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This week in barbershop...
Superstar sings barbershop!
Newfangled Four kicks off Pittsburgh 2015 convention promo
World debut: "Rhythm of Love"
Mine the treasures of the web
Why so familiar?
Harmony U Online: Voice Lessons
Gallent joins staff as Chief Operating Officer
Chapter financial reports due
Job opening: Director of Harmony University
taiwanese pop star

Chinese superstar Wang Leehom may not be a household name in the States, but rest assured he is a widely recognized figure in Chinese pop culture. He is a Chinese-American singer-songwriter, music producer, actor, and film director. Known as the "King of Chinese Pop," Leehom has repeatedly revolutionized the Chinese pop music scene with his evolving blend of pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, classical, and traditional Chinese music ranging from aboriginal folk music to Beijing opera. The best-selling Mandarin-language musician of his generation, Leehom came to prominence as a teen idol at the age of 19 and has since released 15 solo studio albums and contributed to dozens more.

 

A brand new audience of several million was just exposed to a Barbershop classic.  
A video clip surfaced on Leehom's official Facebook page that itself enjoys over 1.7 million Likes. The clip features Leehom and his family at a recent gathering singing one of our standard beloved pieces of music, "Sweet and Lovely" (arranged by Mac Huff).  
Newfangled Four visit Pittsburgh
 
Newfangled Four launches convention announcement in Pittsburgh
 

Collegiate champion The Newfangled Four raised the roof at a press conference in Pittsburgh today, as CEO Marty Monson told the community that the Barbershop Harmony Society intends to "make a lasting impact" when its annual convention comes to Pittsburgh June 28-July 5, 2015.

Pittsburgh white
Thanks to the Pittsburgh Convention Committee for a great concept for the 2015 logo!

 

Speaking to more than 400 business and community leaders at the VisitPITTSBURGH annual meeting, Marty outlined a vision of service tied to the "Tourism Builds Community" theme promoted by the convention bureau. "For 75 years, our conventions have swept into town, sung up a storm, spent ten million dollars in lodging and hospitality, then disappeared, leaving only an echo. We want to change that. We want to make a lasting impact in the communities we visit, by helping shine a spotlight on the good that music brings to lives. We want to start making friends and contacts throughout the region with whom we can partner to make a differencei-not just for a week, but with a lasting impact."

 

To that end, the Society is actively seeking community partners in the arts and tourism sectors that have needs that Barbershoppers can support while visiting. "We hope that vocal ensembles of all stripes will sing with us and allow us to sing with them to celebrate our shared passion for creating something beautiful in community with others. We want to be of service, of all kinds -- fundraising, supporting music educators, and bringing music resources to all communities."  

 

Monson was joined at the event by college quartet champion The Newfangled 

Four, which earlier performed in school and community venues throughout the area. "We are trying to spread the message to young people especially that music is a lifelong activity that brings joy, health and stability to people's lives. Music crosses bridges and borders to unite us. It's never too early or too late to sing."

David Wright and Deke Shaon
WORLD DEBUT! 
"Rhythm Of Love" combines talents of two arranging giants 
 

We did it.

 

Answering the call from members who want to try some more modern music, we hooked the brain of barbershop giant David Wright into the skull of a cappella giant Deke Sharon (The House Jacks, Pitch Perfect, The Sing-Off) and put a catchy pop radio tune by Tim Lopez of the Plain White T's.

 

Magic happened.

 

"Rhythm of Love" is an easy-beat song with an easy, flowing vocal line. Outstanding learning tracks by Tim Waurick make learning this one a snap.

 
ALL PART OF YOUR BARBERSHOP MEMBERSHIP 
Dig deep to mine the many treasures of barbershop.org 

 

SINING SKILLS PAGE

 

Did you know that the world's greatest basses willingly share their secrets?

 

Did you know that you can search upcoming barbershop show dates coast-to-coast?

 

Did you know that you can download

Dude... have you BEEN to www.barbershop.org?

 

It's all there. Dive in. Get more from your barbershopping life.

Visit our blog  FROM THE BLOG 
Why do some names crop up more often? 
 
From time to time, your communications team at Harmony Hall is asked, "Why do you always write about (choose any or all) the Vocal Majority, the Alexandria Harmonizers, the Voices of Gotham? There are many other chapters doing good work, too!" -or the same, ending in) "... Most of us don't have the resources, contacts, to do these things, and it makes us look bad."
 

Fair points both. The shortest answer might be, "Because these groups are experimenting with activities and techniques that you deserve to copy!" Not every group is equipped to do these things to the same degree, with the same level of expertise, or with the same results, but they still provide models of the kinds of things that help chapters grow, thrive, and reach broader audiences-even chapters with limited resources.

Many of the activities highlighted in various channels are not beyond the potential of most chapters. When you saw a great fundraising video by Voices of Gotham, you also got to peek behind the scenes to how it was made. The Alexandria marketing team showed how a free online video editor made a great promo for its Aca-Challenge event. 

True, some high-profile, influential appearances for major choral conferences are best undertaken by champ-level performers. In those cases, we should all celebrate the great reputation that we all derive; it redounds to our mutual pride and shared success. Be sure to share the link with all in your own spheres of influence, so that everyone knows that you are part of a worldwide fellowship of musicians who are making a difference in people's lives through passionate performance of a wonderful style of music.

One other thing. We don't always write about these chapters, but they always write about themselves, making a conscious choice to provide public information and explanation about what they are doing and how and why they are doing it, so that we can all benefit. If your chapter has a success or an innovation to share, please share it with us, and we'll be happy to share that as well! Keep those links and references coming--teachable moments come from all corners of the barbershop planet.

NEXT EVENT: TUESDAY, APRIL 8, NOON

 

April 8 

Steve Scott 

 

Chapter Presidents Q&A 

April 17

Steve Wyzsomierski

 

Repertoire Selection For Your Ensemble 

April 24  

Adam Scott

 

Chip Gallent joins staff as Chief Operating Officer Chip Gallent
 
Donald "Chip" Gallent has been hired by the Barbershop Harmony Society as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, he will directly oversee teams in customer service; Harmony Marketplace merchandise and music publications sales; business technologies and platforms; and project coordination.

Gallent comes to the post with a more than 20 years of experience in e-commerce and marketing, including retail, fulfillment, and entertainment business lines. "I'm really excited about bringing Chip's skillset to the organization as we pursue increased awareness for barbershop around the world," said CEO Marty Monson. "Chip brings us strategic and operational skills in critical web technologies that will help us release more music, more media and more value for our global audience."

 

The COO reports directly to the CEO and will begin work at BHS headquarters in Nashville on April 7.

Chapter financial reviews and IRS Form 990s due May 15 
All U.S. chapters, chapters, districts and subsidiaries (Harmony 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 2013 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.

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.