Here we are at GAS!

From Sandy Hale

G.A.S. 2024, has come and gone! Eighteen singers, plus Wyatt Gill, our music director and Ian Hale, our treasurer, traveled to and from Williamsport, Pennsylvania for DCAT’s return to G.A.S.

Wyatt’s plan was for us to perform six songs which would be taken from different years in DCAT’s 30 year history. The list included RAGTIME, OVER THE RAINBOW, WONDERFUL WORLD, DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING, FALLING IN LOVE, and HALLELUJAH. Since Duke Terreri would not be able to conduct the Audubons this year while singing O CANADA, both the Canadian and American anthems would be sung by DCAT. As usual, DCAT and Bon Bons would sing The Lord’s Prayer together with Wyatt conducting.

Because of the reduced number of performers presently singing in the chorus, some of our ‘old’ music had to be re-worked as well as refreshed. We also had a new tune to master. Wyatt wrote a great arrangement of CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU, which proved to be quite a challenge for us.

The COVID pandemic had created a huge thirty month gap in our rehearsal schedule, so to prepare for G.A.S. we had to be diligent about trying to relearn a lot of music. We also had to work very hard to build enough stamina to be able to perform an 18-20 minute show - with no breaks. Wyatt ‘cracked the whip’ at regular rehearsals and extra Saturday rehearsals and got us into ‘performance-ready’ shape!

Rehearsals in Williamsport went well, but we did have the odd hiccup with timing or cut-offs. Our musicality was a little lacking from time to time as well. BUT, came time to perform and the chorus presented the kind of show that Wyatt had been hoping for! We had focus, we had energy and we followed Wyatt’s directions carefully. In short, we nailed it! We had the audience fully engaged from the opening chords of RAGTIME, until the last HALLELUJAH! Personally, I felt that this was the best DCAT performance that I had been part of since joining the chorus in 2013.

Apparently our American friends felt the same way about our performance. The compliments were many and varied and included positive comments about our dynamics, musicality and the variety of our repertoire. One woman even said that she thought our music was ‘heavenly’!? Most important was the fact that Wyatt was proud of our show and we knew within ourselves that we had done well. Time to exhale!

The Great Passport Adventure OF G.A.S. 2024

Since March, we had all been reminded about checking to see that our passports were up to date. Sometime in April I came across Ian’s passport so I looked for the expiry date. His ten-year passport would not expire until March 2025. So, I assumed that my passport had the same expiry date, since we both renewed them at the same time, right? WRONG! Apparently I had obtained mine a year before Ian did. (It was ten years ago, after all. Who would remember a little thing like that?) So, on Wednesday morning before our scheduled Thursday morning departure I opened my passport and found that it had expired the previous week. My first thought was “Is this what a heart attack feels like?” My second thought was “How could I be so stupid?” Thank goodness for Ian’s calm personality. He did not yell or rant (he probably should have), but instead got us out the door on our way to dealing with this problem. To make a very long story short, all of the official people that I dealt with at the passport office were as helpful as possible and I was able to have my new passport in hand by 12:45 pm Thursday. We drove straight to Pat’s house to pick her up and then off we went to Williamsport. Lesson learned!

From Diane And Mark Beauchamp

Mark and I met 15 years ago at GAS in Gettysburg PA so this GAS reunion was extra special for us. Not being able to go to GAS because of Covid left us all chomping at the bit. But we were ready for Williamsport PA this year. Our adventure started at 4 am on Wednesday, our side journey to Upper Darby to the VFW to experience Bill Ives vision of starting a Drum Corps Museum. We weren’t disappointed! He has so much memorabilia one cannot take it all in on one trip. We left Bill with some Canadian donations for his museum. After a great chat and my first Yuengling beer, we headed off to find a good Philly Cheese steak for dinner, we weren’t disappointed. Mark, Brian, and I were recommended a local family-run restaurant called Pinocchio’s. Best Philly Cheese steak ever! Bellies full we headed to Williamsport PA to the GAS reunion! Let the fun begin! It was great to see old friends after such a long break and I think, they were equally happy to see us. Music has a way of bringing people together. Lots of laughter, beer, dancing, a Kentucky Derby and we can’t forget hockey. Our performance on Friday night was a hit, all of our hard work paid off! Thank you Wyatt! Saturday’s Whacky Catz version of Batman was loads of fun, and the audience agreed. Great job Sandy! We enjoyed all the skits and performances on Saturday including our own Purrfections with the guest “the Moose”. The skits started my imagination going for 2025. One of my favorites is always the rope drums. Mark, Wyatt, Brian, and Doug played with the CANAM horn line, and I joined in for the final song of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” They all did us proud. My back was killing me after helping Bill set up his memorabilia and the Friday night beer bash and my liquid courage to think I was fit enough to still march with the drill team, although for a fleeting moment I thought I might die I made it almost to the end and promised I would not complain if I hurt the next day! It was fun marching with some of the drill team. The banquet was emotional especially for Mark as he saw his best friend on the screen in the memorial, I am sure many others felt the same as they saw their friends and family. I always love seeing the parade of uniforms, but it is also a sign that GAS is over for yet another year. Spending time with our DCAT family is always fun! Our adventure continued when we left, on our way home we stopped for “Dinosaurs” in Buffalo for some Brisket and Ribs. Life is good! Here’s to next year’s GAS 2025 God Willing!!

Lots of songs and smiles and good times with good friends. Merry Christmas!

Sorry to distract you from your DCAT Home Practicing but I wish to pass on some information to you:

• My previous note to you stated the cancellation of GAS 2020. We had a conference call with the GAS Committee and new dates have been established; therefore please mark your calendars accordingly: April 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2021 at the same location as past years.
• I recently had a meeting with the GTA Corps Reunion Committee. We discussed the impact of the virus on organizing the event and came to the conclusion that it is best for all to defer the event until the Spring of 2021. We will continue to meet as a committee albeit less frequently at this time and I will advise when new event dates are established.
• Glad to hear that Jim and Barb, Gord and Val, and Peter have returned home safely. Sorry your vacations were disrupted.
• Dolly has started doing emails to keep us together as a family and will send out DCAT member information, articles of interest, as well as some bits of humour and other items provided to her from our members.
• There will on occasion be items that should be shared with our members not having computers and I would ask the Section Leaders to pass on this information. Thank you for your help.
• STAY SAFE – STAY HOME - we must stop the community infections to save lives and bring this problem to a controllable state as fast as we can and hopefully to an end.

Thanks

Orton Beaumont

PS from Dolly Fox – I ask Section Leaders to call/stay in touch with your singers and to please pass on any news (good or bad) on your individuals to me, which I can include in my emails to everyone. That way, we can keep in touch in a personal way. Thank you.

On December 11 2019, Ellie Cameron was inducted into the DCAT Hall of Fame. Read more…

We at DCAT are saddened to hear of the passing of Pat Ison’s husband, Reg, on January 4, 2019.

Pat sings in the soprano section of DCAT and is also one of the founding members of The Purrfections.

Reg fought a battle with cancer for more than a year. With Pat by his side however, he was able to remain in his own home during most of his illness.

We offer our sincere sympathy to Pat, her son Neil, daughter Leanne and their families.

To Pat, from lyrics sung by The Purrfections:

“…just look upon your friends, on them you can depend”

Tributes From The Chorus

We are heartbroken by the news of the passing of our sister Marion. The DCAT Chorus was so fortunate to have Marion join our group in 2006. She immediately became a part of DCAT family, seamlessly jumping into the ranks and learning the repertoire like a seasoned veteran. With her incredibly beautiful soprano voice, and passion for excellence, it was inevitable that she would soon become section leader of the Sopranos, which she did. Marion was so passionate about DCAT that she threw her hat in the ring and became our active President from 2008 to 2011 and then continued her incredible support right up until her passing as an active member of our Board of Directors. She so enjoyed entertaining audiences that she also eagerly joined forces with Pat Ison and Sandy Hale to form the Purrfections, a wonderful trio within the broader DCAT ranks. To say she will be missed is such an understatement. Her DCAT family say thanks for her many contributions. Marion, You Will Never Walk Alone.

– Orton Beaumont, President DCAT Chorus
– Wyatt Gill, Music Director

Tributes From The Purrfections

Marion Shearer’s love of music and her vocal talents were well known. Her soprano voice was clear and strong, whether she was singing at the top or bottom of her expansive vocal range. For the past few years Marion sang in a trio with Pat Ison and I. The three of us found much enjoyment as we rehearsed for performances. We often sipped a little wine and chatted more than we sang, sharing memories, ideas, opinions and dreams. Marion’s friendship is a treasure I will hold close forever.

Even as her days grew more difficult, Marion was making plans to get together with “the Ladies” to rehearse for the the next performance. Sing on, dear friend.

– Sandy Hale

Sisters in spirit and voice
In this, we had a choice
We three were a team
Now it is only a dream
It was time for you to leave
All we can do is grieve

– Sisters by Choice - Pat Ison

The DCAT Chorus was saddened to hear of the passing of Edna Kingsley on Thursday, October 11, 2018. That same morning, Edna sent her best wishes to all of us for the Love of Music Show on October 14th and expressed her desire to be there on stage with the Chorus.

Edna was a member of DCAT for over twenty years and rarely missed a rehearsal. She served on the DCAT Executive for many years as Social Director, and was also a key member of the fundraising team. The annual trips to G.A.S. reunions were always special times for Edna. Whether on the bus or at the banquets, Edna kept us organized and made sure that no one got left behind, got the wrong meal or missed a rehearsal. She actively took part in every sing-a-long and all of the ‘Talent’ shows at G.A.S., even the tap dancing routine. She was honoured for her energies and efforts by being named a member of the DCAT Hall of Fame in 2014.

Edna was a very active woman. Her wonderful soprano voice was for many years part of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Every year she and Linda Carscadden were eager participants in the “Sing along Messiah” at Old Massey Hall. She had a keen interest in Branch 606 Legion in Pickering and enjoyed many friendships there. She easily made friends wherever she went and was loved and appreciated by all who knew her.

We will miss seeing her and we will miss hearing her.

“Sing, then. Sing, indeed, with shoulders back, and head up so that song might go to the roof and beyond to the sky.” – Richard Llewellyn

Please note: Information regarding a Celebration of Life for Edna will be posted when available.

Get well soon, Parky! We all miss you at DCAT. Be sure to ask for a “tune-up” while you are in hospital!

Our Associate Music Director, Rick Dixon will be running as Norfolk County Councillor in the October elections! Best of luck, Rick! If anyone can get people “in tune with each other” you can!

Some of our chorus members will be attending a performance of Les Mis, presented by First Act Youth Company. Wyatt and Tara Gill’s daughter, Payton, auditioned for and won a role in this production. According to ‘EVENTFUL TORONTO’, “the Les Miserables School Edition packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world. The sung-through piece is ideal for a cast of exceptional singers and overflows with melodies that are already standards”.

Les Mis will be presented at the Alumnae Theatre Main Stage, (70 Berkeley St. Toronto). The theatre itself is an historic Toronto landmark, formerly old Firehall #4 and was restored in 1972.

We are looking forward to the performances, July 20, 21, 22. “Break a leg”, Payton!

On Tuesday, February 20, 2018, the Chorus performed at Annunciation Church on Victoria Park. This was a challenging performance in many ways. Our numbers were somewhat reduced because of vacations and work schedules. But, those who survived the morning rush hour traffic to be ready to warm-up at 9:30 were eager to do their best. To our surprise, singing in the morning is more difficult than we had anticipated. Perhaps we should all “sing in the shower” if we are to perform again in the morning! In spite of the heavy rain and a delay while waiting for more members of the audience to arrive, the Chorus performed well. The audience was very receptive to the music and to that of the Purrfections. Many sang along, and a couple even chose to dance to some of the older tunes. The Chorus was invited to stay for refreshments and to take part in a 50-50 type draw - Marg Gill was one of the lucky winners! After the performance, some of the members enjoyed The Afterglow at a restaurant nearby, and sang “The Old Songs” for the patrons before we left. Well done, DCAT!

The DCAT Chorus was scheduled to perform at Wynford Delmanor on January 31, 2018. This would have been an event which was re-scheduled from November 2017. At that time too many members of the Chorus were battling flu bugs and our numbers were too reduced to offer a strong musical performance. Last week Wyatt Gill was unfortunately (for him and for all of us) too ill to conduct on the 31st, so it appeared Delmanor would once again be without an evening of DCAT entertainment for their Residents.

So, The Purrfections (Pat Ison, Marion Shearer and Sandy Hale) stepped in and with permission from Delmanor, volunteered to do an hour show. They sang for 40 minutes then lead a 20 minute sing-along. The audience of about 25 Residents, were quite responsive to all of the music, especially some of the Irish tunes which they sang with enthusiasm during the singsong. Ian Hale set up sound equipment and made sure the ladies’ voices were balanced. Rene Schuster (Soprano) came along for support and to help with the sing-along.

All in all, the Assistant Manager at Delmanor seemed to be pleased with the evening’s entertainment and we hope that DCAT will be able to perform for the Residents again soon.

DCAT Chorus sadly announces the passing of Joan Tufts.

Gord Irvine (DCAT and Toronto Signals Band) with his grandson, Ben Majerly (Burlington Teen Tour Band) marched in the Stoney Creek Santa Claus Parade. Ben and the teen group will appear in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade January 1, 2018.

On December 20 2017, June Beaumont was inducted into the DCAT Hall of Fame. Read more…

Good friends, good food, and Christmas carols make for an enjoyable 2017 Christmas party.

The November 22, 2017 performance at Wynford Delmanor was postponed due to member illnesses.

The new date for the performance is January 31, 2018 at 7:30 pm. See the schedule for all the details.

The November DCAT Purr-spective is now available in the newsletter section.