CHALLENGE GRANTS DOUBLE GIFTS

Foundation smashes through $75k target;
donors issue new challenges

A challenge grant of $75,000 from Chuck and Betty McCollum of Williamsville, New York, has turned into a juggernaut, gathering new donors and a host of new challenge grants.

"Bold initiatives are becoming the standard. Once wistful visions are becoming reality," writes Harmony Foundation CEO Clarke Caldwell in a letter announcing that the Diamond Jubilee Challenge at the convention in Toronto raised more than $90,000 in gifts. The total yield exceeded $165,000.

Inspired by this landmark success, ten generous individuals have banded together to issue a second $75,000 Diamond Jubilee Challenge. Details are coming soon to www.harmonyfoundation.org.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT THE JUDGES HEAR?

Best Seat In The House offered at District Contests

So you've heard about this "Best Seat in the House" thing, but you want to know more. We'll save you the reading: watch KJ McAleesejergins explain it.

Best Seat In The House - Harmony Foundation

If you've ever wanted to be an armchair judge (and let's be honest, we've all jotted down a score or two), now you can be a judge for a day and sit in the Best Seat in the House (www.Harmonize.com/BestSeatInTheHouse). This is an auction where the winner of each contest session gets to hobnob with the judges and sit in the pit during the contest of your choosing. Opening bids start at $40 for each session.

What do I get for my winning bid?

1. A great seat in the judging area for your selected contest session.

2. A special guest judge name tag.

3. A complete set of judging and scoring forms for your selected judging category.

4. Following the convention, a chart showing how your scores compare to the official panel members in your selected judging category.

5. An invitation to join the official panel at all meals and snacks at intermissions associated with your selected contest session.

6. The chance to sit in and observe the evaluations sessions after the contest.

7. A great opportunity to interface with the official panel members. Who knows? Someday you might apply for the judging program...

District conventions remaking themselves in the image of fun

If you haven't been to a District convention lately, you probably haven't noticed that they are remaking themselves for maximum enjoyment for their members. You don't have to compete to have a good time. Look what a few upcoming events will feature

Illinois District Fall Convention 
September 27 | Bloomington, Illinois

Some things have to be seen to be believed. All that buzz about the Veggies That Conquered The Barbershop World? Well-earned. The intensity and emotion of Westminster's Soliloquy? Oof -- incredible! 

The circus pageantry, the antics, the sheer fun -- it's all coming soon to DVD. Pre-order your 2013 Chorus Contest DVD now, and check out the entire line of quartet and chorus contest DVD recordings as well.