We are very grateful
to Rain Cafe and Lounge, all of our friends and fans who supported HOAMC in the
Bitchy Bingo "Cowgirls Gone Bad" fundraising event. We had a skirt-raisin' good
time, gave away a root-tootin' batch of super prizes including the grand prize
of a Margaritaville Margarita Machine and raised some money for the chorus. "Yea
haw!" Thank you to all who participated!! If you missed out, shame on ya'll, but
we'll be back in a few months for another rodeo...watch for the
posts!
With over 30 members, the Heart of America Men's Chorus has been entertaining audiences for over 10 years with humor, tears, thought, and above all...music. You can contact the chorus at HOAMC, PO Box 2279, Wichita, KS 67201 or by phone at (316)708-4837.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Rehearsals Begin on September 3rd for the 2013 Christmas Show
Hello. I am Travis Zirkle, a member of the Heart of America Men's Chorus since 2007. I would like to take a moment to write about what this chorus means to me and how you can be a part of it.
I first experienced the chorus during the March 2007 performance of "Extrabbaganza" at the Orpheum Theater in Wichita, Kansas. I was the lead usher and upstairs manager of the Orpheum at the time. That performance was incredible. I had been active in the performing arts earlier in my life, but as it is with many, life became to crowded and that part of it was pushed out. Watching that performance made me realize just how much I missed singing.
Many of the guys in the chorus were already friends or acquaintances of mine. I spoke to one of the guys and he told me where and when the rehearsals would be for the next show. I showed up and my first show with the chorus was "Back to Broadway." I have never missed a show since. I thought about taking a break for a show but just have not been able to bring myself to do it. The chorus has become an essential part of my life and has helped me through some difficult times. During my time with the chorus, I moved away from Wichita to a small community of 70 people that is 130 miles away. However, I still could not give up the chorus and still drive the 260 mile round trip every Tuesday for rehearsals. It has become that important to me.
I would like to personally extend an invitation to you to join. All men over 18 are welcome to sing with us. There is room for all in our organization. If you aren't a guy...or can't or don't want to sing...you can still be a part of the chorus. We have room for volunteers, board members, committee members...the list goes on. Every member of our family is important no matter the role you play.
Our first rehearsal for our 2013 Christmas show is on September 3rd. Rehearsals are at 7 p.m. in the second floor rehearsal hall in the DeMattias Performing Arts building at Newman University. On September 3rd, however, there will be a potluck welcoming old and new members. The time we gather for such an event is usually an hour before rehearsals. I will post the actual time when it is official. If you want more information, you can email me at tazirk@aol.com and I will forward your information on to a board member if it is something I cannot answer or you can contact the chorus with the information at the top of the blog page.
I first experienced the chorus during the March 2007 performance of "Extrabbaganza" at the Orpheum Theater in Wichita, Kansas. I was the lead usher and upstairs manager of the Orpheum at the time. That performance was incredible. I had been active in the performing arts earlier in my life, but as it is with many, life became to crowded and that part of it was pushed out. Watching that performance made me realize just how much I missed singing.
Many of the guys in the chorus were already friends or acquaintances of mine. I spoke to one of the guys and he told me where and when the rehearsals would be for the next show. I showed up and my first show with the chorus was "Back to Broadway." I have never missed a show since. I thought about taking a break for a show but just have not been able to bring myself to do it. The chorus has become an essential part of my life and has helped me through some difficult times. During my time with the chorus, I moved away from Wichita to a small community of 70 people that is 130 miles away. However, I still could not give up the chorus and still drive the 260 mile round trip every Tuesday for rehearsals. It has become that important to me.
I would like to personally extend an invitation to you to join. All men over 18 are welcome to sing with us. There is room for all in our organization. If you aren't a guy...or can't or don't want to sing...you can still be a part of the chorus. We have room for volunteers, board members, committee members...the list goes on. Every member of our family is important no matter the role you play.
Our first rehearsal for our 2013 Christmas show is on September 3rd. Rehearsals are at 7 p.m. in the second floor rehearsal hall in the DeMattias Performing Arts building at Newman University. On September 3rd, however, there will be a potluck welcoming old and new members. The time we gather for such an event is usually an hour before rehearsals. I will post the actual time when it is official. If you want more information, you can email me at tazirk@aol.com and I will forward your information on to a board member if it is something I cannot answer or you can contact the chorus with the information at the top of the blog page.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Lights, Camera, Sing!
It's our fun summer concert, Lights, Camera, SING! - this weekend at Newman U! Come join us as we sing our way through a selection of celluloid memories that are sure to bring back fun times and the joy of the Silver Screen. The guys in the chorus have been cooking up some crazy new dance moves and are FOOTLOOSE! and ready to get-loose and have some fun on the stage of Performance Hall!
Our beneficiary for this concert is The Roth Project, which is sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association of Central and Western Kansas. The Roth Project strives to provide an iPod Shuffle (with headphones) loaded with music personalized to each patient. It has been found that listening to music recognizable from an individual's younger years can help calm those suffering from anxiety and behavioral problems related to Alzheimer's. The Roth Project accepts new and gently used Shuffles and headphones (and, of course, cash donations). It's a wonderful way to be able to help those with Alzheimer's through MUSIC!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Nathan Buss Cancer Fundraiser
Nathan Buss, son of chorus member Greg Buss, recently underwent treatment for cancer. He is doing pretty well, especially after the initial prognosis. However, medical expenses mounted up and the family needs help with current bills and ongoing treatment.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Installment Six: Building A Show...Out of My Range. Rehearsal Date: Feb. 5,2013
When I put these clips on here, I take into account the feedback I get from people. Some like the music and others like the music plus the conversation and witty stuff that is said between rehearsing the music. There is quite a bit of both. Yes, I know there are a lot of clips, but I hope you will check them out...fast forward if you want...and find something worthwhile to you.
This rehearsal saw the first rehearsal of "30 Years Ago." For me, this song was profound. My thoughts immediately went to my friend Doug Jackson, who died last Mother's Day from advanced prostate cancer. I had known him over half my life.
I remember the first time I went through his photo albums with him. When pointing to the various people in the photos, he would say "Dead, dead, dead, dying, alive, alive, barely alive, dead, etc." It was a depressing experience, but when I heard the line in the part of the song sung by the 60 year olds..."Do you know what it's like to lose most of your friends (to AIDS)?"...I thought of that experience. Much in this song brings thoughts of various eras in my life to mind. I hope you will discover the meaning it has for you.
Clip 1: Voices from the Heart rehearsing "Ode to My Twenties."
Clip 2: Commentary by members Randy and Roger.
Clip 3: "Warmups." Rehearsing the middle part.
Clip 4: "Warmups" From the beginning.
Clip 5: Reconfiguring "Warmups" age groups after losing a couple of singers.
Clip 6: First reading of "30 Years Ago."
Clip 7: "Like-Minded People."
Clip 8: Choreography for "Like-Minded People."
Clip 9: Choreography for "Like-Minded People."
Clip 10: Choreography for "Like-Minded People."
This rehearsal saw the first rehearsal of "30 Years Ago." For me, this song was profound. My thoughts immediately went to my friend Doug Jackson, who died last Mother's Day from advanced prostate cancer. I had known him over half my life.
I remember the first time I went through his photo albums with him. When pointing to the various people in the photos, he would say "Dead, dead, dead, dying, alive, alive, barely alive, dead, etc." It was a depressing experience, but when I heard the line in the part of the song sung by the 60 year olds..."Do you know what it's like to lose most of your friends (to AIDS)?"...I thought of that experience. Much in this song brings thoughts of various eras in my life to mind. I hope you will discover the meaning it has for you.
Clip 1: Voices from the Heart rehearsing "Ode to My Twenties."
Clip 2: Commentary by members Randy and Roger.
Clip 3: "Warmups." Rehearsing the middle part.
Clip 4: "Warmups" From the beginning.
Clip 5: Reconfiguring "Warmups" age groups after losing a couple of singers.
Clip 6: First reading of "30 Years Ago."
Clip 7: "Like-Minded People."
Clip 8: Choreography for "Like-Minded People."
Clip 9: Choreography for "Like-Minded People."
Clip 10: Choreography for "Like-Minded People."
Monday, April 22, 2013
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