What's New? What's New?
Master Director Christine Ferguson Retires
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.
Contest News
Apr 16-17, 2010
Royal River Chorus brings home awards
Under the direction of our interim 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 a steamy version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" full of character and flirtatious choreography while wowing the audience with their big sound. For the second number, Royal River performed the beautifully nostalgic ballad, "Once Upon a Time." It must have had the desired effect because some members of the audience were caught with tears in their eyes. The chorus performed at the Show of Champions later that evening and let loose yet again and recieved a long standing ovation.
In addition to their first and third medals, Royal River won the Most Competing Quartets award. This award is given to the chorus that has the highest percentage of members competing in a quartet. For the first time, Royal River had 5 quartets competing.
Royal River Quartets
The Quartet Contest was exceptionally competetive and exciting again this year. All the quartets were very entertaining.
Congratulations to Celebrate! who's sound always mesmerizes the audiences. The judges awarded their efforts with great scores and a 3rd place medal. Their received the highest Music scores, and were one pont behind the champs in their Sound score.
Congratulations also to Rally! who came in 9th in their first contest, an amazing accomplishment. Their practice and hard work made their performance seem effortless.
A round of applause also to Flashpoint! , Better Together, and Relative Ring who truly entertained the audience with great songs, beautiful blends, and heart-felt emotion.
Royal River is 25 Years Old!
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.
Please check out some of the photos from the party..
International Contest
October 20-24, 2009
At Regional Contest in May of 2008, Royal River came in 2nd place and achieved their highest score ever. This score was high enough to earn them a wildcard spot at International Competition in Nashville in 2009. After working hard at rehearsals and receiving coaching from the best of the best (Jim Arns, Betty Clipman, Joe Connelly, and Dale Syverson), we were ready. We came in 19th which was a great improvement from our previous International contest in Detroit. We also scored 115 points higher than the previous International contest. Success!! Our contest songs were "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "How Deep is the Ocean." Everyone had a FANTASTIC time in Nashville!! Yahoo!!!!
Yarmouth Clam Festival
July 17-19, 2009
Royal River planned, organized, worked hard, sang, and cleaned up at the Yarmouth Clam Festival again this year. The Clam Festival is Royal River's largest fundraiser each year, and this year was not a disappointment. They had a group of volunteers that were the envy of all the other booths and delicious clams were prepared and cooked to perfection. What does this equal? Absolute, over the top success! They sold approximately 250 gallons of clams, collectively worked over 650 hours, and when all the bills are paid will have earned a substantial profit. Sue Conley, this year's Clam Festival Chairperson, along with the rest of the chorus couldn't be more ecstatic!
The chorus also performed on Sunday afternoon for an enthusiastic audience on the NYA lawn. Many positive comments were heard such as, "What an energetic chorus you are!" and "Wow, you look like you're having so much fun!" The performance also resulted in three new prospective members!
Sue Conley,
Clam Festival ChairpersonJennifer Minthon, Lauriejane Kelley
& Susan Caylor:
Royal River's newest members
Rita Smith,
Master Clam Cleaner
Sue Bonior selling the delicious clams at the booth!
New Rehearsal Hall
After several months of searching, Royal River has found a new rehearsal hall which fulfills all our needs. The American Legion in Westbrook is excited at the prospect of renting their hall to a performing group. We will also be able to have coaching sessions there and Christmas parties, etc. The hall has a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, breakout rooms, and a place to store our "stuff" and is on the edge of a nice park. Please see Rehearsal Information for more details.
American Legion Hall
17 Dunn Street
Westbrook, Maine
REAL Women... REAL
Harmony... REAL Fun!!!
January 10, 2009
Royal River Chorus hosted an all-day educational program and new membership drive on Saturday, January 10th, 2009. This was a great opportunity to learn about the barbershop art form, enjoy free voice lessons, and hear the acclaimed Royal River Chorus all at the same time. Several women enjoyed the day and are contemplating membership. For those who missed the session, stay tuned for future workshops, or join Royal RIver on ANY Thursday rehearsal to see if Royal River is just the outlet you've been looking for.
More info about Royal River Rehearsals
Royal River Raises Money
for the American Cancer Society
June 21-22, 2008
With the able leadership of Linda Colwell, Norma Marks, and Leigh Kirchner, Royal River put together a team to walk at the Falmouth Relay for Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Royal River has believed in and enjoyed this event for many years now.
Singers from the chorus kicked off the event with the National Anthem, then 2 of our members and a husband of one of our members took part in the Survivor's Lap, always a stirring and emotional time. Several members and family joined the team to make sure someone from royal River was on the track at all times between 6 pm and 8 am. Other chorus members donated money to the team and bought luminaries in honor of someone who is struggling with cancer or who has died from cancer. The Team is proud to announce that they raised over $2,000 for the cause and can't wait to do it again next year!
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Survivors, Laurie Sweetman & Linda Colwell |
Survivor, Judy Hawkes |
Royal River Chorus Scholarship
June 13, 2008
Royal River Chorus presents a $500 scholarship annually to a graduating senior at Yarmouth High School who has been active in the music and/or musical theater program for whom music will be part of his or her future studies at the University level. This year was different in that the chorus Board decided to have an application process for eligible students in order to make this decision. The process allowed the board to know a lot more about the students through a page long essay and an enclosed reference.
This year's award winner is Alex King. Alex has played the saxophone for 11 years, plays the piano
as well and recently picked up the clarinet and flute. He has been actively involved
during his years at Yarmouth High in their music program, and for the past couple of years
he's been admitted into the All- State Band and Jazz Band. In addition, this past
year Alex played lead alto in the Bowdoin College Jazz Band. He performed recently
at the Merrill Auditorium with the Portland Youth Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra as first
alto in the wind ensemble and solo tenor in the Symphony. He also finds time in his
busy schedule to teach music lessons to a fifth and eighth grader in Yarmouth.
Dr. Tim O'Dell, USM/School of Music faculty & Recording artist for Southport Records (Chicago) writes... "Alex possesses profound musical talent and a very quick understanding of virtually any topic that I have presented and combines that talent with intellectual giftedness and serious, consistent hard work... as his resume will attest, Mr. King has become one of an elite few, superb high school musicians in New England."
Alex will be continuing his studies at The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins this fall where he has been granted a double major in both jazz and classical saxophone performance!
Congratulations to Alex!
Royal River's Latest CD Now on SALE!
Royal River has just lowered the price of their latest CD, Royal River Chorus - Live! This is Royal River's fourth CD, but it is the first time they have produced a live recording. The songs were recorded in October 2006 during their annual show, "Runnin' Wild and Feelin' Groovy."
The CD uses its title songs and other themed music to contrast today's life in the fast lane with the laid back vibe of the sixties. Favorite songs of the era are sung by the chorus and by 3 of its quartets. In addition a couple numbers are sung by the Young Women in Harmony chorus, a group of 48 girls (age 7-23) who spent six hours on the day of the show rehearsing for their moment in the spotlight. Two bonus tracks are also on the CD - Royal River's 2007 Competition songs recorded live during their contest in Springfield, Massachussetts.
For more details about the new CD, click Royal River Chorus - Live
For information about our other CD's click on CD's, Tapes and Cookbooks
