|
|
|
Thanks to all who made the contest season such a success
By Linda Brehaut, International President
All six Areas have now completed their AC&Cs and the excitement of participating in these events is contagious. It finally feels like we have regrouped and are ready to do what we do best – sing! How is it possible to feel this good!? I am reminded why it is that we call our event a contest and not a competition – the contest allows each of us to cross the stage and receive a score to let us know how we are doing. Each quartet/chorus gets their own score which creates an overall ranking. The competition is with ourselves. AC&C scores help us celebrate the progress we have made (and we are all working towards progress.) These scores help us hit the reset button, so we can return to rehearsals with a plan in place. Either we keep on the journey we’re on because it is working for us, or we take a look at our rehearsal plans and see if there are changes that will help us improve. Learning is addictive and exciting!
Special thanks to our judging community for volunteering their time (yes, that is correct, they are not paid for their time, only for their expenses) to ensure that we have a successful contest.
Area councils, AC&C Teams, and the amazing volunteers are the building blocks to a successful convention. Thank you, everyone!
Congratulations to all who participated. I am truly looking forward to seeing you in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in November. Please submit your contest entry forms on time!
AEPs, room bookings, banquet, and travel arrangements will lead the chatter over the next few months. Please stay current with information by checking the website and reading the updates in the HI Note.
Over the next couple of months, you will be invited to review a number of proposed Bylaw changes. The changes will be sent to you along with explanations/rationale. We will host a town hall if anyone has any questions prior to the deadline for the actual vote. Please be on the watch.
If possible… do what you can to take the month of July off from meetings and administrative duties – you deserve the break!
|
|
| Area Conventions and Contests |
|
|
|
EDITOR'S NOTE: Through this season, we are featuring reports of the Area Conventions and Contests. In this issue of the HI Note, Area 1 gives us a peek at their amazing convention and Area 5 expands the last issue's account with a look at their moonglow. Stay tuned for our next issue as Area 4 wraps up the Area convention cycle with a Celebration of Disney.
Official contest results are posted on the website.
What a dream can do!
Area 1 reunites after 4 years
By Kelly Mullaly, Area 1 Director
In true Area 1 style, it was a 269-member family reunion of the most heartfelt kind when we gathered in Sackville for "Happy Together" from June 1 - 3, our first true Area Convention & Contest since 2019. And what a delight that 56 of those members were first-time attendees! Convocation Hall at Mount Allison University rang with beautiful barbershop chords as seven quartets and nine choruses from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island crossed the contest stage. Congratulations again to our champion quartet, enJOY, and champion chorus, the ScotianAires.
enJOY! is the first-place finisher in the Area 1 quartet contest this year. They are the most improved quartet, and achieved their highest scores to date.
Congratulations to the ScotianAires for capturing first place in the Area 1 chorus contest as they also celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Our talented contestants also won the following awards
- Mona Wright Trophy: Awarded to the first place quartet - enJOY
- Kathryn Ryan Memorial Award - Awarded to the most improved quartet, based on the score from the previous year - enJOY
- Karen Gordon Award - Awarded to the quartet scoring the highest performance score for a two-song package - enJOY
- Area 1 Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the first place chorus - ScotianAires
- Sea Belles Trophy - Awarded to the second place chorus - Seaside A Cappella
- Don Regan Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the director of the chorus with the most improvement in score from the previous year - Adele Merritt (Valley Voices)
A blast of winter-like weather and a couple of delayed flights couldn't stop the fun from flowing, including education/information classes, Moonglow, a banquet luncheon, and our famous Fun Night. It was especially meaningful for us that Music Judge Tom Gentry chose Area 1 as his final judging panel. You will always have a seat at the Area 1 table, Tom!
 
Music Judge Tom Gentry chose Area 1 as the final panel on which he would participate before retiring his judging shingle, following 40+ years of generously volunteering his time and talents in that role.
Tears flowed as long-time and well-loved Area 1 member Ann Connolly was remembered with the inaugural presentation of the Ann Connolly Leadership Award, presented to member Mary (Mek) King. And we were very proud to celebrate milestone years of membership, including two area members (Eileen Braidwood and Sally Reinsborough) who both celebrated a remarkable 50 years of membership!
An AC&C like no other, this event truly helped us recharge our barbershop batteries and remind us of the power of "what a dream can do."♪
Area 5 convention a star-studded success
By Susanne Hasulo, ACC Registration Coordinator
Area 5 certainly rolled out the red carpet for a fantastic convention weekend filled with great music, a chance to meet up with old friends and make new ones, and plenty of glitz and glamour!
Friday’s quartet contest featured plenty of “star power” as 14 quartets took to the stage and wowed us with great performances. We were very pleased to welcome 3 MBHA quartets as part of our contest this year.
Congratulations to our quartet contest winners:
- The Mixed Barbershop Harmony Association champion trophy was awarded to Canadian Club
- The recipient of the Kathleen Racicot Award of Encouragement, given to the highest scoring non-qualifying quartet, was Crosswinds
- Sparkle! was the winner of the Novice Quartet Award
- The Louise Malison Memorial Award for the most improved quartet was awarded to Continental Crush
- Third place medals were awarded to Somesing
- Second place medals were awarded to Onyx
- Our 2023 Area 5 quartet champions, and winners of the Val Mullin Memorial Award are Continental Crush
- Congratulations to all quartets who qualified to compete at IC&C this November in Grand Rapids, Michigan: Moving Parts, RoadTrip, Life is Good!, Somesing, Onyx, and Continental Crush
MIXED HARMONY CHAMPS - Angie Morton-Locke and Dan Locke representing Baldwin Blend Chorus, sponsors of the MBHA Quartet award, present the trophy to the winning mixed quartet, Canadian Club.
Saturday’s chorus contest saw 246 performers from nine choruses cross the stage. It was wonderful to see the return of Sing Niagara to this year’s chorus contest. We also had the opportunity to congratulate and celebrate some very special chorus milestones: the Capital Chordettes, who are celebrating 60 years together, Toronto Accolades, who are celebrating 55 years, Thousand Islanders, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary and Sing Niagara who are celebrating 30 years.
Congratulations to our chorus contest winners:
- The Baytones were double winners, first garnering the Miriam Pearcy Membership Award for the highest percentage of growth as well as the Small Chorus Award
- The Audrey Borsos Award, for the highest scoring non-qualifying chorus, was given to Scarborough Harmony Chorus
- Congratulations to all IC&C-qualifying choruses: Thousand Islanders, Sing Niagara, Capital Chordettes, Nickel City Sound, and A Cappella Showcase
- Third place ribbons were awarded to Capital Chordettes
- Second place ribbons were awarded to the Nickel City Sound
- Our First place 2023 chorus champions, and winners of the Joyce Bradley Memorial Champion trophy, are A Cappella Showcase. ACS was also awarded the Louise Malison Award for highest presentation score, the Bonnie Barber Memorial Award for highest singing score, and the Most Improved Chorus Award
 |
|
 |
| Harmony Youth Member of the Year Sarah Patterson directs the Area 5 Family Chorus. |
|
Jan-Ake Westin directs the Sing 5 Chorus.
|
After enjoying great performances during both contests, it was time for all the “Barbershop VIPs” to dress to the nines and strut their stuff at A Night on the Red Carpet, which was this year’s Moonglow theme. The star-studded event even featured Area 5’s own paparazzi and security guards, and everyone enjoyed the performances by our winning choruses and quartets.
Music Judge Jay Dougherty had high praise for his first-ever Harmony Inc., AC&C experience: “The Moonglow. WOW. Just that one word. I've never seen anything like it. The energy was high. The excitement was real. The vibe was contagious. To see everyone dressed up and having the time of their life was eye-opening to what a convention really should look like.”
Thousand Islanders get into the spirit of the evening.
The celebrations continued with the “after party” later on, as many of our VIPs continued to sing long into the night and just enjoy being together once again.
 |
|
 |
| "Security Guard Angel" takes her job to avoid the paparazzi very seriously. |
|
Where in the Harmony World in Jordan Travis? Why, in a headlock in Area 5! |
The weekend finished on a high note with eight outstanding education sessions with instructors from our stellar judging panel, as well as a singers’ yoga class by Angie Morton-Locke, ADM Judge Candidate, and a quartetting clinic presented by Continental Crush.
Renewed by such a harmony-filled weekend, the spirit is definitely alive in Area 5! We look forward to seeing all of you in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this November.
|
|
|
|
|
And that's a wrap!
By Shannon Shelton-Muller, IC&C Marketing Manager
AC&Cs for 2023 are in the history books and IC&C 2023 is ramping up! There's a lot going on as we move forward to an exciting event in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As such, your IC&C Convention Team is working on a Harmony first to help answer the burning questions you may have.
Know Before You Go Call
Mark August 27, 2023, on your calendars for our Know Before You Go Call! We will be hosting a Zoom call at 4 p.m. ET on that date to help you get all the information you need before you go to IC&C. So we can make sure we know what kind of information you need, please submit any questions to Convention Manager Allison Thompson by August 20.
Online AEP Sales Are Open For Business
Here are the details on all things AEP:
How do I register for IC&C?
Registration will be done online again this year, and you will register for the Saturday night dinner at the same time you purchase your All Events Pass (AEP). Payment can be mailed, or made through PayPal, or for payment in Canada, by E-Transfer through your bank. All prices are in U.S. funds but may be paid in Canadian equivalent with exchange calculated on the day of payment.
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 AEP’s ends September 1. The price for ALL AEPs (including youth) will increase by $10.00 after this date.
- 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 to this date.
- Online AEP sales will close on November 3. You may still purchase AEPs and event tickets on-site after this date.
What is the cost to attend IC&C?
All prices are listed in 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 = $95 (this cost is being covered by Harmony, Inc)
- Youth Non-performing Member AEP = $95 (this cost is being covered by Harmony, Inc)
- Youth Non-Member AEP = $95
- Single Event Tickets = $35
- Single Event Youth/Child Ticket = $20 (25 and under)
AEP REGISTRATION
What is the COVID Policy for IC&C?
As of January 8, 2023, Harmony, Inc. has removed the 2022 COVID restrictions for all Harmony, Inc. events. Harmony, Inc. reserves the right to reinstate on an event-by-event basis if the federal and/or state/province government guidelines change for that location.
What is the Saturday Dinner?
Participation in the Saturday evening dinner helps us keep AEP costs as low as possible – and dinner is a lot of fun! The cost for this year’s dinner buffet is $57.00. 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.
Everyone who purchases a dinner ticket will get priority seating at the Showcase this year.
Menu
- Crisp baby iceberg wedge lettuce with carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, bacon crumbles, white cheddar and ranch dressing (gf)
- Rosemary roasted French cut chicken breast herb-roasted fingerling potatoes/green beans/red peppers/herb jus (gf)
- Black forest stout cake with malted cream and cherry compote
- Freshly baked rolls and butter, coffees, a selection of hot teas and unsweetened iced tea
- Cash bar
Please note: There will be no dinner ticket sales on-site. You must pre-purchase your seat. If you purchase a seat, 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 IC&C event page, or you can post it on the bulletin board in the Hospitality Suite at IC&C. Remember, the person buying your ticket is also buying your seat assignment, we will not re-assign seats after they have been posted.
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 the 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. The cost to attend contest is $35 for adults, $20 for youth (per contest). They are also invited to attend dinner for the $60 fee. All guest tickets can be pre-ordered on the AEP form.
Think About Volunteering at IC&C
By Anne Leinen, IC&C Volunteer Manager
With Area Contests behind us, it is time to start thinking about IC&C. Whether you will be going as a competitor, spectator, or a combination of the two, here is something to consider as you make your plans for November. If you haven’t already done so, try volunteering at IC&C. You’ll find it’s a great way to meet people and make new friends, as well as seeing the convention from a slightly different point of view.
Here is how a first-time volunteer described her experience:
“Well, did I ever learn a lot! I spent two days volunteering backstage and had SO much fun. Helping ensure participants went on and off the stage in the right direction allowed me to feel the excitement from a different perspective. I worked with amazing people and got to watch the performances from a very close-up position...I encourage anyone attending IC&C in the future to consider volunteering...Not only will you be giving back to Harmony, Inc. but you will have fun and make new friends.”
Look for more information about volunteering at IC&C in upcoming HI Notes.
TUNE UP TIPS:
Did you know that many questions about IC&C, including hotel room costs, agenda, forms, etc., can be answered by checking out the FAQ sheet on our website? Simply visit the International Contest & Convention Section for all the details!
REMEMBER! Acaville has extended their partnership with Harmony, Inc. You can get the ENTIRE 2023 CONTEST SEASON! There are 4 different plans available. Check out the link below to choose your own adventure.
Membership Levels – Harmony, Inc on Acaville
|
|
|
|
|
By Kathy Greason, ICJC
My question: What do we say to someone who has decided to retire after 37 years as a Harmony, Inc. judge?
My answer: Thank you for all you’ve done, and darn it.
Yes, Jacquie Jensen has decided to retire from the Harmony, Inc. judging program. In her typically responsible way, Jacquie did not announce her decision until after she had completed her duties as ADM for her two judging assignments this year. That means that this article can be the start of what I am sure will be many thank-yous to Jacquie from members of Harmony, Inc.
For those of our members who have not been part of this wonderful organization since the 1980s, here’s some important information. Jacquie was our International President from 1984-86, and in 1986, she jumped right into a new role as a certified Chairman of Judges. As a 37-year judge, Jacquie is one of the longest serving members of the judging community. She has been a leader in that community, first as Category Director, and then as International Contest and Judging Chairman for 20 years.
Under her leadership as ICJC, our C&J training processes continued to improve, and the number of HI judges grew. In addition, the Harmony, Inc. judging program maintained a strong relationship with the BHS judging program, with our members receiving invitations to participate in BHS Category Schools, and with BHS judges continuing to answer the call to round out our judging panels. As ICJC, Jacquie put her belief in planning for the future into place, and worked hard to ensure that Category Directors, ACJCs, and all members of the ICJ Committee received appropriate mentorship. As a result, our judge candidates, our certified judges, and, equally important, our contestants, benefited from the education and inspiration that a healthy judging program offers.
I should also note, that, even after stepping down from the ICJ Committee leadership role, Jacquie kept right on chairing panels at HI contests, in recent years having served as COJ/ADM in every Area but the one in which she competes.
While I have said “darn it” about this retirement, I think that going forward, I’ll choose instead to be grateful for all that Jacquie has done during her years in the C&J program. After all, her energy in service to Harmony, Inc. has helped keep us Harmony Strong! and Harmony Stronger!
So with that, here’s the final reassurance portion of this article. We will certainly miss seeing Jacquie as ADM on contest panels, but she’s not disappearing. She tells us (and we believe her!) that we will continue to see her on the contest stage and at HI events for many years to come. So thank you, Jacquie, for your years of service and inspiration. May the music never stop!
|
|
| Great Canadian Giving Challenge |
|
|
|
ATTENTION CANADIAN MEMBERS!
By Kim Meechan, Director of Philanthropy
June is the month that CanadaHelps is running THE GREAT CANADIAN GIVING CHALLENGE.
For every dollar you donate to a Canadian Charity listed on CanadaHelps.org, that organization has a chance of winning $20,000!
Do you know which charity you could donate to that would result in support for Harmony, Inc. AND result in a tax receipt for our Canadian members? The answer is SING CANADA!
You will have the option of selecting HI Growing Harmony or HI Directors First from a dropdown menu. Donate a lump sum, set up monthly giving or donate securities. You can also give in honor of someone or a chorus and request an e-card be sent on your behalf.
Sing Canada has supported our members for many years. It would be wonderful to support Sing Canada towards being the lucky winner of a $20,000 donation from CanadaHelps and at the same time support Harmony, Inc. To participate in the challenge please visit THE GREAT CANADIAN GIVING CHALLENGE! Donations must be made between June 1 and June 30, 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
We have two HIVE classes scheduled for June and July. Melody Hine will be doing a coaching session with ONYX quartet and Paul Ellinger will do a follow-up to his Now Perspective on Growth class.
Coaching Under Glass
Melody Hine and Onyx quartet
Tuesday, June 27 @ 7:00 PM ET
Class Description:
Join Melody Hine, Hot Pursuit Harmony Queen and Onyx quartet as she shares her expertise in this coaching session. Whether you sing in a chorus or a quartet you will be sure to come away with new skills.
A Now Perspective on Growth - Creating Your Action Plan
Paul Ellinger
Saturday, July 15 @ 2:00 PM ET
Class Description:
It's great to have knowledge and concepts on how to grow, but you know what's even better? An individualized action plan to put in place for YOUR chorus. In this session, you will have the opportunity to design your growth plan while being gently guided by Paul Ellinger. Although you can attend as a solo person, there will be greater benefits if as many people as possible from a chapter attend together! It is highly recommended that you/your chapter watch the two prior sessions of "A Now Perspective on Growth." Now, let's get GROWING!
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
| Condolences From The Membership |
|
|
|
|
Those we cherish will always live on in memory.
- to Barbara Hamilton (Nickel City Sound, Area 5) on the passing of her mother-in-law, Theresa Gauthier.
- to Martha Walli (Director, Nickel City Sound, Area 5) on the passing of her mother, Lois Walli.
- to the family and friends of Claudia Prokupek (Village Vocal Chords, Area 4), who died suddenly at the end of May. Claudia was a member of the 1990 Harmony Queens, First Class, and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Need to post a condolence notice? Please have the information sent to the Corporate Office to be recorded. Thank you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intent to Compete/IC&C Contest Entry Forms
Area 4 - June 26
Deadlines for all other Areas have passed
1 JULY - Deadline for Associates to apply to sing in International Chorus at IC&C. Contact Music Coordinator Sandra Dunlop.
15 JULY - IC&C hotel room block opens
15 AUGUST - U.S. Chapters file 990-N with IRS,
16 AUGUST - IBOD Q3 meeting, 6-10 pm ET, via Zoom.
1 SEPTEMBER - End of late entries for IC&C. End of early bird AEP pricing for IC&C.
SEPTEMBER 30 - Canadian Chapters file T2 with Revenue Canada.
1 OCTOBER - Big Screen Ads cutoff
3 NOVEMBER - End of Online IC&C registration. Tickets may still be purchased at the door.
5-8 NOVEMBER - IBOD Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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
The next issue of the HI Note comes to your inbox July 5. What would YOU like to read about in that issue? Share your thoughts with editor@harmonyinc.org by June 28.
See you in a couple weeks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2023 Harmony, Inc., All rights reserved.
|
|
|
