Barbershop wins hearts and minds at choral director summit
Two years after exhibiting in our first National ACDA convention in a long time, we've seen a lot of progress towards becoming more legitimate in the eyes of the choral world. The attendance at all of our events (interest session, reading session and showcase) were either full or standing room only.
The booth stayed busy the entire time, with visitors mostly interested in our music. It's amazing to hear how barbershop music has helped their choral programs. Once we got to know them a little better, we would educate them about our other opportunities; directing one of our chapters, outreach/granting collaborations with our local chapters, Harmony University for music educators/ directors, attending our Youth Chorus Festival, choral curriculum for middle school and high school music programs, etc. We have many more friends celebrating barbershop than we recognize.
We are making progress. How do we know? Teachers told us!
"I thank you for the renewed energy that is apparent in your organization. I can't tell you how many excited BHS members I talked with in SLC."
- Dr. Tim Sharp, Executive Director, American Choral Directors Association
"Barbershop really covers so many areas - education, lifelong singing, male chorus, female chorus, etc. I'm really glad we are collaborating and look forward to more in the future."
- Dr. Mary Hooper, Professor of Choral Music, Wheaton College
"I'm very proud to be a member of the BHS in this era of increasing legitimacy. You are doing great work."
- Tom Metzger, CEO, Groupanizer
"We decided to do barbershop for the first time. By the end, their ears were working so much better. When they heard a chord for the first time, that's when intonation made sense. A director can whip them and whip them but, when they hear the chord, it's a whole different ball game. Now they're coming back and they're asking for more."
- Dr. Sarah Parks, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Music Program, St. Norbert College
