Harmony, Incorporated HI Note: July 2024, Issue #1

President's Message

Connect and cheer (LOUDLY!)
Gaye is on a mission at BHS International
By Gaye LaCasce, International President

Hello from Cleveland, Ohio!

As many of you know, Harmony, Inc. is one of a number of barbershop organizations. Each one has a slightly different culture and mission, but what unites us is the love of a cappella music, sung in the barbershop style. This week I'm Harmony's official representative to the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Convention (with my husband, Dan, an HI affiliate member and long-time barbershopper.)

We're meeting with people from around the globe - those representing other organizations as well as other aspects of our hobby. My goals in being here are simple:

First, sharing our mission and the opportunities Harmony has to offer (we're still a well-kept secret in many areas of the country and I intend to introduce myself to anyone and everyone to have those conversations!)
Second, connecting with people who might be interested in helping to grow our organization in places where Harmony doesn't yet exist.
And last, cheering enthusiastically for all the HI members who've been onstage here this week - and there are a LOT, including our 2023 champions, Fierce, who were featured on the World Harmony Showcase!

Earlier today I reconnected with a friend from Texas, a barbershopper I met when Aged to Perfection attended Harmony University. He's the president of the independent organization that sponsors Harmony Brigades, which have sprouted up all over the world. (If you don't know about them ... and if you LOVE to learn challenging quartet music... ask me for details or find them on-line at harmonybrigade.org.) He invited Dan and me to a meeting at 11 tonight, apologizing for the late hour and saying, "I don't know if that's too late for you." My response was obvious - of course it's not too late! This is a barbershop week, and the only thing better than barbershop is MORE barbershop... as well as the new friends and new opportunities we encounter along the way.

I'll undoubtedly have more to share, but that's all for now - time to get back to my seat to "represent" Harmony, Inc.!

Area Conventions Round Up

Barbershop through the Decades
Flappers meet grunge - and everything in between
By Susan Spencer, Area 4 Director

Using our handy time machine, Area 4 celebrated singing barbershop as we visited the iconic sights and sounds of decades past. And thanks to the magic of time travel, we "lived" a century in one weekend (June 6-8). The Area 4 Convention Team, led by Sara Stone, labored diligently throughout the year to build us a wonderful convention, and we thank them for all their great work!

Following the Council meeting Thursday evening, the education team challenged us with some dynamic classes. Area Membership Chair Beth Montgomery, Area Quartet Chair Sandi Wright (along with special guests reigning champions Fierce!), and three of our judges, helped us focus on our performance and vocal skills.

Quartet contest
Friday, 18 quartets crossed the stage at Normal West High School, including two ‘visitor quartets’ from other Areas, Angel’s Envy and Just Sayin’. Of the Area 4 quartets, we congratulate the following for their awards:

Qualifiers for ICC: Blue Phoenix, Limitless Quartet, RetroSpect, Sweet Addiction
Area 4 First Place Award: RetroSpect
Kaleidoscope Entertainment Award (highest performance score): RetroSpect
Change of Heart Achievement Award (most improved quartet by score): Vintage
Voices for Life Award (top senior quartet): Vintage
Sequel Novice Quartet Award (novice quartet): Oasis

We were so excited to offer our Voices for Life Award this year for the top senior quartet, and we look forward to presenting our new Youth Award in a future year!

Chorus contest
Saturday, we turned our attention to chorus pursuits with six choruses on stage this year. We congratulate the following on their awards:

Qualifiers for ICC: Bluegrass Harmony, Harmony Magic, St. Louis Vocal Project, Village Vocal Chords
Area 4 First Place Trophy: St. Louis Vocal Project
The Nancy Stephenson Memorial Trophy: Bluegrass Harmony
Most Improved Chorus Award: Harmony Magic

Moonglow
At the banquet that evening everyone came together to celebrate, enjoy a lovely meal, and sing some more. Last year each chorus was given a decade to represent and it was fun to see how each chorus jumped into the spirit of their decade. Flappers from the 1920s mingled 1960s hippies while the 1980s neon pink/yellow/orange created a bright splash of color next to the red, white, and blue of those celebrating the Bicentennial for the 1970s. Bluegrass Harmony hosted the party, doing a great job keeping things rolling as movers and groovers from the 1950s . In addition to the six choruses, the judges, the top five quartets, last year’s International Quartet Champions Take 4, and this year’s International Quartet Champions Fierce, we also had our Associates Fun Chorus, and our newest chartered chorus Spirit of Michigan. Throughout the evening, Area Director Susan Spencer's alter ego from the 2010s (in grunge gear) gave surly comments as she "reluctantly congratulated" members reaching milestone anniversaries, welcomed our new chapter, and heaped praise on others, all entirely contrary to the grunge persona. It was fun to play the part but it was hard not to smile.?

2022 Harmony Queens Take 4 make convincing flappers.

Harmony Queens Fierce entertain with "enhanced" a cappella.

The choruses performed in the following order:
1920s St Louis Vocal Project

St. Louis Vocal Project opens the show with their take on the flapper era.

1930s Lake Ridge Legacy
1940s Judges – a special shout out to our last-minute additions to the judging panel (filling in for two ill judges) Kevin Keller, David Wright, and Nathan Ogg. David and Nathan even filled in Saturday evening in their performance!

The judging panel gets in the spirit with a 1940s parody.

1950s Bluegrass Harmony
1960s Spirit of Michigan
1970s Village Vocal Chords
1980s Sound Celebration
1990s Associates Fun Chorus
2000s [open]
2010s Harmony Magic
2020s Covered Bridge Harmony

Covered Bridge Harmony ties a bow on it with a side-splitting rendition of a pandemic year Zoom rehearsal.

While we had many entertaining performances, our winner for the Best of Show Award was Covered Bridge Harmony who, for the 2020s, gave a perfect performance of a chorus practice while on Zoom! They included people who couldn’t mute (or couldn’t get off mute), people who changed their video icons to cats and didn’t know how to fix it, trying to sing happy birthday off mute with all the sync issues, etc! Perhaps because Zoom-time is still so fresh in our minds, the skit tripped us into hysteria. It certainly made our night!

And so the time machine brought us back to the present and on Sunday we returned to our everyday lives. But we were all glowing from the camaraderie we shared in all the decades, together.

Click to view all convention scoresheets.

On to the Big Top

International qualifiers and other contest info
By Kathy Greason, ICJC

Another successful AC&C season is in the books. At our Area contests, 30 choruses achieved a score of 816 (average 68 percent) or greater, and 35 quartets achieved a score of 828 (average 69 percent) or greater. They qualified to sing at our International contests in Louisville this November. Congratulations to these qualifiers!

However, not all qualifiers are able to attend.

In fact, seven qualifying choruses have indicated that they will not be attending the convention in Louisville this year, leaving us with 23 chorus contestants. While we will miss the seven qualifying choruses that do not plan to attend, it is good news for some others. Our contest rules permit us to invite alternates if fewer than 27 choruses plan to compete. So we’re sending invitations to eligible choruses, those who scored between 792 and 815, in order of highest overall AC&C score. If your chorus achieved a score in that range at your Area contest, be on the lookout. An invitation may be coming your way! If you scored in that range, you may even want to have a preliminary discussion now about whether the chorus would attend so you can decide quickly whether to accept the invitation. We will make an announcement when all slots are filled or the invitations are closed.

As for quartets, 29 of the qualifying quartets have indicated that they intend to compete in Louisville. That represents a “full” contest (25 quartets), so no invitations are being issued to alternate quartets this year.

MBHA Quartets
For the first time this year, quartets from the Mixed Barbershop Harmony Association that achieved a qualifying score of a 69 percent average at one of our Area contests have qualified to sing at our International quartet contest. Of the six MBHA quartets that sang at our Area contests, five qualified for the International quartet contest, and four intend to join our Harmony quartets on the International stage. The MBHA quartets will be part of the draw for the quartet semifinals. They will not be eligible to sing in our finals, but if the top scoring MBHA quartet achieves a score in the semifinals that would have qualified it to sing in the finals, that quartet will be invited to sing on the Showcase.

Chorus members
There has been a change to the rules for eligibility of chorus members to perform at the International contest. Previously, our rules prohibited members of a non-qualifying chorus from joining a qualifying chorus after AC&C and performing with the qualifying chorus at IC&C. The rules also prevented dual members wishing to sing with two choruses at IC&C from doing so unless they were dual members at the time of annual membership renewal. At the MidYear meeting, the IBOD adopted a recommendation of the ICJ Committee to permit any singer who is a member in good standing of any chorus to perform with that chorus on the International stage. That means that a singer who joins a chorus that is headed to Louisville can sing with that new “second” chorus at IC&C, regardless of whether their primary chorus qualified, and regardless of when they became a dual member. The more the merrier, right?

Evals
Saving the disappointing news for last, we are going to have to revert to the Harmony, Inc. policy that has been in place since 2003, which policy states that evaluations will not be offered on site at IC&C. That policy recognizes that AC&C is our primary educational opportunity, that the full schedule of activities at IC&C makes it extremely difficult to find times to offer evaluation sessions, and that on-site space constraints often mean that even if there were time for evals, there is no space. Last year, we were fortunate to have space at the Grand Rapids facility adequate to allow us to offer evals to all contestants and see whether we should revisit that policy. We received the full gamut of feedback on the effort, from “too rushed to be useful, let’s not” to “any feedback is better than none” to “please always do it.” Definitely no consensus!

But in a way, the question is moot for this year. It is logistically impossible, given the number of rooms available, to schedule in-person sessions with the judges and still go home on Sunday. So we will be asking contestants to come to IC&C knowing that the feedback from their performances be limited to their scores and to the enthusiastic applause and appreciation of our Harmony, Inc. audience. Are you familiar with Pollyanna and her “Glad Game” of finding joy in sorrow? Well, we can be glad that there will be more time for all of the other wonderful opportunities that our Louisville convention will offer.

IBOD Election Results

International Board Election Results
By Melissa Hartman, Elections Committee Chair

It is with great pleasure that we inform you that the following members of Harmony, Inc. have been elected to the International Board as Board Directors:

Donna Clarkson
Jan DelVecchio
Christina Lewellen
Sara Stone

These members will be assuming their positions as International Board of Directors immediately following the International Convention. At that time, they will join the incumbent four Board Directors and the six Area Directors as the governing body of Harmony, Inc. for the coming year.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them and to thank each of them for submitting their name. It is indeed a great honor to serve on the International Board of an organization such as ours and we look forward to their work on our behalf in the coming years.

We would also like to thank those who stepped forward to offer their names in service to our organization but were not elected.

We look forward to another year of leadership by our International Board, with harmony in our hearts.

IC&C Convention News

The curtain is rising on IC&C!
By Shannon Shelton-Muller, IC&C Marketing Assistant

Just a little over four months from now, we will meet in Louisville, Kentucky, for IC&C 2024! Between now and then, your convention team is working hard to bring you the latest and greatest on all things IC&C. Mark your calendars now for July 15. That's when booking for hotel rooms as well as registration for AEPs will open. On this date, members will receive an email with the appropriate links. Until that time, here's information on our venue and on AEPs.

What hotel rooms will be available for booking?
Types of Rooms
East Tower: Executive Suite = $165 + 17.7% tax ($194.20)
East Tower: Two-Bedroom Waterfront Balcony Suite = $290 + 17.7% Tax ($341.33)
The conference rate will be available Oct 31 - Nov 12, based on availability.
All prices are listed in US Dollars. Payment is due in US Dollars or the Canadian Equivalent. To convert to CAD, go to the US to Canadian Dollar Converter.
• Parking is available onsite in an attached covered garage for all registered guests. The special conference rates are $22 per night for self-park and $32 for valet. Large vehicle (6 ft or taller) valet parking is available for $50.
• The hotel has a 48-hour cancellation policy.
• There is complimentary Wi-Fi in all rooms and public spaces.
• Reservations must be accompanied by a valid major credit card.
• The amount of deposit required equals the value of the first night’s accommodation, including tax.
• Either a valid credit or debit card will be used at check-in. Please note that a hold will be placed on the card for the full amount of the stay, plus $50 a day for incidentals for the entire stay.
• Guest check-in is at 3:00 PM; check-out time is 11:00 AM. Depending on availability, early check-in and late check-out may be available upon request for an additional fee.
• The hotel is an accessible facility with ADA-compliant rooms available upon request. Transferable benches, roll-in showers, and TDD kits are also available.
• All of the rooms have refrigerators. There is a microwave available for public use in the shop by the front desk.
• Please be sure to have your credit card number, billing address, and names of your roommates with you when you make your reservation.
• The last date to make your hotel room reservation is October 1, 2024.

What is the fair share assessment fee? To help cover the costs of IC&C expenses and meet our contractual obligations, all members of Harmony, Inc. are required to stay at the convention hotel or pay the Fair Share Assessment Fee of $195 (the equivalent of one night’s stay at the hotel - including taxes).

What is the cost to attend IC&C (AEP or All Events Pass)?
All prices are listed as U.S. Dollars. Payment is due in U.S. Dollars or the Canadian Equivalent. To convert to CAD, go to U.S. to Canadian Dollar Converter.
Prices below are the Early bird pricing. After September 1, all prices will increase by $10:
• Adult Performing Member AEP = $165
• Adult Non-Performing Member AEP = $125
• Adult Non-Member AEP = $135
• Youth Performing Member AEP = $125 (this cost is being covered by the Steve Hagerdon Bright Future Fund.)
• Youth Non-performing Member AEP = $95 (this cost is being covered by the Steve Hagerdon Bright Future Fund.)
• Youth Non-Member AEP = $95
• Single Event Tickets (Adult) = $35
• Single Event Youth Ticket = $20 (13-25 years of age)
• Single Event Child Ticket = $0 (0-12 years of age)

How do I register for IC&C (AEPs)?
You may purchase your Saturday night dinner, printed program (NEW this year for $5), any extra tickets for the contest or Parade of Champions at the same time you purchase your All Events Pass (AEP). Payment can be made by bank transfer using Zelle or E-transfer (preferred method), PayPal, or mailed check/money order. All prices are in U.S. funds but may be paid in Canadian equivalent with exchange calculated on the day of payment.
PLEASE NOTE: We ask that all choruses register their members at the same time vs. having members register individually. This ensures you will be seated together at dinner. While there is no cut-off for purchasing an AEP, we ask that you follow the below guidelines; especially for groups:
• Early bird pricing for AEPs ends at midnight on August 31, 2024.
• The price for All AEPs (including youth) will increase by $10.00 on September 1, 2024.
• The deadline to purchase dinner tickets is September 30. We request that you purchase your dinner ticket at the same time as your AEP but understand that plans may change and so you can add a dinner ticket up until this date.
• Online AEP sales will close at midnight on October 31, 2024. You may still purchase AEPs and tickets on-site after this date.

What is the Saturday Dinner?
Participation in the Saturday dinner helps us to lower the price of our AEPs – and it’s a lot of fun! The cost for this year’s dinner is $55. Vegetarian? Special dietary needs? No worries – we will have a special plated dinner for you – just be sure to indicate your dietary restrictions when you register. Menus will be published when available. Anyone who purchases a dinner ticket will get priority seating at the Showcase.
PLEASE NOTE: there will be no dinner ticket sales on-site. You must pre-purchase your seat. If you purchase a seat, and then determine you can no longer attend the dinner, it is your responsibility to sell your ticket to someone else. You can post the information on Facebook via Harmony Chat or the bulletin board in the Hospitality Suite at ICC. Remember, the person buying your ticket is also buying your seat assignment and dinner, we will not re-assign seats after they have been posted, nor are we able to change the type of dinner ordered (i.e. – vegetarian/special meal).

How are seats assigned for dinner?
After the September 30 deadline, we will randomly draw table assignments for the Saturday dinner. Each chorus will get a select number of seats based on their dinner orders. We will notify choruses of their table and seat numbers – but they can determine who sits where. Individual or small group orders will be placed at extra seats where available. We will post the table assignments in IC&C mobile app and on our IC&C website, but it is up to the individual members to remember what their table/seat assignment is.

Can I bring a guest?
Yes, family and friends are invited and encouraged to attend IC&C. If they are not purchasing an AEP, the cost to attend each session is $35 for adults, $20 for youth. Children 12 and under attend for free. They are also invited to attend dinner for the $55 fee. All guest tickets can be pre-ordered on the AEP form.

SCOOTER BOOKING IS NOW OPEN!
Need mobility assistance during IC&C? Booking is now available for scooters. The cost for Wednesday 11/6 - Saturday 11/9 (scooter due for drop off by 11am on Sunday, 11/10) is $175.
Arriving earlier than Wednesday? No problem. Scooters are available as early as Sunday 11/3. The cost for an earlier rental for the week is $206 (Sunday 11/4 or Monday 11/5).
To book:
• Call 502-799-5419.
• Let them know you are with Harmony, Inc. for their convention at the Galt House.
• Give required time of pick up and drop off.
• Payment due at time of booking.
All scooters will come with baskets. Still have questions? Contact Business Services Assistant Debbie Wilson.

LOOKING FOR OPEN REHEARSAL SPACE AT IC&C?
Attention All Presidents and Directors:

Open rehearsals at IC&C this year will be available to all competing choruses on Thursday, November 7. We have four rooms available to us for both our open and preassigned rehearsal sessions.
Open rehearsals this year will be managed through Sign-Up Genius, the same app that is used for volunteer sign-ups. You will be able to view all rooms available for rehearsals for each time slot and choose which time and room best suits your chorus needs. Open rehearsal room slots will be available this year between 1:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
The link to start booking open rehearsal rooms will be shared in the July 20 Hi-Note issue, so mark your calendars!
Preassigned rehearsal rooms will continue to be scheduled according to the Order of Appearance.
For questions or further information, please contact the Awards and Services Manager.

BE PART OF THE CONVENTION TEAM!
Looking for a rewarding volunteer experience, the convention team has two roles available:

The IC&C Business Services Manager updates and distributes contracts to vendors for IC&C Harmony Mall as well as solicits IC&C big screen ads from those companies with whom Harmony, Inc. does business and the general membership. If space is available, also informs chapters that they may sell merchandise in the IC&C Hospitality Room.
The IC&C Convention Team Assistant works closely with the Convention Manager to project manage all things related to IC&C to ensure we stay on task for everything leading up to the event. This includes being the liaison not only within the IC&C team but with other teams in the organization (Corporate, AHQ, Education, etc.) and third-party vendors. The project manager will also support some of the more admin-specific tasks such as monthly call notes, hotel rooming lists, fair share assessment charges, and other tasks as needed.

Interested in these positions? Contact Allison Thompson for more information.

TUNE IN TIPS
Questions on All Things IC&C?
Many questions about IC&C, including hotel room costs, agenda, forms, etc., can be answered by checking out the FAQ sheet available on our website. Visit the FAQ page for all the details! The FAQ sheet is kept updated throughout the contest season with everything you need to know!

Filing Tax Forms

END OF FISCAL YEAR REPORTING REQUIREMENT
By Jan DelVecchio, VP Finance

Most Harmony, Inc. chapters operate with a fiscal year of April 1 – March 31. This will require:

US Chapters to file an electronic 990-N with the IRS by August 15, 2024.
Canadian Chapters to file a T2 with CRA by September 15, 2024.

Additionally, all Chapters are reminded that they are required to send to the VP Finance a copy of the notice that they receive from their respective tax agency advising that their filing has been received. You will receive this notice by email if you filed electronically or by ground mail if that is how you filed. Please contact me if you have questions.

Donor Spotlight

Anne Bureau
By Kim Meechan, Philanthropy Committee Chair

Anne Bureau gives learning tracks to Harmony as well as time and money because she feels it's important to give back. "All I want is for others to feel the joy that I have experienced through these many years. I want them to meet wonderful people and allow the music to fill their hearts and souls for decades and centuries to come," she says.

Priceless: The Gift of Music
With our Area Convention and Contest season over, I’m guessing many of you spent the summer listening to learning tracks. Have you ever wondered how Harmony, Inc. obtains those learning tracks? Most are purchased but, occasionally, generous individuals give the gift of music to Harmony, Inc. One such individual is Anne Bureau. Anne is currently the Director of Marketing and Communications for the International Board of Directors. She is also the director of The Liberty Belles Chorus in Area 3. Anne has many talents and I wanted to learn more about this talented and long-term Harmony, Inc. member.

How did you discover Harmony, Inc.?
I was approached by a member of the ScotianAires. I was singing some silly song in a public place at the time (that's a shock) and Faye, asked me if I knew about this great organization. She then invited me to a celebration that the ScotianAires were having the following Monday. She offered to pick me up and the rest was history. That was in June 1986 following the chorus' first number one championship victory at Area 1.

What is your fondest memory while being a member Harmony, Inc.?
I have many! Early morning singing on our local breakfast television news hour in Halifax; singing with my quartet mates in Spectrum on 10 chapter shows, the year following our International Championship in 1993; and forming a new chapter in Pennsylvania (The Liberty Belles), a few years after I moved here in 2002.

What has motivated you to stay with Harmony, Inc. and with barbershop?
I just love the music, the people, the interaction, the learning. It's healthy for the mind, the body and the soul. It has made me a better singer and a better person. These are my friends and my family.

You have made monetary donations to Harmony, Inc., but you’ve also given in-kind gifts such as learning tracks. What made you want to donate in this very special and unique way?
There are so many ways to give back and the greatest reason for me to give back is that I have received so much from others over the years. I keep seeing so many people give of their time and money to ensure that this organization has the resources to support our programs and grow in every way. They, as do I, see how valuable it is to give back. All I want is for others to feel the joy that I have experienced through these many years. I want them to meet wonderful people and allow the music to fill their hearts and souls for decades and centuries to come.

If you would like to donate to Harmony, Inc., you can do so by going to the DONATE page on the Harmony, Inc. website. Our Canadian members who wish to receive a tax receipt can donate to Sing Canada Harmony. Sing Canada Harmony has provided support in many ways to our Canadian members.

HIVE Classes

Class is in session!
YOU are invited to check out our new classes and/or dive into the reference library. Don't forget it's searchable!

Find Your Voice

'Keep the old...'
How healthy Chapters retain members
By Taralee Lashway, Director of Membership

Let's take a deeper look into the FIND YOUR VOICE guide to discover ways to maintain the spark and enthusiasm in your Chapter throughout the years. Membership retention is crucial to maintaining the health of your Chapter. It is normal that as we gain new members, we also lose members for various reasons. Being able to identify barriers, challenges, or issues whether personal or systemic can be the best way to retain members and keep your Chapter strong. The FIND YOUR VOICE guide outlines everything you will need to retain interest in and commitment to your Chapter. For other suggestions and resources, you can use the FIND YOUR VOICE guide! IT’S ALL IN THERE!

FIND YOUR VOICE is a fantastic resource that is available to every member from our awesome website! It has recently been revamped and energized so that it is user-friendly, energizing, and helpful. We will continue to spotlight various sections in upcoming HI Notes to help you become more familiar with this resource. FIND YOUR VOICE can help you not only to grow your Chapter but also make your Chapter more robust! To see what all the excitement is about, log on to Members Only and click FIND YOUR VOICE

Volunteer Voices

INTRODUCING
Teri Allred, PR COORDINATOR
By Anne Bureau, Director Marketing & Communications

In our last Hi Note issue, we met with Amanda Cornaglia, our Marketing and Communications Team’s new Video Editor. Today, we are pleased to introduce you to the most recent addition to our team, Teri Allred, our new PR Coordinator who happens to be best friends with Amanda! Teri is a seven-year member, Sings with Bella Nova Chorus, and lives in North Potomac, Maryland.

Anne – Teri, welcome to the team! Please tell us about your work experience.
Teri – A friend I met dancing in a community theatre production in Marin County, California, told me about an opening at the Department of Army Civilian Personnel Office at Presidio of San Francisco. I wanted nights and weekends free to do theatre. A federal job with Monday through Friday workdays and regular working hours seemed a perfect fit. I applied, somehow got selected, et voila, here I am with over 38 years of service as a federal employee. A Civilian Personnel Intern position set me on a career path to become a Personnel Specialist. Unfortunately, I was RIFed when the Presidio closed. That led me to a small bureau with the Department of Treasury and a relocation to the DC Metro area. Over the next 29 years, I stayed with the agency and held a variety of HR positions from Benefits/Retirement, to Staffing and Recruitment, to National Recruitment, then a Program Analyst/HR Liaison. Currently, I’m an Enterprise Risk Management Specialist with a focus on risks in the Human Capital space. I hold the SPHR and SHRM-SCP credentials and am a certified COSO Enterprise Risk Management Specialist.

Anne – What drew you to join Harmony and what do you love the most about the organization?
Teri – What drew me in is part of our Harmony theme song - Friendship. I am a dancer who wants to sing. A theatre friend brought me to a Bella Nova rehearsal. See, finding a job that had nights and weekends free for theatre worked out well for me! Coming from musical theatre to the Barbershop art form challenged me. There is so much to learn. This is where I feel Harmony shines, our education programs! I’m the person who goes to all the education classes at IC&C and collects all the ribbons. Every class is taught by individuals who are experts, sharing their knowledge and their gifts. The HIVE program is amazing. This was especially true during the pandemic when connecting with one another was so important. Another thing I love is the welcoming, encouraging environment where everyone is celebrated. There’s a place for everyone on the risers.

Anne – Please tell us what motivates you to volunteer and serve the organization.
Teri – I feel drawn to give back to the organization that has given me so much. Honestly, when I joined Bella, it was about me improving myself as a singer. But I found more than just singing technique and performance opportunities. Bella Nova and Harmony welcomed me with open arms and heart. I have found friendship, support, and encouragement. I am challenged to learn new techniques, to step out of my comfort zone, to try things I never thought possible. I’ve grown both musically and as a person, all within a safety net of support. I am so lucky to have met Amanda through Bella. She’s my biggest cheerleader and is always willing to duet with me to help me learn my part. I’m excited to be part of the organization that gives so much to its membership.

Anne - Tell me about what you see in the future for Harmony, Inc.
Teri - I hope we continue to grow and expand our organization. Harmony has so much to offer its members, be it education, singing opportunities, or a place to be with friends. There is nothing as wonderful as the moments when I’m surrounded by the beautiful voices of Harmony members. I feel strongest and most confident when I’m surrounded by the voices of others, it’s when I feel I sing my best. I want to share that feeling of belonging with others.
Well, there you have it! Two dedicated volunteers who are not only passionate about giving back, but are passionate about telling the world how great an organization we have in Harmony, Inc.

Volunteer Vacancies

We have a volunteer - and VACANCIES!
By Taralee Lashway – Director of Membership

The Membership Team is excited to announce that Membership Coordinator Liz Meeker has taken on the additional role of New Chapter Development Coordinator. Liz has amazing energy and incredibly fun and ambitious ideas. Currently, she will be holding down the Membership Coordinator position until YOU step in and find your place with us!

Volunteering to serve as an Assistant to the Board is not only a wonderful way to give back to Harmony, Inc., but also a hugely needed key to keeping our organization growing and thriving. The Membership Team is looking for a passionate person to take on the role of Membership Coordinator. If you would like an opportunity to serve on a great team, please contact Taralee Lashway.

HELP WANTED! Quartet Development Coordinator
The Membership Team is also looking for an energetic and passionate individual to take on the role as Co-Quartet Development Coordinator. This Assistant position works as part of a team under the Director of Membership and handles quartet promotion and administrative tasks connected with Harmony, Inc. Quartets. Here's the job description.
If you have any questions about this position, please contact Taralee Lashway, or if you are ready, APPLY HERE!

For Love of Harmony

Your donations to the For Love of Harmony program enable you to identify individuals or groups to receive special recognition, while at the same time providing a monetary gift to Harmony, Inc.

?
Your Name here...you too could become a donor

Condolences From The Membership

to ScotianAires (Area 1), on the passing of charter member Pauline Morehouse. Pauline, who passed away in May of this year, was the creative force behind the chapter's name.

Need to post a condolence notice? Please have the information sent to the Corporate Office Assistant to be recorded. Thank you.

Celebrations

Deadlines Approaching

11 JULY, 7:30 p.m. ET - HIVE class - Rehearsal Techniques for Different Learning Styles, Instructor: Jennifer Cooke

13 JULY - Deadline for next issue of the HI Note. Consider using HAR-132 to engage the Marketing and Communications team with your announcement or story.

15 JULY - Booking for AEPs and hotel rooms for IC&C open.

17 JULY, 7:30 p.m. ET - HIVE Class - Rehearsal Techniques, Instructor: Kim Wonders

24 JULY, 7:30 p.m. ET - HIVE Class - Engaging Youth Part 3, Instructor: Tessa Rae Walker

14 AUGUST, 7:30 p.m. ET - HIVE Class - Hearty, Happy, Healthy, Instructor: Kim Wonders

15 AUGUST - US Chapters are required to file an electronic 990-N with the IRS

28 AUGUST, 7:30 p.m. ET - HIVE Class - Engaging Youth Part 4, Instructor: Tessa Rae Walker

15 SEPTEMBER - Canadian Chapters are required to file a T2 with CRA

25 SEPTEMBER, 7:30 p.m. ET - HIVE Class - Engaging Youth Part 5, Instructor: Tessa Rae Walker

1 OCTOBER - ICC Hotel Room Reservation Deadline

Future International Conventions & Contests

2024 NOVEMBER 6-9, GALT HOUSE, LOUISVILLE, KY
2025 NOVEMBER 5-8, HERSHEY LODGE, HERSHEY, PA
2026 NOVEMBER 11-14, GALT HOUSE, LOUISVILLE, KY
2027 NOVEMBER 10-13, NIAGARA FALLS CONVENTION CENTER, NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO
2028 NOVEMBER 1-4, HERSHEY LODGE, HERSHEY, PA

Next Issue

The next issue of the HI Note comes to your inbox July 20. What would you like to see covered in our pages? Drop a line to editor@harmonyinc.org and we'll tell the world. Next deadline is July 13.

See you again, soon!

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