FAQ
Q: What is Antelope Valley Showcase Chorus?
A: Antelope Valley Showcase Chorus, part of Sweet Adelines International, is a dynamic group of entertaining female singers in Palmdale, Lancaster and the surrounding communities. The chorus was chartered in 1960 by a group of women who had the desire to join their voices with the voices of others to spread harmony and goodwill throughout the world.
Q: What is the mission of the Antelope Valley Showcase Chorus?
A: The Antelope Valley Showcase Chorus strives to be the premier a capella entertainment in the Antelope Valley. As a part of a worldwide organization of women singers, we are committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances.
Q: What is the vision of the Antelope Valley Showcase Chorus?
A: We have a pitch pipe and love to sing a capella! Our vision is to create and grow a supportive community through harmony and friendship, while doubling our enrollment and bringing happiness to all we encounter.
Q: Who are the members of the organization?
A: Members of Sweet Adelines International who love to sing and perform. We have an open-door policy, respectful of diversity and welcoming all female singers in Southern California who wish to audition and who have a love of choral music..
Q: What does a typical rehearsal look like?
A: Between 7-9:30 PM members invest time learning music, honing their vocal skills, sharing laughter and camaraderie, all while creating musical packages to perform during shows and for other performance requests.
Q: What is the difference between the barbershop style and other styles of singing?
A: Briefly, in Barbershop, the melody is found in the second voice, the tenor sings the natural melody above, the bass (lowest voice) sings the root/fifth of the chord, and the baritone sings the remaining note. Balance of sound is similar to an orchestra where the lowest note is the broadest and you have a pyramid effect as you move up the parts in the chord. In choral singing you have a more cylindrical sound with each part having equal weight. Ultimately creating a fifth note or overtone is the goal by means of tuning. Read more here
Q: How did Sweet Adelines get started?
A: Read about the history of Sweet Adelines International by – clicking here
Q: What if I can’t make a performance?
A: We know that there is life beyond the chorus and understand that, from time to time, members may have to miss performances. Part of the process for accepting a performance is the members letting the directing staff know if they are available.
Q: What kind of commitment does the Antelope Valley Showcase Chorus require?
A: While the quality of the chorus depends on the continuity of the individuals that make it up, we understand there may be many things in your life more important than the Antelope Valley Showcase Chorus. We ask that each member take responsibility for their performance by taking advantage of the tools and education we provide however you should not feel that you have to be able to make every single appearance to be part of the group.
Q: How do I join Antelope Valley Showcase Chorus?
A: Auditions are scheduled at after attending your second rehearsal.
Q: Do you have to read music to be a singing member?
A: Singing members do not have to read music to join Antelope Valley Showcase Chorus. The chorus asks that all members have a commitment to the mission of the organization and the desire to perform.
Q: How do chorus members learn their music?
A: Members are given a learning audio with their part along with the sheet music. They are also encourage to ask for additional help if they have any question.
Q: Are the singers professionals?
A: All of the chorus singers are volunteers and receive no payment / compensation for their participation in the chorus. The members come from a variety of professions and walks of life.
Q: How long has Antelope Valley Showcase Chorus been in existence?
A: The first public meeting of this ensemble took place over 60 years ago in Lancaster. We are blessed to have one of the charter members of that chorus still singing with us today.
Q: What repertoire does the chorus perform?
A: The chorus is committed to performing a wide range of musical styles at a very high level.
Q: How often are rehearsals held?
A: Meetings are held every Tuesday evening of the month, from 7:00 pm to 9:30 PM at 5021 W Ave M, Quartz Hill, CA..
Q: Why/How do members qualify on their music?
A: We've saved this one for last because of the lengthy answer - enjoy and know first and foremost - we are all working together for YOUR SUCCESS!
The chorus’ Qualification Program may seem to be quite picky when you’re first getting started. “So what’s a wrong note here or there”? The chorus strives to be the best we can be – and that starts with singing well. Since the “Recording Program” was first introduced YEARS ago, the quality of our music has greatly improved. As much fun as it is to sing, it’s even better when we are singing WELL!
We have set up the Qualification Program to encourage SUCCESS, not find fault.
It is not a form of torture or a test of your nerves.
It is a tool to help you, your Section Leader, and the Director recognize improvement and personal growth as well as find places that may need to be addressed as a section, chorus OR possibly even be re-voiced in the arrangement.
The most important thing to remember is to RECORD EARLY and RECORD OFTEN!
Do not wait for that perfect recording – you may be ingraining some wrong notes that will be very difficult to “un-learn” later: The sooner you hand in a recording for evaluation, the sooner you can relax and enjoy singing the song!
We love it when everyone qualifies on every song – there is nothing harder for a Section Leader than having to tell someone she cannot sing at a performance or at contest. Remember, we all understand the challenges of part recording – we ALL have to do it!
So, what are the Rules?
- All chorus repertoire songs have to be evaluated and qualified before you can perform them in public, unless otherwise announced by the Director. “Qualified” means that all notes and words are correct, and that your Section Leader has signed and dated the evaluation form.
- All recordings, including corrections, must be done during a rehearsal or with a Music Team Member. Exceptions will be made to allow you to record in a quartet or small group when catching up.
- You cannot use music while recording for evaluation.
The Director for major events, such as the show, contest, or a performance, establishes recording deadlines. “Last day for recording” means that recordings must be submitted for final evaluation immediately following that date. This allows the Director to know ahead of time exactly WHO will be on the risers for the performance. Recording deadlines are firm – no recording is permitted (except for your own use) after that date. However, songs that will remain in our repertoire are sometimes put on another schedule for future performances.
For contest, all songs must be qualified to be able to perform on stage. For shows and performances that are usually divided into Sets or Acts, if you find that you may not be able to qualify on all the songs, you can concentrate on all the songs in a particular set, and then perform them on stage if you have qualified them.
Hints for Part Recording
- Most of us use a recording app on our phone.
- Hold the microphone close enough to your mouth so that your voice is easily heard (we do not need to hear your neighbor’s notes!), and we hear the chorus in the background.
- If you are still using a tape recorder, check your recorder batteries often, and use only 30 or 60-minute tapes – longer tapes stretch easily.
OK. You have Made Your First Recording.
In addition, you probably hate how you sound, right? We all did at first – and some of us still do! However, remember what you hear in your head is not necessarily, what we hear outside – that is why you will sometimes hear the Director talk about “trusting yourself to DO / FEEL what’s right, not what sounds right inside your head!”
Listen to all the versions of the song you recorded, and submit your BEST version of the song – please don’t submit multiple versions of the same song – your Evaluator or Section Leader won’t be able to listen to all of them. You can include multiple songs on one recording.
Include an evaluation for each song you are submitting – listen to your recording and write down any note and/or word problems you may hear. Even if you have made some mistakes, go ahead and submit the recording anyway – you can always make corrections later. In addition, do not be overly critical of yourself – we do not expect perfection!
If you made a mistake or two on your best version, but sang that part correctly on another version, you can dub the correction at the end of the song – include at least two phrases before and after the correction, not just the correction itself. Be sure to note in your comments that you have included the correction at the end of the recording so that your evaluator can listen for it.
Email your recording to your Section Leader along with your evaluation/comments on the recording.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
You will receive and email back from the evaluator with their notes and comments.
If you have qualified the song, she will sign off on it on Groupanizer. If she forgets to do this, please remind her!!
If you have corrections to make, she will confirm the problem area(s), and then ask you to re-record either the entire song, or just the page containing the correction.
After re-recording to fix problem areas, re-evaluate the recording and then submit it with your evaluation notes (she will have a copy of your previous one).
If, after repeated attempts to pass a song, you still have a problem note, you MAY be permitted to not sing that particular phrase. It may mean taking a breath at that spot, or just mouthing the words.
This is an exception to the “100% notes and words” taping rule, and only applies when agreed upon by the Director. You must then submit another tape, leaving that phrase out. Moreover, you will not be permitted to sing that phrase in performances unless you submit another tape for evaluation and pass it.
GOOD LUCK! Please do not hesitate to ask questions if something is not clear, or if you are having a problem!
Your Music Team is here to make sure your chorus experience is fun and enjoyable!
