Useful info and links at the bottom of the page
Important News:
- By now you should have the first four songs learned well enough to attend a run-through. Please do attend run-throughs, and consider hosting one as well! It's fun, easy and all you need is some space, and maybe some water. Do not hesitate to ask me for help with learning.
- Basses: a friendly thought. Our part in Change The World is rhythmically complex and very challenging. It's not too early to spend some time working on the rhythm. I learned it best when I just drummed it with my hands. Once you have the rhythm, the rest of the song is reasonable. (Other parts need not worry.)
- Our Guest Quartet and Judges will be Rooftop Records! Get to know them on Facebook, their website, or their most recent performance at the SUN District this spring.
- Our geomap is available to use. Find people near you to sing with. We kept the contact information out of it, because it is public - please reach out to the Registrar (or other Board member) via email to get contact information
- Uniforms - it's a little early, but the standard uniform for the chorus concert is always the same: black shoes, socks, pants, belt, plain white long sleeve dress shirt (with undershirt) and any solid colored long tie. If you plan to do Friday sing-outs (more on those upcoming), the "uniform" is a Hawaiian shirt, jeans and sneakers.
- Reminders:
- If you are a new or returning attendee and want a sponsor assigned to you, someone who can help you prepare better or answer your questions, please ask.
- Additional part learning tracks are available for your personal use only. $20 per part, contact our Treasurer to purchase.
- We are still seeking and accepting singers, especially leads. Please: promote us to your quartet, chorus or other talented singing friends. Scholarships are available, if needed. Have them apply.
- We are beginning to plan run-throughs - please attend or host. May is songs 1-4. To schedule a run-through, email Rob Sheridan. You can access the calendar on the web, add it to your own online calendar or find it on the NEHB web site.
- Current members - a reminder that to retain your membership you must have a current BHS membership and you must also attend at least every other year. Memberships expire after the second consecutive failure to attend. Future members - if this is your second consecutive NEHB you can apply for membership during the rally via a recorded audition. More details coming down the road.
Rock It For Me
Words and Music by Kay and Sue Werner
Arrangement by Aaron Dale
If you can’t feel the beat on this one, you may be dead. :-)
Twin sisters Kay and Sue Werner wrote this song for release in 1938, for the band Chick Webb and His Orchestra. Chick Webb was a jazz and blues drummer in the New York scene from an early age, An important proponent of the Swing style, his band became well known at one of the staples of the Jazz scene, the Savoy Ballroom.
By 1938, his band was often winning The Battle of The Bands, over such notables as Benny Goodman and Count Basie. Around that time they began to feature a new young singer - Ella Fitzgerald.
She went on to fame and glory. Unfortunately, Chick Webb (who had significant damage to his body from tuberculosis at a young age), passed away not long after this song was released.
The young ladies who composed this song were born in Alabama in 1918 - making them just 20 years old when they wrote it. The song is one of the earliest popular music songs to use the phrase “Rock And Roll”.
This song makes magical use of the swing rhythms of the era - and it is filled with lovely features. Swing was notable for melodic improvisation - sing those features with a little push-pull but keep it danceable. Basses, the swing rhythm is yours to establish - and never let go.
VIDEO LINKS
Ella Fitzgerald showing us how it’s done
Mildred Bailey sings a cool variant (different lyrics)
Pratt Street Power, making it fun barbershop
McPhly - bringing a cool rhythmic variation
By 1938, his band was often winning The Battle of The Bands, over such notables as Benny Goodman and Count Basie. Around that time they began to feature a new young singer - Ella Fitzgerald.
This song makes magical use of the swing rhythms of the era - and it is filled with lovely features. Swing was notable for melodic improvisation - sing those features with a little push-pull but keep it danceable. Basses, the swing rhythm is yours to establish - and never let go.
Useful Info And Links
- The Preparedness Blog
- Geomap of participants
- The New England Harmony Brigade Home Page
- The NEHB Application Page
- A Video Retrospective of the 2018 Rally (credit Jim Schumacher)
- Run-throughs
- Volunteer by sending email to Rob Sheridan
- See the calendar on the NEHB web site
- Add the calendar to your own.
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