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With brilliant renditions of There's a Fine, Fine Line (from Avenue Q), I've Found A New Baby, Butter Outta Cream (from Catch Me If You Can), and Spend My Life With You, Roulette captured the hearts of the audience and earned the title 2024 Harmony Queens.
Visit Harmony, Inc.'s YouTube channel to relive the Queens' winning performance as well as other highlights from IC&C 2024 in Louisville, KY.
2024 Quartet Finals scoresheets
Under the direction of four-time Harmony Queen Katie Taylor, the 37 members of Area 3's Northern Blend Chorus gave an emotional blockbuster of a performance of Tain't Nobody's Biz-ness If I Do and 'Til I Hear You Sing (from Love Never Dies) to earn the title of 2024 International Chorus Champions.
Visit Harmony, Inc.'s YouTube channel to relive the excitement of the 2024 International Chorus Finals.
2024 International Chorus Contest scoresheets
Arranged Marriage
2024 International MBHA Quartet Champions!
Congratulations to Arranged Marriage (Christina Lewellen, Jessi Nasto, Richard Lewellen, Anthony Nasto) who sang their way into our hearts with Stop, Time and If My Friends Could See Me Now Medley to win the first-ever international mixed quartet championship on North American soil! The contest was sponsored by the Mixed Barbershop Harmony Association and hosted by Harmony, Inc. at the 2024 International Convention and Contests in Louisville, KY.
MBHA Quartet scoresheets
Congratulations to our 2024 Award Winners!
Harmony Distinction Award: Steve Tramack.
Youth Member of the Year: Sam O’Neill, a member of A Cappella Showcase.
Sandy White Membership Award: presented to Karen Atkinson, President of The Over Tones, Inc. for their 50% growth as of October 15, 2024, with 26 members.
President's Award: Linda Muise, Assistant International Contest & Judging Chair and Administrative Judge Category Specialist. Linda was instrumental in the successful transition of our contest judging program over the past year, and has served Harmony with skill and dedication for decades.
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One year ago I wrote my first President's Message, introducing myself to you all. What a whirlwind of Harmony activity has ensued since then!
Since that time, my volunteer IBOD colleagues (and countless others!) and I have worked like crazy people to make your Harmony experience the best it can be, always keeping our members in the forefront of our thinking. That's why this organization exists, right?
Case in point - the IC&C livestream. The IBOD was not planning one for Louisville. Then the groundswell began, we listened to our members - and a group of determined and committed people made it happen. Approximately 325 members, friends, and family took advantage of the opportunity to watch remotely, and the gratitude was loudly expressed! Although that was just one small piece of our year's work, it was a great example of member-focus and teamwork.
Another example of teamwork was our fundraising effort at IC&C. We were fortunate to have generous donors who stepped forward with gifts - donations we would receive if those donations were matched by other donations. That was a HUGE success; we far exceeded the $5,000 we had in matching gifts and raised more than $15,300 - for youth, for our judging program, and for membership growth and retention. We also welcomed a new "class" to the 1959 Society, generous and thoughtful people who are including Harmony, Inc. in their estate plans.
 One last thing (over and above the amazing singing, the gracious support of one another, the excitement for our new champions....I could go on and on!) brought home for me what Harmony represents. Many of you met my two-year-old granddaughter, Bellamy, who was enjoying her best life at her first IC&C. She had a glorious time, thanks to so many of you who waved, gave her beaded bracelets, said hello, did "high 5's"... your collective embrace of her epitomizes how Harmony feels about preserving our hobby our the next generation.
One year ago, I shared my heart with you all, hoping that you'd find that I am approachable, honestly and thoroughly committed to hearing you and "doing right" for Harmony's members. This year, I again share my heart, knowing that Bellamy will forever have a place on Harmony's stage, thanks to your kindness and generosity. |
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Thank you, Volunteers!
On Thursday, December 5, Harmony, Inc. joins the rest of the world in celebrating our volunteers. International Volunteer Day was first held on Dec 5, 1986, and has been celebrated annually since then. It is a day to raise awareness of the importance of volunteerism, recognize the significant contributions of our volunteers, and encourage volunteer participation in our future.
If you are a volunteer at the chapter, Area, or corporate level, we want to THANK YOU for all you do to make Harmony a stronger organization! If you’re not a volunteer, please consider sharing your talents and expertise with us. Volunteering is a great way to give back to Harmony!
For more information about volunteering for Harmony, Inc., contact Debbie Glenn, Volunteer Resource Coordinator.
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| Seeking Facilitator Program Coordinator |
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NEW VOLUNTEER POSITION
SEEKING Facilitator Program Coordinator
Harmony, Inc. has identified the need for a Facilitator Program Coordinator. As we continue to achieve the strategic goals outlined in Harmony, Stronger, 2023, it is time to develop a team of facilitators to help our Councils, Committees, and Teams meet their strategic goals.
The Facilitator Program Coordinator will be responsible for recruiting and managing a team of facilitators. The individual works to recruit HI members with previous facilitation skills and experience and/or individuals who are interested in developing these skills. Our Strategic Advisor will support the coordinator as they recruit and match facilitators with program needs. The plan is to start slowly and incrementally building the program, meeting priority needs as they arise.
For more information about this exciting opportunity contact Linda McMaster, Strategic Advisor.
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There’s no tired like post-convention tired! If you’re like me, IC&C is the most tiring, rewarding week ever. I was thrilled to welcome so many of you to my hometown – and to see so many of you watching the livestream (thank you IBOD for making that possible.)
What was your favorite moment? Fierce’s crowning ceremony? Change of Heart’s anniversary performance? Seeing MBHA quartets on the stage for the first time? A Cappella Showcase’s swan set? There were so many incredible performances this year that it is hard to pick a favorite!
Congratulations to all who crossed the stage and to all our medalists – including our champion chorus, Northern Blend, and new Harmony Queens, Roulette.
As you all know, there are so many people who come together to make IC&C happen – and every contribution, great or small, is noticed and appreciated. But I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize my team.
| Contest/Stage Manager |
Linda Hilko |
| On-Site Manager |
Marie Ross |
| Registration Manager |
Linda Briggs |
| Volunteer Manager |
Anne Leinen |
| Awards / Services Manager |
Margaret Cain |
| Convention Marketing Assistant |
Shannon Shelton-Muller |
| Convention Business Services Assistant |
Debbie Wilson |
| Convention Team Assistant |
Debbie Glenn |
They have dedicated the entire year to creating a positive experience for all our attendees, exemplifying true teamwork as they collaborate to ensure the event's success.
Anne Leinen will be retiring this year and I want to thank her for her many years of service. She has done such a great job in securing and working with our volunteers and will be greatly missed.
Replacing Anne will be Debbie Wilson, who for the last two years has served as our Convention Business Services Assistant. Debbie is so passionate about volunteering and will be great in this new role!
Replacing Debbie is Ruth Maple. She is primed and ready to take on the Convention Business Services Assistant role. Her many years in working with vendors will be a great asset to this role and to Harmony, Inc.
We’ve already started working on plans for next year and can’t wait to see everyone in Hershey, PA! |
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| Seaside A Cappella's Travel Adventure |
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Seaside A Cappella’s Intrepid Travelers
By Yvonne Rafuse, Area 1 Director
After another memorable International Convention and Contests, members of Seaside A Cappella made it to their final destinations safely, but not without some travel-related trials and tribulations along the way.
Anyone who was at the Louisville Airport early on November 10 will remember the confusion that ensued due to an overnight power outage which left the baggage belts silent and a sea of suitcases destined to points unknown in the check-in area. The agents did their best to help people remain calm as they watched baggage handlers picking up suitcases by hand and rolling them away on carts. After a two-hour flight delay, chorus members boarded a flight to Newark where connections direct to Halifax were scheduled. However, it was no surprise that due to this delay, about 20 members of SAC had unfortunately missed their connection.
What happened next was where things unraveled due to the airlines’ inefficiency. People were turned away from agents’ desks, left to book their own flights, with no guidance or support. Some were even told they did not have tickets to Halifax! People felt abandoned without even a food voucher or hope of a connection that day.
It was no surprise that our SAC culture came to the rescue…members looking after members, with a few taking on the task of making calls searching for flights as others huddled together, hoping for the best. Leaving no one behind, flights were finally secured with everyone being rerouted in small groups to Halifax via a variety of connections in various points including Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa.
However, that was not the end of the ordeal. Several members arrived in Halifax to find that their baggage had not been shipped. This created another delay on the trek home, having to fill out forms before leaving the airport. Many spent the next few days, attempting to get answers from the airlines, and finally the last bag was delivered 4 days later on November 14!
When it comes right down to it, this misadventure speaks to the love and support SAC’s members have for one another. From our 92-year-old member to several ‘first-timers,’ the 2024 IC&C will remain in our history books as one among others we will never forget. Of course, our 6th place finish and award will forever ‘soften the blow.’ As we look back on our success, we are grateful for our beloved Music Director, the Music Team, our Chorus Members in attendance, and everyone back at home rooting for us…or waiting at the airport!
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Dear Liz,
Was that you chasing down my chorus mates and other new members to give them pins and cds and inspiration cards?
Wearing a Yellow Wind Breaker.
Dear Yellow Wind Breaker,
YES! And thank you so much to everyone who came to help, everyone who came to choose an inspirational card, and of course all the New People! YAY!
Can’t wait to see you all at your AC&C!
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| Reporting Performance Activity |
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AMAZING PERFORMANCES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?
A reminder to REPORT performance activity!
By Kathy Stone, Copyright and Licensing Coordinator
We hope all of our Chapters will have many community performances this holiday season.
First thing – You MUST submit the HAR-122 report by JANUARY 10, 2025 to the Corporate Office.
If your chapter had a performance or show that was attended by the public, regardless of whether or not you sold tickets, accepted donations in lieu of tickets, or performed for free, you can fulfill your requirement by submitting Form HAR-122 ... UNLESS you have your own accounts in place with ASCAP, BMI, & SESAC. Canadian Chapters/Areas report to SOCAN.
Please review the form and familiarize yourself with the information. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you submit the form within 10 days of the event.
If you have questions about completing this form, please contact the Finance Assistant at financeoffice@harmonyinc.org.
Second thing – please do not post your ICC videos publicly. If your video has not yet been posted to our YouTube channel, know that we are working diligently to get it up there. Once it has been posted, please feel free to share it to any and everyone!
Questions about this information? Contact the Copyright & Licensing Coordinator at recording@harmonyinc.org or the Finance Assistant at financeoffice@harmonyinc.org.
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 How did you discover Harmony, Inc.?
My Heart of Indiana chorus director, Meridy Thorn, competed in a quartet in Area 4 in 1991 with Jennifer Bek, daughter of Harmony pioneer G. Ruth Geils. Meridy came back from the weekend super-enthused, and started telling us that we, a newly chartered Sweet Adelines chorus, should also consider joining Harmony. We checked, and neither organization had a rule against doing that, so we did it the next year! We were the first chorus ever to dual-affiliate, and were welcomed by Area 4 at AC&C in 1992 and by all of Harmony in Rochester that fall.
What stands out for you as your most memorable moment while you have been a member of Harmony, Inc.?
Two moments tie for this -- walking into the Membership Meeting at my first IC&C in 1992, when the board of directors was lined up on either side just inside the door to meet and greet each one of us individually, and the moment my daughter Maggie and her quartet, Spot On, were crowned Harmony Queens in 2013.
Why did you decide to make monthly reoccurring donations to Harmony, Inc. Was it easy to set up?
I'm also a member of Sweet Adelines and BHS, and have donated monthly to them for many years. When it was mentioned at IC&C last year that we could donate monthly to HI, it was something I felt I needed to do. We donate to all these organizations to help ensure that they will continue to be viable well into the future. Doing it monthly is something I can budget and plan for much more easily than coming up with a lump sum. It was very easy to set up -- I talked to Lindsay Chartier-Holdeman about it at last year's IC&C in 2023, then confirmed the details with Kelly Peterson the following week.
What impact do you hope to see as a result of your donations?
My biggest desire is that our beloved barbershop organizations, that have given us and our children so much joy for so many years, continue to thrive and attract new members. If my donations can be of help with this, then that's all the impact I need. |
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| Harmony Distinction Award |
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Harmony Distinction Award Nominations
By Taralee Lashway, Director of Member Experience
Do you know someone who has contributed significantly to Harmony, Inc. and/or the barbershop community at large who exemplifies the organization's values, principles, goals, and objectives? Someone who embodies the "Blend of Friendship" and is committed to making Harmony, Stronger? Consider nominating them for the 2025 Harmony Distinction Award.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 International Convention and Contests year. Any Harmony, Inc. Chapter and Associate Member in good standing can nominate an individual who is suitable to serve as a Harmony, Inc. ambassador as the Harmony Distinction Awardee.
To meet the criteria for this honor, the Honoree:
- Would agree to attend and receive the Harmony Distinction Award at the Membership Meeting during that year’s Opening Ceremony of the International Convention.
- Would agree to take part in publicity and media coverage surrounding the presentation of the award.
- Work with Harmony, Inc.’s Public Relations Coordinator to represent and serve as a spokesperson for the organization.
For more information, visit the Member’s Only section of the website (under Corporate Manual, Section 14.5), then fill out the nomination form HAR-058.
The deadline for nominations to be considered for the 2025 award year is January 31, 2025!
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Nominations for SUE TRENCHARD AWARD open
By Debbi Durfey, Quartet Development Co-Coordinator
The Sue Trenchard Award is given each year to a registered Harmony quartet that demonstrates service to Harmony, Inc., the chapter, and the community in remembrance of Sue who was a remarkably compassionate and giving person. It is not intended that this should be an award only for those who have reached high rank in competition, although such achievement would not disqualify a quartet from consideration. Rather, it is for the unselfish giving of time and energies of the quartet members and their quartet as a group who are, through actions rather than words, living Harmony's “Blend with Friendship”.
Please think about all the deserving quartets out there that give their time and dedication to Harmony, Inc. and their communities and consider submitting your nomination for this award. To nominate please submit FORM HAR-136 no later than June 30, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact the Quartet Development Coordinator.
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| Corporate Office Words of Wisdom |
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Mailchimp Preferences
Did you know you can update your Mailchimp preferences? Instead of unsubscribing, which removes you from all the mailings (HI Note, HIVE etc.), you can change your preferences to select which items you would like to receive. At the bottom of this HI Note you will see (in very small print) [update your preferences] or [unsubscribe from this list]. To make sure you don't miss out on an article/news that is important to you we suggest you update your preferences instead of unsubscribing.
Canada Post
Due to the current Canada Post strike Corporate Office will not be sending any Canadian membership packages, pin replacements, etc. until the strike is over. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
Annual Meeting Minutes
Please note that the 2024 Annual Meeting minutes, Opening Ceremonies minutes, and Associates/Delegates meeting minutes are currently being reviewed and will be posted as soon as possible.
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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.
?
Island A Cappella in memory of Bart Bourne
Bill & Donna McKay
Newfound Sound in memory of Helen Wilson
Linda Muise
All of the wonderful donors at ICC 2024
Dan Locke
A Cappella Showcase in memory of Sheena McGuigan
Newfound Sound in memory of Catherine Theresa Power
Angie Morton
Nancy Arkin
Anonymous donation in memory of Valerie Clowes
Rochester Rhapsody in memory of Mike Morgan
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| Condolences From The Membership |
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- to the family, friends, and members of A Cappella Showcase (Area 5) on the passing of our kind, supportive, beloved member, Sheena McGuigan
- to friends and family of Helen Wilson, a cherished and long-time member of Newfound Sound
- to the family and friends of Catherine Power, mother of former director Anita, and mother-in-law to Madeline Power and Diane Power (all of Newfound Sound, Area 1)
- to Sing Niagara (Area 5) on the loss of their member, Connie Schwieder
- to the family and friends of Linda Janes, former member of Barre-Tones, Inc. (Area 2) and Champlain Echoes, and baritone of 1995 Harmony Queens, Limited Edition
Need to post a condolence notice? Please have the information sent to the Administrative Coordinator to be recorded. Thank you.
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MIKE MORGAN
A news director and radio personality with a booming Bass voice on WHAM Radio in Rochester, New York, Mike Morgan had an unstoppable love of barbershop singing, as evidenced by his participation in many quartets and choruses and also as a director for multiple choruses over the years. He was a long-time member of the local men’s barbershop ensemble, the Chorus of the Genesee, and the International Barbershop Harmony Society (formerly known as SPEBSQSA). He was a coach and judge at both the local and international level. He was the former director of Harmony Unlimited and Alpha Chords in Area 3 of Harmony, Inc.
When Harmony Unlimited started discussions with Cobblestone Chorus and Alpha Chords in 1996, Mike and his wife, Kath, were key drivers in moving the Harmony Unlimited chorus forward. Cobblestone and Harmony Unlimited made the decision to merge, and Mike provided the inspiration for the new name – Rochester Rhapsody — and became its first director.
Rhapsody’s first years as a chorus involved “themed” contest packages, sometimes with elaborate costumes, sometimes parodies and more “acting” than most singers were comfortable with. Mike told us that our goal was to make the audience feel our song, whether it be sad, happy, silly, reflective, somber or joyful, and to let the costumes and theme help us come out of ourselves; that we should aim to touch just one person in the audience and we would touch them all.
Thank you, Mike, for the foundation you provided for us to build on and grow. We hope we have made you proud!
- Rochester Rhapsody
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The Contest Information Form for AC&C will be available on line beginning on or before the first week of January.
Note there has been a change for the Song Registration Form deadline from 2 weeks prior to contest to 30 days prior to contest.
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| International Conventions & Contests |
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INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS & CONTESTS
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, ON
2028 NOVEMBER 1-4, HERSHEY LODGE, HERSHEY, PA
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The next issue of the HI Note comes to your inbox December 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 December 13.
See you again, soon!
Copyright © 2024 Harmony, Inc., All rights reserved.
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