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January 09, 2014Visit our blog

This week in barbershop...
Harmony U Online debuts with Basic Music Theory class
Host a contest, build a bridge
Preview the next Harmonizer
Quartet College grows stronger groups
Seniors quartets featured on YouTube
Grab a fresh copy of the music catalog
Harmony University comes to Midwinter Convention
Best seats still available
Deadline for discounted registrations is January 15
ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN! 
Harmony U Online debuts with Basic Music Theory class

Friday, January 17th, Noon-1pm CST

 

 

What is it?

 

Adam Scott

Get a comprehensive music theory course, taken from the Harmony University model by instructor and staff member Adam Scott. 

 

Music Theory 1, Day 1 includes the basics of musical notation. We'll cover the names of the lines and spaces on the treble and bass clef, ledger lines, and how barbershop is notated and organized. Additionally, we'll show you where you can complete worksheets that will help you get a little extra practice on the concepts mentioned.

 

When is it?

Friday, January 17th, Noon-1pm CST

 

Who Can Participate?

Anyone with the desire to learn more about Basic Music Theory can participate. Please note that this first WebEx course offering will be limited to the first 20 PAID Registrants, so register today to guarantee a spot.

 

Sign up now!

BEST PRACTICES - YOU CAN DO THIS, TOO 

It's easy to pay lip service to reaching out to the broader a cappella community, but the Alexandria Harmonizers are putting their money where their mouths are... with a prize competition!

 

The Harmonizers have rented one of Washington, D.C.'s most famous venues, the historic Lincoln Theater, to host a competition for modern a cappella groups. Fifteen groups applied and six have been chosen as contestants.  See the full story, performer links and tickets via the blog.

 

"It's unique in several respects," said producer Ken Rub. "Most a cappella competitions don't have prizes this large, few have adult groups competing with collegiate groups, and none are hosted by a barbershop chorus! We're excited to reach an entirely new audience and show them barbershop is another proud member of the a cappella family." Tickets are available now through the Lincoln Theater. 

Coming this month in The Harmonizer Harmonizer 2014-01 cover
It's at the printer today, and should hit your mailbox in two weeks, but why wait? Get it now at barbershop.org/resources/the-harmonizer.html

In this issue:

  • Quick fixes -- five ways to improve your quartet's singing right away
  • A business plan for the Society that can work
  • Masterpiece: The art of reinvention
  • How to rehearse like Ringmasters 
QUARTET coaching at Hamrony University Quick-fix good.
Long-term solution?
Quartet College!

 
Having read the latest issue of The Harmonizer, you might think you're quartet is all set. 
 
But.
 
Experienced coaches and quartetters alike would agree that a "quick fix" can give you an incremental boost, but long-term musical growth of any ensemble comes from understanding its musical identity and performance objectives. Reaching a consensus on these, and crafting a repertoire, rehearsal plan, and ongoing feedback program, separates the "pretty good" from the "great and getting greater" -- and that approach is exactly what you'll get from Quartet College at Harmony University.

When your quartet attends Quartet College, you'll work with a team of coaches across the entire range of disciplines: vocal production, performance, arrangement, visual presentation, microphone technique. You will open up the very heart of quartet singing, and learn how to make the joy you find in your music (and in each other) a wellspring of energy to share with your audiences.

 

Most importantly, you'll learn how to carry that one week of intensive coaching into your ongoing life together as a quartet, in shows, in contests, and in carrying music into your community as ambassadors of barbershop harmony.

 

Your week of growth culminates in the Friday night Parade of Quartets, where you can showcase your best work to an appreciative audience of barbershop fans.

 

New this year: our new facilities at Belmont University in Nashville give us access to world-class recording and rehearsal studios. You'll never sound better!

 

New this year: Coaching is available for men's OR women's quartets.

 

Details: harmonyuniversity.org/index.php/quartet-college

Seniors quartets featured on YouTube
  seniors quartets on youtube
 
It's an exciting time to be a senior quartet! Those going to Long Beach are gearing up for the big stage, but the audience never really gets a look into the lives of these guys.

 

This year, we wanted to do something special for the quartets competing at the 2014 International Mid-Winter Seniors Quartet Contest in Long Beach. It's more fun to sing for a crowd that knows who you are and cheers you on (right?!), so we asked our competing quartets to set up a "get-to-know-us" video so we can feature them via Facebook and Twitter.

 

Meet the quartets at bit.ly/seniorqts2014 

Grab a fresh copy of the music catalog for your phone
 
There are many ways to find sheet music. One could dig deep into the filing cabinet to unearth an old gem from three quartets back in your barbershop career. One could ask the chapter music librarian to haul out the dusty box of charts (mostly handwritten, dog-eared, stapled and re-stapled) from the box under the stairs in the church basement.

Or, one could hop over to http://www.harmonymarketplace.com/sheetmusic and search the interactive database, where you can find multiple versions, male and female voicings, and first-page previews of most charts.

 

While you're there, take a moment to download the newly-refreshed catalog -- handy to store in your phone or tablet for meeting places with poor WiFi.

  Download catalogs

 
 
Harmony University comes to Midwinter Convention
  

If you went to Midwinter Convention only for the great shows (five medalist quartets, seniors champs, et al.), or only for the contest (international seniors championships), or only for the International Youth Chorus Festival (20 choruses!), or only for the casual singing (Harmony Platoon,) then you'd STILL be MISSING the great barbershop fun to be had.

 

Harmony University at Midwinter brings you world-famous coaches, clinicians and educators for a grand buffet of seminars, included in your registration. 

 

Each day, we'll offer a General Session with vocal warm-up and instruction, group singing, and tags from your favorite teachers. Here are just a few of the offerings lined up for the week:

  • Barbershop 101: Newer members learn the in-and-outs of barbershop life, music and culture from Charlie Metzger
  • Music reading sessions: Adam Scott runs you through a stack of fun new charts, a few chestnuts and other surprises.
  • Gold Medal Hour with Masterpiece: How the great become the elite, with your 2013 International Quartet Champion
  • Directors Roundtable: Leading lights engage in lively discussion of the elements of success. Featured panel includes Dr. Chris Peterson (Cal State-Fullerton); Lori Lyford (music educator, Scottsdale Chorus); Clay Hine (Atlanta Vocal Project); Tony De Rosa (Heralds of Harmony), Pam Paison, (Harborlites.)
  • Good to Great: Mike O'Neill and Rick Spencer trace the arc of success in growing chapters.
  • Vocal Techniques: Kim Hulbert teaches the best. Learn from the accomplished guru.

SIT UP WHERE YOU BELONG

You are invited to...THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE!

 

Harmony Foundation International and the Contest & Judging program are teaming up to auction off the Best Seat in the House at Midwinter in Long Beach, California. If you've ever wanted to test out your judging chops, you can bid on a seat in the Judging Area and be a "Judge for a Day."

 

Register at www.BestSeat.org  and bid for either contest session (Youth Chorus Adjudication or Seniors Quartet contest). Winners will sit with the judging panel, will be able to (unofficially) score contestants, will discuss the contest afterwards with the judges, and will participate in the evaluation sessions that follow. They will be afforded the same access and privileges as the official panel.

 

Funds raised by the BSITH program will be applied to the programs and projects supported by Harmony Foundation

Early bird registrations due by January 15

By now, we're pretty sure everyone knows where the convention will be this summer. You've figured out that it will be a riot of barbershop fun. You've seen the attractions it offers. You've started pitching your spouse on the fun you both can have in this luxurious vacation destination -- but at a bargain price!

 

You'll get the full rundown in the next issue of The Harmonizer, or you can sneak a peek right now. 

 

Now, you just need to buy those registrations.