Page 4 - Spring 2020 Tags and Swipes

Tags and Swipes, Spring 2020

From our Regional Education Coordinator

Hello Region 1!

Well……I don’t know about you, but I would have never seen this Covid -19 coming to disrupt our
world! I hope everyone is staying safe and hope that my little tips helped you to come up with ideas to
keep you going. Those of you on Facebook have seen all the creativity that has been coming out with all
of this, Jennifer Cooke using Zoom for a virtual meeting of her chorus as well as singing a song in lead,
to have someone else add bass, etc. Harborlight Chorus in California had a Zoom happy hour! I was told
that the Education Direction Committee would be sending things out as well. Keep in touch with each
other as our music can help with anything.

My personal opinion is that the “video regional contest” probably won’t be able to be rolled out the way
things are going now. I’m sure they worked long and hard to make this option a possibility, but I think it
would be a tough way to compete. Again….my personal opinion. As I have always said, “there is life
after contest.” There are so many things individuals can do to improve their personal voices in
preparation for when chorus starts in person again. The other thing, is that you can educate yourself
further pertaining to barbershop harmony and singing your part smart.

Anyway….looking ahead! As I said in my last article: Exciting things coming up! Peggy Gram will be
the faculty for the RQA Day August 1, as long as everything is clear by then…..stay tuned! AND
Jennie Morton will be the faculty for fall regional September 25-27, 2020. Jennie was the guest faculty
for International’s Director’s / Visual Performance Seminar in San Antonio, Texas this past summer.
Kim Vaughn, and Mary Rhea were the chair people for the event, and hired Jennie to teach after hearing
her teach ONE class at a different event!!! I know you will enjoy her! Her British accent, her
demonstrations, etc. It was one of the best, if not the best workshop I have EVER attended. She makes
you think outside the box, and gives a lot of new ways of trying things, both vocally and physically. She
said, why would you stand with your weight on the balls of your feet, and not keep yourself well
balanced for control? She taught us a very easy exercise for creating better balance! (Standing that is!
Which can be used for everyone, even non singers). Mark your calendars now! Sheraton Framingham is
a perfect location for this event. We will be publicizing this event outside of our region because I know
others will want to come to see Jennie!

You can look Jennie up online. She is offering a lot of classes now about health coaching. She is posting
different topics on her Facebook page.

As you know by now, Karen Sweeters is our new Education Coordinators of May 1, so things will be "
achanging!” Change is good! I know whenever I started as DMA, or Education Coordinator, I came in
with new ideas and ways of doing things. The same thing with Karen. Heaven knows I’ve been doing
this for long enough, having been DMA/Education Coordinator in 1997 for 9 years, and then returning
again during the new governance. I will still be involved as International Faculty and will see you at
regionals, but I am also looking forward to shifting some of my energies to the Lions International
Organization. I will be District Governor this coming year.

(continued on the next page)

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North Atlantic Region 1 Sweet Adelines