Joe Cerutti to lead Youth in Harmony activities 

 

Joe Cerutti of Alexandria, Virginia, has joined the music education team of the Barbershop Harmony Society overseeing Youth in Harmony and chorus director development activities.

 

"Joe makes things happen," said Society CEO Marty Monson. "He's a shining example of the way that immersion in the barbershop world at a young age can transform a man's life. His background as a college-age barbershop singer has launched a music career filled with bringing this joy to thousands of men and women of all ages. As part of our music education team, we will count on him to innovate ways to involve singers, educators and communities in making the music that is making a difference."

 

Cerutti will oversee a crucial portfolio of Society activities, including:

• Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest

• International Youth Chorus Festival

• Youth Harmony Camps and Harmony Explosion Camps

• Music educator outreach

• Chorus director development  

"These activities are dead square in the center of Joe's experience," said Monson, "Especially in the ways they involve music professionals outside the barbershop world. Joe will make a great ambassador and professional bridge to educators trying to sustain and expand vocal music for young singers. He has the professional depth, the track record, and the contagious enthusiasm that draws people to become part of some great musical experiences."

 

Cerutti's most visible roles have been as Musical Director of the international medalist Alexandria Harmonizers men's barbershop chorus and the Pride of Baltimore women's chorus of Sweet Adelines International. He is primary clinician and president of the No Borders Musical Consort concert series at Carnegie Hall, which gathers young singers from around the world to sing with barbershop idols in the renowned New York City concert hall.

 

Cerutti has served in numerous national education and leadership positions in the Barbershop Harmony Society, including being the youngest man ever elected to the Society Board of Directors and the youngest man ever to achieve the Master Director certification. He was a primary author and editor of the Society's 2013 book Visions of Excellence, which gathers together thoughts and insights from 25 of the Society's most accomplished directors.

 

Cerutti holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Five Towns College and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Boston University, where he studied under Ann Howard Jones, Jamison Marvin, and Joseph Flummerfelt. While in Boston, Joe taught high school music at South Boston's Monument High School, while conducting the concert chorus and women's chorale at Boston University. His professional memberships and accreditations include ACDA, NAfME, and ChorusAmerica.  He will primarily reside and work in Alexandria, Va. and will continue in all his other roles.

Like all good working stiffs, your cheerful team at Harmony Hall in Nashville will be taking a breather this weekend in observance of Labor Day. The headquarters offices will close at 5:00 pm CDT on Friday, August 30, and re-open at 8:00 am CDT on Tuesday, September 3. 

 

As always, Harmonymarketplace.com will be online to take your orders for shipment next week.

 

We hope you take a rest from the hard work that makes your barbershop lifestyle possible. Sing a few with some pals - or throw a cooler full of water in the car, grab a few more drivers, and roar on down to Orlando for the Labor Day Jamboree.

 

Regardless of your plans, drive safe, be safe, and enjoy the break.

 

(Oh... did we mention the BIG SALE and FREE SHIPPING?)

 

A lively conversation has developed on the Society's blog regarding the Scoring Variance Process recently announced for implementation this fall.

 

To review,

A "scoring variance" is defined as when at least one judge awards a song with a score that is significantly higher or lower than the other scores from the panel. Judges have long discussed these variances in the days and weeks following a contest; since early 2012, the Society's Contest & Judging (C&J) Committee has been looking at methods to address significant scoring differences (variances) before they become official....

 

If a statistical variance occurs with a set of scores given for a performance of a song, the judges within the category will have the opportunity to review their sheets and potentially change their scores. Read the full description here.

 

First, importantly -- it isn't "Instant Replay". At no time during the past 18 months has the judging community referred to it as such. It has no name, other than "Variance Process." It is a change to our scoring process. Headline writers in search of a catchy phrase dubbed it "instant replay," and introduced some confusion. Here ends the use of that term.  

 

Vigorous, thoughtful discussion among members and judges has been fascinating, ranging from statistical analysis, to "what if? scenarios, to reviewing the genesis and development of the variance process over the past 18 months.

 

Just as the judging program aims to enhance performers' understanding of their audience effect, this open and frank discussion has been an interesting insight into the long debate and consideration the judging community has taken in testing and delivering this new process.

 

Read it -- learn about it - and add your thoughts to the discussion.