S O U N D I N G S

At the annual Awards and Installation Banquet, January 13, President Bob Hartwig presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Fred Wiese for his long and distinguished career in barbershopping. In making the presentation, Bob said:

"The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest recognition that the chapter can bestow on a member. It is given to one member who, during his entire period of chapter membership, has devoted himself most unselfishly in rendering outstanding service to the chapter. The award is made only to a truly outstanding member who has regularly attended chapter activities and who has contributed greatly, both in volume and quality of service, over a long period of time. Recipients shall be chapter members of the Mile-Hi and/or Tech chapters for a combined total of 20 years. It is expected that this award will not be given in every year.

"This year the board has determined that an award is appropriate to one of our longest-standing members. This man has been a society member for around 40 years. He served on the Society Board twice. He has been a member of the Mile High Chapter for almost 30 years. He was a charter member of the Denver Tech chapter and held dual membership at Tech and Mile-Hi for many years. In 1978 he was one of the movers and shakers in forming the Rocky Mountain District. He is a past President of the Rocky Mountain District and has served in various district capacities throughout the years.

"He is a Barbershopper of the Year in two chapters, and is a district Barbershopper of the Year. He has sung with the 24 Karat Ring quartet for many years. He has been a Man of Note so many times that I think he could single-handedly man the Vocal Majority risers.

"In addition to all of this he was instrumental in last year's merger of the Mile-Hi and Tech chapters. He is a faithful riser guy, including setting up, standing on, and taking down. After spending half his life in dedicated efforts to barbershopping, this year he agreed to serve on the board of directors of our newly merged organization. Our favorite curmudgeon, he always provides valuable input at our monthly meetings."

Having held the unique position of both board member and music team leader during the first critical year of the merger between the former Mile Hi and Denver Tech chapters, Roger Olson was instrumental-and extremely effective-in helping to bring about the successful union of these two historic groups.

Roger's dual role, as Vice-President for Music and Performance, was perhaps the most difficult position to fill during the year 2000, requiring a sensitivity to both how the newly reorganized chapter was evolving artistically and how its business affairs were to be managed. In fact, he was the key liaison between these two aspects of the Sound of the Rockies.

Those who have benefitted from Roger's work-often behind the scenes and demanding a high level of "homework" know that every major event has been strongly influenced, and more effectively structured, because of it. His resourcing work for the August retreat and his constant communication to, and motivation of, chapter members to strive for excellence throughout the year have been exemplary. An avid performer as well as a manager of the organization, Roger was always ready to be the needed tenor when a quartet was short-handed in that crucial position.

Adam Nafziger and Bob Young presented Roger Olson with his well-deserved award as Barbershopper of the Year.

The Founders Award is given to honor one new member who has contributed outstanding service to the chapter in his first 18 months of membership. Attendance, attitude, and accomplishment of duties, both volunteer and assigned, are considered when making this award. The award is presented in honor of the founders of the Society, the Rocky Mountain District, and both the Denver Mile High and Denver Tech Chapters. These founders were at one time new members themselves, and without their dedicated work as new members of the Society, the District, and their chapters, we wouldn't exist.

This year's award was presented to one of our newest members. This gentleman organized our trip to Rapid City this year. He volunteered early on to serve on the site selection and permanent site committees. He has a wealth of ideas that he has presented to the Chapter Board, most of which are now work in progress. President Bob Hartwig presented the 2000 Founders Award for Outstanding Service by a New Member to Mr Bob DeGroot.

The Spirit of Harmony Award. This award is given to honor one member who, during the past year, has best exemplified the fundamental Society membership qualities of congeniality and good character, and who has worked hardest to encourage participation by chapter visitors and members in vocal harmony.

The awardee must reflect the spirit and ideals of O. C. Cash (our Society's founder) by his enthusiasm for good fellowship and good harmony and by his unselfish dedication to, and obvious joy in, barbershopping.

This year's award goes to a man who, despite his tender age, has many years of experience in our hobby. He greets guests each week, enthusiastically introduces them during breaks, puts out the Weekly Newsletter, and has organized several membership-related subcommittees and events.

On top of all this he manages to sing baritone in the 2000 Rocky Mountain District Champion Quartet, Executive Order. And as we all know baritone is the most difficult and challenging part to sing. For his enthusiasm and joy in barbershopping, we honor Mr Mike Wadsley with the 2000 Spirit of Harmony Award.

The Meritorious Service Award. This award is given to honor one member for service that is above and beyond the usual service expected of members during the past year or for exceptional achievement during the past year in several chapter activities. It is not intended as a reward for discharging a single specific duty, but for continuous service in several activities.

During 2000 there was one man who could be counted on to setup and take down risers. At times he has set up the entire set of risers on his own, and has even done this work with a broken collar bone. Among other things he serves as our Music Librarian, prepares and updates guest music books, sells lots of tickets to all of our shows, and in general is our "ambassador" or "voice of the chorus" to the Denver community. He is currently working on a Scientific and Cultural Facilities District grant and is trying to put together a youth outreach program for the chorus. On top of all this, he is actually a dual member, providing his many talents to the Denver Mountainaires as well as to the Mile High Chapter.

For tireless effort throughout the year 2000, the Meritorious Service Award goes to Mr Jerry O'Halloran.

Presidential Citations. Citations are presented to one or more members in recognition of outstanding performance of specific assigned tasks during the past year.

Ron Kientz has been actively working throughout the year to obtain a practice site we can use every Thursday night. He serves on the site selection committee and on the permanent site committee. He also did a wonderful job directing us with the Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra in December.

Jim Weaver organized our informal uniform project. This is a major logistical effort and is still ongoing. If you need an informal uniform, you need to talk to this man.

Brent Page was charged with organizing our Longmont retreat. We all recognize what a wonderful event this turned out to be. The hotel was so pleased with our presence that they gave us the practice facility at no charge and invited us back again this year.

We also recognize Doris Anderson for her efforts as the outgoing President of the Mile High Belles, our Sweethearts of the Rockies. Without them handling the outside of the auditorium, arranging ushers, distributing programs, selling candy, helping with make up and so forth we would never be able to put on a show. Without their cheering us on we could never have done as well as we did in district competition. We are grateful for Doris's efforts on our behalf and on behalf of the Mile High Belles, with this special Presidential Citation.

A Special Citation goes to our 2000 ticket teams. These men go through a nightmarish situation for us every time we put on a show. Keeping ticket sales organized is never easy, and reconciliations can be almost impossible. A phone order during dinner is never fun either. Yet these men stand up and meet this challenge head on; so well, in fact, that this year's Christmas Show was closed and reconciled within one month's time. Frank DeBello, Bobby Anderson, Andy Aisenbrey, Claude Barnes, Dick Stark, and Brian Rich are honored for all of their hard work on behalf of our chorus shows this past year.

Although they did not receive an award, several members who were nominated for various awards were recognized: Dennis Cook, Roger Olson, Bill Lahti, Jim Clark, Michael Nogrady, Bob Young, Pete Donahue Jr, George Smith, Dick Lenzen, Doug Porrey, Dick Rautio, and Adam Daymut.

President Hartwig thanked all of those who worked on behalf of our chapter during the past year, saying, "we can't do it without you and your ongoing efforts. "

Special thanks to Dick Lenzen, our host for the annual event at his Holiday Inn Southeast.

Do you wonder where the words of this song came from? They go by so fast we might also wonder where they went to, but here's some of the curious history of Sweet Charity, a 1966 musical dreamed up by Bob Fosse, famous Broadway (and Hollywood) choreographer.

Sweet Charity is basically a showcase for Fosse's talents and those of his wife, Gwen Verdon, dancer/actress who played the role of Charity Hope Valentine, New York dance-hall hostess "who just wants to be loved." Fosse got the plot from a movie by the famed Italian director Federico Fellini and planned to do the adaptation himself, though eventually Neil Simon was called in to stitch Fosse's dance numbers together with a thin story line.

One of Charity's efforts at romance is Oscar, whose life is so dull he even subscribes to a "Church-of-the-Month Club." Thus he and Charity find themselves in an underground setting (like the Floating Crap Game scene in Guys and Dolls) where preacher Big Daddy holds forth in the Church of the Rhythm of Life. Cy Coleman's driving music sets the tempo for the song-and-dance number, and Dorothy Fields' lyrics float along spoofing the Flower Child lifestyle of the 60's and its religious gurus. Remember Flip Wilson doing the same with his "Church of What's Happenin' NOW" in the early 70's?

So what can you say about the words? They rhyme, they move, and they're tremendously entertaining. What do they mean? Not a heck of a lot. Since Big Daddy shows up, does his number and is gone, they weren't meant to.

*For the annual show 2001, April 21.

The Mile Hi Belles invite all chorus significant others to monthly meetings held the 3rd Thursday of each month at the same place the Chorus rehearses. The Chorus has changed its rehearsal site to: University Church of Christ, 2000 South Milwaukee, a block north of Evans.

The Belles annual Valentine party will be held Thursday, February 15. We ask that you bring cookies or pieces of candy for this event. The Chorus is invited to share fellowship with us after their rehearsal.

Also please reserve February 22 for a "gals night out to dinner." We will meet at the new rehearsal site.

Membership dues are $5.00 annually and are payable now for the year 2001. This money is used to cover general operating expenses and donations to Heartspring. Please make out your checks to Mile Hi Belles and mail to Helen Swanson, 3121 Mountain Shadows Drive, Denver, CO 80215.

Reminder: If your address or phone number has changed in the past year, please let me know so that I can keep our roster current. If you wish to be notified of auxiliary business by e?mail, please include this information as well. To new members, please also include the day and month of your birthday and anniversary.

If you have any questions, please call me at 303-232-8870 or Carol Welch, president, at 303-771-1207.

See you at the party!

Helen Swanson
Membership Vice-President

D'ye know what the "scuppers" is, matey? 'Ow 'bout a "bowlin'," 'ey? And a "runnin'" one, at that? A "hosepipe"? Ye think a "longboat" is just longer than a short boat, do ye? Well, bless me eyes. 'Ere's a landlubber's explynation t' the song yer TRYIN' t'sing:

In the days before steamships changed everything, the captain of a full-rigged, three-masted square-sailed ship was lucky if he had a crew member (dubbed a "chanteyman") who could not only sing loudly but could think up verses to work songs that would keep the tasks running steadily and smoothly, whether it was hoisting sails, hauling up (weighing) the anchor, manning the pumps, or whatever. The late singer and folk song collector Burl Ives classified The Drunken Sailor as a "stamp-and-go capstan chanty" (or chantey, or shanty, or shantey) because its beat was tuned to one stage of hauling in the anchor around a vertical winch in the middle of the boat-er, excuse me, amidships. In sailing days, the capstan was turned by wooden bars inserted into holes surrounding the upper end and powered by sixteen men at a time (perhaps more), two on each of eight beams. On the words, "What shall we do..." the men would stamp their feet, then push in rhythm. Although at first the beat was fairly lively, it could take as long as four hours to hoist anchor. The anchor weighed some 1200 pounds, and would have maybe five or six 90-foot lengths of chain attached to it, each about 500 pounds!

The first stage involved pulling the ship to the anchor, which was some distance away. The last stage, when the ship was right over the anchor, involved pulling the ship down into the water until the increased buoyancy ripped the anchor out of the muck on the ocean floor. Since this stage went much slower, mournful capstan chanteys like Shenandoah developed around it.

As for the terms: scuppers were the openings at the edge of the deck which allowed water to drain away over the sides-the same term is used now for the drainage holes on flat-roofed buildings. A bowline (bowlin') was a rope tied from the center of the forward sail to the bow in order to keep the sail taut when sailing into the wind. A coil on a runnin' bowline was something to avoid stepping into. Yer right about the longboat: it was the longest boat carried on a ship, whether for rescue purposes, taking on provisions or, maybe, for towing a stove-up seaman astern, giving him the wild ride he deserved. For obvious reasons, they didn't like a hand who couldn't pull (or push) his own weight.

There were-and are-many verses and versions of The Drunken Sailor. In some, the words are: "Put him in the scuppers with the deck pump on him." But if you're feeling tongue-tied with any of the words, be thankful we're not doing the line that goes: "Tie him to the taffrail when she's yard-arm under!!" And then there are all the verses about the captain's daughter, but best we not go into those. Poor warty thing, she was. Arr.

*For the Annual Show, April 21, 2001.

Nathan Zenk, new SOR tenor and son of bass section co-leader Mark Zenk and wife Dianne, completed his qualifying rounds and has been added to Mile Hi Chapter's membership. Nate lives in Parker, and is in the sixth grade at Trinity Lutheran School. His other musical interests include playing the piano and singing in his church's youth choir. He learns Sound of the Rockies music on his own (dad doesn't help) and says he likes the chorus which is friendly, even though Andrew Longstaff is the only other member in his age group. He is 11, and prefers to be called Nate.

Congratulations to Bill Foster, Bege Martin, Jerry Perron and Bob Young who captured 13th place in the Senior Quartet competition at the Society's Midwinter Convention in Jacksonville, Florida. According to George Davidson's report, the Twins' entertainment values have gone through the roof, bringing an enthusiastic Convention audience to its feet with cheers and thunderous applause. Many SOR members heard them on the live Webcast January 27th.