Final date to withdraw 08/18/2019 midnight 
Your final bills should be sent to you shortly. If you have not paid (or are not on scholarship) they will be due soon.  The last date to withdraw without fee is August 18, 2019 midnight Eastern time.  After that, we will book your hotel room, and you will be obligated to pay for it. The withdrawal form is here.

 Item 3: Rooming form soon
The rooming form will be released soon - this form is how you request a roommate, or a private room, extra meals for spouses, etc.  If you request a roommate, that roommate must also request you.  The rooming form is also where you can request meal accommodations for medical diets, etc.

 Item 4: NEHB Membership perquisites
The members of NEHB are the real bosses of the organization - they get a number of privileges, including voting on motions which control the organization's future, early guaranteed admission to future brigades, fancier name badges.  Once you become a member, your only requirements to maintain that membership are to continue to be a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and attend NEHB at least every other year - basically, stuff you wanted to do anyway.

 Item 5: Becoming an NEHB Member
Now, of course, you are excited about becoming a member - because it's awesome and basically free.  How?  At your second CONSECUTIVE rally, let us know you want to become a member.  Membership requires a simple singing audition - record yourself AT THE RALLY singing two songs we will assign you.  Submit the recordings via email during the rally, and pass the audition.  And that's it.  It could hardly be easier.

 Item 6: Current NEHB members
You should have received a reminder, earlier this week, that there is a member meeting at the rally which you should attend, and an invitation to submit motions for the agenda of that meeting by August 29, 2019 midnight, Eastern time. Send them to me, directly - and I will confirm receipt.  (If you didn't get that email let's check that we have your most current address.)
Non-members may not submit motions, nor may they attend the members meeting at the rally. Sorry.

 Item Last: Rides for people to the rally
You can still register for Rides To The Rally, Rides Home From The Rally.
Coming soon - the web site to sell and order show tickets.  As participants your admission is included (besides, you are performing on it as a chorus). But friends, spouses and others will need tickets.

 If you are an NEHB veteran, now is a good time to brush the cobwebs off of songs you love from previous years - bring the old books if you have them.  We may also have a good turnout on Saturday night from women who attended MHBNE.  They know our core 8, and their rally-four songs were former NEHB songs:

  • South Rampart Street Parade (A)
  • All I Do Is Dream Of You (C)
  • I Will Go Sailing No More (G)
  • Your First Day In Heaven (C)

Useful Info And Links



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