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February 16, 2018 #6
Admin Issue
GHC, HNC, SOUNDINGS & CCLT
Choir Community Newsletter
Quick Reminders!

GHC Spring Season
Starts the week of Feb. 19, 20 & 22 @ 7:30 pm

Details in Choir Life: Calendaron our web site

GHC Spring Season New Singers Orientations
7:00 pm Feb. 19, 20, 22, 26 27 + Mar. 1

Details in the Choir Life: Calendaron our web site

For access to all current and archived issues please go to:

SPECIALNOTES!

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My Regular Pre-Season Heads-Up

for new veterans (last season’s new singers)

and also a reminder to us all

I offer the following as someone who had serious hesitations about my voice and its ability to sing on pitch consistently when I joined the choir (and at times still do).

Starting next week a bunch of new people will be joining our singing community. Many of them will be new to singing with others and for some of them it will be an act of courage just being in our singing circle. Please remember that we want everyone to feel safe singing with us while they find their voice and also keep in mind that musical wounds are tender and easily re-opened.

Unless someone invites you to help them find the right pitch it is best not to offer. When you hear “unauthorized harmonies” in your section ask whoever is teaching the song to go over your section’s part again rather than in any way confronting the other singer. What you may perceive as being helpful and caring in making suggestions about what notes they need to sing is easily taken by people with tender spots as one more experience of “I’m being told I’m not good enough again!”

If you find such unauthorized harmonies seriously distracting you could try any, or all, of the following:

move to a different place in your section
enlist another “on pitch” singer or two to stand with you, ideally behind the struggling singer to provide some wind beneath that singers vocal wings and to help counter-balance the distraction you are feeling.
have a private talk with the directors so that they can look for opportunities to help the person without making an issue of it.

~ Bill

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Poetry is to prose as dancing is to walking.
Paul Valéry

Editor’s Collection

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Concert Photos

(repeat for those who missed it last week)

Bill Weaver (Siobhan’s husband) took some amazing photosat the Saturday night concert, and he is happy to share all of them with the choir. You can look through them and download at will from here.

Bill asks that if anyone would like to use these in a publication, to please add thiscredit, below any photo of his (small text size is fine), not to watermark or overlay it onto the photo.

Photo:Bill Weaver

His linked name in this credit is for online publication. It takes readers to his web site at His name should be followed by the text versionof his web site link for print publication of any photo.

~ Dick

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Planning On Submitting Items
To The Newsletter This Season?

The first Community Issue of the season will be posted on Feb. 23rd so get your submissions in!

As the season progresses you can plan ahead for your submissions to our Choir Community Issues (every 2nd week) using the schedule that is available on our site’s Using Our Newsletters page.

By scrolling down the page you can also find Submission Guidelines and other information about using our newsletter effectively and, of course, how to be nice to me by sending submissions that I can simply copy and paste into the newsletter without any editing or re-formatting.

~ Bill

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Admin Team Notes

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Cathy & Dick

Hi everyone! We can't wait to get started on the new session. As you've heard from Denis the other day, we have some wonderful songs in the works, and the first batch of scores rolls off the printer and into piles and binders this weekend! See you soon.

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Admin Team Notes (cont.)

Gloria

I'm still in the 'moving into my new address' mode -but nearly finished. My new address is Suite 105 - 905 Burdette Ave.My phone number will be the same - 230-995-8731 Hope to see you all soon.

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Bill

A new circle of song is about to form with its unique and joyful mix of new singers, returnees from last season and prodigal singers who have been away for a season (or many)…and of course all family, friends and others that we bring to this shared experience!

Another round, another song

Another chance to sing along

Another season, another reason

For singin’....Whoopee!

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Gettin’ Higher Choir Info

GHC Registration Information

New Singers Intake

If you know anyone who would enjoy a Gettin’ Higher singing experience bring, or send, them to check us out.

As always there will be a half hour New Singer Orientation starting at 7:00 pm before the actual choir sessions (7:30 - 9:30) on each of the following evenings:

New Singers Orientation - All 6 nights
7:00 to 7:30 pm followed by singing with the choir from 7:30 to 9:30

Mondays - Feb. 19 & 26

Unitarian Church, 5575 West Saanich Road (opposite the Red Barn)

Tuesdays - Feb. 20 & 27 plus Thursdays - Feb. 22 & Mar. 1

Church of Truth, 111 Superior Street (at St. Lawrence Street)

New singers can also check us out in advance by visiting our site’s Next Season & New Singers Info page.

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GHC Registration Information (cont.)

Registration Information & Procedures

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Registration Deadline

The registration deadline is the end of choir on Thursday, Mar. 1st. We have been known to accept registrations after that date (as most of you know we aren’t good at saying no to people who want to sing) but, for a variety of administrative reasons we much prefer to have all registrations in by that deadline. Registering in a timely manner assures that you don’t miss out on current singers only information…so….if you are planning on singing with us for this season please don’t keep it a secret…be sure to let us know as soon as you know.

Referring New Singers

Let any friends you bring, or send, to the new singers intakes know that all they need to bring is a bottle of water (to keep their voice hydrated) and a desire to check out our singing community. Everything else they need will be provided at the orientation session. If they can't, or don’t, make it to the 7:00 orientation session the first time they come tell them to ask for a binder from me (Bill) and then to try to make it to an orientation on a remaining intake night.

Returnees paying fees at choir by the deadline

Just put your payment cheque(s) or cash envelope (clearly identified as yours) in my collection box at choir and you will automatically be registered.

Please don’t put your payment in an envelope unless it is cash. Cheques and notes (changes, queries, etc.) that are clearly identified as yours that are paper clipped (or even folded) together are much faster and easier to deal with than sealed envelopes. With 300(+/-) registering each season such little things can save a lot of unnecessary extra work.

*********************** QUOTABLES ***********************

What a pity flowers can utter no sound! A singing rose,
a whispering violet, a murmuring honeysuckle - oh,
what a rare and exquisite miracle would these be!"

Henry Ward Beacher

Editor’s Collection

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Returnees paying fees after the deadline

As mentioned above…if you will be paying late…be sure to register before the deadline by a note in my collection box or by contacting me as specified below and let me know when to expect your payment.

Contact and other information Changes

If your contact information, location, night or section has changed since the last season you attended please either include that information with your fee payment, drop it as a separate note into my collection box or contact me about it as specified below. Be sure whatever you give me is clearly identified as yours.

Fees, payments & scholarships

Please make fee payment cheques payable to the Gettin’ Higher Choir

The fees for the season are $175 with a sliding scale discount from there down to $130 for seniors/students /unwaged if needed. If a discounted fee is appropriate for you we ask you to decide where on the sliding scale you fit based on your knowledge of your own finances.

As always you are welcome to set your own payment plans. While we prefer that you do so with a series of post-dated cheques, providing a list of payment dates is also OK. In either case the last payment is due May 15th for Spring seasons December 31st for Fall seasons.

E-Transfers can be sent to Siobhan at but please follow up with an email notification to so that I can update your record.

If you want, or a new singer you are encouraging to join wants, to register for this season but the payment plans and discounts offered above are not sufficient to make it financially possible then scholarships can be arranged with me. The GHC policy is “No one misses choir because of money!”

Again, in addition to dropping a note regarding any of the above in my collection bag at choir I can be contacted by phone (250-920-4160 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays) or by emailing

~ Bill

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GHC News & Business

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Sheet Music On Your Tablet?!

Thinking about using your tablet computer to access your sheet music in the upcoming season? Add yourself to our Tablet Users List.

Experienced Tablet User?

The object of encouraging tablet use is to to give you a lot more flexibility in handling and referring to your sheet music with the added benefit of saving trees.

Interested But Hesitant?

Use both your tablet and paper sheet music while you familiarize yourself with what your tablet offers you.

Tablet Users Intro Document

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Binders & Paper Sheet Music

Paper sheet music using veterans...be sure to bring your binders and to pick up any new sheet music as you arrive. Also be sure that you don’t pick-up the same music a couple of weeks in a row. In past season we have pretty much always given out 20 to 40 more sets than we have people registered for the season.

Tablet users…please remember not to pick-up paper sheet music unless you are a first season tablet user who is registered as a “tablet & paper” user.

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Name Tags

Veterans… If you’ve got them please wear them even if you have been in the choir so long that everybody should know you. It not only makes things easier for our new singers to connect, it also makes things easier for memory challenged people like me. Keeping it in the inside pocket of your binder, or with its cord locked in the rings, so it is available to wear every time you come to choir is also a good idea.

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Found by Bill

Left at the after party…a very classy looking glass water bottle (green diamond grid design) with a grey rubberish partial covering. Contact me at 250-920-4160 or to arrange pick-up at my place near Gorge and Tillicum or return on a choir night.

Submitted by Bill Hanson

GHC multi-night Bass etc

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Lost by Cathy & Dick

Over the last few weeks our Fall season Cathy & Dick managed to lose 3 Contigo travel mugs/water bottles combinations of silver and purple. One for sure at the Unitarian Church on West Saanich and 2 could be anywhere. They have our DJ and CB initials on them somewhere.

In either case contact Cathy at 250-857-9984 or to arrange pick-up or to specify a choir night for the return any of the above.

Submitted by Cathy Baker

GHC Co-Director

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Other Info About Our
Community Of Choirs

HNC News & Business

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High Noon Choir….

A daytime community choir, led by Siobhan Robinsong.

The current season runs until March 20, and as always, will wind up with a finger foods potluck on the closing day, open to all who are curious.

There will be no High Noon Choir on March 27.

The Spring Season will begin the following Tuesday, April 3, and run through June 19.

New members are always welcome, and there will be a 30-minute Orientation for newcomers at 11:30 on Tuesday April 3.

We have a wide variety of songs that are easy to learn, fun and uplifting to sing.

And of course, all voices are welcome.

Location: Church of Truth, 111 Superior Street. Fee: $100 - $80, sliding scale.

Further information: 250.386.3181 or email

Siobhan Robinsong

HNC Director

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Admin Team
Special Announcements

From time to time Siobhan, Denis, Cathy, Dick, Gloria or Bill will use this section to announce activities and events that they are involved in, or support, outside of their normal work for the choirs and the CCLT.

House rental wanted
for our Syrian friends

Two or three bedroom suite for a young, very hardworking Syrian family for May 1st or anytime sooner. Both parents are working and the two children are currently enrolled in Royal Oak Middle School and Lochside Elementary. Prefer Royal Oak, Broadmead, High Quadra areas but will consider others.

Please contact Ricki Buckwold at250-857-3349Âor email .

Submitted by Siobhan

HNC, GHC on sabbatical, Director

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Admin Team Special Announcements (cont.)

Double Oooops!

This item was missed in last week’s newsletter and was sent out as part of an an “Oooops!” follow-up email. Since then I have realized that there were 4 links to photos that I should have included. So here it is again with those links.

House For Rent...

...for UP TO 5+ weeks - April 18- May 26th
A pretty, cozy, old fashioned 3 bedroom house on 4.5 rural acres , backing on to Observatory Mountain with beautiful walking trails. It is 20 mins drive from downtown Victoria, 10 min drive to farmer's markets, a super market,a pool/gym and Butchart Gardens.

Photos: Outside 1 Livingroom Hammock Outside 2

RENT -$500 per week. Negotiable. Minimum stay - 2 weeks.
- $500 security deposit
No smokers; pets negotiable; references required.
CONTACT: or phone- 250-479-5585
Submitted by Mary lynch
HNC, and former Monday GHC, Soprano

That hammock looks absolutely delicious!

~ Bill

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Noteworthy Words

A periodic column in which
GHC Tuesday/Thursday Bass Lee McLeod
offers his thoughts on GHC song lyrics

This series will return after the sheet music

for the GHC Spring season has been distributed

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CCLT Updates

Community Choir Leadership Trainings ~ A two week workshop for current and prospective community choir leaders facilitated annually by Denis & Siobhan to teach the whys and hows of leading a choir based on the Gettin’ Higher Choir model. Please pass the information below on to anyone you know who might be glad to receive it.

Expert Sound Therapy Training

With Crystal Singing Bowls And Soul Singing

Students say its “Life changing!”

At the Sound Sanctuary, Oak Bay, BC

Learn to use sound for wellness, for yourself and your clients. Understand the science and the spirituality of sound for making profound shifts in health. Nancy Watters’ 3-day, hands-on course is an extraordinary experience! You’ll learn to create pure, captivating tones with Alchemy crystal singing bowls andhow to sing with your soul’s voice.This is the only place where you get hands-on training with 50+ Alchemy bowls.Since 2015, this course has attracted a diverse group of health care professionals, healers, counsellors, yoga teachers and massage therapists.

Suitable for all levels beginner to pro.

Submitted by Nancy A. Watters,

CCLT 2005, former GHC and HNC Soprano

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Duncan/Cowichan Valley

Community Choir

@ The Lila Music Centre

We're Back - Wed Nights - Feb 21st to mid-May, 5:30 - 7pm in the Lila Yurt

Directions here

Invite your friends.

Email me about your songs you want to sing.

Email me about who we should Fundraise for this term.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Payment - Sliding Scale…“Pay Your Joy!!!”
Sign up for the Whole Term Please and Thank you.

Submitted by Cari Burdett

CCLT3 - 2006/7

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Look at the stars sometimes. They are only notes They are music.
Pat Conroy

Editor’s Collection

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GUEST ARTISTUP-DATES

What are they doing now… with particular focus on their activities in the Victoria and South Island area.

Ann Mortifee and/or

Rick Scott Fans Please Note:

These two power-house performers, and former GHC Guest Artists, are teaming up for what (no doubt) be an incredible double bill matinee concert on March 11th at 2 pm. It will be a sell-out so getting tickets early is advised.