BACSTERS!

1. The BACMEN who took part in last night's Covens of Excellence small groups certainly profited from our second such sessions as we cleaned up any remaining issues with the Elvis Medley, INCLUDING a brand new tag which was so right that it took less than 5 minutes for us all to absorb and execute. If you were missing last night, please go to the BAC web site and download the new tag, AND master it by next week. Next week we'll be adding back the choreo, and we will begin to treat Love Me in the Covens of Excellence, or as some prefer, the Minyans of Excellence.

The result of last night's work was that by rehearsal's end Elvis was singing better than ever before. Kudos to CHUCK MAY and all the Coven leaders on a great night's work. And also to all the singers who made it their business to come prepared to kick things to the next level.

2. With only SIX rehearsals left until Indy, regular attendance by all who plan to sing at International would seem to be a foregone conclusion. Obviously, things such as illness and business and family emergency will always take their toll on our weekly attendance. But, that being understood, we should reasonably expect to see you all on the risers at 7 PM each week.

Although not yet scheduled, don't be surprised if our music gurus schedule an extra Saturday session between now and July. Forewarned is forearmed!

3. Coach's Corner - It was good to have RON MEIXSELL back last night, and working with our small groups. It makes such a difference to have him here each week.

Here are a couple of Not To Be Missed dates -

June 5 - ROB HOPKINS will be in for a coaching session. It's been a while since we've seen our Past International President, and one of our Society's finest musicians.
June 12 - A return visit from RICK LA ROSA.

The fun really begins!!

4. If you'd prefer not to see ANDY KELLY go totally ballistic, please respond to his email questionnaire about your participation at International. He needs your help in putting together a useful guide to our stay in Indianapolis. The guide will contain everything you need to know for a successful and happy stay. Please, co-operate.

5. MAURICE DEBAR's Polecat groups have really taken off, with the numbers growing each week. It's not too late to join in. Just get there around 6:30 and gather around the piano as Mo and the boys work their way through the basic Barbershop repertoire. This week it was Wild Irish Rose and Honey Little Eyes. It is great to see both old and new members getting their teeth into these Barbershop classics. All are welcome to participate.

6. There has been an interesting thread circulating on the Harmonet recently about how the best choruses do not necessarily have the best individual singers. The real difference between the merely good choruses and the truly great ones seems to be the commitment and dedication of the ORDINARY singers who make up the majority of their membership. While every good chorus seems to have a few outstanding singers, guys like Brian Beck, a founder and leader of the Vocal Majority, credits the mere mortals among the chorus' membership for its remarkable rise to the position of pre-eminence it now holds.

We in the BAC are beginning to realize the truth in Beck's observations. Our weekly Covens of Excellence demonstrated last night that although most of us can only boast modest talent, our corporate and individual commitment to excellence allows us to perform at a level well beyond our individual capability. In the Barbershop Chorus model, dedication appears to trump sheer talent. This appears to be the secret of our success, although our individual talent level does seem to be on the rise. Certainly something to ponder as we continue our preparations to appear on the International stage.

Yes, it is G R E A T to be a BACMAN!

.