Ask A Judge, Appearances on Stage
Posted by Kevin Keller | Posted in Contests & Judging | Posted on July 23, 2012, 6:53 PM
6
From Kirt Thiesmeyer
With the last chorus competitor, the Salem SenateAires, both Jim Henry and Jeff Oxley appeared on stage as part of the program. I was told by a Music Judge that all they need is a “paper membership” and they are authorized to be there, adding that, quite likely, the Salem chapter itself paid the necessary District and chapter dues to make it “kosher.” Isn’t that both cynical and destructive of our values? It puts a premium on a chapter’s being able to (a) spend the money and (b) coax away two Society celebrities to enhance their program artificially, when other choruses cannot do the same? Oxley and Henry had nothing to do with the underlying skit or performance; they simply had recognizable faces. Sure, it was funny, but hardly fair.
Buy Diltiazem
This has been possible forever – there has never been any restrictions on one’s ability to belong to multiple chapters. The only difference is the timing in which it takes (not as long to be a member as it was in the past). It is immaterial as to who pays for it. If you want me to be a member of your chapter, pay my fees and I approve, then it could happen as simple as that!!!! If I’m in the area and I agree to do a walkon or sing with you, then it is available.
Fairness is a dicey item. Fair to whom? All of the choruses competing at Int’l know that this sort of thing is possible and all accept it. This is not the first time; in fact, it usually happens every year in some form. I haven’t received and am likely not to receive any complaints from any of the choruses competing. If they complained then we would look at it.
One of the challenges is trying to legislate unique events. You can’t do it – you end up creating rules that prohibit good ideas. So, you watch for trends and if those occur, then you take action. Hope that helps!
Kevin Keller
C&J Chair
Hey Kirt,
I’ve seen this kind of thing once or twice over the years and have never found it to be cynical, destructive or unfair. I see it more in relationship to our early history and traditions of simply having fun, being irreverent. This is a hobby, after all.
There is a good short book describing the first ten years of our history, “Keep America Singing” available for free at http://www.barbershop.org/history/KeepAmericaSinging_10Years.pdf The tone of the book and many of the stories and anecdotes really bring alive that earlier time when guys fooled around and did whatever.
I remember some of that from the early 70s. For example, guys used to play practical jokes, some pretty extreme and most very funny! Maybe we have lost something in our more serious modern approach to barbershopping.
As long as the rules are met, in my book its okay for them to fool around and have some fun with their hobby.
Also need to remember that by the time these guy’s came on stage the score was already set in the mind of the judges. And the first song was the higher scoring of the two.
The motivation to bring these guys on stage was to get a laugh no to break any rule or to gain any advantage.
Steve
SenateAires Director
A few years ago, Rick Spencer did a walk-on during an International Contest with the Narragansett Bay Chorus. For years, when he was a much younger guy, Rick was a dual member of the Manchester, CT and Providence, R.I. chapters, (along with his dad, Brad Spencer). As a member of the headquarters staff he now sings with the Nashville chorus and the TNS quartet. All NBC had to do was make sure he was still registered and his cameo appearance was legit.
I believe 2012 was the first year that Jeff Oxley earned a medal that wasn’t gold or silver unless there is a Southern Gateway appearance or something I am unaware of.
Then again maybe there was a Big Chicken cameo I am forgetting.
In any case – chapter + district dues = pretty cheap for a chapter with the means to get to The Show. I loved it. And some new trivia categories for Bob Sutton too.
Audiences want to be entertained and if having a celebrity show his face on stage and it makes someone happy, so be it. We tend to get so hung up on rules that sometimes we fail to remember why we’re on stage…that is to entertain the audiences. Good reply by Kevin Keller and let’s remember to entertain the audience, not appease the judges; afterall if we do our best in entertaining the judges will typically enjoy and reward as well.