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Thank you for the music
By Gaye LaCasce, International President
Years ago, I decided that my New Year’s resolutions weren’t having the desired effects (how many times have I gained and lost that same 10 pounds?!) So now my annual resolution is NOT to make a resolution!
That said, I do firmly believe that the new year provides us with a clean slate and 365 days to make a difference. (And this year, leap year, we actually have 366 days.) That fresh start may engender some self-reflection, rather than resolutions. Gratitude is at the top of my list this year. Here’s my gratitude list for Harmony:
- I’m grateful for Harmony’s volunteers, who provide so much talent and time to our organization.
- I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who love to sing and perform, who learn their music, value their audiences, and strive to improve their skills.
- I’m grateful for the incredible generosity of our donors, who provide the means for Harmony to do more.
- I’m grateful for Harmony’s staff – they are a small but mighty group, dedicated and talented.
- I’m grateful for those who have helped make Harmony what it is today – and to those who will help us continue to grow and flourish.
- I’m also grateful for my family and friends, those wonderful people who challenge me to be a better person and who support me in passionately pursuing this “hobby”.
So back to the reality that is 2024 – I hope that you, too, will find a moment every day for gratitude. No resolution is needed, just an open heart and mind!
Happy New Year, Harmony friends.
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Director of Marketing and Communications - Anne Bureau
By Anne Bureau, Director Marketing & Communications
The new International Board of Directors was installed November 8, and I am honored to be among these wonderful people, here to serve you, our members.
In my new role as Director of Marketing and Communications, I have discovered that we are blessed with so many remarkable people who are dedicated to serving you, our membership. I am also discovering that it takes a city of passionate volunteers to make things happen and grow our wonderful organization.
Many of you know that I as well, am passionate about “Who We Are and What We Do”. I've been an active member of Harmony, Inc. since 1986 (life member since 2004), and have sung in several quartets including 1993 Harmony Queens Spectrum. I am the founder, and Musical Director of The Liberty Belles Chorus (2023 Area 3 Champs) and have been a certified Music Judge since 2006. In my professional life, I was in corporate sales and account management. I have a degree in marketing and know from experience how to get folks excited about a product.
While I've spent most of my barbershop life in musical leadership roles, I have discovered that I also enjoy working to enhance large organizations. Most recently I have served as board member at large for the Mid-Atlantic District of BHS. This organization is similar in size to Harmony, Inc. and I learned a lot about working in a non-profit corporation and about governance in such an organization.
My eyes and ears are wide open. I see a great, bright and strong future for Harmony, Inc. Stay tuned for lots of good things to come!
ENVISION IT, EMBRACE IT, and “THINK BIG”!
Questions? Please reach out. I’m looking forward to seeing you on the circuit!
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Director retires to focus on arranging
By Judy Breckles, Staff Writer
For the past 40 years, Jan-Åke Westin has been involved in directing in 10 different choruses including, most recently, the Sugartones. Harmony, Inc., the Barbershop Harmony Society, and Sweet Adelines International have all benefitted from his many talents and vast musical knowledge. Now, Jan-Åke has decided to retire from choral directing to concentrate on arranging.
Jan-Åke discovered his love for music at an early age in his native Sweden. He began his study of music theory, trumpet, and french horn in high school while playing in the marching band and orchestra. He was involved in choral singing in jazz and dance bands as well as entertaining with his guitar and pop vocals (particularly Beatles music). Music became a passion.
After moving to Ontario, Canada, to work in the pharmaceutical industry, he began his long barbershop affiliation by leading vocal warm-ups with Oakville's The Entertainers in 1983. Learning on-the-job, he eventually became their Assistant Director. He has been Musical Director (or Associate/Assistant Director) in five BHS choruses: The Entertainers, Mississauga Express, Rahway Valley Jerseyaires (New Jersey), Harbourtown Sound (Hamilton) and Barrie County Chordsmen; three Sweet Adelines choruses: Burlington Skyway Chorus, Ontario Heartland Chorus (Mississauga) and Barrie Soundwaves Chorus; and two Harmony choruses: The Over Tones, Inc. (Guelph) and Sugartones (Alliston). We Sugartones feel so blessed that we enjoyed almost 11 years under the direction of this caring, talented musician who is also our beloved founder.
Throughout his career, Jan-Åke has extensively studied all aspects of music. He is a certified Chorus Director both in BHS and Sweet Adelines and became a certified BHS Music Judge in 2013. He retired from judging in 2020. In recent years, his sharing of his vast knowledge by coaching, teaching, and arranging music has enriched the barbershop world.
Jan-Åke and Barbro live in Alliston, Ontario, where they enjoy spending as much time as possible with their son, daughter, and four grandchildren. The Westins love to spend time at their summer home at Harmony Ranch singing with their barbershop family there. His love of all types of music is evident in everything he does, creating beautiful music that leaves a lasting barbershop legacy for all he has touched and will continue to touch, with his beautiful arrangements.
We will miss our Directeur Extraordinaire!
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| Associates/Delegates Meeting Minutes |
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New! Video Editor Assistant
We are seeking a talented, eager volunteer to fill the new position of Video Editor. This new assistant position will become part of our marketing & communications team and will report to the Director of Marketing & Communications.
What is a Video Editor?
A Video Editor is a professional who is responsible for taking the raw footage shot by a film crew and director, then turning it into one cohesive video or film. The Video Editor must follow an outline and script and any special instructions given about what should happen in each scene. We are looking for a talented Video Editor to assemble recorded footage into a finished project that matches sequesters' vision, bringing sight and sound together in order to tell a cohesive story.
Since this position is brand new, you won’t find the job description in the corporate manual just yet. If you’d like more information, please contact Anne Bureau, Director of Marketing & Communications. Ready to apply? Complete this application.
Also seeking Associate Member Coordinator
Tessa Walker will soon be retiring as our Associate Member Coordinator. She has thoroughly enjoyed kicking off this new position and is now ready to pass the torch to someone passionate about Associate member involvement in our organization. Tessa will be available to train and support our new Associate Member Coordinator. Thank you, Tessa, for developing this new volunteer position!
The Associate Member Coordinator works closely with our Area Associate Representatives and also serves as a liaison for Associate members in the expansion area. The Associate Member Coordinator reports to the Director of Membership as the voice of our Associate members.
There is plenty of room for more growth and ideas to provide support to Associates and to ensure your voices are reaching our leaders. All members are invited to apply, although an Associate member is preferred. A detailed job description can be found in the Corporate Manual, page 147.
Please contact Taralee Lashway, Director of Membership if you are interested in finding out more about this position and/or applying. Tessa is also happy to answer any questions. Ready to volunteer? Use this form.
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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.
?
The Estate of Dennis Sorge in memory of Dennis Sorge
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| Condolences From The Membership |
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- to the family and friends of Nan Muddle, bass of 1979 Harmony Queens The Spirit of Harmony.
- to Jane Trites (Sea Belles, Area 1) on the sudden passing of her sister, Karen Brown
- to Sea Belles (Area 1) on the death of 30-year member, Theresa Giddings
Need to post a condolence notice? Please have the information sent to the Corporate Office to be recorded. Thank you.
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In the December #2 issue of the HI Note, we celebrated the Capital Chordettes' 60th anniversary. While Capital Chordettes, Inc. is, indeed, the oldest chapter in Area 5, Montreal City Voices is the longest-standing Canadian chapter in Harmony, Inc., with an original charter date of June 4, 1960, 63 years of singing, friendship, and education. The chapter began as The Happy Tones, were later renamed Montreal Chapter, and finally became Montreal City Voices.
The HI Note regrets the oversight.
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| International Conventions & Contests |
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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
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The next issue of the HI Note comes to your inbox January 20. With the holiday season in the rearview mirror, why not let your siblings in song know what your chorus or quartet did/is doing to help your community by sending a short story -- and pictures! -- for the HI Note to editor@harmonyinc.org . Next deadline is January 13.
See you again, soon!
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