Page 32 - Winter 2024 Tags and Swipes Newsletter

Tags and Swipes, Winter 2024

Merrimack Valley A Cappella (continued)

We had a blast hosting the North Atlantic Region 1 Fall Regional Weekend. Thanks to everyone in the
region who helped us get our Harmony Classic fundraising effort off to a good start by buying raffle basket
tickets and delicious snacks. Performing at the show (including sharing the risers with Northern Voices and
Boston Skyline for “Don’t Talk”) and being coached “under glass” with Ryan Heller on Sunday were both
so much fun. Two MVA-affiliated quartets were part of the weekend’s classes: Phoenix Rising (in which
Sally Jeffery is the new baritone) was the subject of one of the Coaching Under Glass classes with Corrina
Garriock, and Becky King’s quartet, Illuminate, assisted Ryan Heller in the demonstration of techniques in
his “Energy!” class. In addition, co-directors Carol Smolenski and Sally Jeffery received their certificates
and pins for achieving Master 500 Director status.

In October, we once again participated in World Singing Day, adding our version of “Lean on Me” to the
mix and submitting a video to WSD organizers. It was great to see a fast clip of us in the global video! Also,
Harmony on the Sound director Karen Sweeters came north to coach us; we covered so much that the day
flew by.

We drew a great crowd at our annual show in November, which included Saffron as the featured quartet,
along with appearances by Carried Away and Accidental Charm. And, we exceeded our fundraising goal for
our program booklet!

(L-R): Kim Holland, Diane Kelley, Bev Barteaux and Chris Blaisdell of
MVA’s Accidental Charm in Andover.

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North Atlantic Region 1 Sweet Adelines