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"Something Special," the barbershopera, honored in international competition
Combining two forms of music under-appreciated in North American culture, we present: Barbershopera!
Wallace dePue, a former Barbershopper and former Professor of Music at Bowling Green State University, was the recipient of an award from the Boston Metro Opera for "Something Special," a barbershop opera that he wrote in 1976 for the Maumee Valley, Ohio, Chapter show, directed by R. D. Mathey.
Not only were the music original compositions words and music by Wallace, but he had never written barbershop songs or arranged them, so he ran them all through the Society for guidance. He also wrote the complete libretto and lent his help as the show was put together. It was performed with the BGSU Men's Chorus combined with the Maumee Valley Chorus.
Guest quartets performing in the show included The Regents and The Happiness Emporium for the May annual show and The Roaring 20s on the Divisional show. Several chapter quartets, includingThe Coalition, a JAD district medalist at that time and The Four Knights in a Row with lead R. D. Mathey and bass Ben Ayling were also involved.
Video has recently surfaced on YouTube. Settle back for a jaw-dropping show. (And check out this contemporary story from the Toledo Blade, May 20, 1976.)
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Ringmasters North American tour underway 
Your 2012 International Quartet Champions are touring North America this month, starting with shows and clinics in Des Moines, then crisscrossing the continent with stops that include Los Angeles, Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Sweet Ads convention in Baltimore, and ending in Simcoe, Ontario, on November 8. (These guys can really rack up the frequent flier miles!)
See the complete lineup, with sites, dates and ticket links at www.facebook.com/RingmastersQuartet/events
Ringmasters could come to you, too -- the quartet is actively seeking shows and outreach opportunities for several 2015 tours: - January 2- February 1, 2015
- March 20 - April 19, 2015
- June 5th - June 29, 2015
- October 16th - November 15, 2015
- December 4th - December 20, 2015
Contact [email protected] or connect via Facebook. |
WEBINARS NEXT WEEK!
Get Off The Bench: Questions and Answers About Grant Applications
Joe Cerutti leads an interactive discussion on the types of projects you might be considering, effective planning and evaluation of your programs, and reaching the finish line.
Details and webcast launch instructions:
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You too could be on stage at Midwinter
 We're always searching for new ways to add more and more singing to our events, and Director of Harmony University Donny Rose and his team have a doozy for New Orleans. We are kicking off our first-ever Midwinter All-Chapter Chorus! We'll hold three brief read-throughs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, then sing on the stage on the Saturday night show! Your section leaders will be some famous guys you've always wanted to sing with. (Who? We're being a little coy while we obtain signatures, bonds, and blood oaths to lock them in, but be assured, they're top people. Top. People.) Easy? Yep. Fun? Totally. You can do it, too. P.S. We're also lining up a very special mystery director. You'll recognize him, and be glad to have spent the day with him. Mum's the word.
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Read the convention issue and share your favorite stories online
The September/October issue of The Harmonizer - the CONVENTION ISSUE - is almost in the mail. But if you don't want to wait until the last week of October to read it, read the whole thing now at issuu.com. No password is required, but if you create an account or login with Facebook, you can clip articles or spreads and send them to your friends or your Facebook feed. Share your barbershop passion with everyone you know!
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BHS to appear at major music educator conferences
Direct contact and support of music educators continues to be a key element of the Society's Outreach strategy, and we will be well-represented at two major upcoming national events.
Later this month, the city of Nashville plays host to the� National Association for Music Education's annual event, which features hundreds of interest sessions, honors ensembles, and performances by big-name groups such as The Boston Brass and the US Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus.
The Barbershop Harmony Society will be at the event, too, guiding teachers to our hot new arrangements, featured events such as the Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest and the International Youth Chorus Festival, and introducing them to our broad slate of outreach events for 2015.
If you are in town for the event, be sure to visit us at booth #617.
Then, in February 2015, the Society will have a major presence at the biennial meeting of the American Choral Directors Association, at which we'll make a significant presentation on barbershop's origins in African-American music, host special music reading sessions and an industry showcase. Everyone attending ACDA will come away impressed with the depth and breadth of our offerings to support music in communities across the continent.
If you plan on attending the ACDA Convention in Salt Lake City, please contact Sherry Lewis at Harmony Hall; we'd like to plan a reception where you can bring a friend to introduce to the BHS CEO and Education Team. Lots of photo ops - and we'll be giving away HU Scholarships while at this convention!
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They wrote 'em--and arranged 'em!-- in the good old days
This week we look back on great songs written by Barbershoppers for Barbershoppers.
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