FROM NOW ON: Sisterly generosity |
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Harmony sister donates From Now On for International Chorus
By Laura Oakes, Director Marketing and Communications
One of the highlights of any Harmony, Inc. convention is seeing the performance of the International Chorus. The song choice for that performance traditionally is the choice of the previous year’s gold medal chorus director. This year, however, that choice was the result of the generosity of one of the members of Harmony, Inc.
Marie Ross, a member of the Atlanta Harmony Celebration chapter, submitted From Now On, written by Benjamin Pasek and Justin Paul, from the movie, The Greatest Showman. Marie commissioned Adam Scott to arrange it and gave that arrangement to Harmony, Inc.
Harmony, Inc. Music Coordinator Taralee Lashway received the following email from Marie when she was invited to participate as a member of the 2021 International Chorus. With her permission, Marie’s inspiration for providing From Now On to Harmony, Inc. is shared below.
I just wanted to share the reason I commissioned this song to donate to HI was that we've been chasing ribbons, awards and crowns for so many years - but COVID has taught us all that what really matters is the sisterhood, the singing and the family that we have missed being with for the last two years. The first time I heard Hugh Jackman sing this in a YouTube video explaining how it was the one song he sang during the greenlight meeting with the producers, etc., I felt this so deeply. Thank you for letting me participate! I can't wait until we can all, "...Come back home again."
-Marie Ross, Atlanta Harmony Celebration
See the video that inspired Marie: The Greatest Showman | "From Now On" with Hugh Jackman | 20th Century FOX
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SINGING STARS: Exciting events await at VIC |
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Coming your way soon,
a star-studded experience!
By Allison Thompson, International Convention Manager
It’s not too late to register Harmony Inc.’s 2021 Virtual Convention!
There is no cost to attend – but you must register! Don’t miss out on these exciting sessions!
Deke Sharon, singer, director, composer, arranger and producer of NBC’s The Sing Off and Pitch Perfect 1,2 & 3 will provide a keynote address on Thursday evening and coach us on our new common song, Rockin' Robin on Friday night! You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to hear from one of the best in the barbershop!
Speaking of Rockin' Robin, you can watch the replays of the section rehearsals on the Harmony, Inc. website. Thanks again to everyone who had a hand in getting this song and hosting these rehearsals: Anne Bureau, Jill Reid, Sue Kember, Tom Gentry, Jen Wheaton, Amy Patterson, Naomi Russell, Theresa Weatherbee. And special thanks to Brian Ayers for transposing Rockin' Robin in a crazy turnaround window to ensure our members were comfortable with the arrangement, and all voluntary too!
Shoot for the Stars: Coaching Under Glass: Have you ever wondered what a quartet coaching session was like? Or how our quartets continued to stay on top of their game during the quarantine? Cy Wood, a musical theater teacher who spent many years in NYC working as a professional actor, producer, special events coordinator, and creative director, is going to coach Take 4 and you can listen in to learn how to break through the glass ceiling and see firsthand how virtual coaching works!
Tag Room: Join New Q and Tonic quartets Friday night after the AHQ show to learn and sing tags! Tags include: Heart of a Clown, Friends, Autumn Leaves, 'Til I Hear You Sing, It's Goodbye My Love, and Friendship and Love.
Kitchen Party: Area 1 invites you to join them at their Kitchen Party Thursday night after the Opening Ceremony. A Kitchen Party is one of the many traditions from Canada’s East Coast, bringing together friends and neighbors to share stories and songs. Grab your favorite snack and drink and join in this celebration of life and friendship!
Coffee Talks: Join one of these three discussion groups that will run concurrently on Saturday morning;
- Membership Retention: As chapters transition back to in-person rehearsals they are also tackling new challenges when considering how to engage their current members and bring in new singers. Join Anne Bureau and Jennifer Cooke in discussing a plethora of options and innovations in membership growth and retention as we reimagine what "membership" means for your chorus.
- Judging Under Glass: You've seen rankings on paper and heard about your contest songs in your own evaluations, but have you ever wondered why judges put down the number they do in general? What did they see and/or hear that made them award bonus points or perhaps take away from their enjoyment? Join a "panel" of judges to watch 3 or 4 videos, followed by a brief explanation from them of why they scored a performance the way they did.
- Barbershop around the world: Have you ever wondered how far afield this wild and wonderful hobby can be found? Barbershop can be heard almost anywhere! From countries with just one or two quartets ringing chords, to those with masses of ensembles coming together to compete and take part in education activities on a regular basis. What do these organizations share with Harmony, Inc. and our North American peers? How are they unique? Can we connect with these groups when we find ourselves visiting these areas? Fill up your morning cup and join in the discussion as we hear about Barbershop Around the World.
AHQ Show: What’s a convention without the AHQ show? Join your hosts Livewire as they share some of your favorite quartet performances - live and pre-recorded, an interactive game show honoring anniversary Queen quartets, and a Virtual AHQ Chorus performance.
Harmony Under the Stars Afterglow: Join us Under the Stars as we close out our 2021 virtual convention. This fun-filled evening will include the International Chorus virtual video, an introduction to our outlying chorus chapters, Trivia Challenge and more! It’s sure to be a night full of laughs and surprises!
Watch Parties: It’s your last chance to register your watch party. If your chorus, quartet or group of friends are going to be watching our virtual convention together – we want to hear about it and potentially send our “roving reporter” to check-in on you LIVE. You can register your watch party at https://www.harmonyinc.org/watch-party-registration/. We will reach out to you about coordinating a live interview.
Want some tips on how to host a watch party? Find the playbook at https://www.harmonyinc.org/content/uploads/2021/07/Watch-Party-Playbook.pdf.
Mass Sings: Join Taken 4 Granite and Change of Heart as they lead us in two mass sings on Saturday at 10:55 am and 3:55 am.
Want to use a Singing Stars virtual background during the convention? You can access them on our Resource page at https://www.harmonyinc.org/vic-resources-page/.
Check out all of the great sessions and register at the convention website, https://www.harmonyinc.org/vic-2021/
Convention App: Everything you need to know about this year’s virtual convention will be at your fingertips using the convention app! You can see the full agenda, click to access each session and chat with other attendees all from your computer or mobile device. Everyone who registers will be sent instructions on how to access and use the app prior to November 4.
Time to play: How quickly can you solve this puzzle? https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=17770c07c91c
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: IBOD meeting virtually |
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
IBOD annual meeting to be held virtually
By Linda Brehaut, International President
Good day, Harmony! If the number of emails is any indication of the amount of work that is being done in the background to make sure you have a wonderful experience at our Second Virtual International Convention, then we are in for a great weekend November 4-6 (with the Delegates/Associates meeting November 7). Hope to "see" as many of you there as possible.
Typically, the International Board meets the few days before IC&C. But since we have become so efficient with Zooming now, we are meeting the week prior (October 29-31). If you are interested in attending part of these meetings, please send me an email and I will see that you get the Zoom link. The agenda, including the date and times for the meetings, is posted on the members only section of our website.
Over the past year, we looked at ways to improve our communication with the membership. Effective Annual 2021, when the minutes are posted to the website, there will also be a folder that includes all reports (especially those that are included in the consent agenda) so you can read for yourself all the amazing work that your Board and Assistants have been doing. Any other reports that are not outlined in the minutes will also be included.
Mantra for this month must be, "Constructive in our work for Harmony, Incorporated!"
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Delegates/Associates meeting |
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2021 Delegates/Associates Meeting
By Debbie Parmerter, International Parliamentarian
The 2021 Delegates/Associates Meeting will be held via Zoom Sunday, November 7 at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Chapter Presidents (Delegates)
If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may select another chapter member to serve as an Alternate Delegate by completing Form HAR-029 found in the Members-only section of the Harmony, Inc. website.
Associates
You are encouraged to attend this meeting. The voting privilege of Associate members will be exercised through the vote of one Associate elected at this meeting.
General
The agenda for the International Board of Directors Annual Meeting will be posted on the Harmony website by mid-October. Delegates and Associates should review the agenda and note any items you would like discussed. This is an opportunity for members to discuss the business conducted and decisions made by the International Board of Directors.
REGISTRATION TO ATTEND THIS ZOOM MEETING IS REQUIRED! Complete Form HAR-029 (found in the Members-only section of the website) by November 6, 2021 to receive the link to the meeting.
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Boot Camp Assistance Program - $$$$ available! |
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BOOT CAMP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
$$$$ available!
By Anne Bureau, Chorus Director Development Coordinator
Did you pay for classes this past year, and took these classes to become a better Singer, Performer, Member, Leader? If so, grants are still available from our Boot Camp Assistance Program. Visit the BCAP webpage, https://www.harmonyinc.org/member-resources/bootcamp-assistance/ to see if you qualify. If you do, you could get up to $100 to help pay for that class. It’s as simple as filling in the application form, sending me your receipt, and filling in the RFP form. Easy Peezy! Questions? Contact me for more info!
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Condolences from the Membership
- To Penny Earley (Nickel City Sound, Area 5) on the death of her step-son, Bruce Tough.
- To the family and friends of Betty Scarlett, former member of Pride of Niagara.
- To the family and friends of Erelyne Bachelor, former member of Pride of Niagara and director of Rainbow Tones.
Deadlines approaching!
OCTOBER 29-31: Annual Meeting of the International Board of Directors
NOVEMBER 4-6: Virtual International Convention
DECEMBER 31: Deadline for Youth Joining Youth free dues program
JANUARY 31, 2022: Honorary Membership nomination forms due
Copyright © 2021 Harmony, Inc., All rights reserved.
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