VIDEO OF THE WEEK
So you think you can't sing?
Deke Sharon, the All-Father of A Cappella, hits it square-on with his latest rant/sermon/moment of inspiration. (Note: mildly salty language. It's the Internet.)
His premise: many people would readily agree that they are fine shooting hoops casually in their driveway, without aspiring to be NBA players. Similarly, a little casual singing in the shower is different than practicing and honing one's skills to be an accomplished performer. Both are good - both are communication, and should be part of the fabric of our lives.
"Encourage your friends to sing. Expect them to not be amazing right away." Be tolerant.
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The Sing-Off is BACK!
The search is on again for contestants for the hit a cappella reality show, The Sing-Off. Sweet Adeline International Quartet Queens Maxx Factor were on the first season, and we think it has been far too long since barbershop was represented on this show! Who's going to audition this year?
- Los Angeles - Sept. 30
- Nashville - Oct. 2
- New York - Oct. 4
If you think that they won't be accepting quartets, have a look at the FAQ. They're accepting 4-20 members this year! Sounds like a quartet or a chorus could be contenders this year! |
APPLICATION WINDOW OPENS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Grant program poised to help you create powerful impacts in your communities
Outreach efforts of the Barbershop Harmony Society grew by 30% in 2014, and in 2015, Harmony Foundation underwriting will double the Society's annual outreach funding.
Every chapter or district can take a role in expanding our outreach efforts. To deliver still more activities, we've implemented an industry-standard, 100% online grant request and review process that will better help you:
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design more visionary and higher impact outreach activities
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become better leaders in your community by uncovering your chapter/district's identity and purpose
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create grant requests that have an improved chance at receiving additional local funding
Read the complete program description now at www.barbershop.org/grants. When the application web site is activated, we'll add a link and instructions there to get you underway.
Grant applications will be received, reviewed, and awarded during two processing windows:
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The first application window will run from September 15, 2014 through October 31, 2014. Grants award announcements from this pool will be made not later than Dec. 15, 2014.
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A second application window will run from March 1, 2015 through May 1, 2015. Grants award announcements from this pool will be made not later than June 15, 2015.
Learn more In the coming weeks, we will offer several special live and recorded online events that explain the expanded grants program, answer questions about the process, and coach you in developing meaningful, fundable plans. -
Tuesday, September 23, noon CDT - YouTube Live Hangout
Interactive session with Joe Cerutti to discuss the grants program goals and approaches
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Wednesday, September 24, 7pm CDT
Interactive session as above, additional time
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Tuesday, September 30, noon CDT - YouTube Live Hangout
Demonstration of the application web site with Ashley Torroll
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Wednesday, October 1, 7pm CDT - YouTube Live Hangout
Demonstration of the application web site with Ashley Torroll
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Add expertise and advocacy to your chapter with Open Boards
Want to solidify your chapter's ties to your local community? Develop fundraising connections? Acquire new opportunities for gigs and venues? Collaborate more easily with other performing arts groups and civic leaders?
Consider adding non-BHS community members to your chapter board of directors.
Successful arts groups all have boards that are composed of non-performers who are supporters of the arts. They use their money, influence, and connections to advance the group's mission and goals. It also frees up time so the performers can focus more on honing their craft and singing! 
To see whether local chapters can benefit by borrowing a page from such independent arts groups, the Society has just approved a pilot program that allows chapters to put non-Society members on their boards as members-at-large.
So, instead of envying the local symphony or community chorus for all their connections, you can copy their model of success by putting local VIPs and arts supporters on your board of directors as members-at-large.
The Open Board pilot program allows chapters to include non-BHS members on their boards of directors during the 2015 and 2016 calendar years. Chapters with a board size of more than seven will be able to include up to two such community board members; all other chapters will be able to include one non-Barbershopper.
Get full details and register at www.barbershop.org/openboards
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"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: www.harmonymarketplace.com/206981
Learning tracks: www.harmonymarketplace.com/209342
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EARLY BIRD GETS THE NEST
Register now for hotel choice in Pittsburgh
The sooner you commit, the better your selection will be. For example, if you register for the 2015 International Convention in Pittsburgh by October 1, you will receive "early bird housing" privileges, and have a chance to select the hotel of your choice before they are sold out. Early housing will be available on December 15, and opens up to everyone on January 15. Hotel choice matters in Pittsburgh - some locations will be less walkable than others.
Oh, did we mention it's going to be unbelievably great? Yeah, we should. The Pittsburgh team is energized to build Bridges to Harmony throughout the community. A crack team of entertainment minds have already set to work on making next year's Spectacular unlike anything you've ever seen at a barbershop convention. And if you head out to your district conventions in the next two months (www.barbershop.org/calendar,) you'll get a preview of some of the groups that will compete.
All of which points to: register now for your first crack at best lodging.
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You won't find your 2014 champs sitting on the shelf.
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MORE TRACKS FROM THE CHAMPS!
Going... going...GONE
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Web developer position posted at Harmony Hall/Nashville
The Barbershop Harmony Society is looking for a well-rounded web/software developer to help us evolve our systems from a .NET environment toward a PHP/LAMP environment. We will be maintaining our current .NET web applications while we begin our transition to more open source-based solutions. Our ideal candidate is someone who is skilled in both platforms. This is a full time position with a very attractive benefits package. Please reply with a resume and samples/working links. Freelancers need not apply. No recruiters or phone calls please.
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