The Rabbit Effect

Harmony thrives on kindness and social connection

I recently read an article about Dr. Kelli Harding, a physician and author, who told an amazing story that resonated with me – and I think it will resonate with you, too.

In 1978, researchers were studying how a high‑fat diet affected rabbits’ heart health. All the rabbits ate the same food… yet one group had dramatically better health outcomes. The only difference? A research assistant caring for that group held them, talked to them, and gently petted them while feeding them. Her kindness literally changed their biology.

This surprising result became known as The Rabbit Effect.

Dr. Harding explained the experiment in her book of the same name, and her research went further. She found that:
•  Kindness and social connection can influence health as much as - or more than - traditional medical factors. Compassion isn’t just “nice” - it’s physiologically protective.
•  Loneliness can be as harmful as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.
•  Purpose, community, and supportive relationships protect against illness and improve longevity.
•  Our bodies are constantly reacting to our social environment - not just our diet or exercise routines.

It’s not a stretch to apply this to Harmony, because Harmony isn’t just a musical structure - it’s a social structure. When we sing together, our bodies literally sync. Breath aligns, heart rates settle, and sound waves knit us into something larger than ourselves. But the real magic isn’t just in the chords. It’s in the way we treat one another while making them.

It’s our musical version of the Rabbit Effect.

Think about moments like these:
•  When someone walks into rehearsal and is greeted by name, their nervous system calms.
•  When a chorus lifts a singer who doubts herself, her voice steadies.
•  When quartet members support one another through the messy middle of learning, the music grows braver.
•  When volunteers give their time, energy, and heart to lift the whole organization, they create a foundation of care that strengthens every member.
•  When we celebrate each other’s wins - musical or personal - we create the conditions for people to flourish.

The Rabbit Effect reminds us that the health of our organization, our choruses, and our singers is built on the small, consistent acts of care that happen between the notes. This is why Harmony, Inc. feels different. Our sound is shaped not only by technique, but by the way we show up for one another.

And just like those rabbits, we thrive because of it.

Membership Vote ballots sent

Your ballot to vote on the proposed dues increase should have arrived in your inbox January 12. If you did not receive a ballot, please contact the Corporate Office.  Polls close January 26.

Story of a volunteer

By Liz LeClair, Musicality Category Specialist

Several days ago, I received this wonderful thank you card in the mail from Donna McKay, Executive Vice President of Harmony, Inc. This made me do some thinking. Yes, I am a volunteer. I believe in service in all areas of my life: my job, my community, and in the organizations I belong to. Perhaps you haven’t considered becoming a volunteer yet, but I encourage you to think about this in the new year. Here's my story…

I was raised to be a hard-working person, self-sufficient, and helpful to others. I sought out a career that would help me support those values, becoming a nurse. As a critical care nurse, I perform many roles: healer, educator (to patients, families, fellow co-workers, and nurses-to-be), mentor, team member, perpetual learner, critical thinker, communicator and collaborator, comforter. My life experiences and my work experiences have melded together over the years, where now I cannot think of myself as anything other than a nurse. It's not something we can "turn off."

Shift over to my life with Harmony. Like many of you, music has been a part of my life since I was a young child, taking piano lessons up until my late teens. This set me up for success, accessing parts of my brain and my soul that now help me perform better in all aspects of my life. I believe that music truly makes everything better.

In the beginning

Growing up in a large family, we had chores to do, and frequently this would involve "barn work" after school. The transistor radio was always playing, usually WRKO from Boston, and we would all be belting out harmonies as we were mucking out the stalls, hauling buckets of water, toting bales of hay, and taking care of the animals. It was the early 1970s, and Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog was one of my favorites, along with anything done by The BeeGees, The Beach Boys, or Anne Murray. Even singing the instrumental parts was fun!

School created lots of opportunities for more music: chorus, Chamber chorus, Marching Band, Concert band, trying out for All-State and All-Eastern chorus. It made high school and then college more enjoyable, music soothing the anxieties that come with being a teenager.

After college, I knew something was missing and struggled to find out what it was. I was no longer singing with a group, and my emotions took a hit.

Finding Harmony

I saw an ad in the local newspaper and found a chorus (barbershop! What is THAT?); this was truly a gift. It felt as if this was what my life really needed, and I was right. I have been singing in one chorus or another ever since, joining Sounds of the Seacoast in 2000. That's when the trajectory changed again. I was challenged, learning to sing baritone in this musical genre, which was new to me. Hearing close harmonies was not a new thing, but these chords! So awesome, rich, complex... it made me want to know more!

Now, I knew how to read music from my piano playing and sight-reading days, but music theory was a relatively foreign subject to me. I didn't know a dominant 7th from a IV minor 6 chord, but I wanted to know more! Our director, who roped my sister and me into a new quartet, noticed that I had an “ear” for and a desire to learn music stuff. She helped steer me towards educational opportunities that would help foster my growth and appetite for knowledge. I attended HITS (Harmony Intensive Training School) and soon found myself in arranging classes, and I was hooked! I was learning about circle of fifths, chord structures, voice leading, all that geeky stuff. I loved it and thought I had found my niche. I also thought that this area of knowledge could help make me a stronger singer, and thus help my chorus also.

Learning to judge

The next step in my journey entailed applying to HI's Judging program. We had several members in our chorus who were either already judges, retired judges, or in the process of becoming judges, so this environment helped foster the mindset that this was achievable by anyone who put in the work. I felt encouraged. I remember attending my first Category Training School as an applicant, with some of HI's best Music judges in the room: Lauren Lindeman, Anne Bureau, Kathy Stone, Kathy Greason, along with Tom Gentry (our BHS mentor) and two other applicants. Honestly, I felt like they were speaking a foreign language. I did not say much, and if you know me, that's not how I roll... I sat back, absorbed, and tried to process.

Well, evidently, I did not say too many dumb things because when the weekend was over, I had been accepted as a candidate in the judging program. EEEK. What had I gotten myself into? Sooooooo much to learn, and where to start? After much breathing, I decided to make this my next life achievement in HI: my role as a volunteer for Harmony would be in the role of Music judge, no matter how long that process would take.

Now don't get me wrong, there were (and continue to be) countless hours spent listening to, analyzing, scoring, evaluating, and processing all of the things that go into the making of a music (-ality) judge. Tons of independent study, trial and error. I was encouraged by the certified judges I met during this process, not only from HI, but also from BHS and LABBS. I sat on many practice panels, participated in panel discussions, and observed many evaluation/feedback sessions. I added things to my "toolbox" that I thought would help me to serve our contestants. I have attended and now teach many local education classes and ACC classes.

Stretching my knowledge

Attending Harmony University over the years has continued to increase my knowledge, but my learning seems insatiable. Many times, this all felt overwhelming, and I'd have to take a little break, do a re-set, learning how to balance the rest of my life with my "barbershop life". The running joke with my nurse managers over the years was that "this work stuff is really getting in the way of my singing life!"  They are smart, and know that my emotional health in my very stressful job was healthier because of my music. Win-win.

After four years as a candidate, I became a certified Music judge in 2013. Honestly, it feels like just yesterday. Is it worth all the work, you ask? Absolutely, 100 percent YES! Is it a long process? Yes! Are there resources to help along the way? Absolutely! Judges mentor the next generation of judges; we want this hobby to be around for generations to come. Being supportive, yet challenging each other to be the best we can be, that's what it's all about. Would I do it all over again? You betcha! I cannot imagine my life without Harmony or Musicality in it. I AM Harmony.

So, I ask you, who are YOU, and what can you do for Harmony?

Harmony Hugs to you all!

SEEKING 

*NEW POSTING*

Programs Manager

• Team Leadership: Oversee the Music, Education, Copyright and Licensing, and Chorus Director Development Coordinators. You will facilitate team meetings and conduct annual "Assistant Success Indicator" interviews to support staff growth.
• Licensing & Compliance: In conjunction with the Copyright and Licensing Coordinator and Finance Assistant, you will manage performance and digital licenses (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SOCAN). You will also ensure synchronization and mechanical licenses are secured as needed.
• Educational Excellence: Ensure high-quality standards for all educational products and foster relationships with other barbershop and choral organizations.
• Operational Administration: Coordinate the selection process for the annual "Common Song," manage departmental budgets by the September 1st deadline, and maintain updated job descriptions for your team.

• Proven experience in team management and supervision.
• Familiarity with music licensing requirements and contract execution.
• Strong organizational skills, specifically in budgeting and planning.
• A commitment to fostering instructional technology and accessible learning methods for our membership.

*NEW POSTING*

Member Operations Manager

• Lead and support a team of membership-related coordinators - New Chapter Development Coordinator, Quartet Development Coordinator, Youth Programs Coordinator, Associate Member Coordinator, and Membership Coordinator
• Facilitate monthly Membership Team meetings
• Ensure smooth onboarding and training for new team members
• Collaborate with the VP Membership and Executive Director on goals and planning

• Strong communication and teambuilding skills
• Organized, dependable, and comfortable managing multiple priorities
• Passionate about member engagement and volunteer development
• Experience in Harmony, Inc. leadership or similar organizations preferred

Business Services Coordinator

Want a front-row, behind-the-scenes role at Harmony, Inc.’s International Convention & Contest? We’re seeking a detail-driven, people-savvy volunteer to serve as our Business Services Coordinator. A key part of this role is soliciting and working with Harmony Mall vendors, along with managing big-screen ads, budgets, and contracts. Reporting directly to the Convention Manager, this role requires limited commitment throughout the year, with an exciting, hands-on presence onsite at ICC, where you’ll help keep the wheels turning by coordinating vendors, managing Harmony Mall participation, and overseeing cash collection and deposits.

The ideal candidate is organized, trustworthy, comfortable handling cash and contracts, and energized by live events, collaboration, and occasional travel. This is a fun, hands-on opportunity to be at the heart of ICC and help bring Harmony, Inc.’s signature event to life.
For more information about this exciting opportunity, reach out to Allison Thompson at ICCManager@harmonyinc.org.

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!

Quartet Renewals Open Now!

• All quartets must renew their registrations by February 1, 2026
• The fee for active quartets is $20 USD per group (roughly $27.38 CAD)
• Active Harmony Queen quartets must also renew (no fees apply)
• No late fees apply for renewals after the deadline, but you can't enter contest until you've renewed.
• You may register with vacant spots (indicate "vacant" in the form)
• All singers must be members in good standing with Harmony, Inc. If a quartet member fails to renew their HI membership by April 1, the quartet will become inactive and ineligible to enter or perform in contests until all members are in good standing.

CELEBRATING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES!

65 Years

60 Years

45 Years

35 Years

30 Years

25 Years

20 Years

10 Years

Certificates of Insurance for Chapters

New Year, New Members

How to calculate new member dues

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WHAT: MCD Mindset Shifts 

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

Big News: 3 future IC&Cs confirmed!

(2030, 2033, 2034)

Confirmed IC&C Dates & Locations

Thank You from the Hershey Food Bank

• Q1: February 6-7, 2026
• Mid-Year: May 8-9, 2026

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