| AREA 6 CONVENTION & CONTESTS A ROUSING SUCCESS! |
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Fun, Friendship, Family
Nothing beats a Harmony convention
By Roxanne Powell, Editor
Harmony, Inc. leaped with a will into its first spring convention and contests season in three years with Area 6 leading the charge this past weekend. The joy of reconnecting with siblings in song was palpable, fueled as well by some amazingly creative performances. both in contest and the moonglow, as demonstrated by 2022 Area 6 Quartet Champions In A Chord, above.
Scores for the 2022 Area 6 contests are posted on the Harmony, Inc. website.
And speaking of siblings, BHS medalist quartet Throwback had planned to sing for score and evaluation at the end of the Area 6 contests in the hopes of posting a qualifying score for an invitation to BHS International in Charlotte, NC, this summer. Sadly, their tenor, who lives in London, was unable to swim the pond. Having been tapped for sound check and mic-testing duties, however, the trio went in search of a person to fill in the tenor part. ADM Linda Muise recommended our own Queen Anne Bureau who was serving as a Music judge.
Says, Anne, "So we sang a Barberpole Cat number and all was well."
But, wait. There's more.
Afterwards, Linda asked the pickup quartet(!) to serve as a "transition" between the HI quartet scoring and the BHS contestants while the judges reconfigured their systems. "Sure," they said. And, "Oh Anne, would you sing the baritone this time?"
"So there I was," says Anne, "heading up to the stage. All of a sudden I was nervous inside, my lips were shaking. That didn't happen during sound check . . . but now the adrenaline was really flowing.
"We sang Sweet and Lovely. Singing with such an accomplished quartet was a real rush. Riding that huge sound, trying to fill in between the lead and bass was exhilarating. And at the last chord the crowd leaped to their feet cheering. What a rush! Our moment of stardom!"
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| President's Message: Opportunities |
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Life is full of opportunities
By Linda Brehaut, International President
Yay, Area 6! Congratulations on a wonderful AC&C 2022. I was excited just knowing it was happening and the joy that was filling that air space!
Did I not say that life is full of opportunities? I am excited to share two more opportunities with you this week:
Virtual World Harmony Showcase
The World Harmony Council is a group of representatives from Barbershop organizations throughout the world. I am proud to represent Harmony, Inc. on this council. In pre-Covid times, the World Harmony showcase would have taken place at the BHS Convention in July. That did not happen last year, so each organization was invited to send two virtual performances that would be compiled to create the Virtual World Harmony Showcase, http://youtu.be/h9FwJAgbIAU. Be sure to log in at some point and feel the pride when you see HI voices celebrating with others across this globe.
This event was released last Saturday and is free on YouTube.
“The Showcase was produced by WHC Exec member Mark Conching and is moderated by none other than Barbershopper Extraordinaire Tim Warwick. The Showcase is designed to “showcase” the barbershop talent from every corner of the world – from established veteran Gold Medalists to emerging quartets in countries new to our beloved art form. I sincerely believe that in no time in our lifetimes has the need for peace been more urgent. We can do our small part by spreading the joy of music to all parts of the world,” says World Harmony Council President Mike Donnelly.
Race and #Real Talk Juneteenth Project
While you are at your computer, check out this link, https://www.haloquartet.org/?s=juneteenth. I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Shana Oshiro, a member of Halo, Inc. quartet and a key speaker with Race and #Real Talk. This forum is committed to connecting people and communities in a mission to utilize the singing and active listening experience of barbershop music for personal and community transformation. Shana shared with me a program that is about to start.
The Race and #Real Talk Juneteenth Project involves a couple of virtual meetings in April, May, and June and then an in-person event at the South Hampton African American Museum on June 17-18. I would encourage anyone interested to check out the Facebook page for more information; learning is never a waste of time and there is still time for us all to learn more about our own thoughts and how we can understand, embrace, or change them. Together we can move forward.
Membership survey
Speaking of using your voice – there is a membership survey on the way (it should be in your in box around the middle of April) – we could really use some data to help us focus our programs and resources! You are the source of that valuable information.
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| Convention Corner: IC&C in Verona, NY |
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Together again in Verona!
By Allison Thompson, Convention Manager
There’s excitement building in the air…can you feel it? Area contests have begun! As you start thinking about the contest season ahead you can find important information about this year’s IC&C -- including forms, hotel information, schedules and more -- on the Harmony, Inc. website...
And International Contest & Judging Chair Kathy Greason reminds us:
All AC&C entrants eligible for IC&C, regardless of scores.
Given that the sole criterion for entering the International contests this year is participation in Area contests, will a chorus or quartet that sings songs that are penalized – maybe down to a zero score in some categories – be considered a participant for purposes of November contests? The short answer is yes.
The slightly longer answer is that any chorus or registered quartet that is made up of members in good standing and that completes a legally acquired and learned two-song package on stage (again, mic tester or chorus of less than 12 is fine) is eligible to compete at IC&C in Verona this year. Phew!
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Nomination forms for
2022 International Board Elections are due!
By Sandra Dunlop, Elections Committee Chair
Nomination Forms for 2022 International Board elections are due May 1. This is for the Area 1, 3 and 5 Directors and Board Director elections which will take place soon.
Harmony, Inc. needs people interested in developing policies and practices that might be useful to our international organization. We need problem solvers, dreamers, and planners to continue moving us forward.
You must be a member of Harmony, in good standing, for a minimum of two (2) years at the time of nomination to be eligible to run for election.
Forms: The nomination has two online forms, and both must be submitted by the deadline. HAR-034 Part 1 is the Nomination Form to be completed by the member nominating a candidate and HAR-034 Part 2 is the Application for the nominee to submit. Both forms can be found on the Harmony, Inc. website under Forms/Documents in the members-only section.
Deadline: Nomination forms (HAR-034 Parts 1 & 2) must be returned to the Elections Committee Chair and Corporate Office no later than May 1, 2022.
Nominee Chat: One-on-one chats will be conducted with the nominees. These Nominee Chats will be posted on the Harmony, Inc. website for our members to get to know the candidates.
Newly elected Board Members are expected to participate in the 3rd Quarter and Annual Board Meetings. This has proven to be an invaluable way to get acquainted with the work and what will be required of them coming into their elected position.
More detailed information can be found in the March 5 HI Note.
Harmony, Inc. needs qualified individuals to place their names for nomination. Allow your name to stand, get to know Harmony and let Harmony get to know you! Become part of the future of our beloved organization.
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| Quartet Corner: In Cahoots! retires |
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Audience Favorite In Cahoots! retires
Comedy quartet renowned for quirky sets
The members of In Cahoots!, an Area 2 Barre-Tones Inc. quartet since 2005, would like to announce its official retirement as an active, competing quartet. Our members, Susan Klein (bass), Lisa Parro (baritone), Becky Senesac (lead) and Sue Nevins (tenor) began quarteting in the spring of 2005, participating in our first Area competition in the spring of 2006.
After a less-than-stellar series of early competition performance, we found our groove and learned that what we really wanted to do was entertain the audiences with clever (or "cute", as the judges often called our efforts…) fun, lighthearted comedy in song. We learned a lot over the years and always felt the love and appreciation from our audiences and fellow singing sisters. We came to gauge our own performance success not on the scores we received, but by the reaction of our audiences.
Our favorite characters were the ongoing antics and trials of the “mop ladies”. Lisa always, always played the dopey dork perfectly – a complete 180 degree turn from her real-life personality. Sue magically sang with a stage cigarette dangling from her bottom lip, keeping a straight face and staying in character. Becky put herself out there, singing with confidence and bringing us all along with her musical story-telling skill. Susan figured out how to make props portable, functional and relevant - as well as being ready to ad-lib in the event of an unforeseen prop fail. She kept the bass line solid and dependable.
Our highest point was winning the Audience Appreciation award for our They’ll Be Seeing You, In All Your Unfamiliar Places hospital package. Anyone who saw that package will never hear the original song the same way again. That was by far the most fun package upon which to work, develop, and present. We also deeply cherish our Image of Harmony award and pins.
In closing, In Cahoots! may no longer be singing in competitions and performances, but the four of us have become “chosen family” and will remain so for the rest of our lives. Thank you, Area 2 and Harmony Inc, for years of love, laughter, support, education and friendship. We hope we were able to give you as much as you all gave us. Thank you.
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| Boot Camp Assistance Program - $$$$ available! |
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Time to think EDUCATION. . .
and let BOOT CAMP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM help you!
By Anne Bureau, Chorus Director Development Coordinator
Are you ready to sharpen your skills, increase your knowledge, be at the top of your league to better serve your members and expand the joy you provide and receive from sharing your talents?
Whether you attend classes at Harmony University this summer or plan to attend other educational events which require a tuition, you may be eligible to receive up to $100 from our BOOT CAMP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
You must be part of Chapter Leadership or Musical Leadership in your chapter, or have a clear plan to assist your chapter, another HI Chapter, your area, or your international board (in the short term) in either of these leadership roles. Associate members who volunteer at an Area or International level may also be eligible. For more details, go to the Boot Camp Assistance Program page, https://www.harmonyinc.org/member-resources/bootcamp-assistance/.
See if you qualify - fill out the form HAR-128 Bootcamp Assistance Request and Report (BARR) and send it along to me - Chorus Director Development Coordinator - for approval. All submissions for 2022 need to be received by November 30, 2022. Have fun learning!
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| Donor Profile: Kris Wheaton |
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Kris Wheaton donates to support youth
By Sara Wood, Director of Development
Many Harmony, Inc., programs thrive thanks to generous donations from our membership and beyond. In our continuing donor profile series, we celebrate our donor community and the rich background they bring to our organization.
How did you first get involved in Harmony, and how have you been most involved over the last few years?
I'm a fourth generation barbershopper and was first introduced to Harmony, Inc., through Derby City Chorus and great quartets like For Heaven's Sake, Diamond Girls, and Ringtones! In 2011, my sister-in-law told me IC&C 2014 would be held in Louisville (my hometown), so we decided to put a quartet together called Spot On. Little did we know that quartet would win the crown in 2013!
At my first AC&C I met the fabulous women in Bluegrass Harmony and quickly joined the chorus. We chartered in 2015, won our first Area in 2016, and have been to IC&C four times. I took over as Music Director in 2019 and have had to navigate being a novice director during a pandemic. Through the support of our amazing members, music team, and board, we've made it through! In addition to Spot On and Bluegrass Harmony, I have competed with two other Harmony, Inc. quartets. In 2016 I got the opportunity to sing in a quartet with my mother called Charmed. I currently sing in Fierce who placed 3rd in 2019 and are eagerly awaiting our return to the stage.
What has motivated you to stay with Harmony, Inc. and with barbershop?
If you couldn't tell by my last answer, barbershop is in my blood. When I attended my first Harmony convention, I was hooked. It was everything I loved about barbershop, and more! The support of the Harmony, Inc. community is unlike any other organization I have belonged to.
As in-person events return, what are you looking forward to most within the Harmony, Inc. community?
Seeing friends and family, sharing music, and cheering loudly!
Why do you donate to Harmony, Inc., and what do you hope we can accomplish with your donations?
I donate to help support our youth. Harmony, Inc does a tremendous job supporting young leaders and passionate singers. I would love to see that support continue with more camps, educational events, and great opportunities for the youth of our organization to shine!
About Harmony Donations
Donors to Harmony may choose to support many initiatives, including education, youth outreach, the judging program, Directors First, and the Queens' Travel Fund for shows and outreach activities. Every donation matters... and no donation is too small! If you would like to learn more about our fundraising efforts, please visit the "About Us" tab on the Harmony Inc. website.
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 For Love of Harmony
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.
- From the Sea Belles in loving memory of Marg Purdy, a lifetime member of the Sea Belles, who passed away in 2021. Her contribution to the Sea Belles was enormous and she will be greatly missed by our chorus.
- From Chord Spinners in honor of Sue Melvin with thanks for assisting us with the workshop on Core Values.
- From Maine-ly Harmony to Kathy Greason, who gamely led us through these 2 years of Covid-19 and Zoom, in person, Zoom again, and now hybrid rehearsals. We love you and honor you. (And we know that flowers just don't do it for you!)
Condolences from the Membership
- to Wendy Montroy (Nickel City Sound, Area 5) on the death of her mother, Eileen Winn-Alain.
- to Barbara Hamilton (Nickel City Sound, Area 5) on the death of her mother, Joan Hamilton
- to Rhoda Fortier (Nickel City Sound, Area 5) on the death of her brother, Erik Bobiwash.
Hot off the virtual presses...
The newest edition of The Key-Note is now available. Check out this double edition of The Key-Note by clicking the link below or visiting HarmonyInc.org.
Deadlines approaching!
APRIL 15: Agenda items for 2022 IBOD Mid-Year Meeting due.
APRIL 30: Deadline for Guaranteed Reserved Seating at IC&C contest sessions.
MAY 1: Applications/nominations for International Board of Directors due.
JULY 15: IC&C room reservations open.
Copyright © 2022 Harmony, Inc., All rights reserved.
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