AHH! is pumped up to learn more from Diane Porsch in Bakersfield. AHH! spent a fascinating Saturday getting riser stacked by Diane that proved to be very beneficial. Thanks, Diane!

First off, a big congratulations to our darling director, Monica Tautkus, on being the recipient of the Region 11 Noteworthy award. We are so proud of you.

AHH!’s installation dinner was inspirational as we honored our terrific members. A highlight was Fay Dukes receiving her 50 years with Sweet Adelines award. We also welcomed our officers for 2009: Tricia Horton-President, Debbie Muffoletto-VP, Sharyn Landau-Recording Secretary, Betty Ford-Corresponding Secretary, and Dink McNabb-Treasurer.

We are still developing our new ConnectedSound.com website. The capabilities for members only are truly amazing for a chorus—saves so much work. We highly recommend this Region 11-based service. Please check it out at www.ahhchorus.net and sign our guest book.

AHH! has four novice quartets competing in the competition: Inspiration, Sound Bytes, AHHQUA, and AHH-muse! Also best wishes to evaluation only quartet: Summer Breeze. Good luck girls and have fun!! – Kim Toth-Tevel

Summer Sizzler already? Seems like only a week or two ago that we were sharing memories of a fun contest weekend!  Time has really flown by – maybe because we have been really busy. 

Two successful April fundraisers, and our Awards and Installation dinner on the first of May have kept all hands on deck, so to speak. Ably emceed by Karen Lewison (who is doing better, but still needs our prayers), the dinner was well attended, our new Board of Officers was duly (and hilariously) installed, our many outstanding members recognized, including our 2009 "Sweet Adeline of The Year", Risa Page.  We are so proud of our hard working Board, our courageous second-term President, Linda Phillips, and every chorus member deserves a big hug for a year of jobs well done!

We also moved to new rehearsal quarters at the beautiful Community Lutheran church, on East Tropicana.  We greatly appreciate being there.

Can't overlook our performances at the Springs Preserve on May 4. This was an exhibition opportunity performing outdoors, which, in spite of soaring temperatures and melting make-up, was a great success. The chorus did two half-hour sets, and some of our quartets sang in different areas of the park.

With all the fun stuff, we have also done some serious work. Our terrific director, Jim Halvorson, has taught us so much, and every week he brings something new for us to focus on. Jim and our great Board have made possible some wonderful coaching to guide us to Nashville. Already putting into practice the teaching of Jim Arns and Renee Porzel, we spent June 12-13 with the incomparable Dr. Greg Lyne, and June 27 with the always delightful Lynne Smith.

Our two newest quartets, Delux and Velvet, will be competing in the Novice Quartet Contest, and we are looking forward to previewing for you the packages we have been working on.  Soon, Nashville here we come – we'll be cheering on all of our quartets. Region 11 will surely be noticed.

Have a really fun and productive weekend! – Betty Campbell

Central Coast Celebration is decked out and ready to dazzle you in Diamonds & Denim as your hostesses for Summer Sizzler! We won’t be difficult to find, clad in our signature HOT PINK with sparkles galore…so, if you need anything at all or have a question anytime during your weekend in Bakersfield, look for pink!

We have an exciting program planned for you, fresh from our June 27 show, “Puttin’ on the Ritz!”. We went all-out to entertain the audiences during our tribute to the 1930’s with tap dancers, umbrella choreography and even a Ziegfeld Follies entrance! The REAL treat, however, was our guest quartet Ready, Willing & Mable who took the show right over the top—these four amazingly talented men & women never fail to wow their audience and it was a delight to share the stage with them.

In May we enjoyed our Installation Dinner with 50 of our closest friends. Our Master of Ceremonies was the incomparable Erin Lunn, Co-Director of Voices Unlimited, who kept us all in stitches while installing the new officers dressed from head to toe in, what else? Celebration Pink!

More and more ladies are finding their way to our rehearsal hall on Tuesday evenings. Since contest, we have welcomed prospective members Sharon Rae, singing bass from Paso Robles and Sherrilynn Palladino singing lead from Grover Beach. Sherrilynn has been performing since she was 5 and says she never knew by joining Sweet Adeline’s that she’d be back in show biz!

At the end of July, our esteemed Director Dani Avalos-Prigge and her assistant, Diane McGrath, will attend the Side-by-Side Director’s seminar in Detroit. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for us when they return! – Cindy McBurney

Channelaire Chorus members are thrilled to have been named Chorus Champions again this past spring. With the assistance of our phenomenal coaches we will continue to hone our skills in preparation to represent Region 11 in Seattle in 2010. We have been blessed with the talents of Erin Howden, Jeff and Patty Cobb Baker, Betty Clipman, Diane Porsch, Dale Syverson (who will work with us in the Fall), and friend and cheerleader, Lori DeHoog. Our own Judy Ashmore continues as in-house consultant and coach.

We are sooo proud to have TWO International quartets representing our chorus in Nashville in October. Our love and congratulations to Shimmer! and Cheers!

In April, Lynne Wong (Verdugo Hills) was our installing officer at our Intstallation and Awards Dinner in April. She compared each member of our team to a different type of (Seattle) coffee!! And in May Channelaire’s Performance Chorus sang at the Strawberry Festival in Oxnard for the first time. What a great time we had! Then in May-June, we had about 15 guests participate in our Patriotic Chorus. They learned two patriotic songs and then performed with us June 27 in honor of July 4th.

May 31 was a special “Celebration of Life” for our wonderful Barbara Dunmire. She has been a true inspiration to all of Channelaire and to the Ventura County School District throughout her battle with cancer. This celebration was also in honor of her retirement after 35 years with the school district. Channelaire and quartets, Extra! Extra! and Joyful Noise, were joined by members of the Gold Coast Chorus (local mixed group), and Rincon Beach/Pacific Sound Chorus in paying tribute to this incredible lady. And her 9-year old twin granddaughters sang, “It’s My Song” with Channelaire as their “back-up”. Barbara has touched so many lives – it was only fitting that she be honored in this manner.

We’re looking forward to seeing one of our favorite coaches, Diane Porsch, again this weekend – she’s so informative AND entertaining! We’ve loved her for years and so will Region 11. Our best wishes to our novice quartet, Moonlight, this weekend, and to all the novice quartets. – Ellen Allen and Linda Ragsdale

You might hear a "Bim, bim, bim"  or a "Koo, koo, koo" at Beach Girls rehearsals thanks to one of the noblest in ourland, our visiting professor for “Sing Your Part Smart Month”. 

That royal personage, of course, is the inimitable Connie Noble who came to each rehearsal in June, each week focusing on a different section.  The section of the week was decided by a completelyfair and unbiased drawing ~ fair, unbiased and RIGGED!

Summer Sing kicks off July 9th as we invite women in the community to join us for eight weeks of part-smart singing and a special performance of patriotic music on September 9th.

The Beach Girls are sharing our sound with our community August 2nd at Taste of the Coast on Belmont Pier and again on 9/11 as the Patriot Riders roll into Belmont Heights. Our quartets, High-Tide and Dazzle, are singing everywhere and we are so proud of them. To encourage more quarteting, the esteemed directors of Golden Sands and LASTS are holding the 2nd annual Nervous Novice Quartet Contest on July 8th (rumor is that a token of appreciation to the judges might be a key to success ... brownies are particularly favored).

Check our new website at GoldenSandsChorus.com.

At Golden Sands we are having a really good time.  It’s great to be a Beach Girl! – Margaret Brewer

HSC is still basking in the warmth of our Division "A" win last March in Regional competition. It's especially gratifying that it occured in such an excellent region as ours. To have contestants from our region going on to International level of competition is awesome and we congratulate you all.

However, we realize fame is fleeting and we are pushing onward toward hoping for even greater accomplishments in the future. We have re-invigorated our taping program, extended our PVI program, and have booked several more outside coaching sessions to help improve our skills. Our director, Kira Wagner, has lifted us into high gear with thorough going rehearsals from which we leave pretty much pooped (and exhilarated). Judy Ashmore, our guardian angel, has been up twice to coach us since competition and will return several more times this year. Always inspiring – and patient.
 
In April, Lynne Wong installed our new team management members with a very entertaining and well thought out "ceremony". A good time was had by all. Thanks, Lynne!

We are extremely thrilled to welcome our newest member, Angela Hammons, who has leaped right into the jaws of baritone-ism! Enthusiasm and bravery like hers is contagious.

Our future is looming with our annual Christmas show to be held December 6, about which you will be hearing more. And next year being the 50th anniversary of our chapter, we are planning a very special show. We are also the hostesses for Summer Sizzler 2010. Lots on our plate, but we are all looking forward to it with optimism and excitement. – Ann Layton

Greetings from beautiful San Luis Obispo! Summer is in full swing, and we have been too! We’ve been proud to open several of our SLO baseball team games with the “Star Spangled Banner” and, of course, “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” – a great evening out to enjoy America's favorite past-time.

Pacific Horizon Chorus has installed their new team members and is well on the way to a great 2009/2010 Sweet Adeline year! Marguerite Melchert was honored as our ‘Sweet Adeline of the Year’.

Our 6th Annual High Tea on May 16 featured not only our singing, but wonderful High Tea specialty foods prepared by our multi-talented chorus members and cheerful decorations designed by Barbara O’Donnell. We enlisted the first-rate help of the young cadets of the SLO ‘Grizzly Academy’, and it was great fun observing them setting out table settings – good husband training! Our music was super and entertaining – all in all a wonderful day.

Fun activities are planned over the summer. With the help of our sister chapter, Tri City Sound, plans are in progress for a youth choral festival to introduce young women to our barbershop art form, and PHC will participate in craft fairs with our local Sierra Vista and French Hospitals to benefit local charities.

We welcome Joan Tvedt, an aspiring bass – delighted to have you! Have a good summer everyone! – Alison Drake

It can’t possibly be mid-year already! Didn’t we just finish singing, “Marshmallow World”??  As always, RiverOaks is having fun, learning how to improve our sound, partying whenever we get the chance, enjoying Micki’s cookies at every rehearsal, trying to figure out what it means to “sing tall consonants” and looking forward to Summer Sizzler! Life on the River is good…

We had our installation dinner in April and thanks to Carole, our linen and decorations perfectly matched our 3rd place Small Chorus ribbon from contest! Many thanks to Jackie Wheatley from Verdugo Hills, who acted as our installing officer and did such a fabulous job! We installed a killer team for 2009-2010 and are looking forward to big things and much fun. Several of us attended the Region 21 contest in Pasadena (wonderful to have it so close!) and cheered on our former lead, Teri Hutchinson, who moved to Laguna and is now singing with Mission Viejo Chorus. Our loss, their gain.

We were blessed to have the excellent coaching skills of both Julie Starr (who was really there to coach our AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR, Theresa Schonbach) and Judy Ashmore from whom we learned the famous “snuff breath”. We’re looking forward to having Judy back later in the year.  Speaking of contest 2010, we are changing our costumes for next year and there’s nothing like a new outfit to make those chords ring! Right, ladies?

SAVE THE DATE! Our annual performance will be November 14 – “Happy Days of Harmony”. If you’ve seen our past shows, you know they are hysterical (we even sing a little barbershop!). Remember the 50s? That’s what “Happy Days of Harmony” is all about. Our celebrity guest will be FRITZ COLEMAN the talented NBC weatherman!

Good luck to all the novice quartets (including ours!) at Sizzler! – Katy Theodore

Howdy, Cowgirls. Right from the getty-up go, we wish best of luck at International to our five Regional Quartets: Santa Monica's very own Sirens (Region 11 champs!  Yea!), Shimmer!, Cheers!, Spirit and Taylor Made, and to Region 11's champion chorus, Celebrity City.

We also want to clap hands for our fantastic director (now Master Director!) Laura Pallas and her side-kick (ing )sister, choreographer Lisa Kneebone, for leading the S.T.A.R. Chorus this sizzling weekend. More applause please for Santa Monica's two novice quartets competing this weekend: BOLD and 4 Evaluation Only and for all competing novice quartets.

Santa Monica Chorus has been busier than bees on a prairie this spring. We were happy to welcome our newest lead, adorable Aimee Saindon.  We held our annual fundraisers: the all-chorus yard sale and the always enjoyable Mother's Day Singing Telegrams Sunday. Once again we sent a team to participate in Revlon's 5-K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer in early May. Our installation dinner at Shanghai Red's on the Marina featured hilariously creative Marcia Bosma as emcee.  (Thanks for the "620", Marcia!)  We initiated our 2010 contest season in June with a superb coaching session given by Mark Hale. Finally, we are having a great time planning our 60th birthday party to be held August 15. Watch your RIING email for more information. Ya'll come, ya hear?

On May 16, our chorus sang in a beautiful memorial service for John Baker, husband to our Pat Baker, stepfather to Laura Pallas and Lisa Kneebone and father-in-law to Region 21's Patty Cobb Baker. John's son, Jeff Baker, is a long-time coach for our chorus. We will miss you, John B.

So long, Cowgirls. But wait! Let's join in singing that classic old Western song, "The S.T.A.R.S tonight, shine big and bright, (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Bako"! – Patti Nugent

Southland Harmony has added another new member, Lorri Sokolik, who comes to us as a dual member from Region 21’s Sounds of Harmony. We are very happy and lucky to have added such valuable ladies from that chapter. Our membership is now at 23. Plans are underfoot to have a double quartet for the Fall Festival, which will include many of our new members.

Our special patriotic show, “I Love America”, was such a success we are thinking of doing it again next year. We had a cameo appearance of a song and dance man from the 1940’s who appeared in “Guys and Dolls” with Frank Sinatra.  There was also a very moving slide show of relatives of chorus members who served in the Armed Forces. Our fantastic director, Jim Campbell, really knows how to put on a show!

Our annual fall show is scheduled for November 7. It will be another jaw dropping, white knuckling, and guffawing type of show, so put the date on your calendar now! We are looking into a larger venue since our last show was overflowing with audience members!

We extend best wishes to the Region’s Novice Quartets! Have a rip roaring good time on stage! – Gail Barrena

Howdy y'all and welcome back to Bako, home of South Valley Sound Chorus and Region 11's Summer Sizzler.

In May the new Team was installed Western Style by Tammy "Roy Rogers" Ragsdale and Carol "Gosh Darn" Dirner at the Marion Smith Dude Ranch. Spearheading this gala event were the newlyweds Earlene and Shannon McMillin. 

This year's Installation also brought the end of an era with Lee Hays leaving us as our co-director. Susan Swartfager lassoed the coveted Sizzler Award, Jan Smith the Service Award, Mary Ashford was branded Sweet Adeline of the Year and Jolene Forzetting was presented the Director's Recognition Award. Joining the team for the first time are Cris Jacobs and Jerry Beattie.

May also brought the Guild House Fundraiser. Organized by Francene Brumback, we performed to a packed house and raised money for the chorus and for abused children! And rounding out May, the chorus moved just in time for the "Patty Power Points" Pilot IVI Program.

In mid-day June, the chorus took to the stores of Bako for another installment of Shop & Sing. This time the shop and singers distributed flyers for the 2nd annual fireworks fundraiser, which was organized by Tamara Shimmin.

We are pleased announce Jolene Forzetting just completed the DCP Program as a certified Director and serves as Assistant Director with both South Valley Sound and Channelaire. “Yee Haw” to Mary Ashford on her appointment as Directors' Coordinator on the RMT.

We wish the best of luck to all novice quartet competitors, we'll see you all at the Grand Ol' Opry and Rawhide Regatta Roundup. Check us out on our new Connected Sound website at www.southvalleysound.org and on Facebook.

Happy Trails Y'all!

Contest in March was ultra-fabulous. Several of us competed as dual members along with the Pacific Horizon Chorus.  Several of their members also competed with us. We loved the experience and look forward to possibly repeating it in the future. 

In May, Tri City Sound had its Installation Dinner. Kim Patrick-Miernicki (Director of Pacific Horizon) did a wonderful job emceeing the ceremony and we thank her for participating. Several members from her chorus joined us for dinner and, as they say, "A great time was had by all."  Special awards that evening went to Susan Scheetz, Miss Congeniality; Karolyn Addington, Sizzle Award; Trudy Morris, the Carrying Through Award (for her professional handling of the scholarship awards our chorus presents to local high school students). Our own 90-something, Connie Burns, received the Sweet Adeline of the Year Award. Connie conscientiously attends rehearsals, dressed to the nines, always smiling and greeting everyone. She's a remarkable role model for us all and she shows no signs of slowing down!  Congratulations, Connie!

A few days later, many of us attended the Pacific Horizon Chorus's High Tea in San Luis Obispo. The food was delicious and the singing was so fun. In June, our Tri City Sound performed two sets for the famous Lompoc Flower Festival Flower Show. This annual event is a joy for us and an excellent opportunity to display our craft.

Our Chorus looks forward to a successful and enlightening Summer Sizzler. Finally, we extend our heartiest congratulations and best wishes for our region's upcoming Nashville International competitors: Sirens; Shimmer!; Cheers!; Spirit; Taylor Made; and the Celebrity City Chorus. – Lyndell Penney

Verdugo Hills Showtime Chorus is thrilled to tell you we have accepted the wildcard invitation to compete at International in Seattle in 2010. The excitement of being 1st place Mid-size, Most Improved by 63 points and 2nd place overall with a score of 637 was beyond our wildest dreams. We are experiencing overwhelming joy looking forward to our journey to Seattle and feel proud to be representing Region 11.

We have welcomed two new members this year: Tina Buell joined us from Pacific Empire Chorus in time to compete in March, and Janice Lorigan, new to SAI, became a member the end of May.

In May we hosted our fifth annual A Cappella Scholarship Festival, with 11 middle and high schools competing for cash prizes. We continue to be amazed and delighted at the excellence of the school choirs competing and the quality of their music education.

Dale Syverson coached us on June 19-20 on our contest songs because as you all know, we can never stop growing. As always we left exhausted but exhilarated. Plus we are excited about our first coaching session with Carole Kirkpatrick on September 30.

“Leaving on Track 63 - Seattle Sundae Express", our Ice Cream Social will be on August 16. We would love to see many of our Region 11 friends there. Please put it on your calendars.

And...we are looking forward to our third annual Alumnae Event on September 26. It's a blast to visit with the alumnae, sing a few of the old songs, and chat about the past, present and future.

We send our love and wish good luck to all Region 11 Nashville competitors: Sirens, Shimmer!, Cheers!, Spirit, Taylor Made and Celebrity City Chorus. – Sue Peacock

Voices Unlimited Chorus is making a little history!  Four of our members (Dede Nibler, Patty Harris, Jean Raymond, and Clarabelle Schutz) have just completed their SIXTH year of performing with the New Wrinkles Company in Fresno.  Dede has been the musical director for all of that time. VU member Mary Escobar sang and tapped her way into our hearts as well. New member Ginny Sierra performed a stunning flamenco number this season. New Wrinkles has just completed its 21st year in Fresno and is composed of talented performers over the age of 55.

The chorus recently held a membership event called Harmony University, which attracted over 50 local residents to the chorus for a six-week session of barbershop education. We had terrific results! Our sisters chorus, California Heartland Chorus participated in Harmony University and we all had such a great time together that we have decided to become 'as one'!  In June, we enjoyed the first retreat of our 2009-2010 management team at Dede's mountain cabin; there was a whole lot of fun and much accomplished during this weekend and we are looking forward to our first 'combined' coaching sessions with Ron Black in July and retreat with Shirley Kout in August.

Two chorus novice quartets will compete at Regional this weekend: Starlite and Starbrite. VU sends its support and best wishes to both quartets.

Look for our new and improved chorus when we host Fall Festival this year. Hold on to your denim, your diamonds, AND your hats when we take the stage in October! – Sheila Martin