Page 15 - Spring 2020 Tags and Swipes

Tags and Swipes, Spring 2020

Cranberry Shores Chorus

Cranberry Shores Chorus “hit the ground running” on January 4 with our 2020 kick-off rehearsal. Our
Contest songs were ready to rehearse and the mood was optimistic for a great new year. We also
managed to be chosen for a free half-page add in the Cape Cod Times which we used for membership
recruitment. Maybe it was coincidence but voila! – Siri Mohr, who sang with CSC 20 years ago,
appeared shortly after we ran the add, and joined us once again, bringing our new-member total since
last Contest to three.

To keep the momentum running toward Contest, in February we did video coaching with Jen Cooke.
This was our second video coaching with Jen, which we have found to be very effective in honing voice
production. We also started preparing “Let Freedom Ring” to sing at the Show of Champions at
Contest.

On March 14, Karen Rourke was once again our guest coach at our Contest Retreat. What a great all-
day rehearsal we had, focusing on our two Contest songs at the same time practicing “social distancing.”
(see picture) Actually, being six feet away from each other on the floor instead of on risers, gave each
of us a new experience and perspective in listening to and performing with the rest of the chorus. Spirits
were high and optimistic about our potential efforts at Contest at the retreat dinner that night.
And then, like all our sister choruses across the Region and the world, our momentum and optimism
came to a screeching halt with the cancellation of Region 1 Contest. At home, alone we continue to
work on our Contest songs, taping them and submitting them for review. We are also taping and
perfecting “Let Freedom Ring” in preparation for up-coming 2020 performances. But for now we are all
missing one another and hoping all our sisters in song stay safe but keep singing.

Paulette Rio

15

North Atlantic Region 1 Sweet Adelines