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Harmony is dynamic
'Change is woven into our lives'
By Gaye LaCasce, International President
As another calendar year comes to a close, let’s pause to honor the music and memories that have carried us through. Each rehearsal, each performance, and each shared smile reminds us that harmony is not only about sound - it’s about connection, resilience, and joy. That’s why we sing in quartets and choruses, and why we devote ourselves to the work of the organization, both in our chapters and in the “corporate” sense. The year’s end invites reflection on what we’ve accomplished, what has challenged us, and what transitions have brought us to this point in December, 2025.
Every age and stage of life brings its own challenges and triumphs. I watch three-year-old Bellamy exuberantly embracing new experiences, even as she sometimes feels frustrated when things seem just out of reach. I can relate.
At the other end of the life-cycle spectrum, I am increasingly aware of the aging process; I celebrated my 70th birthday this fall, a milestone that was sobering, albeit joyfully celebrated! (Can any of you identify with the phenomenon of waking up in the morning with pain in a knee or ankle or elsewhere… with absolutely no recollection of why? It's definitely a transition!) Singing in Legacy with Bryn Lewellen, who is fifty years my junior, is a gift that Harmony provides; in what other hobby could we feel like teammates and equals across generations? I know many of you share that experience.
We all know that our time together is precious, and that our voices - like our earthly lives - are not limitless. Therein lies a deeper beauty: we can choose to sing fully, embrace each note, and cherish the people beside us. Whether we are welcoming new members, bidding farewell to friends, or stepping into new roles, these transitions remind us that harmony, whether spelled with a lower-case h or an upper-case H, is dynamic; change is woven into our lives, both inside and outside the music.
As I turn the page to a new year, I do so with optimism. The promise of fresh beginnings inspires me - and hopefully you, too - to dream boldly, sing with renewed energy, and continue building spaces where every voice is valued.
Hope is the heartbeat of Harmony, Inc., reminding us that together, we can create music that uplifts, unites, and carries us forward. May the coming year be filled with laughter, learning, smooth transitions, and the joy of song.
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| Thank You, Convention Team |
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Bravo, Convention Team!
By Angie Morton, Administrative Coordinator
With the wrap-up of the Hershey IC&C, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Convention Team working under ICC Convention Manager Allison Thompson for all the creative energy and hours of work they put into this event.
- ICC Stage Manager - Linda Hilko
- ICC On-Site Manager - Marie Ross
- ICC Registration Manager - Linda Briggs
- ICC Volunteer Manager - Debbie Wilson
- ICC Awards/Services Manager - Margaret Cain
- ICC Convention Team Assistant - Debbie Glenn
- ICC Business Services Assistant - Ruth Maple
- ICC Marketing Assistant - Shannon Shelton-Muller
Harmony runs the BEST convention. THANK YOU!
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| Town Hall Meeting Summary |
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The December 7 Town Hall Meeting covered seven major topics of interest to Harmony members, including:
● Harmony Creed Language Updates
● Expansion Area Convention & Contests
● Enhancing Organizational Communication and Engagement
● Chorus Director Development Initiatives
● Philanthropy
● Membership Recruitment, Retention, and Coordination
● Youth Camp Funding Discussion
Check out 2025 12 07 Summary.pdf for a complete summary of the topics covered. There will be a follow-up town hall meeting January 11. Following the meeting, proposed changes to the Harmony Creed language will be submitted to a membership vote. Member input is crucial; detailed information about the changes will be shared with members before the vote in various ways.
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| Chorus Director Roundtable |
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Announcing: Chorus Director Roundtable
By Jim O'Neill, Chorus Director Development Coordinator
A great big Hello to all!
I am honoured and thrilled to have been appointed as your new Harmony Inc. Chorus Director Development Coordinator.
We would love to get your input on what we can do to provide the materials to help make your position as Chorus Director, Associate Director, Occasional Director, or Aspiring Director easier and more accessible for you.
To that end, we will be having a Chorus Director Roundtable on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, starting at 7:00 p.m. Eastern time, via ZOOM. This will be a recurring roundtable based on your input on how often you would like to have them.
We hope to have many of you join us and help us to determine how to best help you.
Please let me know if you can join us and what topics you'd like to discuss, and we can set an agenda and make the link available to you.
Chorus Director Roundtable, January 21, 2026.
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Sing Canada Harmony supports singers
Earlier this month, Patricia Cassidy and Murray Phillips, representing Sing Canada Harmony, met with Gaye LaCasce and Kelly Peterson of Harmony, Inc. to reaffirm ties, review policies, and strengthen collaboration between the organizations.
A number of years ago, Harmony, Inc. partnered with Sing Canada Harmony and Harmony Foundation International to fund the Directors First program, enabling musical leaders to attend Harmony University. Over eight years, Sing Canada Harmony awarded scholarships to 16 Canadian directors and supported additional members in other activities. Harmony, Inc. is deeply grateful for this investment in Harmony, Incorporated’s leadership education.
The Directors First program was retired in 2024. Sing Canada Harmony has now removed “03 – Harmony, Inc. Growing Harmony” from its donation options to avoid confusion or misunderstanding. Donations to Sing Canada Harmony benefit Canadian singers, including many Harmony, Inc. members, but those donations do not support the work of Harmony, Inc. as an organization. Members and chapters in Canada are encouraged to continue applying for scholarships and supporting Sing Canada Harmony.
Because Harmony, Inc. is not a registered Canadian charity, it cannot issue Canadian tax receipts; Sing Canada Harmony provides this benefit while generously supporting Harmony, Inc. members with resources from donors nationwide. Harmony members from Canada can, of course, donate to Harmony, Inc. directly, although without a tax benefit - through monthly giving, donations made in honor or in memory of individuals or groups, and by joining the 1959 Society. Gifts made to Harmony help support the organization and all its initiatives.
Going forward, both organizations will continue to highlight Sing Canada Harmony’s role in advancing a cappella education for Canadians who reside in Canada, as well as the tax advantages of giving. Harmony, Inc. will recognize donors and chapters in the HI Note and on its website. Donors to Harmony, Inc. will be included in Harmony’s giving societies. Contributions to either organization advance Harmony’s mission of empowering women through singing, education, and friendship. Sing Canada Harmony achieves this through grants to individuals, and Harmony accomplishes this through the services we provide to all our members.
Harmony, Incorporated provides a Donor Bill of Rights, which is posted on our website (https://www.harmonyinc.org/donor-bill-of-rights). Your charitable giving is always used as you want it to be - no exceptions. We honor the wishes of our donors; our goal, as always, is to provide education about all available options.
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SEEKING
General Facilitator
This is a great opportunity to add to your facilitation skills, connect with passionate individuals, and contribute to positive change within our organization. Interested? Contact Linda McMaster, Strategic Advisor, to learn more about becoming part of this inspiring team!
New Chapter Development Coordinator
We’re seeking a detail-oriented, enthusiastic individual to serve as our New Chapter Development Coordinator. In this vital role, you'll support prospective chapters, manage communications, and help expand our Harmony family. Learn more by contacting Julie Schwingbeck, VP Membership.
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| MEDAL: Member Experience Discovery & Action Library |
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Chorus BINGO
WHAT?
Chorus BINGO is a simple, playful tool that turns the “things to know and do” in chorus life into a 5×5 game card. Members mark off squares as they connect, learn, and participate.
SO WHAT?
Instead of overwhelming new singers with checklists, this approach makes orientation fun, fosters micro-connections, and celebrates progress. The more members feel connected early on, the more likely they are to stay.
NOW WHAT?
Try the ready-to-use Google Sheets template with your chorus. Add your chorus name, edit the squares, and print a few cards. Hand them to new members or make it a whole-chorus challenge.
Read Full Article
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Your donations to the For Love of Harmony program enable you to identify individuals or groups to receive special recognition, while at the same time providing a monetary gift to Harmony, Inc.
?
A Cappella Showcase in memory of Bonnie Hartnell
Jessica Marcum
Judi Johnston
Nancy Arkin
Island A Cappella in memory of Lloyd Gates
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- to Julie Lawonn (Sound Celebration, Area 4) on the passing of her son, Joshua Lawonn.
- To Lisa Taylor (Toronto Accolades, Area 5) on the passing of her brother, Dennis Taylor.
- To Assel Akchulakova (Toronto Accolades, Area 5) on the passing of her fiancé, Joseph Evangelou.
- to Beth Peters (Island A Cappella, Area 1) on the passing of her father, Lloyd Gates
- to Linda Brehaut (Valley Voices, Area 1) on the passing of her brother, Donald
Need to post a condolence notice? Please have the information sent to the Administrative Coordinator to be recorded. Thank you. |
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| International Board of Directors Meetings |
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Annual Meeting minutes have been posted on the Harmony, Inc. website.
Upcoming 2026 meetings are scheduled:
- Q1: February 6-7, 2026
- Mid-Year: May 8-9, 2026
IBOD quarterly meetings are open to the membership to observe.
Agendas are posted in advance on the Members Only website. Please contact the Corporate Office for details on how to join the virtual meetings or where to attend the live meetings.
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| International Convention & Contests |
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2026 NOVEMBER 11-14, GALT HOUSE, LOUISVILLE, KY
2027 NOVEMBER 10-13, NIAGARA FALLS CONVENTION CENTRE, NIAGARA FALLS, ON
2028 NOVEMBER 1-4, HERSHEY LODGE, HERSHEY, PA
2029 NOVEMBER 7-11, HALIFAX CONVENTION CENTRE, HALIFAX, NS
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The HI Note returns to your inbox January 5. What else would you like to see covered in our pages? Drop a line to editor@harmonyinc.org and we'll tell the world. Next deadline is December 28. Until then, we wish you the joy of the season.
See you again, soon!
Copyright © 2025 Harmony, Inc., All rights reserved.
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