In honor of the opening of Sound Transit extending light rail to Northgate, the Seattle SeaChordsmen are proud to present the Northgate Link Line song! The arrangement is the classic B&O Line with lyrics specially written by our own Drew Robinson. Earlier this year the SeaChordsmen were able to start rehearsing together, safely, in the Northgate station parking garage by special arrangement with Sound Transit. We present this song to thank them.
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An intrepid SeaChordsmen VLQ (Very Large Quartet) premiered our "Thank You" to Sound Transit for use of their Northgate Station parking garage for rehearsals during the pandemic. Our very own Drew Robinson (who introduces the song) wrote new lyrics to a classic barbershop song for the occasion.
Once again, thanks to our arrangement with Sound Transit, another successful rehearsal in one of their garages last week, and another one coming up this week. Still messing with the best way to balance all the parts, but it's getting a bit better each time! Contact us if you want to join us! Here is a short audio sample where Drew is rehearsing the last few chords of a Polecat! https://seachordsmen.org/sites/seachordsmen.org/files/audio/Apr13-Down-clip.mp3
We now have a covered place to rehearse together until this pandemic is over. Thanks to Sound Transit for working with us to think outside the box (or inside the garage, as it were) and let us use part of their Northgate station park and ride garage for Covid-safe in-car rehearsals. In exchange, we will be performing for them when the light rail station opens for service in September. A win-win! Thanks again, Sound Transit.
Covid-19 safe in-car/outdoor singing overview
The idea here is having Covid safe rehearsals for singers. This is done by having everyone isolated in their own car. Everyone has a microphone and listens to a mix of everyone together over either their car's FM radio, or a portable MP3 player with an FM radio. Chorus members had previously tried multiple times to use "real time" internet based software such as Jamulus. The inherent latency of both the internet and typical laptop audio (30 to 80 milliseconds), coupled with the difficulty of configuring said laptops in the first place, eliminated that as a viable option for the chorus. The latency is a big problem for a capella singing in particular. Both of these issues are addressed with the set up outlined next.
Aaron Edwards was presented with the coveted SeaChordsmen Barbershopper Of The Year (BOTY) award for 2020 at our annual (virtual Zoom this year) Installation Ceremony the evening of January 26, 2021. A self-described "behind the scenes" guy, Aaron endured testimonial after testimonial to his seemingly endless activities to keep things running, Covid or no Covid. He has organized our inventory of uniforms and music, gotten us involved with the Boy Scouts annual Christmas Tree sale as a fundraiser for us also. Many others, but most imporantly always being there as the "can do" guy that steps up for whatever needs doing, and gets it done. With no drama. And when this pandemic is over he will be expected to be the last one standing at afterglow again! Saul offered an unprompted tribute
Check out our 2020 Figgy Pudding performance! The Figgy Pudding Special will be re-broadcast on KING5-TV at 7:30 pm Wednesday (12/23) if you missed it earlier.
It's official -- Figgy Pudding 2020 is in the books. Sure, it didn't look like the Figgy Pudding event of years past, but a nice chunk of change was raised for the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank -- especially crucial this year. The Seattle SeaChordsmen were honored to be involved in the raising of funds and the spreading of holiday cheer! We performed two songs:
The 2020 SeaChordsmen Holiday Show has already been livestreamed, but you can still watch it if you missed it! Search YouTube for "Seattle SeaChordsmen channel" or find it here. We had a great time putting it together and hope you enjoy it. Donations to the groups noted in the flyer can be made directly here. Thanks!
After over thirty years singing in the annual Figgy Pudding Caroling fundraiser downtown, in rain or, well, usually rain, the SeaChordsmen are proud to be part of this year’s first (and hopefully only) Virtual Figgy Pudding fundraiser.
One of our very talented quartets, Counter Balance, performed several "Singing Valentines" around the Seattle Area. Next year, you can send one, and sing one with us.
Check out the fun:
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