What energy shortage?

Another highly charged, immensely entertaining Spring Prelim is in the books, and not surprisingly, it was sensational! Kudos from all were offered to Chris Wilson and the FWD Events Team, who pulled off this first Events Team sponsored convention. Special thanks were tendered to Convention General Manager Sam Barger and to General Chairman Ron Byrd and the Fresno Chapter for making it such a great experience.

Contest scores can be found in many other places (FWD Website, Harmonet, FWD listserv, etc.), but in the minds of most, this year's competition produced WINNER after WINNER after WINNER. With the stellar performance of each and every quartet and chorus who graced the stage, patrons and spectators continue to wonder how the Judges determine winning scores.

Given this level of outstanding entertainment many wonder why more Barbershoppers do not attend these events. The unofficial head-count was reported to be approximately 900. Non-attendees missed the:

• Spectating: The aforementioned supercharged level of entertainment, by quartets and Choruses - representing literally all age groups - who have proven themselves to be the "Best of the West" filled my cup for months to come.
• Socializing: The social smorgasbord - including the opportunity to make and renew friendships abounds.
• Singing: "Yes, I'll Sing (Tenor, Lead, Baritone, Bass) With You", buttons which were available for a donation to the Young Men In Harmony fund, thanks to Keith Eckhardt. The idea was to seek out attendees who wore the buttons needed for a quartet, and get it on. It worked! For more info, contact Keith Eckhardt (he's in the FWD Directory - Placerville Chapter and at keith@eckhardts.com).

"Considering the foregoing," suggests FWD DVP of Marketing and PR, Clark Abrahamson, "every loyal and fun-loving Far Western District Barbershopper should make it a point not to miss out on upcoming FWD Division and District conventions/contests - starting with YOU - right?"

HOD Meeting:

Approximately 60 delegates/attendees were present. One wonders where the other chapters were, and how they plan to keep up with all that's happening in the District unless they attend this important function?

Addressing the HOD:

Sam Barger, General Convention Manager for FWD Events Team welcomed all delegates to Fresno.

Dr. Hank Hammer, Society Board Member at Large from his new home in Texas (he's replaced "Aloha" with "Howdy, y'all").

Hank's comments:

Society membership: 32,025, considerably less than our 50th anniversary goal, 13 years ago, of 50,000 members. a decline of 400 members in 2000 (188 of which were from the Far Western District). But less of a decline than the previous two years, due in large part to the efforts of Ev Nau and Pat Kelly.

Society Goal: 100 new chapters by year-end 2001. To date, 55 new chapters licensed and/or chartered.

Membership growth: He encouraged all to share ideas with fellow chapter members, District Vice Presidents, Chapter Coaches, and others, citing ideas such as: buddy system for new members, newcomer's chorus and/or Young men mentoring.

Plans for the 2001 Nashville International Convention are progressing on schedule. The "Sing" event will feature some of the nation's finest professional and Barbershop entertainment.

Sponsor music educators to events such as Harmony College/Director's College, and use the video for music educators, entitled "Barbershop Harmony - a Tool for Musical Excellence", available through Harmony Marketplace ($7.00).

Look for additions to COTS, linking Membership and Music and encourage all to share and input ideas for improvement.

John Krizek - VP Young Men in Harmony:

Youth Harmony Camps are scheduled in Northern and Southern California June 22-24. Camp Clinicians, preferably High School Music Teachers, are needed.. The FWD YMIH team successfully participated recently at the California Music Educators Convention, with over 1000 Music Educators in attendance. Look for a Marin Youth Festival to be held the last weekend in September.

The Santa Ana Youth Festival, co-sponsored by the Southern California Vocal Association and the Masters of Harmony hosted 185 young men and 15 teachers from 36 schools. Announced the availability of a new Youth Outreach video and brochure. Contact John Krizek or Ed Bejarana for details. Four Music Educator's Awards were presented at the High School Quartet Contest this weekend in Fresno.

Chris Wilson - VP Events:

Noted declining membership at FWD Conventions and solicited ideas to reverse the trend. And advised the district is taking bids for hosting 2002 conventions (specifically Divisional conventions).

Jim Sherman - Treasurer - Budget:

Reminded chapters of the required yearly financial review,. Advised that the District is financially sound, reporting a $45,000 reserve fund.

Lloyd Steinkamp:

A short time ago, Lou Perry sent "Unka Lloyd" a poem, and asked that he put it to music. Lloyd did so, and entitled it "A Very Perry Christmas", which he fortunately was able to share with Lou before he passed away. HOD attendees heard "For Old Time's Sake" (Jerry Fairchild, Jim McKee, Bruce Maxey, Ron Criswell) in the first public presentation of the song It is available from Kenosha, in return for a donation to Harmony Foundation. Contact Gary Stamm.

Don McAvoy - Membership Awards:

Presented the Chapter Membership Award to Las Vegas Metro, with a 60% membership gain!

Dick Girvin - Chapter Bulletin Contest Awards:

Top bulletins in the FWD annual Bulletin Contest:

*entered in International Contest

Dr. Bob House - Harmony Foundation:

Announced Terry Aramian as newly appointed Chairman of the Foundation "Brother Can You Spare A Dime?" program: If each member gave a dime a day, or $36.50 per year, it would add up to over $1 Million. . The Society Goal is $500,000. Encouraged Employees to investigate Employee Matching funds, and encouraged s to make contributions to the Foundation as a chapter group effort. Reported that the Endowment Fund totals approximately $10 Million, through: insurance programs, bequests, Stock/Bond pledges and cash donations

Harry Thal - District Services Chairman:

Reported that significant Contribution Awards were presented to top quartet - DC4 and top Chapter (Gold) - Sierra Vista, AZ. - $150 per member

Board Of Directors Meeting Highlights:

Chorus Directors Workshop Intensive is off to a good start .Two sessions have been completed, with two more scheduled for the year. . A Chorus Director's Scholarship, to be determined by draw, has been authorized.

WESTUNES Online is progressing - A list of job requirements for staff positions and job descriptions will be offered on FARWEST listserv.

Far Western District Website is undergoing a facelift and expansion - look for new features/links at www.spebsqsafwd.org.

A recent "Audition for Admission" effort involving five chapters was recently successfully completed in Southern California. Look for forthcoming details on the expansion of this program.

A new chapter - White Mountain, AZ was recently licensed, and will soon be chartered.

Harmony College West will be held in Hayward, CA from August 24th through August 26th. Jim Crowley is Dean.

The Standing Ovation program, under Lloyd Steinkamp, now has 17 certified reviewers available to help boost performance levels of choruses and quartets. The cost, born by the chapter, is modest - the review is not made public.

A new Champion's Assistance Program, involving 18 Past Quartet Champs is now available to help chapters with Quartet Promotion/Chorus Promotion. Contact Ray Rhymer or Stan Sharpe.

Top Gun a by-invitation-only program to sharpen the performance skills of FWD's best quartets will be held in November, in conjunction with SoCal COTS in San Bernardino.

Song Writer's Guild to be launched. Contact Ray Rhymer/Dan Wilson for details.

St. George, Utah Chapter to transfer from the Rocky Mountain District to the Far Western District

NorCal Divisional Conventions/Contests will be held separately in the contest cycle of 2002 and on.