In partnership with Sweet Adelines International, Royal River Chorus will be holding an Open House on January 12th at the American Legion Hall in Westbrook. All women singers and their friends are invited to learn about the art of women's barbershop singing and see what Royal River Chorus is all about. Details
See Sweet Adelines International Global Open House video.
December 8, 2011
A group of Royal River members spread their Christmas Joy to some lucky senior citizens again this year. First stop was Pine Point Nursing Facility where the group lightened the spirits of residents and staff. Next they were off to Larrabee Village, an Assisted Living residence in Westbrook. The residents really enjoyed some of the sentimental songs that were sung, such as "The Secret of Christmas." They also seemed to like the lively numbers and were great at singing along with the songs that they knew. The chorus was having so much fun lifting spirits, they wanted to continue. SO they went to the Maine Mall and provided a "Random Act of Culture" in the Food Court and then proceded to carol around the entire mall and even got to sing on the Merry-Go-Round After singing, they all went to a late dinner at Ruby Tuesday's and did some more singing for the patrons there. It was a really enjoyable evening for all.
November 23-December 2, 2011
Since Royal River Chorus had such success last year in their online auctions, raising almost $3,000 from the 2 auctions, they decided to give it a try this year. Royal River Chorus auctioned off a number of fun and unique items to raise money for such necessities as music, coaching, and costumes. Chorus members solicited donations from various businesses and invited all their friends to bid on these items online at BiddingForGood.com.
BiddingForGood.com is the leading online charity auction platform for non-profit organizations who want an easy way to raise money for their group. The auction site allows donors to make tax-deductible donations and bidders to donate to the non-profit of their choice. BiddingForGood brings together all charity auctions in one place, supporting hundreds of nonprofit causes nationwide with thousands of different items up for bid each day. The proceeds from each bid go directly to the cause that item represents.
Thanks to all the solicitors, donors and bidders, Royal River earned approximately $1,500 from the 2011 fall auction! It was easy, fun, and successful!!
July 15-17, 2011
Royal River's biggest fundraiser topped all records this year. Even though the chorus is down in membership, chorus members happily took on extra shifts and recruited past members, relatives, and friends to help run the Fried Clam in Batter booth yet again. With the help of beautiful weather the entire weekend, they washed, battered, picked, fried, and delivered clams like professionals to tens of thousands people. Thanks to Clam Festival co-chairs Ann Cianchette and Nannette Duncanson for the careful planning, to Laurie Clark for scheduling workers, and to all the shift leaders who made the jobs run smoothly.
In addition the chorus got out of their clam-battered clothes and into their performance outfits on Sunday afternoon, and performed to a delighted audience. The chorus and 2 quartets (RALLY and Happenstance) sang several numbers. A small group within the chorus sang a couple of numbers as well. The Clam Festival performance is always a chance to see old friends and introduce new people to women's barbershop.
If you missed us this year, come on down next summer. The Clam Festival is always the third week in July.
July 8, 2011
Royal River delivered 2 fun-filled performances at the Sawyer Memorial Building in Greene on Friday, July 8th. The afternoon performance at 2:00 pm was standing room only with delighted seniors from the area. The evening performance was a full house as well with several patrons who had never seen Royal River Chorus before.
The chorus and quartets sang several uptunes, ballads, and novelty tunes. They also demonstrated to the audience the difference between barbershop singing and regular choral parts by breaking down the "Mickey Mouse" song and "The Saints Go Marching In" into the 4 barbershop parts.
The afternoon show featured 2 quartets (R.A.L.L.Y. and a brand new quartet composed of 3 basses and the daughter of one of them). The evening show added another quartet to the mix (Flashpoint!). Another smaller group of women from within the chorus also sang at both performances.
The Araxine Wilkins Sawyer Foundation is a privately funded non profit organization founded by John M. Sawyer as a memorial to his mother. Programs from the Memorial Building are held from March to November, usually twice a month. Program are on Thu. and Fri. and include travelogues, musicals, and other family oriented entertainment.
May 13-14, 2011
Under the direction of our director, Wendi McPike, Royal River took home first prize in the AA Mid-Size Chorus division and 3rd place in the overall contest. The chorus performed an exciting "Jazz Medley" full of ginger and pep. Audience members and judges alike raved about the sound and entertaining choreorgrpahy.
For the second number, Royal River performed the beautifully nostalgic ballad, "Once Upon a Time" and again wowed the audience and judges. The chorus performed at the Show of Champions later that evening and let loose yet again amidst cheers and ovations.
All smiles after their double medal-winning performance, with now Master Director, Wendi McPike
In addition to their first and third medals, Director Wendi McPike received the distinction of MASTER Director, reserved only for those directors who have taken their chorus to competition and scored above 600 points. Royal River scored 608 this year, achieving their goal of 600!
Team Leader Laurie Cornwall presents Director Wendi McPike with her MASTER Director Pin
Royal River had 2 competing quartets this year.
Congratulations to RALLY who managed to have a magnificent performance even though they had to be the first contestant, and their bass was sick!
Amd a round of applause to Flashpoint!, who again entertained the audience with a comedy routine. Dressed in hilarious, sequined gym outfits, they did a spoof on dieting and finding men at the gym.
President Laurie Cornwall and Director Wendi McPike posing with the new awards
Monday, May 2nd, 2011
7:00 - 8:00 pm
On Monday, May 2nd Royal River held their annual Friends and Family Night, their annual performance for family and friends who have supported and encouraged them during their many hours of practice and fund raising. The chorus and competing quartets performed their contest songs, and the chorus did a few other numbers from their repertoire.
First up was the quartet R.A.L.L.Y. Unfortunately after the lead teased the audience with the first few bars of the ballad , she explained that they could not perform becasue the bass had laryngitis. But they looked beautiful in their black outfits and was able to rehearse the entrance and exit. Next was Flashpoint! who entertained the audience with another comedy sketch - this time wearing neon-colored tights, gym shorts, sequined sweat shirts, and a sequined head band.
Then the chorus performed their contest package. It was a much different sound for them on the Freeport stage, but it came across beautifully. Lots of good comments from the audience: nice new outfits, energetic, clean, good sound, and entertaining.
Afterwards the chorus and Flashpoint! sang a few more numbers, then did their competition package one more time, and then invited all former members up on the stage to sing "How We Sang Today." What a sound! And what a treat to have all those people still part of the Royal River family!
"It's time for our next contestant. Could we please have the doors closed?
Conestant number 8, under the direction of Wendi McPike,
it's the Royal River Chorus!"
February 25-27
Although there was a major snow storm in the area, Royal River held a retreat and coaching session at Oceanwood Conference Center in Ocean Park, Maine. Darlene Rogers, the Director of Texas Harmony Chorus and an acclaimed music educator and vocal coach, was our guest coach for the weekend. Darlene has been teaching and coaching proper vocal production skills to choruses and quartets in the barbershop idiom for more than three decades.
The weekend was wonderful! Darlene was an exceptional coach who helped us get ready for contest in May. Everyone learned so much and appreciated the knowledge and ear of such a learned musician. In addition, the chorus spent two nights at the conference center to get to know each other even better. Friday night members settled in around the fire and chatted until late into the night. Saturday night, the various sections presented interactive and very entertaining skits to bring light to each of the Sweet Adeline judging categories. What a group of talented and creative women! Laughing and chatting went on for hours.
The conference center was comfortable and very accommodating. The food was excellent. What more could you ask than to get away from the real world for a weekend with your best friends to work hard on contest music while also having fun and bonding with fellow members! This bonding experience can only help the chorus work as a team at the upcoming contest!
February 14, 2011
On Valentines Day Royal River continued its tradition of selling Singing Valentines to people from Southern and Midcoast Maine. Four quartets from within the chorus serenaded loved ones in homes, restaurants, work places, schools, fire stations, retirement homes, fish markets, home improvement stores and mom and pop stores. No matter where the song was sung, the receiver of the Valentines was surprised and touched by the thoughtful gift.
One of Royal River's quartets and one of the Nor'easters quartets ran in to each other at Mae's Restaurant in Bath. They sang to each other on the sidewalk, then posed for this picture inside the restaurant. It's so much fun to share the day with our Barbershop brothers.
The Valentine singers this year used their spare time between gigs to visit some former Royal River Chorus members. It was so heart-warming to reconnect with old friends who have retired from the chorus.
The chorus members who take part in these Singing Valentines consider the day to hold some of their most fun and meaningful memories of their chorus life.
If you missed out this year, look for Singing Valentines again next year. Royal River will be looking forward to another year of memory making.
January 21-23
Royal River had the opportunity to be HOST Chorus at Winter Regional on January 21-23rd at the Marriott in Newton, Massachusetts. The Host Chorus makes sure all the classes have what they need and are in charge of registrations, tickets, and the sales area. Vendors come with all sorts of jewelry, handbags, clothing, scarves, etc. for the women to buy.
The Host Chorus is allowed to sell or raffle items themselves. Royal River had wonderful Raffle Baskets which many people bid on. There was also a Raffle for a Red Sox game, and a Silent Raffle for an original oil painting by our former director Chris Ferguson. (In her retirement she has taken up painting, and she's just as talented at that as she is her music!)
Items for sale were high-quality black T-Shirts with "So Happy Together" written across a musical staff, travel mugs, fleece blanket, tote and garment bags, and umbrellas - all with the Sweet Adeline logo. Also sold were fun lights and old sheet music. All the items were popular, but we have a few items left of every item (except the blanket). SO... if anyone wants one of our sale items, get in touch with someone from Royal River.
Royal River also performed in the Saturday night show dressed in Hip-Hop outfits. They sang "I've Got the Music in Me", "Friends are Friends Forever", and a Medley put together by Director Wendi McPike of "Happy Together" and "Take a Chance on Me" in which the song was overlaid by a rap by Rhonda. The front row did an amazing hip-hop routine along with it while the riser people threw in a few hip-hop moves here and there. It was a blast!
If that wasn't enough, the chorus (and Flashpoint) also acted as the demonstration chorus and quartet on Saturday morning, so they got coached by International Faculty members Judy Ode Olson and Mary Dick! What a treat!
Royal River Chorus posing just before their Saturday night performance
December 9, 2010
Royal River held an Open House and concert for former members and friends as well as the local community. The performance was held on December 9th at their regular rehearsal "home", the American Legion Hall in Westbrook. The chorus sang songs of the season as well as a variety of numbers from their regular repertoire. Two of Royal River's quartets (Flashpoint! and Rally) also entertained. In addition to lots of special goodies and music provided by chorus & quartets, some members of the audience joined the chorus on the risers for a couple special numbers. The children of current members sang "Christmas Chopsticks" and former members joined their chorus sisters to sing "Friends are Friends Forever." It was a very special evening for all.
November 15-30, 2010
Royal River Chorus auctioned off a number of fun and unique items to raise money for the organization. Chorus members solicited donations from various business and invited all their friends to bid on these items online to help the chorus raise money for music, costumes, coaches, and educational workshops.
BiddingForGood.com is the leading online charity auction platform for non-profit organizations who want an easy way to raise money for their group. The auction site allows donors to make tax-deductible donations and bidders to donate to the non-profit of their choice. BiddingForGood brings together all charity auctions in one place, supporting hundreds of nonprofit causes nationwide with thousands of different items up for bid each day. The proceeds from each bid go directly to the cause that item represents.
Some of the hottest items were a 2-night getaway in Rockport, MA, a Hot Air Balloon ride for 2, Bed & Breakfast for 2 with free passes to the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, gift certificates from several restaurants, Beatles memorabilia, homemade pies from Mae's Bakery, and many more.
Thanks to all the loyal bidders, Royal River earned approximately $1,500!
November 13, 2010 - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
The Royal River Chorus, along with 5 other choral groups from Southern Maine, were invited to an all-day workshop led by Dr. Rollo Dilworth to work on vocal skills. Each chorus had private sessions with Dr. Dilworth, then all the choirs got together to work on 2 songs together, one of which was composed by Dr. Dilworth.
In the evening, a concert featuring each group was held for the general public. Each choral group performed 2-3 numbers, then the concert ended with the entire ensemble (all 500 singers) singing the 2 songs that they learned during the day. What a glorious sound!
Guest clinician and conductor Dr. Rollo Dilworth is a world renowned composer, teacher, and coach. He has taught choral music at the elementary, secondary, and university levels and has been the guest director at State Honor Festivals in 25 states. His performing endeavors have taken him to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Featured Choral Groups:
The Royal River Chorus
The Boy Singers of Maine
The Mt. Ararat Chamber Singers
The Portland Community Chorus
Musica de Filia
The University of Southern Maine Chorale
After 13 1/2 years directing the Royal River Chorus, Christine Ferguson is retiring as the director of Royal River. While she explores other opportunities, she will continue as a non-singing Member of the chorus and will continue singing with her quartet Celebrate!
Chris joined Royal River in 1995 as a front row performer and shortly after became the Associate Director. When former director Lorraine Barrows resigned in 1996, Chris took over as director. In 1999 Chris earned the title of Master Director by completing the Director's Certification Program and by leading the chorus to a score of over 600 points at contest! With Chris's exceptional knowledge of vocal production and her ability to light up the stage with personality and showmanship, Royal River improved year after year, winning many awards. Christine Ferguson will be a hard act to follow!
Assistant Director Wendi McPike, a very accomplished musician who previously directed the Heart of Maine Chorus, has taken over as director. The chorus members had a mini-goal setting discussion to discuss their hopes and concerns, and will have a full goal setting in the near future. During the mini-session it was learned that the Royal River members are very sad about losing Chris but are positive about the change and look forward to the next phase in the life of Royal River with Wendi at its helm.
On January 28th, Royal River celebrated its 25th anniversary. During the past 25 years, many songs have been sung, many lasting friendships have been formed, and many memories have been shared during those 25 years. To celebrate, all former and current members were invited to a night of celebration with lots of photos, videos, Royal River trivia, and of course singing. It was SO great to see so many former members there, including the founding director, Lorraine Barrows.
