"Notes From Norm"
Norm Goodling
AMCA International President
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01632 since June 17, 2002
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Topic: Lansing Cancellation
Comments:
on 2/6/03 11:58 AM, DOUGFARLEY at DOUGFARLEY wrote:
Bill. This was to have only been my second international Big Sing. I started with Lock City in 1994. Living close to Amherst (about 25 miles), attendance at the 1998 was a piece of cake. Almost 100% of our club was able to attend and the cost was nil. I observed that Amherst (a very strong club with good financing) finished their event in the red.
Lock City started promoting the LanSing early on and decided over a year ago to get a contingent to attend. We seemed to face an uphill struggle. The best we could do would have been about 12 men (out of a club that ranges from 30-40 depending on the season). The reason most people decided not to attend was the cost and the distance. The 7 hour trip would have necessitated 2-3 nights stay. Lansing is not inexpensive for accommodations. Club members were estimating about $600+ for expenses. Our group is predominately (70%) retired. The majority of our men could not justify that kind of expense.
I hate to see the International Sing go away altogether. But, it is plain to see that a large event of the nature of Amherst and Lansing, is not going to work again. Could this event be scaled back to more resemble a large district big-sing? Hold it in a school auditorium, use existing staging, line up economy motels, be realistic in food service decisions, etc. Most districts could still host a large sing like this in an area school. For instance, the Niagara Falls high school has a beautiful performing arts center that seats over 1000. Niagara Falls has an abundance of $50-$80 per night rooms. I know Mansfield, with the college, has a similar situation. Perhaps most districts could come up with a similar venue. If you are based out of a school, it really doesn't matter if you get 250 men or you get 1000. You could still hold seminars, adjudication and music reading sessions for those who want to attend. These should add little appreciable cost to the event. Plan the event for a low number of attendees and be pleased if you get a crowd. Keep low cost the prime directive.
Reasonble suggestions. You can be sure that our traditional internation sing will be under a magnifying glass for many months to come. Why not share your suggestions with a larger audience and send it to the web site "Comments'? Bill.
Doug Farley <Email Address Not Printed>
02/06/03 14:52
Topic: Bonding
Comments: Thanks Norm, for a thought-provoking article. I am a member of another male-only organization, the Masonic Order, but I have to say that I enjoy much more fully, the male chorus singing. They are both part of male bonding, they both involve good fellowship and common activities and interests. However, the choral singing to me, is a much more rewarding activity than the ritualistic get-togethers of Lodge meeetings, which are fine in their own right. Somehow, the singing gets right down into the soul and the music, particularly when we perform it well, comes up from the depths of our being.
Robert Woodland <woodrowe>
08/07/02 17:43
Topic: Bonding
Comments: Norm,
I was nervous that you might use bondage because of your director. The expierence of sharing and caring can only be a positive force for men of all ages to join ours or any other group. Thanks for the relevance of asking others to belong.
George Pecor <gepecor>
08/07/02 14:01
Topic: Bonding
Comments: Yes, I can relate to your comments. I started singing with a male chorus some 45 years ago as a young college student and have enjoyed wonderful singing experiences and long term friendships as a result of our common interest in music.
Bill Bates <wbates>
08/07/02 10:49
Topic: Just a beginning test
Comments: This is a beginning test to see how the comments page works.
David Thomas <dthomas>
06/17/02 19:02
Page Installed on 17 Jun 2002
David Thomas (Web Manager)
06/17/02
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