Mark today as our first mangling of Cajun usage in describing the Midwinter Convention in New Orleans, January 6-11, 2015. (There will be virtually no requirement to say it well, and if you're doing it right, no one will hear to notice anyway.)

You probably already know about the big stuff:

• 2015 Seniors Quartet Championship
• 2015 International Youth Chorus Festival
• Big shows featuring top performers (and more surprises being added every day)

But did you know just how close to real New Orleans excitement we'll be? "Let the good times roll!" Zoom in on this Google Map. Our headquarters, with all our lodging, shows and events, is in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside and adjoining Convention Center.

See that streetcar station on the property? That takes you right into the French Quarter. See Harrah's Casino? Yup, that's a scant two-block walk.

Take the streetcar in the opposite direction, and ride on down to Mardi Gras World. This museum and events center houses a workshop for building the dazzling floats that make a parade in New Orleans unforgettable. We'll be holding a special get-together in its recreated plantation room, a moonlit setting straight off the bayou. 

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World in New Orleans

Fun? Over the top!

"If There's Anybody Here From Out of Town"

In the ongoing race toward relevance, there's nothing better for audience development than reaching out and singing with other musical groups. Our featured song this week is perfect for performing with men's quartets plus women's quartets.

"If There's Anybody Here From Out of Town" bounces across the USA, cataloging locales and scenes in toe-tapping fashion. Dave Briner's arrangement for men's quartet plus women's quartet was made famous in an excellent performance by Panache (1990 SAI International Champion Quartet) and Acoustix (1990 BHS International Champion Quartet,) and works well for choruses also.  

This arrangement makes an outstanding addition to youth choral events, too, as clinician Debbie Cleveland attests:

Nick Gordon and I have directed this arrangement as the closing number for three years at the Greater Cincinnati Harmony Fest, and the kids look forward to it every year! The arrangement is very accessible for the young singers, but has enough harmonic interest to challenge their ears and boost their musicianship. It features the women's voices alone, and then the men's voices alone, both singing different rhythmic and lyric patterns, creating a great deal of musical variety for the audience. The contrast of the legato female vocal lines and the syncopated male countermelody is like a puzzle that gives great satisfaction to the singer and the listener when the pieces are fitted neatly together. The lyrics include mention of four-part harmony, friendship and the universal nature of good-will and hospitality. This, along with a swingy rhythm that is easily choreographed and a tag that ends on a shimmery multi-part chord, makes it perfect for a finale!

Get it now:

Music: http://www.harmonymarketplace.com/206981

Learning tracks: http://www.harmonymarketplace.com/209342

COMING SOON: GRANTS FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Barbershop Harmony Society can be your partner in having a greater impact in your community

Singing has power -- the power to make individuals and communities healthier and happier. But singing is rapidly becoming a spectator sport. Schools and communities cannot address this crisis alone. We can become powerful partners, but only if we give our help freely, with no strings attached. Outreach is not about recruiting, but about working with others to promote the power of singing -- singing anything -- while increasing your visibility and influence within your community.

The Society's vision encourages a much wider variety of outreach activities -- not only youth outreach -- as well as funding innovative approaches to urgent Society priorities. 

In the coming weeks, we'll be announcing a revitalized program of grants from the Barbershop Harmony Society and underwritten by Harmony Foundation donors. Full details are coming soon, but in the meantime, start dreaming. What can your chapter and district do to become better leaders in your communities? How can you have more relevance by making a difference in more lives?