1. Once again, the BAC decamps and heads west to bring our very special brand of Barbershop entertainment to the International stage. We will next meet on Wednesday, July 5 at the Indianapolis Hilton for our first on site rehearsal. Please check the hotel bulletin board to find out which room we'll be using. We begin at 4 PM sharp. Since we are sharing this facility with one or more other competing choruses, it is essential that we begin and end on time. We'll repeat the drill again on Thursday, only this time we'll meet at 5 PM. Please bring tear aways and props to all rehearsals.

The schedule for Friday, July 7, the day of the contest, will be promulgated as soon as all details are know. The contest begins at 11 AM, and since we are singing fourth we can expect a fairly early start to the day. We expect to dress at our hotel, and then be transported to a holding area to begin the "cycle". Please stay alert for last minute announcements and possible schedule changes.

2. The BAC has a proud history of outstanding performances on the International stage, beginning with our first appearance in St Louis in 1984, some 15 months after the Manhattan Chapter received its Charter from the Society. A remarkable achievement, for sure. Those of us who are new to Barbershopping, and new to the BAC, should be aware that our trip to Indianapolis will mark our TWELFTH International Contest appearance, in the 23 years since our founding. An even more remarkable achievement!

Indianapolis is now added to the list of cities where we have appeared during that time. St Louis, Minneapolis, Hartford, San Francisco, San Antonio, Calgary, Miami, Salt Lake City (twice!), Atlanta, and Montreal have all echoed to the unique and exciting sound of the BAC. In each of these venues the Big Apple Chorus has distinguished itself, not only for performance excellence, but for its spirit of fun and friendliness. Indy, we know, will be no different.

So, walk tall, and be proud to represent the greatest city, and one of the greatest choruses, in the world. You'll be "on stage" from the minute you arrive until you leave. Wear your BAC colors proudly, and with the class that the BAC has always stood for. Above all, enjoy the experience and the fraternity.

3. We would certainly be remiss if we didn't take a minute to wish Good Luck to our quartet representatives, REVEILLE, who will be competing in the International Quartet Contest. Along with REVEILLE, Manhattan Chapter will have 2 other horses in the overall quartet race.
Representing the Chapter in the Collegiate Quartet Contest on Saturday will be LARRY BOMBACK, singing with the PENN FIFTEEN CLUB, and MICHAEL HO and JOHN SANTINO, both singing with FOUR'S COMPLEMENT.

Larry, Michael, and John represent a new generation of musicianship in the BAC, and we are proud to have them carrying the Chapter banner into the Collegiate contest.

One wonders where the BAC would be without REVEILLE. The leadership that has been provided by Joe, Rog, John, and Mark is nothing short of outstanding, and is a principal reason for the BAC's continued presence at International.

So, we will have SEVEN BACMEN appearing as quartet singers in this year's International. And THAT is something really special. I don't know if there is another Chapter that will be able to make a comparable claim!

As an added bonus, yet another BACMAN, EDDIE HOLT, formerly of Yankee Dime, will also be competing with his quartet, THE GREAT NASHVILLE SINGOUT. Eddie has also volunteered to assist Joe backstage, dressing him in his Elvis outfit. Former BACMAN NICK AIUTO will be singing with his quartet, the present M-AD Champs, FOUR ACES.

We wish them all they very best of luck, and want them to know that they are ALL Champions in our hearts! We'll be cheering for you!

4. Please remember to take care of yourself while in Indy. Drink plenty of water (up until Friday AM....after that, you're on your own!). Get plenty of rest. And, save the all night singing sessions until after Friday's performance. We're there to give the best performance possible. Don't do anything that will prevent that from happening.

5. Please carefully review the outstanding Indianapolis Convention Guide which was distributed at last night's rehearsal. It contains EVERYTHING you need to know about our stay in Indy, including a day to day BAC schedule. Many thanks to ANDY KELLY, NANCY MACAGNO, AND GLYNN FLUITT for this handy-dandy production. It should make our stay in Indy all the more enjoyable.

If you have any questions regarding housing, please contact GLYNN FLUITT ASAP. Housing confirmations were distributed last night. Review them for accuracy, and bring them with you to the hotel when you check in.

6. Many thanks to our brothers in the Westchester and 5 Towns Chapters for helping to fill the hall for last night's Dress Rehearsal. In addition, we saw members of Brooklyn, Jamaica, Montclair, and several other area Chapters who turned out to show their support. Between them, our wives, girlfriends, family members, and supporters, the hall was pretty full, and their presence was appreciated more than we can say.

Also in the house were several former BACMEN, including BAC Past Presidents BOB KELLY (presently singing with 5 Towns), DAVE SCHUMAN (presently singing with WESTCO), and RAY VINCIGUERRA, who has been away from NTHS for far too long.

7. There will be a Memorial Service for ED WAESCHE on Friday in Princeton, NJ. Information and travel directions will be posted elsewhere on ebac. BACMEN who are planning to attend are reminded to wear their name tags. Among those scheduled to speak are Society Executive Director ED WATSON. Service begins at 1 PM.

8. Finally, please make sure that your bag is fully packed with everything you will need in Indy. If you forget a piece of your performance costume, there is a pretty good chance that you will have wasted your trip to Indy. If you have any "extra" pieces, please bring them with you. You never know when they'll be needed.

Don't forget to put your name or initials somewhere on the white tear away so you can identify it as yours. Our clean up crew (God bless'em!) will be picking up all props and pieces as we leave the stage. Don't make their job more difficult.

Above all, have a safe trip! We'll see you in Indianapolis, where the entire Barbershop world is going to find out why it is so G R E A T to be a BACMAN!!

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