Sousa-capella
June 30, 2009
Sometime long before I joined the band, I became enamored with patriotic marches. I am pretty sure somewhere around the fourth grade, I did a report on John Phillip Sousa. I was the only one in my class that knew the difference between a tuba and a sousaphone.
Much later in life, after piano lessons and band, singing became a passion, and acappella singing especially! About the time I was getting involved in Sweet Adelines, a men’s quartet came on the scene called Acoustix. I was just beginning to learn of all the potential the human voice had. It was around this time that someone played a recording of Acoustix doing “Stars and Stripes Forever”. I was amazed, astounded, and an immediate fan of this quartet!
In honor of this Independence Day, have a listen to this rousing rendition of that great Sousa march:
Happy Fourth of July!
HCMC Annual Show
June 27, 2009
Event Date: Saturday Sept 26, 2009 7:30pm
Lustre is pleased to appear on the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus Annual Show. The show will be held at the Pascal Center at the Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD. Contact us for advance tickets. Hope to see you there!
Headed to Nashville!
June 25, 2009
In October 2009, three members of Lustre will travel to Nashville, TN with the Harbor City Music Company (HCMC) Show Chorus to compete in the 2009 Sweet Adelines International (SAI) Chorus Competition. Lori, Lori and Jenny, all members of and leaders within HCMC, will step on stage with 55 of their closest “sisters in song” in an attempt to win the 2009 SAI Chorus Championship.
The chorus will perform in the Semi-Finals round on Thursday Oct 22, singing two songs for evaluation. Eight judges, all having completed extremely rigorous training and certification through the SAI organization, will score the chorus on its merits in the categories of Sound, Music, Expression, and Showmanship. HCMC will be one of 33 choruses from around the world invited to take the stage in Nashville in the Semi-Finals round. Only ten will make it to the Finals round on Saturday Oct 24. Of these top ten choruses, only one will win the coveted gold medal strung on a blue ribbon signifying the 2009 SAI Chorus Champion.
Lustre Baritone Lori Dreyer has a long history with the chorus, having joined in 1991 when it was then known as Elkridge Chorus. Lori D. has since become a central figure in HCMC, serving as the Choreography Coordinator, spearheading the costuming committee, and serving in numerous other committees and teams. “I was looking for something musical to do to get me out of the house,” she says. “I found fun, friendship and family.”
Newer to the HCMC scene, Lori Crouter and Jenny Harris find themselves also deep in the thick of things in the chorus. Jenny serves as the section leader for the Bass section, assisting singers with learning music and improving their vocal skills. Lori C. serves as the Lead section leader in the chorus. In addition, Lori C. serves as chorus manager, booking performances throughout the Central Maryland region for audiences of all types. She also participates on a wide variety of other committees and teams, helping to keep the chorus running and bringing fresh and creative ideas to the unit’s performances.
The trio are thrilled with the opportunity for HCMC to once again head to the international competition. HCMC has been invited to the international chorus competition more than a dozen times in the past, finishing as high as 8th place. This is quite an honor – there are over 600 Sweet Adelines choruses throughout the world, all vying for the right to compete in this exciting venue.
Check back with us in the coming weeks to read more news and information about the upcoming event in Nashville.
Coaching with David Harrington
June 23, 2009
We recently had the fantastic opportunity to receive coaching from David Harrington. David is known world-wide as a skilled singer, arranger, director and vocal coach in barbershop and other a cappella styles. He is a Gold Medalist in the men’s Barbershop Harmony Society, having sung Lead in the 1989 Championship quartet Second Edition. We were happy to hear that he would be in town to give us a few hours of one-on-four music teaching!
Throughout the session, David worked with us mostly on our sound, improving the resonance and the matched blend of the quartet. At the evening’s end, we felt that we’d really improved our ability to “sing into each other’s voices.”
Thanks, David, for stopping by. We really appreciate your help!
Available for Hire: Singing Christmas Cards
June 23, 2009
Event Date: Nov 14, 2009 – Jan 3, 2010
Send your holiday greetings in spectacular style! Hire Lustre to visit your friends, family, colleagues to deliver Singing Christmas Cards throughout the Baltimore/Washington metro area.
Also available: Christmas Caroling and Christmas Concerts for your family party, company gala, or civic event.
Visit the “Contact Us” page now to get a jump on your holiday shopping! We want to wish you a Merry Christmas.
Private Performance: Boumi Temple Scimeter Club
June 23, 2009
Event Date: Oct 5, 2009
Lustre will perform as the evening’s entertainment at the Boumi Temple Scimeter Club meeting on Oct 5, 2009. Affiliated with the national Shriner’s organization, The Scimeter Club is a fantastic philanthropic organization for the Baltimore area. Lustre is proud to be a regular performer for Boumi Temple groups and events.
HCMC Holiday Show
June 23, 2009
Event Date: Saturday Dec 5, 2009
Save the date!
Lustre will be singing on the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus annual Holiday Show. This is a great show for the whole family with a song list full of your favorite holiday songs, and ending with a visit from the jolly old elf himself.
Place and time are TBD – check back later for more details.
Heart of Maryland Chorus Show
June 23, 2009
Event Date: Sat Oct 3, 2009 2:00pm
Lustre is excited to perform on the Heart of Maryland Chorus Show as the featured quartet. Come on out and hear us and our friends in HoM!
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater
Rockville, MD
F.L.A.S.H.
June 18, 2009
Event Date: Sat Sept 12, 2009 8:00pm
Lustre will be performing at the SAI Region 19 annual educational event called F.L.A.S.H. (which stands for Friendship, Laughter, And Singing Harmony). We will be featured on the Saturday night show as reigning Region 19 Second Place Medalists. In addition, Lori, Lori and Jenny will perform as members of Harbor City Music Company in Saturday night’s “send off to Nashville” performance. Other quartet performances will include MAXX Factor, Capri, The Fource, and Whole Lotta Harmony. There will be lots of fun in the light-hearted and low-stress Novice Quartet contest, and tons of laughter in the Comedy Quartet “competition”. And don’t forget fun performances by other choruses as well.
SAI sisters, come on out and have a great weekend! While you’re there, look for us, we’d love to hang out in harmony!
A Night of Champions
June 18, 2009
Event Date: Sun Aug 23, 2009 Shows at 2pm and 7pm
Lustre will be attending “A Night of Champions”, the special benefit concert supporting Region 19 quartets who are competing in Nashville for SAI International in October 2009. Unfortunately, Laura is out of town visiting family and is unable to join the fun, so we will be singing as a trio. Afterward we are pleased that Sue Taylor, tenor of a.k.a. quartet and fellow HCMC member, will join us for one song, since her quartet is spread far and wide across the eastern seaboard and unable to attend. We’re going to be a great time!
This special concert will feature MAXX Factor, Capri and The Fource, with special appearances by other Region 19 quartets and personalities from SAI.
Come on out and join in the fun!
Chapel Street Theater
27 N. Chapel Street
Newark, DE
Two Shows: 2:00pm and 7:00pm
$30 per person
You can see the Facebook page for this event here.