Page 8 - 2018 Fall Tag and Swipes

Tags and Swipes, Fall 2018

THE INSIDE SCOOP: Saffron Breaking Records and Telling All

By Patty Fitzgerald
(reprinted with permission)

“We do feel vocal production on an individual basis is a major factor. Then coming together, vocal
warm-ups and regularly exercising the instrument are key. If time doesn’t permit, individuals may warm
up in her car enroute to rehearsals or performances.”

In 2018 in Springfield, Mass., Region One first-place quartet Saffron delivered a performance garnering
the highest quartet score — 637 — in 32 years of region competition. But more incredible, perhaps, than
that record, is the leap in score marking Saffron’s improvement from 2017, when the quartet attained
586 points, a jump of 51 points! Needless to say, the group won the 2018 Most Improved award, as
well, and is looking forward to competing with their counterparts around the world in St. Louis in
October for SAI International.

Champ Chat was curious about the dramatic improvement in scores, as the physical and psychological
skills necessary to attain such a feat are applicable to quartet members, chorus members, and most
anyone involved in performance competition.

Members Amanda Fowski (lead), Penny Schroeder (baritone), Sue Berry (bass), and Christine Bulgini
(tenor) generously shared their collected thoughts about how that happened.

What was your reaction when you received your initial scores the contest before last, in 2017?
At first, because our scores were lower than the previous year, we were pretty disappointed. But later
when we regrouped, we took the time to read through the judges’ commentaries and watch the video.
AHA! We understood what the judges could see and hear. It was clear to us that we were still
implementing new skill sets that had not quite settled in. So, instead of being discouraged, we
endeavored to work on implementing what they commented on, and we believed if we persevered we
would eventually get those skill sets under our belts.

Was there a conscious process or did you just all study the scores individually and come together?
Oh, yes. We definitely studied them together, and it was a concerted effort to focus on what the judges
saw as areas that needed work. And every time we met with a coach, we shared our score sheets so they
could hear and see what the judges saw and then give us direction or the tools to make corrections
appropriately.

Were there trouble areas that you felt you had not been able to address that the contest shed new light
on?
It’s all a process. We felt often, as we are sure all barbershoppers experience, that when you learn a new
skill or technique, we tend to try too hard to implement a new vocal style by swinging the pendulum too
far. It comes down to practicing and discovering the right balance. (continued on next page)

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North Atlantic Region 1 Sweet Adelines