 Coming this month in The Harmonizer
Harmony Foundation awards $915,000 for 2014
The generosity of many donors yields great results
A Sharper Focus
It's time for a clearer view of what we do best, learning how we can change more lives and expand our influence over the next 75 years
Rebranding the Society
Telling people who we are and what we have to offer the world means understanding it better ourselves.
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SONG OF THE WEEK
Look summerwards, heavenwards
As Spring struggles to emerge, it's time to talk summer. Many chapters muster special ensembles to perform as replacements for vacationing church choirs. It's a fulfilling service and offers great community exposure.
Our songs this week are perfect for this, and are great change-of-pace numbers for your general show repertoire.
"I'll Fly Away" is a Don Gray classic that will be familiar to anyone who has heard Keepsake's riff on it. Propulsive, ringing, inspiring-- we love it!
"He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" is Freddie King's take on this Sunday-school standby. In fact, it would be a great song to sing with the little urchins the cherubic Sunday School kids at a church performance. Always find ways to involve your audience in singing!
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WE HARDLY KNOW THE MEANING OF HYPERBOLE
UNMISSABLE: Epic chorus contest pits Titans against Goliaths against Supernovas
We said it once before & we were right then, too: Best chorus contest ever!
Not to cheapen the meaning of "best ever," but everything points to Vegas topping them all. Look at the epic field filled with recent medalist choruses, all of which have something to prove:
- 11-time champ The Vocal Majority wants to prove it's still the best chorus ever, especially after Jim Clancy's last contest came up silver thanks to ...
- Justin Miller, still directing those younger Californians but also first-time director of 8-time champion Masters of Harmony, who have never before faced the VM, and who in 2011 barely beat ...
- Great Northern Union, which outscored the Masters one year too late in 2012 but showed enough talent to win it all in Vegas, however ...
- zero8 is out to prove the Swedes can win chorus championships, too, but not if ...
- Sound of the Rockies strikes it rich in the group's final contest with director Darin Drown, who is hoping to overshadow ...
- Kentucky Vocal Union and its eye-popping dancing to ear-bending Aaron Dale charts, but it's hard to top a performance by ...
- The Alliance, which will have had a year to perfect its 2013 medal-winning Circus set.
Miss this and you might as well hang up your kibitzer's cap for good. Take a look at this killer playlist of all named groups.
Register at www.barbershopconvention.com.
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Chapter financial reviews and IRS Form 990s due May 15
All US chapters, chapters, districts and subsidiaries (Brigades, etc.) must report to the IRS by May 15th each year. The IRS is now requiring ALL non-profits, regardless of size, to file an annual return. Failure to file a timely report can result in either financial penalties for each day a return is late or loss of non-profit status or both.
All chapters, both US and Canadian, must complete a financial review for 2014 by May 15. This is not difficult, is not an audit and merely requires a financially savvy person, other than the treasurer, to inspect your books. |
"Fix My Choir" now casting
This could be awesome. Or not.
The Casting Firm and a major cable network are searching nationwide for choirs to transform on the new series "FIX MY CHOIR"!
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Is your choir in trouble?
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Are finances, a lack of resources, failing instruments or other challenges plaguing your choir?
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Is conflict between choir members keeping you from becoming great?
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Is your choir's vocal ability not coming through because of infighting or lack of practice?
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Do you worry your choir will fall apart if things don't improve?
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Does your choir have a unique or compelling story the world needs to know?
A GRAMMY WINNING ARTIST along with a CELEBRATED GOSPEL STAR and team of experts will transform struggling choirs into inspiring musical powerhouses! Seeking choirs with bold, outgoing members who are ready to open their doors and let our experts take their choral program to the next level!
Full details: Fix My Choir.
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Afterglow? The whole darn city is an afterglow! 
Admit it: you're addicted to afterglow. First comes the "official" afterglow, with a few bevvies and a few more songs from the evening's performers. Then comes the "real" afterglow, with a lot more singing. Then the "after-afterglow," when you repair to some hospitality rooms or lounges for a cozier party. Then, at last, the "glimmer," when it's down to you and a select, rotating cast of guys who defy good sense, schedules, and thoughts of work next week, to eke out another try at that bizarro double-quartet.
Sadly, though, in most towns the bar closes down at 1:00 or 2:00 or 3:00 am, just when that pick-up tag quartet is just getting really good.
Not in Vegas, baby. It never closes. Keep singing. You can always find someplace to stay "hydrated." Heh. Hydrated.
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NEXT EVENT: THURSDAY, APRIL 3, NOON
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WORK AT HARMONY HALL
Job opening: Chief Financial Officer
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Reports to: CEO
Salary Range: Competitive Salary, plus benefits
At the direction of the CEO, the Director of Finance is responsible for effective and efficient conduct of financial and fiscal affairs to meet the needs of the membership and mission of the organization. The Director of Finance participates in long-range planning and policy implementation in concert with the CEO and the Board of Directors. The Director of Finance is also responsible for providing effective financial staff support for Companies programs, subsidiaries and affiliates.
Executive search will be conducted by KraftCPAs. For complete job description and details, visit barbershop.org/about/careers-internships.html.
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Job opening: Director of Harmony University
Job Description: Director of Harmony University
Location: Nashville, TN
Reports To: CEO
Salary Range: Competitive Salary, plus benefits
Harmony University is the parent to all educational programs offered through the Barbershop Harmony Society. These curricular-based programs are delivered throughout the year. This includes the 'brick and mortar' week-long school held at the end of July, classes offered at the Society's annual conventions, and various daily/weekly e-learning classes. The programs support internal membership as well as community education of our art form.
For a complete job description and application details, visit barbershop.org/about/careers-internships.html. Applications should be submitted by April 13, 2014.
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HARMONY U EXPANDS OFFERINGS
Bring on the Brigade at Harmony U!
How could we possibly pack MORE fun into Harmony University? By offering more quartetting!
 You have asked for more singing at HU, and here is your chance! Join HUXQB (Harmony University eXtreme Quartetting Brigade) and sing eight gold medal arrangements with unlimited mixing and matching quartets.
HUXQB will be offered during the elective Session 4 classes (Monday-Wednesday evening), and therefore will avoid conflicting with core classes during the day. ANY male singer can participate!
Applications are available with HU registration materials. When you register for HUXQB (small additional fee will apply), you will receive an ADDITIONAL packet of music along with learning tracks so you can be sufficiently prepared to sing every song on site. Don't delay - slots are limited, and balance is critical. Who wants to stand around waiting for a tenor? :-)
You've been hearing about Brigades but never had the chance to participate?
You've been frustrated that there are only so many barbershop events you can fit in?
You've always had Harmony University on your must-do list?
Well, now you can do both! Do it!
Learn more about the Brigades at www.harmonybrigade.org or in this story from The Harmonizer.
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Nominations open for Society Board of Directors; apply by May 1, 2014
Candidates for this Society Board position are asked to complete an application form and forward electronically to their District President and District Nominating Committee Chair. The District President will review and forward the application to the Society Nominating Committee to arrive by May 1, 2014.
While the committee is always looking for capable men, the overriding skill set for a successful candidate will include being a strategic thinker with experience working with or serving on a non-profit board.
Click for full details, responsibilities, deadlines and application form.
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