June 20, 2013  
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SAFE HAVEN FOR FIVE-PART NINTHS
No Chords Barred in Youth Tag Room
It seemed there is never anywhere to "go" for the younger members of the Society to meet up, sing tags and whatever. This is especially true for newer members who have not yet met a group of friends.
This year we have planned a "Youth" tag room at the Royal York that is all yours - sing as loud and as long as you wish! The Toronto Room in the Fairmont Royal York is right down the hall from the main ballroom so you will be close to the main hospitality rooms.Open 10pm, or whenever contest/shows finish for the night, until 1 am at least. Tuesday through Friday nights, Saturday night we can all go to the big party.No structured program, but we have arranged for some society "Tagmasters" to be there to teach some crazy new tags and sing with you. PLUS - AIC members who can't wait to stop by to sing WITH you. Again no performances, nothing structured, they are coming to sing tags WITH you. Our AIC members of course will have crazy schedules the week of convention but many plan to "stop in" when they can - if you are in the tag room then they would love to sing with you - chance of a lifetime for many of us. Look out for John Newell (Realtime), John Miller (Grandma's Boys and New Tradition), Jared (Pookie) Carlson (FRED), Brian Beck (Dealer's Choice and Side Street Ramblers) and many, many more!!Check out the event on Facebook. |
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NOT A SENIORS QUARTET (BUT SHOULD BE)
Nearly-Holy Relics Go On Tour
The Barbershop Harmony Society 75th Anniversary Historical Exhibit will be a once-in-a-lifetime showcase of artifacts and memorabilia from the Barbershop Harmony Society's Historical Archives. Here you will enjoy exhibits showcasing our Society's rich heritage, talented performers, iconic leaders and rare memorabilia.
One highlight will be our complete collection of gold medal champion uniforms. Every quartet will be represented: The Confederates, The Buffalo Bills, The Suntones... every quartet champion from 1939 to 2012. A bonus to the collection on display will be all four of the Wizard of Oz costumes (Scarecrow, The Tin Man, The Cowardly Lion and, of course, Dorothy) worn by the Most Happy Fellows for their iconic presentation.
This is a must-see for old-timers to reminisce upon, and for newer members to build on their barbershop foundations.
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MAGIC? SECRET SAUCE? RADIOACTIVE SPIDER BITE?
Learn how thriving chapters become successful
Competing chapters don't just compete. Contrary to some beliefs, many of our most successful competing choruses are actually driven by more local community activity to support chapter balance.
As part of Harmony University at the convention, Adam Scott will moderate Successful Stories from Successful Choruses on Saturday, July 6 at 2 pm. Come hear how Ambassadors of Harmony, Great Northern Union, The Alexandria Harmonizers, and The Alliance chapters address their various chapter goals.
READ A LOT | SING A LOT | FIND A LOT
Music reading session comes to Toronto
Do you know what your chorus is singing on its Spring 2014 show? Need a great new swing tune for your quartet?
You probably already know that Harmony Marketplace has the goods. Did you know you can take our newest arrangements out for a spin next month?
Spend a few hours at the convention having some fun as you sing through some gems at the reading session -- some old, some brand-new, all great publications. Two sessions are offered, on Tuesday and Saturday.
As O.C. Cash said in his famous invitation, " It is our purpose to start right in at the first, sing every song, in numerical order, plow right down the middle, and let the chips fall where they will." If it's good enough for O.C., it's good enough for us!
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Ladies breakfast offers food for thought, fun
The Ladies Breakfast offers a great meal and great entertainment with International Quartet Champion RINGMASTERS.
Our guest speaker this year is Lynnette Jenkins from Sleeping Children Around The World, a charity that provides bedkits for children in 34 countries.
Join us Thursday, July 4, 8:30 am at the Imperial Room at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. Tickets are $35 at http://barbershop.org/ladies-breakfast.html |
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Watch the webcast!
Out of driving range? We've got you covered. The 2013 Convention Webcast will bring all the contest action right to your computer or mobile device.
Choose the all-inclusive package for all contest sessions, daily sessions for as little as $35 a day, and even an audio-only stream for just $20! Add in a separate subscription for the Association of International Champions Show ($30) and you've got an awesome week of harmony. All the details are now live at www.bhs-live.com. Watch the promo video to test your current system and ensure you will be able to connect. (Note: past subscribers can log in using their credentials from previous webcasts -- save a few clicks.)
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TALK & WIN
First 23K Project Caller completes 100 calls!
 With the 23K project officially underway for only 2 months, one of our callers has completed 100 calls and is already working on adding to that total. Asked about his observations, he says that this is the most rewarding experience in his barbershop career.
"I started out to give something back for all the wonder and delight that barbershopping has brought to my life. I found that, instead of giving back, I was still receiving from hearing the stories of the many new friends I was making."
If you want to rise to a new level of enjoyment in your own barbershop journey, why not join the 23K calling team? Simply send an E-mail to mtjack@bresnan.net and start building those new memories today.
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AFTERWORD: A METHOD IN THIS MADNESS
Newsy... much?
Regular readers may have noticed that recent issues of LiveWire skewed heavily toward convention. If you're among the nearly 7,000 guests expected to attend, you probably find it useful. If you're among the other 19,000 recipients, you might wish for a bit less. Why this ongoing promotion?
If you're not going, you're missing out on a lot of fun. And if you don't know what you're missing, you might never go.
Conventions are evolving past solely contests and shows -- see stories this issue about the Youth Tag Room, Harmony University extension classes, and the huge historical exhibit at this year's convention. Perhaps no single activity will trigger you to take the trip, but wow! that's quite a buffet of fun. Come sample it all
Following convention, we promise to deliver more non-promotional content, aimed at uncovering more of the many resources your Society offers to enhance and expand your barbershop life as a singer, quartetter, and chapter member. (Hint: Many of which can be found at Toronto. D'OH! Did it again.)
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