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'While I can dream, please let my dream come true'
By Gaye LaCasce, International President
Last week in Orlando, FL, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Area 6 and the retirement of ACJC Trayce Elenteny, after 17 years of service. We also had a rollicking great time at AC&C, with remarkable improvements in scoring across the board – a testament to a commitment to education and Area support. I was honored to be part of the festivities, and can’t count the number of new people I met and those with whom I reconnected.
One AC&C moment (dare I say a glimmer!) among dozens of incredible moments stood out for me; it was a performance by a quartet called Chordination, friends who sing with Coastal Voices Chorus. They sang If I Can Dream, written by Elvis Presley and released in 1968, just two months after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. It touched me deeply, with a message that transcends time. Even if you know the song, please read these lyrics:
There must be lights burning brighter, somewhere
Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue
If I can dream of a better land
Where all of us walk hand in hand
Tell me why, oh why, oh why can't my dream come true?
There must be peace and understanding sometime
Strong winds of promise that will blow away the doubt and fear
If I can dream of a warmer sun
Where hope keeps shining on everyone
Tell me why, oh why, oh why won't that sun appear?
We're lost in a cloud with too much rain
We're trapped in a world that's troubled with pain
But as long as we have the strength to dream
We can redeem our souls and fly.
Deep in my heart there's a trembling question
Still I am sure that the answer's gonna come somehow
Out there in the dark, there's a beckoning candle
And while I can think, while I can talk
While I can stand, while I can walk
While I can dream, please let my dream come true.
For Harmony, Inc, this song is not only a musical choice but also a statement of solidarity and shared humanity. Women’s voices have historically been at the forefront of advocating for change, and this timeless anthem amplifies our role in envisioning a better future, including our commitment to friendships and inclusivity. Let’s use our barbershop hobby as a tool and a gift to inspire hope and foster unity in a tumultuous world.
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By Kim Meechan, Philanthropy Committee
Loving Harmony, Inc. is so easy to do. The joy that comes from singing together gives us that jolt that keeps us coming back for more! Our 1959 Society members understand that joy and they have made a decision to give back through one final gesture, and that is through a legacy gift! Trinda Ernst is one of our 1959 Society members and she explains why she chose to support Harmony, Inc. in this way.
How did you discover Harmony, Inc.?
I attended a local men’s barbershop show in 1986 that featured a women’s quartet called Metro Music Machine, who later became Harmony Queens in 1991. I fell in love with the amazing bass voice and I asked the person who sold me the ticket if there was a women’s chorus in our area. He gave me the director’s phone number; he was away at a barbershop education event that weekend, but his wife (a chorus member) told me the time and location of the next rehearsal for the Valley Voices. I showed up that night and joined the bass section after a one-minute scale audition. I am still there.
What stands as your most memorable moment while you’ve been a member of Harmony, Inc.?
It is hard to pick one moment; many came to mind while I reminisced about my nearly 40 years with this organization. The event that still gives me ‘barberbumps’ dates back to my earliest days with my chorus. We were invited to sing in another community about 100 miles away and we rented a bus to get there. We were not sure if anyone would show up since we were unknown in that town. I only remember our final song, which was Let There Be Peace on Earth, arranged by our director. I knew it was our best number that evening, so was surprised when no one applauded. Instead, there was complete silence in the 200-seat auditorium. In the silence, I heard one quiet voice spontaneously reacting with a whispered “Wow!” The applause started soon after that and we received a standing ovation. The feeling I experienced during that performance is why I stay in this organization.
You have made a decision to support Harmony, Inc. with an end-of-life donation through our 1959 Society. Why is it important to you to support our organization in this personal and meaningful way?
My bequest is a form of paying it forward. I have enjoyed decades of wonderful musical memories and personal growth, musically and administratively, from my membership in this organization. I have made friends across the continent and beyond. I want its inclusive culture to thrive and for others to have the same opportunity to experience the feelings I get from performing a cappella music.
What do you hope will be accomplished with your legacy giving when the time comes?
I hope my gift, combined with gifts from others, will enable Harmony, Inc. to expand its reach and bring joy from ringing chords to individuals who may never have sung in an ensemble before or were told at one time that they could not sing. The world needs more harmony and sharing music with our “sisters in Harmony” is what this organization does very well. One of my favorite tags sums up what I hope the lasting impact of giving to Harmony, Inc. will be: “Friendship and love to the end.”
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| Teri's Promoted! Now We Need A New PR Coordinator... |
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| Announcing a New Mentorship Program Pilot |
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Looking for Mentors
Harmony launches Administrative Leadership Program Pilot
By Sara Stone, Administrative Leadership Mentoring Coordinator
“I think mentors are important and I don’t think anybody makes it in the world without some form of mentorship. Nobody makes it alone. Nobody has made it alone. And we are all mentors to people even when we don’t know it.” - Oprah Winfrey
I’m excited to announce the launch of a pilot of a mentoring program for future leaders! We are establishing this Administrative Leadership program to help develop leadership skills in our members so they feel confident, better prepared, and more readily available to assume leadership positions within Harmony, Inc. We will pilot the program this year with a focus on building leadership skills at the Chapter level.
The first step in this process is recruiting Mentors. I’ve developed a questionnaire for prospective Mentors to complete to identify their leadership skills, leadership positions they have held in their careers, and leadership positions they have held in Harmony, Inc. Next, I will ask members who are interested in being mentored to fill out a separate questionnaire letting me know what development and leadership skills they want to build and/or what kind of chapter leadership positions they are aspiring to.
Here are some initial answers to questions you may have:
Q – How much time will this commitment take?
A – minimum of 1-2 hours a month for 6 months working specific skills, primarily via Zoom
Q – When will the program start?
A – Once I receive the questionnaires from both Mentors and Mentees, I will perform a “matching” process and contact both parties of the match. The projected start date is June 2025 with the pilot ending in December 2025.
Q – Is there a training program?
A – I have developed training for both Mentors and Mentees. This training is approximately an hour long via Zoom.
Please consider sharing your skills and expertise to develop our future leaders. If you are interested, drop me an email and I will send the Mentor questionnaire to you to complete.
"While I made my living as a coach, I have lived my life to be a mentor-and to be mentored!-constantly. Everything in the world has been passed down. Every piece of knowledge is something that has been shared by someone else. If you understand it as I do, mentoring becomes your true legacy. It is the greatest inheritance you can give to others. It is why you get up every day-to teach and be taught."
- John Wooden
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| File Your Chapter's Tax Forms! |
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TAXESTAXESTAXESTAXESTAXES
REMEMBER TO FILE!
Tax deadlines are approaching!
By Donna Clarkson, VP Finance
Most Harmony, Inc. chapters have a fiscal year of April 1 – March 31.
This will require:
- US Chapters to file an electronic 990-N Postcard (if your gross receipts are $50,000 or less, if they are more than $50,000, please contact me) with the IRS by August 15, 2025.
- Canadian Chapters are required to file a T2 with CRA by September 15, 2025.
- All Chapters are required to send proof from your taxing agency using HAR-085 that your forms have filed.
As always, please contact me with any questions.
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| Sue Trenchard Quartet Service Award Nominations |
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Do you know a deserving quartet?
By Debbi Durfey, Quartet Development Co-Coordinator
Please stop and take a minute to nominate the quartet YOU think deserves the Sue Trenchard Award. This award recognizes the unselfish giving of time and energy of the quartet members and their quartet as a group.
We have some nominations but I’m sure you know a quartet that gives their time unselfishly. Let’s honor them with this incredible award.
Use HAR-136 and send it in by June 30, 2025. Let's recognize and honor the selfless service of our Harmony quartets!
If you have any questions, please contact the Quartet Development Coordinator
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| METAL: Member Experience Toolkit and Library |
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By Taralee Lashway, Director of Member Experience
WHAT? Membership Investment
Membership investment is different for every person within the organization. Investment is the determination where a member decides if they are truly committed. However, investment is a two-way street that is necessary to keep members involved and coming back.
SO WHAT? Why it is important for our organization
The more you give, the more you get. Investment can help members to feel valued and keep them coming back! Positive energy is contagious. The more a member is invested, the more likely they are to encourage others to invest. They are also more apt to invite guests to come and experience what the organization has to offer. The more this occurs, the more the chorus grows and thrives. The more the chorus thrives, the more they can invest in the member. SEE! It is an exciting opportunity on both sides!
NOW WHAT? How you can take action
Are you investing in your membership experience? Is your Chapter investing in you? Self-reflection can help you to evaluate where you are both personally and collectively. Read the full article to get tips and information on how you, and you and your Chapter are strongly invested and where there could be more done to add to your membership experience.
READ MORE at https://www.harmonyinc.org/Metal-2-Membership-Investment
ABOUT METAL:
In a recent HI Note, there was a President’s Corner article explaining the structure and goals of the Membership Task Force. Member Experience is one pillar of the Task Force. Over the coming months, the Member Experience Working Group (MEWG) will be sharing more information and tools designed to help you improve the member experience at every stage of the lifecycle. These resources will cover both mindset and mechanics—the member lifecycle article is an example of mindset, how we can think about the natural flow of a member’s journey within Harmony, Incorporated. The MEWG will also be sharing mechanics— practical tools, strategies, and systems that will help leaders and members engage more effectively. Every chapter and Area are different, so none of these are one-size-fits-all solutions. Rather they are part of METAL (Member Experience Toolkit and Library), an evolving collection of concepts and ideas that you can explore. Stay tuned!
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| Would You Share Your Anniversary Book? |
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Many thanks to those who have responded offering to share their anniversary books. Having already received 40th anniversary book, we are now just looking for the 50 year addendum. Would you please check your bookshelves, piano bench, attic trunk, lingerie drawer, under the bed to see if you have a copy? And if so, would you consider sharing it for a time?
Thanks in advance! (And happy hunting!)
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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.
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Island A Cappella in memory of Carol Gosse
Bernie Fitzpatrick in memory of Carol Gosse
Sound Celebration in honor of Jeanne O'Connor
A Cappella Showcase in memory of Colleen Baker
Linda Muise in memory of Dianne Clark
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- to Lorie Baker (A Cappella Showcase, Area 5) on the passing of her mother-in-law Colleen Baker
Need to post a condolence notice? Please have the information sent to the Administrative Coordinator to be recorded. Thank you. |
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| International Board of Directors Meetings |
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International Board of Directors (IBOD) Meetings
IBOD quarterly meetings are open to the membership.
Members are invited to submit items for consideration on the agenda (note deadline for Mid-Year agenda item submission has passed).
Agendas are posted in advance on the Members Only website. Please contact the Corporate Office for details on how to join the virtual meetings or where to attend the live meetings.
Upcoming 2025 meetings are scheduled:
- Q3: August 20
- Annual: November 2-5
Q1 2025 Meeting Minutes have been posted and can be found here.
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The Contest Information Forms for AC&C are now available.
HAR-061 Official Area Quartet Contest Information Form
HAR-063 Official Area Chorus Contest Information Form
Note there has been a change in the Song Registration Form deadline from 2 weeks prior to contest to 30 days prior to contest. Best to get it in early.
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| Harmony Fest West! Coming This Summer |
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The Harmony Fest West contest entry process is NOW OPEN! Enter your ensemble today using HAR-070.
Hotel booking is now open! Reservations can be made here
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| International Convention & Contests |
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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
2029 NOVEMBER 7-11, HALIFAX CONVENTION CENTER, HALIFAX, NS
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The next issue of the HI Note comes to your inbox May 5. 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 April 28.
See you again, soon!
Copyright © 2025 Harmony, Inc., All rights reserved.
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