Date: August 20, 2006

For: All Far Western District Barbershoppers

FWDNotes

Notes of interest from the Far Western District of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

In This Issue Hotel space crunch for Fall Convention HCW 2006 huge success Plan NOW for HCW 2007 Chapter officer election time Fall Convention Contests and Classes COTS is for Everyone Hotel space crunch for Fall Convention If you don't read anything else, read this! If you plan to attend the fall convention, or are even considering it, reserve your lodging NOW! There is another large convention in San Jose that weekend and hotel/motel space for the whole area is going fast. Read the details and get info on many lodging choices at San Jose Lodging Crunch. ========== HCW 2006 huge success Harmony College West was held at the University of Redlands in July and the survey results are in, with extremely positive results. In our survey a year ago you told us what you wanted and we listened. We made a lot of changes including offering multiple classes per student and introducing a new quartet coaching system called the POD method. In this year's survey you supported your very high ratings with comments like: "Our quartet was in POD 2. I can't say enough about the coaches. Each was genuine in their love for Barbershop, professional in their approach to teaching and compassionate in the way they handled the individuals and our needs and improvements. Without a doubt, HCW was one of the most incredible experiences in my life. Thanks." "Every rookie should be brow-beaten to come." "The opening speaker said 'All of you here have the opportunity to go home a better singer'. Last night I went to sing with the AZ Quartet Chapter and was given accolades for how much I had improved. Thank you HCW." "You did a great job. I'm astounded you could offer so much for such a modest fee." "Excellent classes. First class presentations! Very Helpful." WOW! We just couldn't make up testimonials like that! This year's survey also gave us some suggestions for improvement and we are listening again. You really don't want to miss HCW 2007! Register early, and bring other chapter members... ========== Plan NOW for HCW 2007 Harmony College West 2007 will be held on August 24-26 in Hayward, CA, with even more exciting changes. No Sunday events except breakfast and Pick-up Singing. When the Afterglow is over, HCW is over. Early bird classes on Friday starting at 3pm (or so) for those that are able to arrive early. More group singing, less talking. More dynamite classes to choose from More openings for quartets in the POD coaching style The POD coaching system matches four quartets with four coaches. Each coach focuses on one area of Singing, Music, Performance, or Presentation. The quartets cycle through their four coaches twice. This system works for all levels of quartets whether they are competing quartets or not. Here's what this year's quartets said: "I feel our quartet went from a high 50's score to a high 60's or low to mid 70's. It's too bad barbershop doesn't have this level of coaching available at every chapter." "Tremendous experience! Wish we had this much fire power at our disposal year 'round." "This was the best year ever. I will be recommending future HCW to everyone if the pod system is used again." If you have a quartet, you just have to experience this incredible team coaching. Did you know that your chapter can sponsor a teen quartet for HCW? Talk it up with your chapter officers. This is a terrific way to turn teens into lifetime barbershoppers. Plan now for Harmony College West 2007 in Hayward. Mark August 24-26, 2007, on your calendar today. ========== Chapter officer election time Every year at this time our chapters select the slate of officers for the following year. If you are not a chapter officer or chairman and are interested in a chapter position, now is the time to discuss it with your leaders. Typically each chapter announces their proposed officers in early September with the vote taken by the first of October. This timing is important for two reasons. Both your president elect and your current president can attend the House of Delegates meeting at the Fall Convention, and Your 2007 officers can be enrolled in the Fall COTS classes held in November. (See below.) ========== Fall Convention Contests and Classes As usual the Far Western District has many top quartets and choruses lined up for the contests. This year 25 quartets and 25 choruses are working hard to be the best they can be. Have you noticed how often the FWD has the most competitors in the International contests? The Fall Contests are your chance to hear them first and to cheer them on. And if you can't make it to International next year, this may be your only chance to hear our very best. For lots of info about the convention and contests, go to www.spebsqsafwd.org/events/sanjose Along with the contests is the Convention—the part where you get to participate. This fall we have three tracks of classes on Friday afternoon and you may have a hard time choosing between them. There is no fee for these classes and women are welcome too. Grow your skills Sing for fun Performing 11am   Harmony For Lunch Bunch   12 noon   Harmony For Lunch Bunch (Cont'd)   1pm Vowel Matching Ray Rhymer Woodshedding AHSOW Team Sing with our champs Hi-Fidelity 2pm Voice Coaching Bill Pearson Tag singing Jim Crowley Mic tester chorus practice Jim Turnmire 3pm Voice coaching (Cont'd) Group sing-a-long Kristen Taylor What the judges are looking for Certified Judges Lou Benedict, Russ Young, and Nick Papageorge A detailed description of the classes is available on the FWD website at Activity Descriptions. Classroom locations and the HFLB location will be announced soon. If you have never been to a FWD Fall Convention and Contests, sign up today! Then you can discover all the great fun you have been missing. And don't forget the early bird deadline of September 5. After that the registration fee goes up to $50. But wait, there's More. On Friday night starting around 10:30pm don't miss The Thermalaires who will be on the AFWDC Late Show to celebrate their 40th anniversary of winning the FWD quartet championship! ========== COTS is for Everyone For years the Chapter Officers Training Seminars (COTS) have been for officers only. Today it is wide open and you are invited to attend any class, whether you are an officer or not. Besides the classes that focus on a chapter officer position, there are additional classes for you to consider. Leadership The Leadership track is designed for anyone interested in serving in a leadership capacity or learning how to create new leaders. SWOT Chapter Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Class for multiple officers of a chapter to assess chapter problems and develop a plan for improvement. Beginning Web Design Beginners class on designing and implementing a website. Grant Writing This class will help you acquire the knowledge and skills to write successful grant requests The COTS 2006 website is now online. Online registration for Individuals is now working. Online group registrations will be online soon. Both the NorCal and SoCal COTS are one day events, so the costs are low and the value is high. ========== Attention Chapter Secretaries Members of your chapter without email will not receive this information and we ask you to print this and share it with them.