Follow us on TwitterView our videos on YouTube
Like us on FacebookAugust 21, 
2014Visit our blog
Past issues: bit.ly/livewirearchive 
 
 

National A Cappella Convention slated
17 things about Pittsburgh you have to explain to out-of-towners.
"Happy" a hit with female voices
Documentary film shows music unlocking Alzheimer's patients
Now or never: pre-order Vegas recordings
On the blog: oulder festival celebrates past, present of barbershop music
Grab the best seats
Applications sought for Society Board vacancy
THE BARBERSHOP WORLD SHOULDN'T BE THE ONLY PLACE WE SING BARBERSHOP! 

national_acappella_convention

Here's a great opportunity to 

  • Stretch your wings
  • Learn from new perspectives
  • Gain new audiences

The A Cappella Educators Association is thrilled to announce the inaugural National A Cappella Convention in Memphis, TN on April 24-25, 2015. 

 

Featuring professional concerts, showcase performances, a unique high school competition, group master classes, roundtable discussions, reading sessions, and more, the NACC is the only event of its kind in the country designed to bring the entire a cappella community together

.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

The NACC offers three types of performance opportunities for attending groups:

  • Friday Night Concert Performances: 25-minute sets (On Sound, In PAC)
  • Showcase Performances: 25-minute sets (On Sound, In PAC)
  • Exhibition Performances: 12-minute sets (Acoustic, In Exhibit Hall)

To apply to perform, please submit by September 27 a 15-25 minute video of your group performing. Upon applying, you will be considered for all three performance types by a panel of expert judges. Groups will only be eligible for one performance slot, and will be notified of their selection by October 24, 2014. 

 

Judging will be blind, meaning that no identification will be made of any group until it is chosen based on merit.

17 things about Pittsburgh you have to explain to out-of-towners
Pittsburgh white
Our 2015 Convention in Pittsburgh will be any easy drive for many guests, and you'll find plenty to do when you get there. We have it on good authority that you'll find fun and food beyond the convention events, but thought you might need the straight dope from the natives.

If you're from here or have ever lived here, you have an affinity for this place. One that your friends from other cities just can't seem to wrap their heads around. Until they get here. And when they do, use this to explain to them that there's more to Pittsburgh than steel and sports.

Get directions to the Strip District. This former manufacturing center is now home to speciality eats, street vendors and swanky lofts.

 

Yes, you can get fries on a sandwich. It's called Primanti Brothers, a rite of passage for any first time visitor to the 'Burgh.

 

 

See the full list: 17 Things About Pittsburgh You Have to Explain to Out-of-Towners.

 

Pittsburgh 2015 International teaser
Pittsburgh 2015 International teaser

 

"Happy" a hit with female voices

Pharrell Williams' "Happy" was a big hit at the Las Vegas convention when the young singers in the Next Generation Chorus sang it on the Saturday Night Spectacular. Our post last month announcing its release generated plenty of interest.

BUT... we somehow neglected to mention that we also have an arrangement of "Happy" for women's voices. Catchy beat (with handclaps!), cheery lyrics, fun patter, and relevance to general audiences will make this a big hit throughout the Society. You might even convince your daughters to start barbershopping with this one.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE
"Alive Inside" looks at the power of music

"Alive Inside" is a film in limited release right now, which demonstrates the power of music in treatment of Alzheimer's patients.

 

ALIVE INSIDE Official Trailer (2014) HD

 

Look here for show times near you, or learn more about Music and Memory.


IT'S NOW OR NEVER
Get Vegas recordings by pre-order ONLY; sale closes Labor Day

To more effectively manage inventory, this year's convention recordings will be sold by pre-order ONLY. There will be no additional items available after the pre-sale closes September 1.

Visit our blog THIS WEEK ON THE BLOG
YOU'RE WORTH IT - GO GET IT
The best seats in the house are up for grabs this fall
best seat in the house pit view

With fall convention season upon us, now's the time to make a bid on the Best Seat in the House for your district contest.

Remember, some districts are moving to a single preliminary contest for chorus and quartets, meaning their fall conventions will be larger than you may be accustomed to. Why not get up front for everything?

The winning bidder for each contest will receive:
  • A great seat in the judging area for your selected contest session.
  • A special guest judge name tag.
  • A complete set of judging and scoring forms for your selected judging category.
  • Following the convention, a chart showing your scores compared to the official panel members in your selected judging category.
  • An invitation to join the official panel at all meals and snacks at intermissions associated with your selected contest session.
  • The chance to sit in and observe the evaluations sessions after the contest.
All proceeds benefit Harmony Foundation. Make a bid today
DEADLINE TODAY
Applications sought for vacant Society Board seat

The Society Board is seeking a visionary leader to serve a two-year term beginning in January 2015. Requires experience and demonstrable skills in the worlds of barbershop, business, public service, education, or other fields of endeavor. Deadline for application is August 21, so please act quickly. For more information, go to http://barbershop.org/component/content/article/36-resources/976-society-board-member-candidates-sought.html