Cloud 9

We're baaack....

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:49:00 +0000

Hi folks!

We're back from the Area 2 contest with terrific news to share. Not only did the chorus Cloud 9 represents, New England Voices in Harmony, earn first place, but NEVIH quartets earned the top three placements in the quartet contest! Cloud 9 was extremely proud and honored to share the stage with our friends and singing sisters. As winners of the Novice Quartet Award, we will be joining our compatriots in song on the international stage in Providence, RI this November.

The next six months will be chock full of hard work, good times, and many improvements for everyone. Cloud 9 will be doing our fair share, but for the immediate present we can tell you we met every goal we set for ourselves this weekend--both as a quartet and as members of NEVIH. We are proud of our achievements, and are savoring the sweet, ephemeral taste of success. It won't be long at all before we're back at work--barely a breath.

We accomplished our goal of a great debut because we're supported by some pretty great people. Thanks to our coaches, our quartets, our family, friends and chorus for urging us onward. Thanks to those who inspire us, who lend us courage, and who assured Kate and I that, no, we weren't going to fall, choke, throw-up, cry (unintentionally), or otherwise do something horrible our first time on stage singing for several hundred people.

Keep your eyes on the Clouds, folks. We'll be seeing you again very soon!

Much love,

Jennifer

The Life and Times of Cloud 9

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:00:00 +0000

When Cloud 9 decided to officially be Cloud 9 instead of any combination or derivation of the names on our list of Possible Quartet Names (I was lobbying heavily for Screaming Death Pixies but was overruled early on--that's democracy for you), we were aware there was a men's barbershop quartet with the same name somewhere on the other side of the world in Cali. We never stopped to consider who else in the world might also be using our name:

Cloud 9 Wine

We really should have our own wine...

Cloud 9 Stormchaser Tours

Yeeha!

Cloud 9...the play

Whoa.

Cloud 9...the GAME!

"Up, up and awaaay in my beautiful ballooooon..."

Cloud 9 Limousine

Aww yeah.

Cloud 9 Salon and Spa

I am not giving anyone a pedicure. Move along.

Cloud 9 Bistro

I protest their beet and green bean salad. I would never serve that.

Cloud 9 in Shanghai

We've gone global, captain!

Cloud 9 jazz

'Flugelhorn' is a terrifically fun word.

Cloud 9 thanks you! For those of you who made it to the end of the list, here is a special song for you, from the heart.

Never gonna give you guys up,

Jennifer

Lead, Cloud 9

No Easy Walk to Freedom

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:23:00 +0000

What is the purpose of music? Why do we sing? Each of us has different motivations, experiences, and opportunities. Today, I'd like to share with you a remarkable opportunity for a courageous group of young men and women of Colombia. The program "Canta Conmigo" (translation: "Sing with me"), is a reintegration program offered to young men and women escaping the violent paramilitary groups who adbucted or otherwise coerced them to join and serve.

These 12 new students come from some pretty dark and terrible places, with stories that no person should ever have to recount. Canta Conmigo offers these students--as well as peaceful Colombian citizens--a place of light and song, a place where they can embrace the joy of music and improve their natural talent. A place to grieve, process and, eventually, forget the horrors of the past.

The penalty for deserting any one of these groups is death. Can you imagine what it must be like for these young people, previously forbidden from music, love, or children, to be allowed to sing? Can you imagine risking your life...just to live it?

Listen to the story of Canta Conmigo, and then take a look at some of the bravest young people you'll ever meet. Remember why you sing...and then sing with all your heart.

Much Love,

Jennifer
Lead, Cloud 9

No Easy Walk to Freedom

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:23:00 +0000

All the world's a stage...

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:50:00 +0000

Hey folks,

We're pretty pumped (and slightly terrified) to perform at our first ever Area 2 contest in New Haven, Connecticut. We've been diligently rehearsing, coaching, and mentally preparing to have a fantastic time. We're fortunate to join some pretty amazing choruses and quartets on stage, so come cheer us all on! Check out the event details here...and we hope to see you there!

Much love,

Jeanne, Kate, Jen, and Christina

Cloud 9

From the Nashua Telegraph: Cloud 9's very own Christina Tramack...

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:44:00 +0000

City teen to direct international choir

Published: Monday, February 16, 2009
By PAMME BOUTSELIS Correspondent

If the term "third-generation barbershopper" conjures images of haircuts and red, white and blue-striped poles, then chances are you are not familiar with the world of barbershop quartets.

But for Christina Tramack, 15, a sophomore at Nashua High School South, barbershop music is in her blood. Tramack is a third-generation barbershop performer on her mother's side and a fifth-generation barbershop performer on her dad's.

"I've grown up in barbershop," Tramack said of the harmonic, a cappella singing style that was revived in the 1940s. "I've made too many friends to count in this hobby alone."

Her singing also extends to Generations Chorus, an international, intergenerational a cappella chorus that consists of young women and girls from New England and southern Canadian provinces and their family members. The Generations Chorus includes mother and daughter teams, sister acts, three-generation families, plus any combination of female relatives, regardless of the choruses to which the women belong. In Tramack's case, her mom Renee is a member, as well as her younger sister Samantha, both of Nashua, and her grandmother, Pat Longchamp, of Essex, Vt.

However, what is a bit unusual in this case is that they are now performing under the leadership of Tramack, who was recently named the director of Generations Chorus.

When Tramack received the official word that she was named director, she was thrilled.

"Every type of emotion is going through me and has been since I heard I was the director of the Generations Chorus," she said. "I'm anxious to get started, yet scared to do all the business that needs to be done when in this position."

Each spring, the Generations Chorus brings family members of different generations together to sing at the area convention of Harmony Inc., an international, nonprofit and educational organization for women barbershop singers that was founded in 1959. This year's convention will be held April 23-26 at the Omni New Haven Hotel in New Haven, Conn.

Tramack is looking forward to the experience.

"Singing with your mother, sister and grandmother is great fun," Tramack said. "It's a way to bring families closer together. But directing my own family onstage, especially during Harmony's 50th anniversary year, is going to be awesome!"

While she may be young in years, she is well beyond her years musically, according to Chris Kuntz, public relations director for Harmony Inc.

"I don't know anyone that young to be a director," Kuntz said. "Christina has a wonderful music background."

As a teenager, Tramack is already a veteran on the music scene. She joined New England Voices in Harmony, the award-winning Nashua-based chapter of Harmony Inc., when she was 10 years old. Kuntz said that she sings baritone with the chorus, is on the group's choreography and quartet promotion teams, is a regular soloist in chorus performances, and also sings with Cloud 9, a new chapter quartet.

Tramack has earned three consecutive international medals performing with New England Voices in Harmony, which is co-directed by her mom, Renee, and Debbie Borsari of Peterborough. She was awarded a scholarship in 2006 to attend Harmony Intensive Training School in Toronto, Ontario. Additionally, she sings with her high school chorus and enjoys playing volleyball and basketball.

As for her future, Tramack definitely has her sights set on music.

"When you grow up in such a fantastic hobby and learn so much from the people around you, it truly becomes your life," she said.

Welcome to the new website for Cloud 9!

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:22:02 +0000

Greetings, visitors! As you can see, our website is quite new and will be under construction for some time. Other ways to connect with Cloud 9 are also in the works, so please bear with us during the development phase. Thanks for visiting, and be sure to check back soon for updates!

In Harmony,

Jeanne, Jen, Christina and Kate
Cloud 9