Dear all,

I’ll open with a little on where I’ve been for the last few months. In all honesty, I got a bit burnt out towards the end of last year - between work, chorus, quartet, etc (and the travelling involved) I was feeling overwhelmed so needed to step back a bit. I’ve kept in the loop, so to speak, staying in touch with members and continuing to manage the chorus web site.

Since taking some time off, I’ve unwound a bit, tried some new things and I’m eager to get another barbershop fix. However, despite being keen to return to the NBYC, there is a barrier. Due to late planning, there were issues with booking a venue for the next rehearsal (currently scheduled for July 20th) and I was told that it had been cancelled. I have since been informed that the rehearsal is back on, but I had already booked onto a course that weekend, and so will be unable to attend. There is currently nothing planned after that until October.

This situation cannot lend itself well to attracting new members. They may be very keen to join the chorus, but when asking when they can come to a rehearsal, are met with the response, “We don’t know yet”. Not everyone will continue to ask, or keep checking the website for updates. We could be losing members even before they join, just because it is so hard to get involved. Let’s make it easier.

There was discussion late last year of aiming to rehearse once a month, and that doesn’t appear to have happened. So in the interest of achieving that goal, I would like to suggest setting a regular rehearsal date. Agreeing to rehearse on the second sunday of each month, for example, would allow everyone to know exactly when the next rehearsal is. This would mean one less decision a month for the committee, allowing more to get done. When asked, any chorus member could tell a friend when they could come join in. Any website visitor would immediately be able to plan their visit.

Inevitably, not everyone will be available for every rehearsal, but we shouldn’t let that deter us. There is enough talent within the chorus to run a rehearsal even if a few of our coaches or music team are unavailable. I will also say now that I believe that making rehearsals mandatory, for any reason, would risk scaring people away.

There is also the question of venue, and there would have to be some consultation as to establishing a regular date. We may wish to keep one venue for all rehearsals (as has recently been the case) or rotate around several. But there should never be a doubt in someone’s mind as to where and when the next rehearsal will be.

There will also occasionally be times where - for whatever reason - a rehearsal must be cancelled. We must avoid doing this wherever possible, but there must be provision for such an eventuality - for which the current system of mailing lists, phone lists, the web site and Facebook will be more than adequate.

This would just be a first step. To me, the chorus’ biggest problem is continuity. We’ve had a great start, but are starting to lose momentum. Now is the time when we need a strong foundation to allow us to move onward and upward. This foundation can be laid, in part, by establishing traditions, things we just do, things that just happen, without having to be discussed. Then our committee, members and mentors will be free to help us to grow, and reach ever new heights.

In Harmony,
Tom