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Harmony is rockin'!
Volunteers drive activities in all areas
By Gaye LaCasce, International President
Harmony, Inc. is blessed with talented and generous members and friends – I’ve written about that in previous letters. But, having recently celebrated Harmony’s birthday and Harmony Awareness Week, it bears repeating. The series of social media posts from our incredible Marketing and Communications team have been nothing short of perfection - educational, inspirational, and completely pride-worthy.
We’re also in the midst of a flurry of other important activities, including the orientation for our new Executive Director, Kelly Peterson, who assumed her post on March 1.
Other initiatives that are in high gear (and this demonstrates how much our volunteers are doing from one HI Note publication to the next!) include plans inspired by the Quartet Development Focus Groups; an initial meeting to discuss membership retention and membership growth (thanks to responses from the membership survey …you!); a meeting of our Harmony “think tank”, the President’s Advisory Council; meetings of the Strategic Planning and Philanthropy Committees and Survey Resource Team; the EDC’s thought-provoking monthly roundtable and committee meeting; a Town Hall; and undoubtedly more that isn’t visible on the IBOD calendar.
Then there are the renewals, contest entries, Areas focusing on AC&C prep… and the singing! Choruses and quartets alike are polishing their songs (often with coaches) in preparation for their stage time this spring. Good grief - there is so much happening at Harmony, Inc., and how great is that?
Thanks to all of you who make our organization a wonderful place to belong (revisit paragraph 1 for a great example.) If you haven't yet dabbled in volunteering, please consider it - for your chapter, your Area, or as an assistant or committee member for Harmony. And to all of us who bring our best to rehearsals and gigs – enjoy every minute and every chord!
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Plenty to celebrate!
Harmony Awareness Week showcases many successes
By Anne Bureau, Director Marketing and Communications
Last week we highlighted our 65th anniversary by celebrating together the many facets of our organization's growth. We used these seven days to boast of:
- the strength of our roots
- the quality of our singing
- the success of our Contest & Judging independence
- the geographical expansion
- the unlimited educational opportunities
- our bonds with the a cappella universe
- the vibrant youth who grew up with us.
We highlighted who we are, what we do, and where we came from!
Here is what our members had to say:
"Can’t imagine life without HI and my singing family!" - Katie Taylor
"Go, Harmony, Inc! Here’s to the first 65 and to so many more years ahead of spreading harmony, belonging, and love throughout the world! So proud to be an HI member!" - Kathy Pomer
"I’m proud to be in my 42nd year in Harmony, Incorporated. Growing up in this organization was the best gift my mother gave me. Harmony, Inc. is my family!" - Renee Tramack
"Coming up on 61 years! Won my first of four crowns at age 18. Harmony and VVC are my family." - Betty Gunterman
Here's to the next 65 years!
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A (not-Performance) Judge’s take on inclusion and songs in good taste
By Kathy Greason, ICJC
Our Harmony.Stronger.2023 Strategic Plan outlines Harmony, Inc.’s five core values, among which is “Inclusion: Creating a safe space where everyone is welcome and respected.” Song selection can be a key part of inclusion. In the judging program, we have sometimes received comments or questions about the appropriateness of lyrics we have heard on the contest stage. I have personally received questions about Love Me, Every Breath You Take, and He Touched Me.
The questions have come from a place of caring:
- Is this what we are really about?
- Isn’t this hurtful to members who have suffered trauma?
- Shouldn’t the judges be addressing this in their scores?
At Category School this year, Performance Category Specialist Theresa Weatherbee and Mentor Joe Hunter led discussions on this topic in each classroom. This is what I learned (okay, I knew some of it already…).
The Performance category is charged with adjudicating whether a performance is in bad taste. The category’s position paper on that subject elaborates:
The test of whether a performance is distasteful or offensive is whether, in whole or in part, it would be offensive to today’s audiences or society in general. The Performance judge will assess whether the performance’s impact offends contemporary society’s standards of cultural currency and sensitivity. These rare performances may range from inadvertent offense to a complete disregard for the potential impact on the audience. Judicial discretion in analyzing these situations is paramount, and judges draw on their own life experience as well as their judicial education and training. In cases where there is not clear intent to be distasteful, the judge may afford the benefit of the doubt to the performer.
So Performance judges are assessing the effect of the performance on a substantial portion of the audience in the context of a belief in our performers’ positive intent. And, of course, the song “as performed” is a key element.
What is the performer's intent?
Putting those principles to practice, a Performance judge might consider a performance of Love Me and ask whether it is literally seeking “mean and cruel” treatment or is perhaps a bit tongue in cheek, and, based on the totality of the performance, would score accordingly. A Performance judge might consider a performance of Every Breath You Take and ask whether “watching every step and move” has a stalking intent or is an expression of emotional support, and judge it accordingly. A Performance judge might consider a performance of He Touched Me and ask whether the lyric is about inappropriate touching or about a meaningful connection expressed by a simple touch of hands. Any of these songs, as performed, could support either interpretation, and it is up to the Performance judge to find the performer’s intent, and reward or penalize as required.
Individual triggers
But even a performance that is not objectively offensive can trigger a visceral reaction in some audience members. Performance judges recognize that there is a difference between offensive content, as measured by contemporary standards, and triggers, which are often based on trauma. The judges understand that triggers by their nature are specific and individual, and offensive content has a much wider sweep. While Performance judges can use their life experience to adjudicate what our audiences and society will largely find offensive, they cannot adjudicate specific effects that a performance may have on individuals.
Sadly, any song – even the most upbeat one – can have a triggering effect, based on a listener’s experience with the song or a lyric in the song. The Performance category assessment of offensiveness does not deny the legitimate feelings of those who may be triggered, but given the vast potential for almost anything to trigger almost anybody, this is not something the category can adjudicate.
Consider core values when choosing a song
So in the end, we must rely on our performers to consider our core values carefully in choosing any song – not just contest songs. While our Performance category discourages songs in poor taste on the contest stage, each group is responsible for developing a repertoire that is part of the “welcome and respect” articulated in our core values. This is about knowing yourself and your audience. Does a song you are considering make someone in your group think twice? What a great opportunity for discussion! Is learning and performing the song going to make that member feel unwelcome or disrespected, no matter the reason? Maybe find another song. Is the person uncomfortable because the lyrics seem open to multiple interpretations? If so, is the group confident in its skills as storyteller and sure of the buy-in of its members, such that the audience will hear the intended story rather than one that a different treatment might tell? Proceed on that basis.
The place where inclusion, good taste, and song choice intersect is a challenging one, for sure. There are no absolutes. Instead, it is something that needs discussion. Our core values encourage that discussion, whether within our ensembles or as part of larger leadership or roundtable conversations. I find it rewarding to be part of an organization whose members care enough about each other to be willing to ask and tackle tough questions – and isn’t that part of what empowering all women through singing, education, and friendship is all about?
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| Directors First Scholarships Available |
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DIRECTORS FIRST 2024
It's that time of year, again!
By Jen Bratis, Directors First Coordinator
At Harmony, Inc., we know that stronger Directors equal stronger Chapters, and stronger Chapters equal stronger Areas, and stronger Areas equal a stronger international organization! With this thought in mind, the Directors First program was initiated some years ago with the goal of offering advanced education to Directors and/or musical leaders from every chapter of Harmony, Inc. To date, we have supported over 50 Directors with scholarships to attend Barbershop Harmony University.
And this year we are doing it once again! Harmony, Inc. is now accepting applications for Directors First scholarships to Harmony University which is being held this year at the University of Denver from July 28 to August 4, 2024. Who’s thinking of attending HU this year? Apply now for a tuition scholarship!
The application deadline to be considered for a Directors First scholarship is April 30, 2024. Information can be found on our website. This year we are asking all interested applicants, both from the USA and Canada to complete form HAR-133 so that we can maintain a list of all applicants. Successful candidates from Canada will be asked to continue the process by applying to Sing Canada Harmony. The deadlines for Sing Canada Harmony requests are March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Directors First Coordinator Jen Bratis.
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Convention team needs you!
By Allison Thompson, Convention Manager
We have two positions that will be opening on the Convention Team next year – but we’d love to fill them now so that you can shadow our current team. If you have any interest in either of these positions, please reach out to Allison at iccmanager@harmonyinc.org.
Volunteer Manager
The Convention Volunteer Manager is responsible for putting together a volunteer team that will work with the rest of the Convention Team at ICC each year. In this position, you would be responsible for collecting all volunteer positions and descriptions needed from the Convention Team, creating the volunteer SignUp Genius website, promoting the positions available, and tracking what positions have been filled. You would be required to be at ICC to manage the volunteers onsite. Participation in contests takes precedence over convention duties; arrangements will be made in advance to cover duties during contest participation.
If you are good with people, scheduling, multi-tasking, and problem-solving, this may be the position for you!
Convention Team Assistant
The Convention Team Assistant was a new position created last year. In this position, you would work 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. You would 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. This position does not have any direct responsibilities onsite at ICC; but if you are attending, you may be requested to assist as needed.
If you are detail-oriented and love working with spreadsheets and documents, this is the position for you!
Thank you for your service
I’d like to take this time to thank Anne Leinen for her years of service, not only to the convention team but to Harmony, Inc. She excels in this position and the volunteers love working with her. We will miss her positive attitude and calm demeanor.
I also want to thank Rita Sherman for stepping up to tackle a new position on the team. I am amazed by her organizational skills. She has done so much in a short time to get us organized Thank you for volunteering, Rita. We wish you the best of luck in your Harmony pursuits!
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Disbanding SAI chapter gives HI chorus a BIG boost
By Sandi Wright, Musical Director
When City Voices, a local St. Louis chapter affiliated with Sweet Adelines International, decided to disband, its members scattered to other barbershop choruses in the area. St. Louis Vocal Project was fortunate enough to attract six experienced singers from this accomplished group. Then, as City Voices’ dispersed their assets, they gave St. Louis Vocal Project all eight sections of their risers. For a chorus without risers, this was beyond wonderful!
If that wasn’t enough, last month at the end of rehearsal, the former City Voices members (who are now OUR members), presented St. Louis Vocal Project with a surprise check for $5,250. St. Louis is certainly known for its cooperative barbershop community with all three North American barbershop organizations represented and many members who belong to more than one chorus. We could not be prouder to keep the chords ringing with our new members and their unexpected generous contributions!
St. Louis Vocal Project welcomes gift of risers and check for $5,250 from a disbanding Sweet Adelines chapter.
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The Gift of a Summer Song
By Laura Oakes, Director of Programs
It’s humbling how Harmony inspires the generosity of respected musicians in the barbershop community. Harmony, Inc. is proud to receive a second piece of gifted music from the very generous Jan-Ake Weston and Kathy Hanneson.
Just in time for those yearning for warmer weather, the arrangement by Jan-Ake and the tracks created by Kathy are for the classic In the Good Old Summertime. This song is perfect for those chapters or quartets striving to find suitable music to build their skills, and it's contestable. It’s also great for that classic barbershop performance at a picnic or other summer event.
This gift is available for both chapters and quartets for free.
Many thanks to Jan-Ake and Kathy for giving us this arrangement and the professional learning tracks.
If any other arrangers are interested in making a similar donation, please contact me.
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| Equity, Diversity, and Me! |
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Intellectual Humility
By Bonita Hester, Equity & Diversity Committee Chair
All of us who have reached a certain age have seen significant changes in so many areas of society: women’s rights, civil rights, cultural and artistic revolutions, healthcare innovations, LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance, changes to social media, etc. How can we work with each other to adapt to this modern world?
Here is a summary of an article by Daryl Van Tongeren, Associate Professor of Psychology at Hope College which might help. The curious joy of being wrong – intellectual humility means being open to new information and willing to change your mind (theconversation.com).
“Intellectual Humility” has to do with beliefs, ideas, or worldviews including religious beliefs; political views, various social attitudes, areas of knowledge or expertise or any other strong convictions. Within ourselves, we have limitations and biases in what we know and how we know it, meaning that sometimes we need to be willing to revise our views.
We’re aware that any significant breakthrough in medicine, technology, or culture has come from someone admitting they didn’t know something – and then passionately pursuing knowledge with curiosity and humility. Progress requires admitting what you don’t know and seeking to learn something new. It means “keeping your ego in check so you can present your ideas in a modest and respectful manner, presenting your beliefs in ways that are not defensive and admitting when you’re wrong, showing that you care more about learning and preserving relationships than about being “right” or demonstrating intellectual superiority. It is associated with greater tolerance toward people with whom you disagree.”
Intellectual humility isn’t being wishy-washy or overly modest; it means that you can listen and learn from someone with whom you disagree instead of simply waiting for them to finish talking so that you can prove them wrong.
Four main aspects of intellectual humility include being:
- Open-minded, avoiding bias, and being willing to revise your beliefs.
- Curious, seeking new ideas, ways to expand and grow, and changing your mind to align with strong evidence.
- Realistic, owning and admitting your flaws and limitations, seeing the world as it is rather than as you wish it to be.
- Teachable, responding nondefensively, and changing your behavior to align with new knowledge.
The good news is that intellectual humility, like many other skills that we’ve acquired, can be learned.
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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.
?
Adele Merritt in honour of Tom Gentry
Jeanne O'Connor
A Cappella Showcase in memory of Doris Huntsinger Hooker
Sunshine Harmony in honor of Jeanne O'Connor
Newfound Sound Chorus in memory of Sheila Connolly
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| Condolences From The Membership |
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- to Libby Brown (Harmony Magic, Area 4) on the death of her sister-in-law, Cathye
- to Charlene Dryden, (Classic Blend, Area 5) on the passing of her husband, Doug Dryden, in February. We are so sorry, Charlene, and know he will be greatly missed.
- to Rosemarie Chales (A Cappella Showcase, Area 5) in memory of her mother-in-law Doris Huntsinger Hooker
- to Northern Blend Chorus on the passing of charter member Barbara McKeever
- to Vikki Tinker (Nickel City Sound, Area 5) on the loss of her brother, Robert Davidson
- to Newfound Sound on the passing of original charter member, Sheila Connolly
Need to post a condolence notice? Please have the information sent to the Corporate Office to be recorded. Thank you.
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| 2024 Area Conventions & Contests |
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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 March 20. How did your quartet or chorus celebrate Harmony Awareness Week? Drop a line to editor@harmonyinc.org and we'll tell the world. Next deadline is March 18.
See you again, soon!
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