Sue Budde introduced John, who has the distinction of being married to one of Sue's best friends, Ruthie. John is from Poulsbo, Washington. John was very impressed that we were a singing club, even though we were a bit discordant with Zoom. According to John, Harry Ruggles (the 5th Rotarian) introduced singing to Rotary. Harry apparently introduced it one meeting to drown out a rather longwinded speaker. John used his presentation to explain and demonstrate how music is recorded and produced via Zoom.
John introduced his three remote guests with him from as far away as India--Rod Fivelstad (IFRM Global Chair), Carol Reitz (Pianist), and Madu Bishnu. They are all members of the IFRM.
(A PDF version of John's PowerPoint can be viewed at: John Ackenhusen Presentation - audio files not included)
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt to singing together: medical guidance rates expulsion of breath during singing as one of the most contagious means to transmit the virus.
So how do people sing together? John explained the we can't sing together because of the time delay and other audio and video issues. These hurdles are solved by using "Time-Shifting.
We can use the internet and recordings to combine a few voices into many voices and parts. For example, Andrey Stolyarov, Director of Music at West Avon Congregational Church, weekly prepares a quartet of himself singing each of four parts of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass choral pieces and uses them in the church services.
We can also reach beyond the community to around the world to collect and combine singers recording themselves in response to a common musical accompaniment into an audio and video choir. John demonstrated mixing 20 recorded voices together with music and videos of each of the 20 members. He said a 3-4 minute song takes about 4-6 hours to produce.
The International Fellowship of Rotarian Musicians (IFRM), a Fellowship affiliated with Rotary International, has formed a virtual choir that meets every Saturday and includes singers from Australia, Canada, England, France, India, and the United States. Presentations are collected on the IFRM YouTube channel (find them by going to YouTube and searching on #IFRM).
“These Are The Ones,” by Rotarian Ginny Kaul, is an Ode to Rotary Service presented by the IFRM Rotary Virtual World Choir. Its words and music embrace the “Service Above Self” of Rotary, and the video presents the song (with Ginny as one of the singers) and a retrospective of areas of Rotary service: the quest for polio eradication, local help of poverty challenges abroad, and the themes of Rotary service over the years. Use this link to watch the performance: These are the Ones
International fellowships exist all over the world. Only 25 Rotarians with a common interest are needed to form a fellowship.
John said that six International Yachting Fellowships exist the Tacoma to Victoria region. His Rotary Club is involved in one in Poulsbo.
John Ackenhusen, a Rotarian since 1999, has formed and directs the IFRM Rotary Virtual World Choir, including preparing its accompaniments and rehearsals, conducting the presentations, and performing the audio and video blending that leads to its presentations. He is past president of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, MI and is Treasurer of the Poulsbo-North Kitsap Rotary Foundation.
John finished his presentation with the song: "It's a Great Day to be a Rotarian"
Steve Morris - Steve was celebrating his birthday with Cherie Walton. Steve was reluctant to divulge his age, but Cherie's had gestures would lead us to believe that his age has something to do with five fingers on one hand and one on another. Go figure.
Lou Daniels, a former member, was welcomed back with a formal induction ceremony. Lou has been in the club twice before. Lou is the CEO of Call a Doctor Plus, a national telemedicine provider. He is a Providence College alumni and holds a Masters Degree in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Lou is the President of the Canton Education Foundation and is the Past-President of the Canton Chamber of Commerce and a former Canton Selectman.
