Category: Weekly Updates

‘Silhouettes’ added to the website

You can now access and download the PDF and tracks for “Silhouettes.” The past two weeks we have introduced this song. Long-time members may remember singing this in the past. This song was a favorite of the Doo Wop era, and it was made popular by The Rays in 1957. There are some ideas for choreography here as well. The song was covered by The Diamonds, and later got a British invasion treatment by Herman’s Hermits in 1965.

The arrangement we are singing was written by Tom Gentry, master of singable barbershop tunes, . This song tells a simple story based on one, single striking image. Under its cool surface lay a series of emotions: wonder, betrayal, anger, relief, and love realized. Our success with the song will depend on how well we tell this story.

Removed from the Rep

We have removed “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,””Happy Days,” “Homeward Bound,” and “I’ll Fly Away” from the current rep. Please turn these copies in to Tom Read at your earliest opportunity.

Rehearsal Plan for Tuesday, July 19

6:00 Quartet Activity – From The First Hello (see Tom Z’s email, from July 7, with the links to the song)

6:30 Welcome & Warm Ups

• Farmer Tan
• Silhouettes
• That Lonesome Road

–break–

• Can You Feel The Love Tonight
• Hello Mary Lou – bring your Polecat 2 Book
• Shenandoah

VLQ formation

We are forming a VLQ that is similar to the Aged2Perfection VLQ. The purpose will be to sing during the daytime when we get requests to sing at care centers, etc. The singout members will be determined for each event based on availability and needs. We could also make it a habit to reach out to the care centers and perform on a regular basis. This group could also sing at the Naturalization Ceremonies should the ceremonies return to the way they were pre-pandemic. We will sing the chorus numbers plus the naturalization songs. Rehearsals will be the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00. PLEASE let Larry H know if you would be interested in singing in this group.  [email protected] or 319-981-0724.

Golf Outing

Our annual golf outing will be Friday, August 12  Join fellow members of our chorus in this fun event. Golfing ability is NOT a prerequisite to enjoy this event. It is a fun social time that just happens to include golf. Even if you do not have clubs, sign up and join us—-we will find clubs for you. The scoring will be set up in a four person best shot format so all levels of golfers will have a good time.

• WHEN: Friday, August 12 at 4:00
• WHERE: Airport National Golf Course, 3001 Wright Brothers Blvd East.
• COST: $36 payable at the clubhouse
• WHAT IS INCLUDED: Nine holes of golf with electric cart. Also included is a meal of either hamburger or brat, chips, and a 20 oz. soft drink. (Beer will also be available for purchase).

Prizes galore! Long drive, closest to the pin, land longest put. Every participant will earn a prize based on your team’s finish. ALSO INCLUDED: Lots of fun, fellowship and singing!!! Make sure you sign up to join the fun. Sign up at rehearsal or contact v

If you would like to sign up now contact Bob Kerdus at 319-350-7344 or email him at [email protected]

Upcoming Events

• August 2 – Kernel’s National Anthem sing out
• August 12 – Golf outing @ Airport National
• November 11 – Gospel Concert

New song added to the rep

At last Tuesday’s rehearsal Chad introduced the chorus to “That Lonesome Road, ” and the PDF and tracks are available now here on the website. The song was written by James Taylor and released in 1981. Its tone and the regret expressed in the second stanza might cause us to reflect on some of the divisive rhetoric of the past years. Since its publication the song has since become a favorite of college glee clubs and ensembles. Here are the lyrics and a link to Taylor singing the song with a festival choir:

Membership renewal

Tuesday we celebrated the membership renewal of Wendell Aldrich. This is Wendell’s 30th year with the Harmony Hawks, and he has served in many leadership roles. He has been chapter President, Secretary for may years, Board Member, Show Chairman, and he currently continues his leadership as Gospel Concert Chair. Thank you Wendell for your continued service and leadership!

Your response needed

Please complete the following brief poll to help us determine the time of this years Family and Friends Picnic. Click here to go to the form: https://forms.gle/26gimMvFWk5ccGnX8

Congratulations to Oakley and Kirsten

Ari Lyon was born last Tuesday. In honor of that blessing, the chorus sang “Isn’t She Lovely” to the new parents. Oakley replied to the email I sent with the video writing, “Oh my goodness you all! That is amazing! We are so happy to have such a great group of people in our lives! 🥰🥰”

You will need this link to share the video: https://youtu.be/TpAbDTe8zZc

Linn County Fair entertained by the Hawks

Tuesday’s rehearsal

We will rehearse Tuesday, July 5, 6:30 to 8:30. Look for Tom Zuber’s email about the specific schedule of songs.

A personal reflection on Saturday’s show

From Gary Lindsay, webmaster.

Those who saw me studying my music up to show time Saturday and at intermission might have already concluded that I did not feel totally ready to perform all our music. I had misgivings, some serious ones, and I don’t think I was alone in that. This was not the first time I have felt that, but I have learned that this feeling is not one to share before the show with chorus members and especially with audience members. We all need to feel and look confident. You have to be an actor to be a singer, at times.

This concert was especially important. Not only was it crucial for rebuilding our audience after the pandemic pause, but I had three audience members were especially in mind: my 94-year-old mother and my two best friends from Sacramento for whom this would be their first barbershop experience. (This was also the first time I had performed as a quartet member, so I also wanted that to go well.)

In the lobby at intermission, I was so happy to see the smiles on the faces of those I talked to who raved about how good the chorus sounded. Universally, they were loving the show! That response continued after the show and at the afterglow. My Sacramento friends couldn’t get enough of the experience, and they especially loved singing along on the tags. Of course, Mom loved it, too, but then, she’s my mom.

Also on my mind Saturday afternoon was that we were missing a woman who might have been the Harmony Hawks best fan, my sister-in-law Aljean Smith. She and her husband Ed never missed a show in the 20+ years that I’ve been a member, and they often brought carloads of their friends with them all the way from Montrose in southeastern Iowa. Aljean has been battling an aggressive cancer this year, and I hoped she could attend for what would probably be her last concert.  Last Valentines Day, the Forget-Me-Notes were able to stop in and deliver a singing Valentine to her on our way back for a gig in Keokuk. She said it was “the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”  Sadly, she had taken a turn for the worse last Friday, and she passed away yesterday.

Here is what I think: What we do as a chorus is very important. When we perform well, our music touches our audience and moves them in ways nothing else can. We owe it to them to do our best and to keep this art form going. Let’s remember that as we continue to build our chorus and learn our music and improve our own singing.

I am proud to be a Harmony Hawk, and it’s great to be a barbershopper!

President’s reflection

From Larry Hlavacek, What a great way to get back into performing! Saturday’s show was fantastic. I have heard many positive comments and I have been told by many of you that you have also heard nothing but positive comments. You all came through with learning music, performing and singing to the best of your abilities. The afterglow was a lot of fun; hearing Profound Sound again, and each of the performing quartets! After the majority of people left we had a few who stuck around to sing tags with Tapestry. It was great to have Nate from Tapestry teach the tags during and after the afterglow.

We had 245 people in attendance. About 170 seats were sold in advance and 75 were sold at the door.

I would like to recognize several people. First off is Barb and Tom Read as the show chairpersons. Without their efforts the show could not have been as good as it was. Sorry that Tom was not able to participate Saturday. Gary Lindsay did a fantastic job in the design and production of the program, and in promoting the show online and in social media. The cover was very “Happy” and was perfect. Leland Freie’s, and probably Valerie’s, organizing and coordinating of the afterglow let us eat well and celebrate the success of the show.

Mary Huneke was a big help with ticket sales. She had to “sell” all the tickets for the group discount and answer many questions. Thank you Mary! Al Huneke also did great work keeping track of the ad sales and making sure they were correctly listed in the program. Cal Birkey again coordinated our postcard mailing, which might be our most effective promotion.

Morning Sun quartet performed “Prayer of the Children” the best they ever did. And not to be shown up by Morning Sun, the VLQ did a great job singing “Yes, Indeed.” Thank you’s go out to each of these performers, you made the show. And weren’t the girls from Prairie spectacular, having rehearsed only since May 1!

I would also like to thank Bill Moss for his efforts in advertising and donations. He goes above and beyond all other chorus members almost combined. Cal Birkey and Gary Lindsay also had significant sales. All ads and donations met our goal.

And last, but not least, Chad Knipfer and Oakley Lyon need tremendous kudos. They were able to tell us what they wanted and needed from us to make our songs performance-ready. Their direction has been stellar and we are blessed to have them as our directors.

I know I have missed people who also had a lot to do with the production of the show, and I apologize for that.

Tuesday Plan

Remember to reach out to people you have invited to Guest Night and remind them that it is Tuesday. If necessary, offer to pick them up and bring them to rehearsal. If you volunteered to bring treats or beverage please bring them and set them on the table we will have set up.

• Welcome, The Old Songs and warmup
• Chad Chorus Intro.
• Show follow-up items (brief)
• Star Spangled Banner
• Tag(s) from the list of Tags Below
• Introduce Guests

<Break>

• Sing for Guests
• PoleCats from Polecat 1 book
• America The Beautiful with Overlay
• Select tag(s)
• KTWWS

Tags:

https://www.barbershoptags.com/tag-3510-I-Can’t-See-the-Good-in-Goodbye-(Lead-hanger-version)

https://www.barbershoptags.com/tag-9-Lonely-for-You-Am-I

https://www.barbershoptags.com/tag-14-I’ll-be-Seeing-You

https://www.barbershoptags.com/tag-3498-I’ll-Never-Pass-This-Way-Again-(Inverted-Version)

https://www.barbershoptags.com/tag-3046-Gone

https://www.barbershoptags.com/tag-3502-Dream-Another-Dream-of-You-(Baritones-and-Tenor-Version)

https://www.barbershoptags.com/tag-2636-Pocket-Full-of-Pennies

Upcoming Events

• May 18 – Mercy Foundation Sing-out (6 people) CANCELED
• May 30 – Cedar Memorial Memorial Day performance
• June 17 – Tribute to Heroes (Friday)
• August 2 – Kernel’s National Anthem sing out
• October 6-9 – CSD Fall Convention  
• November 11 – Gospel Concert (tentative)