SO! If you are reading this and didn't get an email from me, that either means that you're not in my database or your email doesn't work for some reason or another. Please help me fix that and contact me at sdargie [at] gmail [dot] com so we can get on the same page. The reason I want to keep this database updated is so that when I get audition notices (like the ones I will share with you in a moment) I can pass it on to all applicable groups quickly. The same goes if I catch wind of a gig opportunity and pass it on to the pool that the client is looking for. Help me help you, as it were.
Some of the ideas that I have come up with, or have been passed on to me include holding small workshops with between one and three groups of similar style/orchestration/level/etc and working on stage performance, running efficient rehearsals, anything concerning musicality, yadda yadda yadda with the idea that most of the critique will be immediately available from a collection of peers rather than from a few judges at a competition, which is usually the only place a group receives such feedback. One group has already arranged for a workshop but that's not until September, so you'll just have to wait until the next update to see who it is. So there.
Another goal is to have collegiate groups become actively involved in the high school scene. The "Be The Music" program run by the Bubs Association is a great program for collegiate singers looking to spend some time with teens in the local community as well as to share their love of music with another group. ESPECIALLY if you're any kind of of education major. Then this opportunity is priceless and incredibly rewarding. I worked with the girls at Fenway High this last scholastic year and rehearsals always made me feel good no matter how much progress we made.(hint, hint. Check it out now!) www.bubsfoundation.org
I have another idea or two but I'm not ready to share them yet since they are vary much in their larval stages right now, and the bright light of the internet hurts their eyes.
There are some groups looking for help!
The Very Merry Dickens Carolers are looking for men for the Winter holidays. As evident by the name, they primarily sing carols while being very merry dickens. Gigs start at $30/hr/gig and depending upon the availability of the members it's common to earn $1200-1600 a season. They are based in Attleboro, MA and rehearse 1-2 times a week from mid-August through September, at which point they hit the eggnog twice a week from October through mid-November. Contact Robyn Marbenas to set up an audition.
carolers [at] merrydickens [dot] com
www [dot] merrydickens [dot] com
The A Cappella Project is also looking for men and vows to have better egg nog than the carolers. T.A.P. is looking to create a 6-7 member male vocal band that mostly performs covers but intends to create some original (and by "original" they mean "rock your face of, it's so good") music. Contact Jeff Alderson (president of the non-profit organization, Vocal Band Aid) to set up an audition.
http://boston.craigslist.org/muc/178512060.html
http://www.myspace.com/theacappellaproject
Overboard, who are also looking for two guys, see the Dickens' and T.A.P.'s egg nog and raise them a partridge in a pear tree. Even though these seven guys just came together last Spring they have already released their debut album, Shipwrecked, and are planning to continue the tradition of pessimistic nautical terminology by recording another album this Fall. Get on board with Overboard (clever, huh?) right now by emailing info [at] overboardvocals [dot] com.
www.myspace.com/overboardvocals
That's about it for now. Please remember to check the CASA calendar for upcoming gigs and if you want them included in my monthly update let me know before the month ends. I'll do my best to keep up with all 100+ of you but I need your help to make this update worthwhile. Until then, remember to hydrate your mouth drummer and tilt them toward the sun!
-Sean Dargie
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