Props to Jimmy Fallon for heading straight to comedy gold on his second night as host of NBC's Tonight Show, with a stirring cover of R. Kelly's "Ignition." 

It's not strictly barbershop, not safe for work, and not likely to appear on a contest stage -- and it's great for public awareness.

Make use of it: next time someone says, "Barbershop? You mean like Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake, or that R. Kelly number? That was funny!" say, "Yes--barbershop! Great fun to sing!" Then sing with him. Don't defend, don't accuse--sing.

Seldom do new members drop out because barbershop stopped feeling great to sing.

Sometimes it's because a recruit bought a pig in a poke--the chapter life that seemed so bright on guest night turned out to be drudgery week in and week out. (Shame on the chapter leadership.)

Sometimes it's because job changes and family pressures squeezed out the time. (Shame on life.)

Sometimes it's because no one asked him to renew. (Shame on everyone.)

The Customer Service Center at HQ takes membership retention seriously. We want to boost renewals for first year members from 34% on-time/59% in first year to over 50% on- time and 70% overall.

To that end, the entire Society staff is taking part in a phone-a-thon this week, in which we are calling a group of new members with pending dues renewals, to make them aware that their invoices are in the mail (or email,) and asking them to continue membership in the Society.

We've gotten quite an earful. Some have been surprised and delighted that someone took the time to call. Some have had the opposite reaction: "How can you afford to spend time on this?" Some members have had a great experience and renewed on the spot. Some are disillusioned, but are considering moving to a different chapter and continuing.

It's worth trying nationally. It's definitely worth trying in your own chapter.

Laura Tracy shoots! She scores!

  

 

 

PR/Marketing For Your Chapter

Tuesday, February 25, noon

Brian Lynch 

 

This highly interactive seminar will focus on ways chapters can turn the great things they are doing into greater public awareness. We'll start with a discussion of the difference between "free ads" and "stories," then move to fundamentals such as the PR basic tool kit every chapter needs. From there, we open the discussion to the specific interests of the participants: how we can take any barbershop activity and tell a story that's fun, compelling and relevant.  

 

Make the Most Out of Your Convention Experience 

March 4

Dusty Schleier

 

Voice Lessons for Barbershoppers 

March 11

Steve Scott

Visions of Excellence - Book Review

March 18, noon 

Joe Cerutti  

Many think the book is geared towards chorus directors, and it is for directors of all levels, but it is also a great resource for all chorus leadership, chorus singers and barbershop fans of all ages.  We'll talk a bit about the origin of the book and its predecessor in the choral music genre, "In Quest of Answers" by Carole Glenn. We will reference the ACDA review recently published in the Choral Journal and dissect the variety of the questions asked and the directors interviewed. We'll also leave time for a short Q&A. It is not necessary to have read the book, and the hour session might actually serve as a great introduction to the book for those who love the culture and history of the barbershop chorus.  

Click here for details and registration, and check back often for details as they emerge.