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General Meeting August 29, 2015

8/29/2015

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Start time: 1:10 pm
Present: Susan Witt-Butler, Thelma Dare Ahner, Mary Beard, Laurie Hartmann, Marilyn
Simpson, Simone Lyne Comtois, Marian Marsh, Beth Freeman
Minutes Approved as corrected
Treasurer’s Report
Starting balance $3,675.14
Ending balance $3,801.86
The complete versions is sent as an attachment to the minutes.
New Business
Jim Meredith workshop on Nov. 7, 2015 2-5 pm—in the Green Center Room
1028(note, this is a different location than the flyer) He will bring three of his own
singers and we will provide three students. He will share about his work. He has bubbling
energy. Workshop is free. Parking is $5. First choice will be intermediate high school age,
second choice, first two years of college. Susan will find out if the repertoire needs to be
classical or theatre.
By-Laws What we see in red are the suggested changes.
1) Raise chapter dues to $30 from $25 for full members $20 from $15 for affiliate.
This has been moved, approved and unanimously accepted by vote
2) At the national level, members 68 or older who have been members for 20 years may
request Emeritus status and will be excused from paying dues at the national level.
(This needs to be put in the by-laws) For our chapter, if a member, 68 years old or older
has been a member of our chapter for 5 years they may request Emeritus status and may
be excused from paying dues. This has been move, approved and unanimously accepted
by vote.
More student performing opportunities/student recitals as fundraisers? Ideas-
1)Email chapter if we are having a studio recital.
2)February 20th,2016, Saturday, could be a student recital. First Congregational is $50
Thelma will check out Friday evening and Saturday evening optimal 7:30, second choice
Saturday, 5:30 that weekend. This would have an option of donation by attendees. Ask
venue for two and a half hour reservation.
3)If we want a Fall venue for students, we may look at that for next year.
4) Salon Series for teachers in a home where we collect donations or check out Varenna
or Spring Lake where we may get paid. Suggested the weekend of November 13,14,15,
2015
5)Beth offered Chinese dinner fund raiser in the Spring. She can take 10 reservations. We
will talk about this at the January meeting
Discuss viability of our chapter—need more members, need younger members, need
new board members,etc.
1)The list of the benefits of NATS was mentioned
Memberships give opportunities for students to perform and attend workshops.
Memberships give opportunities for networking.
Vocapedia website and NATS facebook chat room. Mary will send out an email about
this. Susan has the idea to offer a pedagogical course to those who are interested. Chris
Fritsche is also interested. The idea is to do a four session course. We need to bring up the
ideas of making NATS more relevant to younger teachers by using the media that they
are used to communicating with, such as the NATS Vocapedia website and the NATS
Chat facebook group, at the January meeting or create a separate meeting.
2)Susan shared her idea of a pedagogy class. This will be discussed further in January.
3)Laurie spoke about the need to reach the younger teachers with media and
communication that they are used to.
4)Mary will inquire about the cost of joining as an associate.
5)We are looking for a person who is tech savvy who has an interest in websites, social
media etc. Our current website is not up to date. Can we upload videos, recordings on our
website?
Spring workshop—geared toward teachers ideas for presenter, topic, venue, etc.
presenter, topic, venue, etc.
Susan will try to book a venue in March or April .
Ideas include: Ellie Lichtenstein from Cinnabar Theatre ( Can we link her to NATS),
Jennifer King, drama prof from NVC (Napa Valley Community College), Eve-Anne
Wilkes/NVC voice lab, lyric diction, IPA,
If we have ideas, please email it to Vaida
Meeting adjourned at 2:34pm
Round Robin—(Susan will allot a set amount of time for each person based on how many
are in attendance and how much time we have left) We’ll go around the circle and have
each member briefly share/comment on one or more of the following (if there’s enough
time at the end we can have a group discussion on some of the things we heard):
a teaching breakthrough or special experience,
new and interesting repertoire that you’ve discovered,
a new artist who moves you,
a memorable concert you recently attended,
a good new pedagogy video,
something about singing or teaching you learned from a good article
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General Meeting Minutes

1/12/2015

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In attendance: Beth Freeman, Marian Marsh, Sandy Riccardi, Laurie Goldstein, Vaida 

Falconbridge, Susan Witt-Butler, Mary Beard, Sarah Oppenheim-Beggs, Linda Manuilow, 

Thelma Ahner, plus Marilyn Simpson and Kathy Allan by speakerphone 

Minutes: Minutes of August 2013 meeting approved as stands. 

The Jan. report was a review of calendar year 2013. Started with balance of $5,539.61 and ended 

with $5,751.97. Total profits from Libiamo were $2,135.56. Nationals have reported on dues 

being paid by 9 of our members as of Dec. 31. If dues haven’t been paid by Feb. 28 2014, a 

member will be dropped to inactive status for the rest of the year or until they are paid. After that 

they will be dropped from membership. Linda will send a list of all currently paid members every 

time she gets a report from Nationals. 

Sandy is the current web-master and did some updating 2 days ago. Wants to be sure old web-site 

is closed. Will is checking on this. She will add photos of Libiamo to new site. The group 

offered, but Sandy declined, receiving a stipend for her work. If any of us see something that 

needs changing, etc., pass it on to Vaida or Sandy. Mary and Vaida will work on getting our 

website link on letters, emails, etc. 

Definition of “member in good standing”: 

What is required to enter students in scholarship auditions and workshops? Currently our by-laws 

say that teachers of participants must be “members in good standing.” [The By-Law definition 

currently reads: “a member in good standing of the REC is one who contributes to the healthy 

functioning of the chapter by participating in the annual fund-raiser, attending chapter functions 

(meetings, programs, etc.) and paying annual dues.” Added after the meeting.--Mary] In the 

application forms for the Scholarship Auditions, the instructions to teachers are more specific (a 

decision made several years ago by the membership): Only students of Redwood Empire NATS 

teachers in good standing are eligible. To be in good standing, a member must have paid dues for 

the current year, attended at least one NATS event and participated in fund-raising. Some of our 

members don’t meet these current requirements yet are important members (i.e. some of faculty at 

SSU). Since we want the “healthy functioning of the chapter” to be primary and don’t want to 

police members, yet ask all members to contribute their fair share of the “work”, we proposed, 

voted and approved, that in the future we try the wording: 

 “a member in good standing [contributes to the healthy functioning of our chapter by]* paying 

dues and participating in fundraising. It is highly recommended that they attend at least one event 

and participate in the fall fundraiser.” 

*The phrase in brackets comes from the By-Laws which were not read at the meeting. I think it adds a nice flavor 

and I recommend we vote on its inclusion at the August meeting. –Mary 

A preference for dates for next year seems to be mid-October rather than Nov. We#discussed#the#

pros#and#cons#of#a#Saturday#(easier#for#most#of#us)#and#a#Sunday#(likely#to#be#more#Fountaingrove#

turnout).##Although#a#couple#of#members#thought#there#might#be#conflicts#with#Sunday#church#

jobs,#the#general#feeling#was#to#try#a#Sunday#this#year#to#see#if#it#positively#affects#attendance.##It#

was#suggested#that#we#could#schedule#a#later#start#time#in#the#afternoon#(i.e.#4:00#p.m.)#if#

necessary#to#accommodate#those#with#church#jobs,#so#they#could#get#there#in#time#for#rehearsals#

and#setEup. The decision was: if we stay at Fountaingrove next year, we will try for a Sunday at 4 

p.m., perhaps the second weekend. If we choose another venue, we will try for the second

Saturday in October. The first weekend in November would be second choice. 

Why were the ticket sales lower and fewer singers participated? Is this a trend? Some suggested 

possibilities: many of us are older, our studios are smaller, we don’t sing as much ourselves any 

more; also this year info came out a bit late. Next year we will begin notices specifically about

Libiamo (i.e. not combined with other announcements), at lease 6 weeks before the date, and each 

notice will remind members that they are asked to donate one or sell at least two tickets (this 

counts as “fund-raising”). (We have dropped the word “requirement” but will remind members 

that for a healthy program we need every member’s participation in this project.) 

Some newer members have asked about including some students. We discussed that the 

fundraiser Tea or Libiamo is a teachers’ recital and a chance to represent our studios with our own 

singing; the only “students” asked to perform are Scholarship winners from previous years. Of 

course, a teacher may perform an ensemble with one or more of their students. Next year we will 

ask the chapter members to nominate one of their students who was a previous winner if they 

wish, assuming they know that student is still singing at a high level of achievement. The Board 

will make the final two selections. 

Scholarship Auditions on Feb. 9 2014 

The following jobs are needed/assigned: 

Set-up team (arr. 9:00 a.m.): Susan, Vaida, Mary, 

Reg. team (set up 9:15): Sarah (chair) 

 Morning: Sandy R., Marian M. 

 Afternoon: Kathy A., Linda M. 

Inside door monitor a.m.: Linda and Kathy p.m.: Marilyn S. 

Early morning coffee: Simone 

Judges’ orientation: Mary 

Judges’ assistants: Mary (chair) 

 Morning: Bonnie, Simone 

 Afternoon: Laurie, Melva 

Tally sheets, evaluation sheets and organizing program: Marilyn S. 

Accompanists: Yvonne W. and Richard R. will be there all day. Yvonne assigned Div. I-III and 

 Richard Div. IV-VI, but they want to be flexible, especially with SSU students. 

Timers: Susan (chair) with Thelma assisting in p.m. 

Warm Up Rooms: 4 are needed 

Judges’ lunch: Beth assistant: Melinda 

Clean-up team: everyone 

Teachers will bring their own sack lunches. 

For divisions with more than 3 singers we will offer a green room and late entry for singers later in 

the group. The reg. team will need to get them from the green room or hallway and have them 

enter BEFORE the singer IN FRONT of them. 

Mary and Marilyn will look at what happened last year that rushed the judges in the morning so 

that they were late for lunch and had little time to eat. 

Simone brought up a high school Honor Choir conflict that has its big program the same weekend 

as our auditions each year, ruling out many of her students. We discussed possibly moving our 

date to the last weekend in January (not much enthusiasm for that) or the last weekend in February 

(preferred), with the winners’ recital the following day, on Sunday. Susan will check to see if 

Warren Aud. or other auditorium can be available next year. 

Mary will send Marilyn info about the judges to be added to the program for the auditions. 

Mary will do programs for winners’ recital and include info on the judges 

Beth and Vaida will see about fortunes for cookies: can they have a performing or musical theme? 

 Can we send some choices ourselves to a company that makes them? 

Vaida will check with Will about certificates. 

Sarah, as historian, asked for a small photographer team since her camera does not do well in the 

dim or special lighting of performance halls. She’d like to contact someone on the team for each 

event and ask them to be the photographer for that day. Mary volunteered to be on the team. 

Looking for another volunteer or two (can be a husband, friend, responsible student, etc.) that she 

Eugene Villanueva (a student of Bonnie Brooks when he was in high school) will be asked to do 

an Italian Art Song master class with advanced students on Saturday April 5. It is rare we get a 

currently performing singer to be available for a master class. His focus will probably be stylistic 

interpretation. Time to be decided, based on his schedule. 

Meeting adjourned 4:04 p.m. 

Minutes submitted by Mary Beard 

Edited version Jan. 22, 2014NATS General Meeting – Redwood Empire Chapter 8/25/2013
  • Start: 2:45 pm by Susan Witt-Butler
Present: Susan Witt-Butler, Mary Beard, Sarah Oppenheim-Beggs, Thelma Ahner, Beth Freeman, Sandy Riccardi, Marilyn Simpson, Kathy Allan
  • Minutes: stand as read
  • Treasurer report: will be included in minutes (Linda unable to be there).

  • NEW BUSINESS
  • Dues: Chapter dues will now be paid with national dues, due between Oct.-Jan. 
  • National sends out request for dues in early fall. National asks us to promote NATS foundation with donations. 





  • Website: Will can no longer oversee our website. Sandy volunteered to talk with Will and take over this project. Sarah will forward Sandy the email from Will about his recommendations for where to go next. 





  • Wesley Balk Workshop
    • Sept 28 with Bonnie Brooks at SSU Ives rm 119. First part intro and group 
    exercises. Second half Bonnie will work with 6 chosen students (all levels) from our studios. Deadline for nominations Monday Sept 23. Participating soloists will be chosen by Weds. 25th for a well-rounded workshop. Students are encouraged to come and participate in the workshop even if they are not one of the chosen 6 singers. Accompanist Vaida. Remember: must buy SSU parking ticket. Carpool. Flier available on this website on Event Information page.
  • Libiamo Fundraiser  Nov. 9, 3-5 pm. Same location Fountaingrove Country Club. Will open entire room and use mics. Theme: celebrating the lighter side of life. Songs to be lighter fare: Caberet, musical theater, operetta, well known opera arias. Ensembles encouraged. Aside from group numbers all music should be memorized—even ensembles. Brought up that even group numbers should be memorized to show our professionalism. We must always remain professional. We decided to try to memorize opening chorus this year; Sandy will prepare an Mp3 to send out for Libiamo to help us memorize it. Sing it in Italian with English poetic idea in Program. Food : last year we all got charged per head whether we ate or not. Reduced our profits a lot. Should we have $15 food only member tickets available? A row of nofood seats be available.? Board asked to make decision on this. Susan will talk with Margot to see whatʼs possible. Sound check and rehearsals of solos and group before 2:30 on that day .Send song names and composers and length to Sandy Susan and Mary. 
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General Meeting  Minutes Jan. 11, 2015

1/11/2015

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NATS Redwood Empire Chapter
General Meeting  Minutes Jan. 11, 2015
Held at Music to My Ears
Called to order: 2:40 pm
 
Present: Vaida Falconbridge, Susan Witt-Butler, Thelma Dare Ahner, Mary Beard, Laurie Hartmann, Bonnie Brooks, Ruth Escher, Marian Marsh
 
Minutes  Approved as stands
 
Treasurer’s Report
  • One page summary—Balance at beginning of fiscal year 8/1/14 was $3675.14.  Balance as of Jan. 11, 2015 is $6305.77.  Libiamo profits $2810.58.  Dues so far $200.  Expenses for Burnakus workshop were $275.  Flowers for Gael $84.95.
  • 2nd page breakdown of everything till now since beginning of fiscal year
  • new this year--Ntl deposits chapter dues directly into our account
 
 
New Business
 
Welcome Laurie as secretary/recap of board reorganization
 
Membership renewals/ new member
  • Mary will send out reminders at end of this month to anyone who still needs to pay chapter dues.
  • We welcome Ruth Escher to our chapter. She will send bio info to Mary for next Newsletter
 
Scholarship auditions/winners recital--
  • Set up team arrives at 9 am
  • First find out if Simone can set up coffee.
  • Marian on  morning registration team
  • Ruth will be judges’ assistant with Laurie in the afternoon.
  • Need three people for afternoon registration team
  • Could dispense with door monitors if necessary, or someone on reg team can watch this
  • Judges’ assistants in morning Simone and ?
  • Need  two more for reg team in morning
  • Laura Magnani and Yvonne Wormer will be accompanists
  • Laura has first shift; Yvonne has afternoon; Laura will play for winners recital
  • Vaida will cover getting lunch for judges, teachers bring own sack lunches
  • All teachers stay for cleanup
  • Questions about mixed belt – just needs to demonstrate that student knows how to belt.
  • Try to find out and use songs in original keys. All songs from staged productions should be sung in original published keys.
  • Songs from Great American Song Book do not require an ‘original’ key.
  • Confirmed that to enter the division, the age of the singer is the age of the date of the auditions that year.
  • Judges will be: Gregory Stapp, Donna Bruno, ( classically oriented)
Cynthia Baggott (musical theatre expert)
  • Mary’s idea about Music Theatre category: Younger musicians (10-14 yr olds) to be able to sing movie songs so they can find music that is not belt. One of the two songs will still need to be music theatre.
 
 
Spring and fall workshops--
Two ideas for Spring:
  • 1st Choice Dr Rhoda Agin, speech therapist from Cal State. Susan has employed some of her ideas that she uses with voice students.
  • Lyric Diction Class in either French or German. Marcie Stapp - voice coach for French (1st Choice)   German- Eve-Anne Wilkes
Two ideas for Fall
  • Elly Lichtenstein- workshop in auditioning is group’s 1st choice.
  • Jim Meredeth UC Berkeley -- Susan will call Lucy Beck to try to contact him.
  • We will get more info about these and make this decision via email.
 
Libiamo
 
  • Seemed like there was less support from chapter members than in past years.
  • Susan wants to ask in August about commitment of chapter. There were positions that did not get filled. Susan and Mary needed to pick up more loose ends and felt overwhelmed.
  • Possibility of just doing workshops instead of scholarship auditions.
  • Have we outlived the way our chapter has functioned in the past? Do we need to simplify it now?
  • In August we will decide if we really want to do a fundraiser and scholarship auditions.
  • Susan will go ahead and reserve a date with Fountaingrove on a Sunday afternoon in the last two weeks of October
 
Website—ideas for 2015   tabled till next meeting
 
Remembering Gael -- Vaida suggested stories and silence.
  • Bonnie remembers at her CD party Gael radiating beauty and grace.
  • Bonnie thinks memorial may be some time later in January
  • Mary recounted what she knew of her last days.                                                   Meeting Adjourned:4:00 pm
  • Minutes submitted by: Laurie Hartmann
 
 
 
 
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