Volume 45, Issue 3 SUMMER 2014 A Bulletin for Every Barbershopper in the Mid-Atlantic District

Back to wildwood for a barn-burner of a contest! Oct. 24-26 29 choruses! 29 quartets! on Barbershop the boardwalk!

INSIDE: of Barbershop on the East Coast!” Convention News — Book hotels NOW for District Important message from President Bill Harmony Foundation — Meet the Wile Challenge News and views from Qs and Choruses Harmony College East — “The Greatest Weekend and, as always, pictures, pictures, pictures! AROUND THE DISTRICT Crowds roar as contestants set District qualifying records ver 1700 fans attended M-AD division Pa. and 55 percent of the choruses entered made the cut competitions qualified for the fall district convention. In another case, one of the members had an emergency conventions to cheer on their favorite singers. to district. Well done everyone! appendectomy on Thursday night but managed to When the last chord had rung, 27 choruses and O Our Atlantic and Western division conventions were We had several special surprises in Roanoke. Three make it to Roanoke and onto the stage to sing with 25 quartets had qualified for the fall district convention combined and held in Harrisburg, Pa. with 64 percent of separate choruses had members suffer serious injuries her chorus. That’s right. “Her” chorus. The Bella Nova in Wildwood, N.J. Alexandria and Hell’s Kitchen qualified the choruses competing making the cut. just before the contest. In two cases, men were injured Chorus from Herndon, Va., newest chapter of Harmony, with byes, so a record 29 choruses will vie for the district on Friday and required treatment at the local hospital. Inc., served as the “mic-cooler” and entertained the title this year. And our Southern division convention held in Roanoke, audience at the end of the contest. This was their first Va. saw a whopping 80 percent of the choruses In both cases, they were released just in time to join Here’s how it stacked up: their choruses and compete on stage – complete with contest appearance and served as a warm-up for their competing earn their ticket to Wildwood! participation in the Harmony, Inc. International later this Our Northern division convention was held in Scranton, slings and bandages. Overall, 67 percent of all choruses entered in division November in Louisville, Ky. COLLEGIATE QUARTET CHAMPS The Good Old Days, Dan Wright, Edd Duran, Douglas Carnes and Fernando Collado, is the 2014 Mid-Atlantic District Collegiate Quartet Champion. They represented the District at the Harmony Foundation Col- legiate Quartet Contest in July in Las Vegas, placing 18th. SENIORS QUARTET CHAMPS Bella Nova, a District President Bill Colosimo newly chartered presents Division 3rd place Harmony, Inc. medals to Youth Reclama- chapter, under the tion Project. Having achieved direction of a certain age, Mike Wallen, Richard Lewellen, Roger Tarpy, Hardman Jones performed as mic and Vic Owen, Jr. will also coolers at the represent the Mid-Atlantic Southern Division District at the International Convention. Seniors Quartet Contest next January.

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Montclair to sponsor mega Northern Division honors chorus champs inter-chapter event in N.J. Gleanings from the web NEWS from NORTHERN DIVISION by Oley Olson, RICH TAYLOR: Well my barbershop chorus just competed in the Northern VP Northern Division Division of the Mid Atlantic District in Scranton, Pa. After not competing for nine years, last year we won the Plateau A champi- onship with a score that advanced us this year to having to compete in the AA Singing The Sunshine Of Your Smile and Plateau. Just A Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody (Med- We all did our job and the chorus WON THE 2014 PLATEAU AA CHAMPION- ley), The Big Apple Chorus outscored SHIP! Northern Division has been fortunate to all the competition to win the 2014 have had the Nassau Mid-Island chapter sponsoring an Northern Division Championship and We were the smallest chorus on stage with only 14 singers inter-chapter event each year for our Long Island chapters. the AAAA Plateau May 3 in Scranton, Pa. but each man did his own personal best and our director, And in Pennsylvania the Wilkes-Barre, Tunkhannock and June Noble, did an outstanding job. Honesdale chapters have been getting together for many I just love being in the High Point Harmonizers! years. I am pleased to advise that the Montclair chapter has stepped up to the plate and will now sponsor the first NORTH JERSEY INTERCHAPTER EVENT Friday, August 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the North Caldwell Volunteer Fire- men’s Hall, 134 Gould Ave., North Caldwell, N.J. Fourteen chapters have been invited and as of this writing nine have indicated they’ll be there! Have a great time! Hail and Farewell: When I became the Division VP, Joe Colon and John Russo were the first two men to volunteer to take on the job of chapter counselor. After four years of dedicated ser- vice both are stepping down and moving on. I thank them for sharing their time and talent in this important job. Joe Servidio, Sr. has agreed to become a new chapter counselor and I have shifted assignments for the com- ing year as follows: Joe will have Hunterdon County and Teaneck; Rich Galdi will have Montclair and Ridgewood; Receiving the 2014 Northern Division Joseph T. Servidio: Mark Bentley will have Morris County and Somerset Hills Plateau AA Championship plaque are Feeling happy! and I will have Rahway Valley. Tom Roberts will take on Sussex Chapter President, Fred Spages, and Honesdale in addition to Wilkes-Barre and Tunkhannock, Dapper Dan’s off Harmony Chorus Director, June Noble, alongside Mid and Rich Taylor will have Allentown-Bethlehem and Sus- AAA. Plateau winners 3rd Atlantic Ditsrict President, Bill Colossimo. sex County, N.J. All counselors in N.Y. will continue to serve place overall and most improved chorus. their currently assigned chapters.

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1 On Tap Chris Granger SEEKING DIRECTOR Northern Matt Saucier Cy Wood Bryce Cooney Silver Ridge Division 2 The Facetones West Chorus of Mike Kelliher Toms River, N.J. Justin Guidone qualifies Evin Guidone is seeking a Jeff Glemboski director. six This seniors chorus 3 My Uncle of 45 mixed voices Murray sings popular, quartets Floyd Clifford folk, show and Pat Cerillo patriotic tunes in Jay Dorfman for Bill Davis four-part harmony. The chorus rehearses weekly District from 3-5 p.m. on Wednesdays for 10 months of the year. 6 The BatBoys Director’s duties include prepar- Contest Sean Feyrer Jim Gasper ing and producing two concerts Mike Feyrer per year. Steve Adams

Not pictured: Please send resume to: 5 Parkside Silver Ridge West Chorus, P.O. Box 3178 4 Black Tie Erik Clack Affair Toms River, NJ 08756-3178 Evan Shyer Will Hartley Laser Thomas Questions? Alex McCoy Braden Lynk Call Judy Belock,732-228-8742 John Maderazo Ryan Brown

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Clockwise from top:

Dundalk Chorus of the Chesa- peake is the Division Chorus The White Rose Chorus Champion and Plateau AAAA is pleased to present our 2014 Fall Show winner.

Anne Arundel County Sons of the Severn are the Plateau AAA Taking Flight winners. featuring

Carroll County Old Line States- men took the Plateau AA title. Faces 4 Radio The show will take place Saturday, October 4 at 7 p.m. at the Lebanon Singing Cedars are Hayshire United Church of Christ, 100 Haybrook Drive, York, the Plateau A champs. Pa. Lewisburg’s The West Branch Also performing: Chorus is the Division’s 2014 Most Improved Chorus. City Island, MAD quartet Jewel Tones, SAI quartet and chapter quartets. Afterglow in the same location. Tickets will go on sale in August and will be $15. Details will be posted soon on our website www.whiterosechorus.com.

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MADMEN Western Brian Schreiner Scott Disney ACHORDING TO DAD Brandon Brooks Brian Paulhamus Division Joe Eckert Ken Paulhamus Adam Paulhamus sends four Jeff Paulhamus quartets to District, crowns Harmony on the Harbor Monday, November 3rd, 2014 Novice Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall FLASHPOINT Baltimore, MD William Eberius Chuck Hamrick champ NOVICE CHAMP: Barry Gabler The Alexandria Harmonizers and the Pride of Baltimore Tyler Horton VOCAL STANDARD Chorus present Harmony on the Harbor! This concert will Mike Cramer feature the best of four-part harmony a cappella music. Stephen Curtis There will be ten quartets - including three of the top-5 Ron Fabian quartets from Sweet Adelines International. There will also be three world-class choruses: the current International Gary Mishler RAZZMATAZZ Champion Chorus from Sweden - The Rönninge Show Chorus; the four-time International Chorus Champions - Bill Gable The Alexandria Harmonizers; the Pride of Baltimore Chorus; Rick Ashby and our very special guests, Maxx Factor - 2011 Queens of Ed Ludwig Harmony and Growing Girls - 1989 Queens of Harmony, Don McElroy who are currently celebrating their 25th Anniversary!

This is a once in a lifetime concert not to be missed!

Tickets are on sale at the Alexandria Harmonizers website

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We’ve had a very successful combined to District CIO Mike Kelley for coordinating the details in the article on page 28. Atlantic-Western division convention in the posting of all the score sheets going as The Abington-Levittown chapter also May, with ten Atlantic Division chapters far back as 1951 (wow… that’s impressive). hosted a regional inter-chapter event with (52 %) participating and 14 quartets. If you have old score sheets from years gone both the Bucks County and Philadelphia Congratulations go out to the Hamilton by which are not in the archive, you should chapters. Several mixed quartets delighted Square Brothers in Harmony for placing send them to Mike so they can be shared attendees and each chorus shared their first in the AAAA plateau, first for the with all. best. Atlantic Division, AND for posting the highest chorus score for the combined Consider participating If you’ve been part of a social inter-chapter event (82.9%). And congratulations to event which is not listed here, please Princeton, N.J. for winning the Most in an open convention send an email with the details so it can be Improved Chorus award with a 3.8% If you sing in a quartet or chorus and did not included. If your chapter is collaborating appear at the recent division convention, with another chapter, by all means please photo by Shawn York NEWS from ATLANTIC DIVISION please consider this. Any registered quartet let us know what you are doing. by Rob France, or chorus can participate at the division VP Atlantic Division convention. It is what is called an “open” convention and is open to anyone who Chapter Counselors FIRST TIME IN MAD The Atlantic Division chapter counselors increase over a year ago. wishes to appear. You can enter to have STANDARDBRED CHORUS your score count for qualification to the have begun meeting on a monthly basis Choruses that scored 1134 will feature next level. to talk about ways to better support our points or more were qualified chapters. Our desire is to be connected Or you can enter for evaluation only. When for the District competition, with you - to share in your success stories you choose this option, no one sees your THROWBACK so the Atlantic Division and to offer a supporting hand when scores but you. But you get the same 7th place international quartet with SEAN DEVINE will be sending eight representatives to necessary. We view our role as being more coaching from the judges that everyone the big show in Wildwood in October. like a ‘Chapter Advocate’, as opposed to a on its else gets. The focus of the coaching Congratulations to Bucks County, Pa., counselor or advisor. We want to be sure sessions (usually a 20-minute session Ocean County, Cherry Hill, Bryn Mawr, you feel connected to the district. We are ANNUAL SHOW Sept 27 7:30 pm with a judge from each category) is to Princeton, Lansdale, Queen Anne County, still looking for people to support a few HANOVER HIGH SCHOOL help us move to the next higher level of and Hamilton Square. chapters, so if you are interested to serve in 401 Moul Avenue, Hanover Pa. 17331 performance. this role, please let me know. Tickets @ $15 each may be purchased at the door or with Faces 4 Radio are the Atlantic Division Participation in a division convention is completely your prerogative. Participation advance notice at 717 633 7705 (Frank) or 717 225 5675 (Wayne) quartet champions followed by Riverline DVP Summit is merely another way for you to check your and Tight Chorders, closely behind I might The four divisional VPs and Executive VP or [email protected] progress on your journey to inspirational add (well, I just did). Congratulations to Ig Jakovac recently participated in a DVP performances for you and your audiences. - each quartet for performing their best. summit. We talked about ways that we can Or the 70 stores NEW AMISHSee theMARKETS best support our chapters and counselors Make it a memo at THE FACTORY just a few blocks north All score sheets can be found in the of the show site on route Inter-chapter events and how we can share information rable weekend by OUTLETS ‘Docs & Information’ and ‘SCORES!’ The inter-chapter summer picnic hosted between divisions. While we are divided visiting HISTORIC Many fine eating section of the Mid-Atlantic District by Lansdale was a tremendous success. open 8-4194, Saturdays. geographically, we are united in spirit. It is Gettysburg just places can be found Website (http://www.midatlanticdistrict. Quartets and choruses from all around 9 miles west of on nearby com/?Code=ContestScores ). Many thanks Hanover. the region participated. Check out all See Atlantic, continued on next page Eisenhower Drive.

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Hamilton Square Chapter Brothers in Har- Atlantic mony under the direction of Jack Pinto won both the AAAA Division plateau and the Division honors contest. plateau champs

Queen Anne’s County Chapter Pride of DelMarVa, under the Red Bank Area Chorus of the Atlantic, direction of Glenn Phillips, was ranked first in the AAA plateau. under the direction of Craig Page, took the AA plateau title.

Princeton, N.J. The Garden Statesment, under the direction of Jack Pinto, was the Atlantic Division Most Improved Chorus for 2014.

Atlantic that the other DVPs will also comment on coming to this fall’s District Convention in the fellowship and camaraderie is the most experience the fellowship first hand, and continued from previous page this summit. I am thrilled to be associated Wildwood, please choose to come hear important aspect of the weekend (well, maybe even ring their first tag. And they will

with some of the greatest leaders in our some of the best singers in our district – maybe the food is the most important J). thank you forever for the experience. our hope that we can share information and district and to be part of efforts to increase and in the Society. As many know, the fall Please bring your best smile and make a Let’s get together at District and sing a learn from each other about the great things communication between divisions. District Convention is a wonderful event for new friend. Or, better yet bring a friend polecat or two.

that many of our chapters are doing. You will meeting up with friends from all corners of who doesn’t know what barbershop is all hear more about this in future, and it is likely Finally, if you are on the fence about the district. Competition will be lively, but about. They will hear some amazing music, FIND ~ SHARE ~ LEARN ~ TEACH

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Six Atlantic Division quartets advance to District BAY COUNTRY CHORUS Competition ! Come Sing With Us at Brookletts Place (Senior Center) Every Monday Night from 7:00 PM until 9:30 PM

‣ Requirements

‣ You enjoy singing and like to have fun

‣ You do not have to be able to read music, we supply District qualifying quartets pictured from top: Not pictured: learning CDs and sheet music

1 Faces for Radio 2 Riverline 3 Tight Chorders 4 Distinction 5 New Kid in Town 6 Cohesion ‣ If you are interested or wish to learn more, please Bob Bristow Norm Rohn Nick Engelhardt David Harbove Jason Thompson Alex Corson contact Dick Hott at 410-763-8835 Brad Brooks Kevin Gregan Ben Sherman Dino Colon Brian Thomas Charles Ross ‣ The Bay Country Chorus is a Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society and is supported in part with Grants from the Talbot County Mark Sanders Jim Rohn Cory Brictson Walt Barnes Doug Pratt Jim Bazewicz Arts Council Jeff Winik Steven Zellers Thomas Moyer David Gale Garry Warlow Patrick Cafaro ‣

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James River, VA is the Southern Division Chorus Champion and Plateau AAAA Cham- pion.

Come work with a chorus of rising stars

The Chorus of the Old Dominion, in Leesburg, Va. is searching for a new director to build on the outstanding work done by 8 of 10 Sally Galloway over the past year and a half. In the past two years the chorus has doubled in size to 25 Southern members. We were the most improved Chorus in the Southern Division Division of the Mid-Atlantic District in both 2013 and 2014, placed 8th in the District in 2013, and are hoping for another top-ten finish in 2014. choruses We are looking for someone that can help us further SEARCHING FOR OUR raise our NEXT qualify for barbershop and a cappella vocal quality, as well as help- DIRECTOR ing us meet other goals such as building an active quartet District! program, growing the size of the chorus, and leveraging artistic relationships throughout Loudoun County and Northern Virginia. Loudoun County, VA is the Southern Our ideal candidate has tremendous enthusiasm, a strong focus on Division Plateau AAA Champion and vocal production, and is excited to work in a number of different musical Most Imptoved Chorus - for the second genres. year in a row. We aim to become a consistent top-ten chorus in MAD, and to qualify for Internationals in a few years. Can you help us become a truly outstanding group? Interested persons can obtain more information and/or apply by con- Smith Mountain Lake, VA is the Southern tacting: Division Plateau A Champion. Tim Peterson, [email protected], 703-980-9730

MID’L ANTICS / SUMMER 2014 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 10 SOUTHERN DIVISION CONTEST & JUDGING 1 MONORAIL FOUR Kellen Hertz Southern Phil Ferguson Bobby Seay VI Andrew Havens New judges, new contestants, new contests sends MAD Sports A Talented Bevy of Gotham finished 15th in the chorus 2 FORECAST Candidate Judges! contest with a score of 83.9%. On the quartet front ‘Round Midnight finished Mike Fitch Four talented gentlemen made their 12th (84.1%), Last Men Standing finished six Qs to Ian Galvin marks at the recent judge candidate 29th (79.1%), Up All Night finished 31st Travis Murray school, held the weekend prior to (78.7%), Mayhem finished 33rd (78.7%), Dan Cook Harmony University in Nashville, TN. and Gimme Four finished 40th (77.6%). District Emerging from the candidate school Our collegiate reps, The Good Old Days, with shiny new “candidate” judge finished 18th in the collegiate contest (71.2%). 2014 Contest & Judging Update Look for Voices of Gotham and all of these 3 YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT by Gary Plaag, quartets (except ‘Round Midnight - 2010 VP Contest and Judging Mike Wallen Hardman Jones MAD District Champions and Mayhem – Roger Tarpy Vic Owen, Jr. 2014 MAD District Quartet Champions) at badges are: Jay Butterfield the upcoming Fall District Convention and (Singing), Matt Fellows Contests, as they compete there for the (Singing), Joe Sawyer District Quartet Championship. (Presentation), and Dick Powell (Contest Administrator). Mixed Harmony Contest 4 SHAMELESS Please congratulate these guys when you For those interested in entering the Phil Merkel see them “practicing” at our upcoming fall MAD’s inaugural mixed harmony contest, Chris Susalka and spring contests. They will continue to scheduled for next March 13-14, 2015 Cliff Shoemaker hone their skills over the next two years in (in conjunction with our International Dale Bird preparation for judge Category School in quartet prelims and Youth Adjudication), 2016, when all BHS judges must become entry will open beginning December 1, certified. 2014, to the first 15 entries.

If you’re interested in becoming a judge, Any additional entries will be added to a the categories will open to receive wait list. If a full complement of 15 entries NOT PICTURED: 6 DESPERATE applications again in August of 2016. is not reached by January 31, entry will 5 LoCo 4 be opened to neighboring districts. Final MEASURES MAD quartets and chorus make their determination as to the number of mixed Gary Bibens Terry Prevost mark International in Las Vegas! quartets we can accommodate above the Scott Beach Tim Peterson 15 estimated will be made after February Neal Woodard Frank Shipp We had a strong quartet and chorus 12, once the number of entries for the showing at International this year. The Dale Bird See C&J, continued on next page Vinny Capaccio Hell’s Kitchen Chapter’s Voices of

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C&J continued from previous page District Quartet and Chorus Qualifiers On-line contest entry is now open for the Fall District Quartet and Chorus men’s international prelims is competitions through the ebiz section of the BHS’s “Members Only” website. The determined. following choruses have qualified to compete at the upcoming MAD Fall District Convention in Wildwood, NJ: The mixed harmony quartet competition will be a one-round 1. Alexandria, VA 10. Hamilton Square, NJ 20. Loudoun County, VA event with each quartet singing 2. Allentown- 11. Harford County, MD 21. Manhattan, NY two songs. As is the case for Bethlehem, PA 12. Harrisburg, PA 22. Montclair, NJ the men’s prelims event, mixed 3. Anne Arundel 13. Harrisonburg, VA 23. Norfolk, VA quartet members may sing in only one mixed quartet. County, MD 14. Hell’s Kitchen, NY 24. Ocean County, NJ 4. Bryn Mawr, PA 15. Hunterdon County, 25. Princeton, NJ Any “mixed” configuration is 5. Bucks County, PA NJ 26. Queen Anne’s acceptable: MFFF, MMFF, or Photo by Frank Tunney 6. Cherry Hill, NJ 16. James River, VA County, MD MMMF. Standard BHS contest Director David Ammirata presents thed 2014 HCE Young Men’s Chorus to wild applause. 7. Dundalk, MD 17. Lancaster, PA 27. Richmond, VA rules will apply. There is an entry 8. Fairfax, VA 18. Lansdale, PA 28. Roanoke Valley, VA fee of $10 for each participating Snow days reduce Youth in Harmony Camp attendance 9. Five Towns College, 19. Lewisburg, PA 29. Washington, DC mixed quartet. In addition to the NY mixed quartet entry fee, all mixed ur goal this year was 100+ students. Sadly, All five of these young men and women “grew up” in harmony contest participants are Omother nature played a mean trick on us our MAD Youth In Harmony program and are now The following quartets have qualified, as well: required to be in possession of an and we only had 45. Many of the high school taking leadership roles to share their experience 30. Achording To Dad 40. Forecast 50. Riverline all-events registration. with newer barbershoppers. It’s a beautiful thing! 31. Anthology 41. Gimme Four 51. Shameless 2014 Youth in Harmony Update Also note that the 2014 World Please let your local music educators know about 32. Atlantic Harmonies 42. Last Men Standing 52. The BatBoys Mixed Quartet Champions, by Gary Plaag, the camp (June 18-20, 2015 – Salisbury University, 33. Black Tie Affair 43. Loco 4 53. The Facetones VP Youth in Harmony Double Date, will be our guests Salisbury, Md.), how much fun their students will 34. Cohesion 44. MADMEN 54. The Good Old Days at the convention. They will serve have and how much they will learn about a cappella 35. Desperate Measures 45. My Uncle Murray 55. The Monorail Four as mic testers and will host a quartets who normally attend were singing and friendship through music in general, 36. Distinction 46. New Kid In Town 56. Tight Chorders mixed quartet “master class”, as stuck in school for an extra two weeks and stage craft and barbershoping, in particular. well as perform on the Jamboree 37. Faces 4 Radio 47. On Tap 57. Up All Night due to make-up snow days. Our goal And remember, it’s co-ed so both young men and on Saturday night. for next year is once again, 100+. We women are welcome! 38. Flash Point 48. Parkside 58. Youth Reclamation need your help in making that dream come true. 39. For The Times 49. Razzmatazz Project Watch for additional information YIH on Facebook: Our YIH Facebook page is the Please enter the contest as soon as possible but not later than September in subsequent Mid’l Antics GQ and Gimme Four (with help from Edd Duran best place to find out about what’s happening in 24, the contest entry deadline. Note that choruses should select the options publications, as well as the – The Good Old Days) were our section leaders our YIH program. Our Facebook page is “Mid-Atlantic “International Preliminary Chorus”, as well as “District Chorus.” MAD website. This is going to and Ali Hauger (GQ - lead) and Dave Ammirata District Youth Barbershop”. Be sure to visit and “like” be an exciting addition to the (Gimme Four - lead), along with Doug Carnes (The our page, so you can receive notifications of newly- Two exciting additions to this year’s District convention are “most-improved” MAD Prelims weekend! If you Good Old Days - bari) served as our chorus directors. posted YIH information and resources, as well as quartet and “most-improved” chorus designations, which will be awarded based have questions about this new Meredith Didlake was in charge of our visual upcoming YIH events. on an ensemble’s two most recent contest appearances. initiative, please contact me at presentation plans. [email protected].

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The Fall District Convention will be held October 24-25. We challenges. are returning to Wildwood, N.J. The District Headquarters Hotel The Wildwoods is a resort area and hotels will be closing due will be the Days Inn on Ocean Ave. Walter L Griffith Jr to the end of the season. The hotels assured me they will remain open if we need their hotels but we need to let them know as M-AD VP Events We will be using a Jumbo-Tron again at the Fall Convention, and selling ads to air on the Jumbo-tron early as possible. just like we did last year. Get your ads ready now! Also, Therefore I am requesting that if you or your Chapter is there will be no webcast this Fall. planning to attend the Fall Convention in 2014, please secure The 2014 Competition The Wildwood Convention Center is excited to have us return your hotel as early as possible. Not sure? Please make your Cycle is posted at www. to New Jersey. The District has many memories of the Wildwoods housing reservation as early as possible, anyway, so you are not midatlanticdistrict.com. from Monster Trucks to torrential rain storms. I am excited to see disappointed by waiting until the last minute. You can always what’s in store for us as we return to New Jersey again in 2014. cancel if plans change! The Bryn Mawr Chapter has graciously stepped up to host our The 2014 Convention season looks like it will be both exciting Fall Convention. Many thanks to these fine fellows. and busy with choruses competing for the opportunity to The Fall Convention is unusually late in 2014 due to the Holy represent the District in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 2015. Please make JUMBO-TRONS return to WILDWOOD 2014 Fall District Days of our Jewish barbershop families and friends. The ability to your plans early. I am looking forward to seeing everyone next Convention will be have the convention this late in October also presents additional year as we continue to be the best District in the Society. There will be JUMBO-TRONS (very large screen projections) at the District held in Wildwood, NJ contest again this year. Not only will this make the contestants easier to see from the back of the auditorium, but choruses and quartets will be on October 24-25, able to place advertisements on the JUMBO-TRON to be shown between 2014. competitors! Book early . . . Whether you want to advertise your chapter show, promote your quartet, for the or just want to wish your son/dad/grandfather ‘Good Luck’, we have a Fall District package for you.

Convention We have several options and package deals from which to choose. You may in Wildwood, N.J. create your own PowerPoint static or animated slide, or create your own Our fall district convention will be held in Wildwood, (16x9) Video and nest that in a slide. Or you can send us the text of your ShoutOut, and we’ll make the slide for you. Pricing is based on the duration N.J. on October 24-25, 2014. of your content. The Headquarters Hotel is already sold out. BUT the district events team has posted information The Early Bird pricing deadline is Friday, September 19, NOON! We will continue to take ShoutOuts after that, but it’ll cost you more! Note on 16 other hotels that have promised to remain open that the submission deadline for PRINT Ads is October 11th. You must pay for us and our families. using PayPal at the time you place your order. And rates are really good, ranging from $50 per night up to $125 per night depending on location and Use the following links to place your order and/or create your own amenities. PowerPoint slide. If you are planning to attend, now is the time to call and make reservations. Don’t be left out of the Here’s the on-line ordering page. fun at the beach! Use this Template if you intend to create your own PowerPoint slide. www.midatlanticdistrict.com/Fall

MID’L ANTICS / SUMMER 2014 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 13 ROTOGRAVURE: HARMONY COLLEGE EAST

Getting smart, barbershop style ith over 80 courses covering abso- lutely every aspect of the barber- Wshop hobby -- history, leadership, directing, coaching, pr, communications, song writing, arranging, singing, sound man- agement, presentation, staging -- and plenty of eating, drinking, tagging, gang singing, and long walks in the moonlight, as well as two blockbuster shows and ice cream, Harmony College East in Salisbury lived up to its billing as the best deal this side of the Society’s Harmony Universigy in Nashville. Enjoy our compedium of photos and plan to be part of the fun and excitement next year. Mark your calendars: June 18-20, 2015.

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Show and Glow photos by various generous contributors Saturday night at HCE Pookie Dingle challenges the youth camp staff to a wa- termelon eating contest in the dining hall. And the winner and grand champion was (drum roll) — POOKIE!

Then on to the show where quartets of all ages demonstrated the splendid re- sults of two days of expert coaching. The administration and staff of HCE, includ- ing EVP Ig Jakovac and Dean Roger Tarpy, as well as the instructors and students are to be congratulated on an outstanding barbershop learning experience. Next year, come join the fun! Watermelon photos by Dan Wright

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Vying for the chance MAKING to replace Frank the Dog’s missing baritone, Ross Trube, LEMONADE 38 baritones in the HCE Saturday night audience race to the FRANK the DOG stage for their audi- donates $100 to tion. YIH to honor baritone pushout

singers Night show. We promised to pay $1 for hile on vacation as a youngster, my parents took each person who got on Wmy brothers and me to the Kennedy Compound stage with us to sing a in Hyannisport, Mass. Visiting the summer home of one couple polecats. of the most influential U.S. families was great, but that 38 baris stepped up. wasn’t the best part of the trip for us boys. With other donations Not even close. added in we raised $100 Instead we were enamored by seeing a dog scamper for YIH. across the street as we approached the property. This Thank you for making dog had three legs. A three legged dog ­— how cool was this possible, for being that?!?! After about a minute the novelty was gone and our friends and support- the dog really appeared to be just a normal dog, enjoy- ing us. ing a dog’s life. But I am sure that it had to work just a Always remember that little harder than those with all four legs! teamwork, commitment, Early this spring, Ross “BariDog” had some health hard work, and little bit of issues that eventually led to his inability to attend HCE, fun will always allow you and subsequently this forced us to withdraw from the to make lemonade out of International contest in Las Vegas. While disappointed the lemons that pass your that Ross could not attend HCE, we (the good looking way. trio) decided to forge onward and get what is always top-notch coaching at HCE. commend your flexibility and talents. Tags at District. Steve, Frank the Dog The coaches did not disappoint. They worked us hard For severals years now, Frank the Dog has been so At HCE, we decided to turn the tables. Instead of with duets and the trio. We missed Ross, but we learned. grateful to have such wonderful support from the Mid- singing tags (and obviously lacking a baritone) we of- P.S. As of the writing of this article, Ross is doing Our heartfelt thanks to Jean Barford, Dwain Brobst, Al Atlantic District. Your friendship and enthusiasm allow fered the audience a chance to get on stage to partici- great. He is healthy, singing well and actively annoying Baker, Theresa Weatherbee, and Steve Armstrong. We us to raise funds for Youth In Harmony through our Dog pate in a baritone push out quartet during the Saturday the other Dogs every chance he gets.

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“I still don’t have the hang of that, so I lean on the people Congratu- These fathers around me quite a bit when it comes to learning the songs,” lations to Kirk Olinger said. Achording For Jim Sherman, 67, scheduling used to be an issue, to Dad and sons are but the pediatric pulmonary physician’s work situation had baritone become more flexible by the time Ben expressed interest in Adam and joining the chorus. Since then, he has watched with interest Stephanie as Ben, a criminal justice student at Virginia Western Com- Paulhamus truly in munity College, has grown as a singer. on getting In a recent competition, Ben Sherman and his colleagues married in another outfit, the collegiate quartet Tight Chorders, won (barbershop) the mid-Atlantic district novice quartet championship. Their June 21! score, 70, was three points shy of winning them a trip to an international competition. harmony At the end of May, the fathers and sons participated in the Southern Division of the Mid-Atlantic District competi- Aaron Olinger (from left), Jim Sherman, Kirk Olinger and Ben Sherman are tion, at Hotel Roanoke. They placed eighth as a quartet, with By Tad Dickens father-son duos who enjoy barbershop-style singing. a score of 60. The Roanoke Times | Posted: Saturday, June 7, 2014 12:15 am “Considering where we were six months ago, to have Their four-part harmonies sounded like the work of a group that scored a 60 is astounding,” Jim Sherman said. Father and son bonding isn’t always easy. Schedules can be has been singing together for years, but they have been at it as a crazy and kids don’t necessarily like the same activities as their quartet for less than a year. Kirk Olinger added: “We weren’t even together six months ago.” parents. Jim Sherman, of the barbershop harmony chorus the Even Linda Sherman, Jim’s wife and Ben’s mom, is involved. Virginia Gentlemen, has some good advice about it. She is co-director of the Roanoke Home School Chorus, of which About the hobby, Jim Sherman says,, “This is a great opportu- “As a father, if you want to do something with your son, find Aaron Olinger is a member, and Ben Sherman a former member. nity for fathers and sons to jointly learn, practice, and perform. I out what your son likes and then do it with him,” Sherman said. She brought the barbershop singers to a home school chorus think it is a great recruiting tool. Dads will sometiimes say, ‘I love “My son, fortunately, likes to sing. I love to sing. So this is no session, and Aaron liked harmonizing with them so much that to sing but can’t take the time away from my family.’ This gives pain. This is all gain for us.” he ditched his soccer plans in favor of singing. them the opportunity to sing AND spend quality time with fam- ily.” The Shermans joined Virginia Gentlemen about four years “I was so enthralled by how good it sounded … and then just ago, after Ben Sherman went to see the annual concert with his how much fun it was singing your part, and if you messed up, Ben Sherman, a tenor, said their big goal as a quartet is to GIMME FOUR SAYS, “WAIT’LL NEXT YEAR!” parents. They had asked him to go with them the year before, you couldn’t really blame it on someone else,” he said. “I thought learn gospel songs so they can perform in churches. But he got Gimme Four had an ABSOLUTE BLAST in another gig out of last weekend’s Hotel Roanoke activities. but he was skeptical. with barbershop, I’ll get a lot more opportunities, get to sing Vegas. We were very proud to represent the “I said, ‘I don’t really want to go see a bunch of old guys sing. in front of people, perform in shows, competitions. So I chose During a postcontest performance of Who Put The Bomp Mid-Atlantic district at our very first interna- That doesn’t sound very fun,’ ” Ben Sherman, 20, remembered. “I barbershop.” (In the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp), his singing and stage presence tional quartet contest. We are already preparing impressed someone from Botetourt County-based Attic Produc- went the next year and I loved it. I mean, the sound is different Kirk Olinger, 48, an IT project manager at Carilion Clinic who for district and we will certainly be heading to tions. from any other music that you’re going to hear. It was very cool majored in voice at Shenandoah University, was going to be Pittsburgh. a cappella, and I loved it. So I got over the original ‘ugh.’ ” giving Aaron rides to auditions and shows, so wife Fay suggested He auditioned there and got the lead role in Attic’s upcoming David Ammirata He was 16 when he and his dad joined, making him the that he join, too. production of “Oklahoma.” which began its run on July 24. youngest member of the Virginia Gentlemen. Since then, a “It really wasn’t my genre,” the classically trained Kirk Olinger The younger Sherman has also performed at Carnegie Hall couple of other father-son teams have joined the chorus, includ- said. “It’s completely different to me, as a person who grew up with the No Borders Youth Chorus. ing father Kirk and son Aaron Olinger. learning to sing what’s written on the page and interpret what’s The Virginia Gentlemen is hoping for more father/son teams chapter eternal written on the page. but invites anyone who is interested in joining. Aaron, 15, was the youngest member for a spell, before Mitch We sorrow at the loss of Russell Lausch. Russ and John Martin, of Iron Gate, joined recently. John Martin is 12. “In barbershop, the melody as it’s written on the page, we “There’s just this incredible joy and pride in seeing your son stick to that. But in terms of the rhythm and the notes and every- was a longtime active member and former presi- The Shermans and Olingers gathered at the Shermans’ house do something really well and yet still being able to do it with dent of the Lancaster Red Rose Chorus, and sang thing, that’s really a suggestion, sometimes.” him,” Jim Sherman said. in Southwest Roanoke to talk about their experiences together with the chorus just two weeks before his death. with the group, and even to sing a song that Jim Sherman wrote. That statement brought a laugh from his cohorts. Learn more at roanokebarbershopharmony.org

MID’L ANTICS / SUMMER 2014 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 17 HARMONY FOUNDATION Look What YOUR Fund Can Do HCE Attendees are the Most Generous of All by Alan Wile, VP Financial Development, MAD Endowment Fund Chairman M-AD Barbershoppers proved once again that they are generous to a fault, as they & HFI Regional Representative willingly (???) parted with their hard-earned cash to support the District’s Youth in Harmony programs at Harmony College East. And the anxious participants, jockeying to be first in line, donated a terrific total of $1,450! his year, the Mid-Atlantic District (AOS), and from general gifts. In fact, Endowment Fund provided nine during 2013 over 100 individuals added Yes, these remarkable men and women responded to repeated calls at every meal Tscholarships to front line and a total of nearly $9,000 to the Fund by assistant directors to Harmony College exercising the “donor choice” option when on Friday and Saturday to purchase “opportunities.” Some gave $5, some gave $10, East (HCE)! Recipients enrolled in classes contributing to Harmony Foundation as and some gave $20, or more. Some even asked that their ticket stubs be distributed geared toward imparting and improving an AOS and/or PC member. among the singers in the Youth Harmony Camp. their conducting and related skills. Equally important is exercising the “donor In addition, the Fund was prepared to choice” option in favor of your own The motivation for such generosity was not the possibility of taking home a offer a scholarship to a quartet to attend chapter. For example, in the last half of Here’s a happy collection of prize goodies (although winning an HCE scholarship and a collection the district’s annual Youth Harmony 2013 about half of our chapter treasuries contributor … of material goods certainly were inviting). No, it was because all the proceeds were Festival held concurrently with HCE at were enhanced by a total of over $20,000 why, it’s Chuck Salisbury University. That’s an investment by thoughtful contributors. Amounts targeted specifically to support the in young singers/performers and chorus ranged from $30 to over $4,000. Checks Lower. How district’s youth (and, hey, there’s no directors in excess of over $2,600 … and were mailed out following this year’s generous! better cause, right?). that’s impressive. District Spring Convention. So, how is the Fund doing? Well, at the Want to help send more young M-AD Once again, your money-hungry, beginning of 2013 the Fund total was singers to camp and provide musical sweet –talking, diplomatic barker is slightly over $118,000 and, by the end of directors and those on the way up with grateful to each of you who willingly the year, it had grown to over $148,000 additional educational opportunities – an increase of over 25 percent! WOW! or explore donation options? Give responded to subtle and sensitive This results from intentional giving by a me a call (703-538-6526) or e-mail me invitations to open up your wallets, host of individuals, chapters, and quartets ([email protected]). I can help with especially those who didn’t wait to be plus investment earnings. Big thanks to membership in one of the Society’s major asked but came to the table with money one/all! donation programs (PC or AOS) and in hand. Your friendship, good humor, accept direct donations to the Fund. Specifically, contributions were received willingness to be cajoled, and your over the course of the year in the form of demonstrated commitment to further individual donations, through selection the future of barbershop harmony just of the “donor choice” option available from Harmony Foundation International go to prove that “Mid-Atlantic District (HFI) by members of the President’s Barbershoppers are THE GREATEST!” “Opportunities” on display Council (PC) and Ambassadors of Song Note the welcoming smile…

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DOUBLE DOWN Two ways to make your anniversary year donation to the future of barbershop harmony count twice.

Already an Ambassa- dor of Song? Check out how moving up to the President’s Council and des- ignating 30% of your donation for the Mid-Atlantic District will result in twice as much money coming right back to help with District programs.

New to the Harmony Foundation? Alan Wile will match your first-time donation to either AoS or the President’s Council when you designate 30% to the District.

MID’L ANTICS / SUMMER 2014 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 19 THE DOCTOR IS ‘IN’ WHAT’S YOUR REHEARSAL LIKE? Are your rehearsals conspicuously positive? Does re you a member of a vibrant and great- Pace Does the rehearsal drag or are you constantly your director appreciate singing chorus? engaged and energized? Go ahead: Hammer away at AI’m not talking about whether your last contest some poorly-tuned chord or unsuccessful key change your efforts and recognize score was stellar but whether your rehearsals are fun if you love tedium. But if you don’t, keep the pace and musically fulfilling – the kind of evening that fresh. Tell your director (nicely) to stop talking. You’re your improvements? Do you great choruses stage every week. there to sing, not to get talked at. congratulate him/her for having I raise the issue because too many of us don’t even Clarity of instruction This is similar to the pacing conducted a great rehearsal and know if our rehearsals are effective. We attend and, issue. It makes no sense to keep singing if you often, do the same old things without thinking much don’t know what you’re trying to improve or how to for sharing his/her talent and about the details. Sure, we may not be excessively improve it. musical insight? Demands on the singer Do your rehearsals involve clarity of his/her hand signals has nothing whatsoever a musical challenge? Are you given an assignment for to do with those problems, and that feeling lousy at the following week that is short, clear, and doable? Or the end of the evening is a good thing to shoot for. does your director just admonish you to “practice”? If you are given an assignment, do you take it seriously Goals Do you know what the rehearsal is supposed ONLY ONE BRIGADE SCHOLARSHIP LEFT ! by Roger Tarpy, VP Music & Performance and actually work on it? Let’s face it: Choruses can’t to accomplish? Working on a contest set? Getting And one “stand-by” . This is the LAST CALL become great if folks work at our craft only during ready for a show? If you don’t have a clear sense of For men 18-28 to participate in a glorious weekend their weekly 3-hour rehearsal. this, then you probably won’t make a lot of progress. negative (or else we’d probably vote with our feet of seriously fun & non-stop, Extreme Quartet Singing and not come back) but we don’t always understand, Praise Are your rehearsals conspicuously positive? Contribution by others Surely there are men of -You don’t have to be in a quartet or be a member of BHS consciously at least, the conditions which, if Does your director appreciate your efforts and talent in your group. Do they contribute during -You don’t have to come from North Carolina or Dixie Dis- improved, could make a rehearsal even better. recognize your improvements? Do you congratulate rehearsals? A great chorus draws on the talent of trict him/her for having conducted a great rehearsal and all its members, not just a few. Incidentally, great -You’ll sing in dozens of quartet combinations all weekend. My purpose here is to take a look at this issue. These for sharing his/her talent and musical insight? directors are secure enough in their skill and authority -It’s a retreat weekend of intensive non-stop quartet singing activities, concerns, or proscriptions are ideas that any that they’re not intimidated by these contributions. one of us, and certainly every director, might focus on Balance Do you spend all or most of your time -You’ll learn a great shared repertory of championship songs during a rehearsal. Perhaps recognizing features that working on one thing – choreo, old repertory, contest Communication Is there good communication -You’ll discover a great network of experienced quartet sing- characterize a great rehearsal will be a first step on numbers, new songs – or is there balance in the during your rehearsals, the kind that’s based on ers the long road toward building a better chorus. My list program? Variety is needed to maintain interest respect and openness? Yes, choruses must have a -You get exceptionally high quality audio tracks learning is, of course, incomplete but it’s a good enough start. and commitment. And don’t forget that “fun stuff” – strong and singular leader – good communication materials quartetting, tag singing, and the like – is part of this doesn’t mean that everyone has the option of -It Includes double room hotel accommodations, meals and Riser talk How is this handled? With recriminations balance. jumping in with his opinion at the drop of a hat – more. and loud “shusses”? In a humorless fashion with lots but singers shouldn’t be left in the dark about what of old-fashioned discipline? By the way, people pay Attributions of blame Does your director implicitly they’re trying to accomplish. Incidentally, if you You only have to have a solid history of active, legitimate attention to a director who is engaging – he/she blame the chorus when the sync is bad, when you think your idea (about topic x, y, or z) is better than applied vocal music training and/or auditioned performance keeps our attention by virtue of his/her rehearsal skill sing flat, or when your dynamic changes aren’t the director’s, try emailing it to him/her during the experience and a reliable, tenacious work ethic. – not one who simply demands obedience. sufficiently dramatic? If so, assure him/her that all of following week rather than blurting it out at the For info or an application, simply write to: the members are singing poorly on purpose, that the rehearsal. [email protected]

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always stress vocal consistency to my chorus unison, counting 1 to 8, followed without a breath by members. The way to excel at singing is to sing the a descending scale, counting from 8 to 1. For variety, The way to excel at Isame correct way every time you open your mouth, I often have the chorus sing the word “and” (which Vocal whether singing in the shower, singing along with the sounds like “’n”) in between each number. [Example: 1 ‘n radio, practicing your chorus music at home, or singing 2 ‘n 3 ‘n 4 ‘n 5, etc] singing is to sing the same at rehearsal or on a show. Easier said than done, of This exercise is a great one for making fine distinctions course, but a good habit to strive toward. in pitch and in getting the chorus to sing as one voice. correct way every time Warm-ups: The reality for you, the chorus director, is that your After each repetition, go up or down a half-step and singers will often NOT sing the same correct way repeat; this adds the ability for the singers to increase you open your mouth each time, so you will spend a large part of your their vocal range. They will learn how to sing the higher rehearsal refining their technique and working toward notes (lighter and taller) and how to sing the lower consistency. This is why the vocal warm-up at the notes (a bit fuller and more resonant) as an ensemble. A Critical beginning of rehearsal is so critical to your long- are doing, and to expose the things that they should Singing the scales by the numbers exposes common term success. You want to start working toward vocal individually and collectively be doing differently. pitch problems, such as singing pitches 2 and 6 (re and consistency from the very start of rehearsal. This way la, respectively) habitually flat while ascending in pitch, It is important for you to remember, however, that you stand a much better chance of “staying in the zone” and singing under pitch while descending (jumping barbershoppers LOVE to ring chords, and therefore, the whole time. too far on the way down). Unison singing is also THE they will never enjoy unison singing as much as singing Way to harmony. So it is probably in your best interest to be My article focuses on three vocal warm-up exercises best way to work toward balance, blend, sectional that I love to use with my two choruses and all of the unity, chorus unity, and precision. All of your singers will judicious in how much emphasis you place on unison choruses that I coach. These warm-up exercises focus greatly increase their ability to listen when doing unison singing throughout your rehearsal as a whole. on some of the most important building-block skills that drills. Second, you should have warm-up drills in your musical Start Your singers need in order to improve their ability to sing, tool box that cultivate specific skills that you want the Unison singing a song everyone knows – Take a song listen, and blend well together. such as “My bonnie lies over the ocean”---one that chorus to repeat throughout a given rehearsal. For Expending air on a hiss – In this exercise, all singers everyone in the chorus knows---and sing it together example, if you plan to spend some time in tonight’s should take a full breath and then “hiss” it out on an “sss” in unison. This will enhance all of the skills learned in rehearsal on a chart in which the leads jump back and Rehearsal sound as a group. Get the group to hiss out all of their singing unison scales (balance, blend, sectional/chorus forth between their low and high ranges, then come up air in 8 counts, then 12, then 16. The key to this drill is unity, etc). It will also add the important quality of with an exercise that allows them to practice that skill the quality of the hiss. Many singers will hiss out a very teaching the chorus to sing with the same resonance up while warming up. small amount of air at a time in order to conserve their and down their vocal range. Later in the rehearsal when you get to that song, you air, and it will sound timid and weak. Rather, they should Additionally, since this is a “real” song and not “just can remind the leads that “this is the same thing we learn to hiss out the air with what I call “high psi”, which a drill”, you can add interpretation and expression, were doing in warm-ups; you should be pros at this will sound like a roaring wind when the chorus does this facial and body involvement, and perhaps even small by now!” Practice in warm-ups the things that directly together. amounts of choreography that are appropriate to the correlate to what you will sing during the rehearsal. by Glenn Phillips, VP Chorus Why? Because most singers can understand the song. Your focus should be on the singing, but this helps Finally, do not forget the importance of the physical Director Development importance of taking in a lot of air in order to sing. What bridge the warm-up session into real-time application of warm-up. Vocal warm-ups are critical in focusing the they do not easily do without practice is put more air skills and technique into your chorus repertoire. group and getting them to be on the same page vocally, into the sound. The chorus needs to learn to sing with These are three exercises I find particularly useful; there but physical warm-ups bring in other skills that help a LOT of warm air in the singing; this allows a chorus to are many, many more to consider. Please keep a few the chorus enhance their ability to perform their songs. create a very “full” sound, irrespective of the number of things in mind with regard to your warm-ups. First, note Physical warm-ups are a subject for another article….. singers or the dynamic level they are singing. that all of the singing involved in my examples above is Glenn Phillips directs the Patapsco Valley and Queen Unison scale up and down by the numbers – In unison singing. This is because unison singing is the best Anne’s County Chapters in the Mid-Atlantic District. this exercise, the chorus sings an ascending scale in way to demonstrate all the great things your singers

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May the Force Be With You Barbershop Quartet Preservation Association / Pioneers (BQPA) from the following data, we are not The Focus Force team will be led by the by Ig Jakovac, Not your typical barbershop convention yet delivering the positive member- EVP and will be composed of the follow- Executive Vice President ship growth we need to survive as an ing District members: organization. Come with a quartet or by oming out of the 2013 Society Leader- RECENT M-AD MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS yourself, and join us for our ship Forum, our district endorsed the Cobjectives of helping chapters Fall Festival. through recruiting, communication, coaching, shared activities, and more The focus is always on YOU and barbershop arrangements of contem- our hobby – our passion. porary music. In fact, the M-AD Board passed the following motion to help A Friday evening pickup quartet guide our efforts: contest and a Saturday night “The Mid-Atlantic District Board of quartet parade highlight the week- Directors commits to concentrate our end of camaraderie and song. 2014 policies, operations, and resources Sept 3,4,5,6, 2014 New Non-Renewing Net towards successful achievement of the goals Hillside Best Western established Society-wide as the outcome of This is a four-day, do-it yerself the 2013 Society Leadership Forum.” 2011 216 405 -189 Each team member will be reaching out to quartetting festival. 4400 Frontage Road The first item on the list, “recruiting” is 2012 190 374 -184 many folks across our district to leverage their expertise and time as we move ahead. As a No assigned music Hillside, IL 60162 linked closely to membership. We know that 2013 210 379 -169 we have more people leaving our organiza- first step we are gathering information from a No pre-requisites 708-544-9300 dozen chapters that did see positive growth tion than we have coming in but the “why” www.chicagohillsidehotel.com and “what to do about that” is far from Data from Nashville shows that 389 to find out what they did and how they did We sing all the old songs you clear. The extent to which the chapters in M-AD members from 86 chapters have not it. We’ve also reached out to other districts for already know and love, in quartets Room Rate $69 per night input to see what has worked for them. the district are successful at recruiting new renewed their membership from January 1, that form, melt away and reform. Free buffet breakfast every members has a direct impact on our ability 2013 to April 30, 2014. Below is a breakdown In parallel members of the Focus Force and morning for guests to accomplish all other objectives. So we de- by Division: other district leaders will be contacting all the The emphasis is always on the cided to focus first on what, exactly, we can men who did not renew their membership Shuttle to/from O’Hare airport M-AD Membership Losses fun of barbershop quartet singing. do to stem the tide of membership losses between January and May of this year. We will: ONLY January – April 2014 and fuel new growth within our District, our • Determine why those men did not renew. Can’t join us in Sept? Make plans now to chapters, and the Society at large. Atlantic Division 63 • Determine if and how we can “change any join us April 8-11, 2015, for out Spring Festival Please call or e-mail the hotel direct We have put together a special team Northern Division 116 minds”. in Tempe, AZ. when making your reservations, and called the Focus Force to examine our Southern Division 131 • Use the information gleaned to help im- Details at WWW,BQPA.COM/events be sure to tell them that you are with district’s current situation, develop specific prove retention of our current membership. the BQPA/Pioneers in order to get the Western Division 47 recommendations for action to turn things All of this information and recommenda- BQPA is a co-ed organization of folks who group rate. around, and then to define and manage Frank Thorne 32 tions for action will be shared with everyone just wanna come together to sing in quartets Questions? WWW.BQPA.COM the projects that will drive us through TOTAL 389 in the district in a future edition of Mid’l Antics. without any imposed structure. implementation to success. As you can see Stay tuned!

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Dear Editor, Dear Editor: but they also taught them about the voice parts and heart. As the Assistant Director of the Bucks County The Crooning Jonahs did an assembly for my school how they work together to make barbershop harmony. They did more tag singing with an advanced sev- Chapter I was (and still am) thrilled to receive a full- today. The audience included children in grades pre-K They demonstrated the art of tag singing and even enth grade student of mine after the assembly and ride scholarship to the 2014 Harmony College, East to eighth. It’s so great that you have a youth quartet called a first grader up to sing a tag with them. Two made a great impression on him. It was also fun for me Director’s College! I have learned so much during reaching out to children in of my students learned parts (baritone and tenor) to getting to sing a pole cat with them and chatting about my three and one-half years as a barbershopper schools. Barbershop is some- Down Our Way, and they had the opportunity to sing choruses and quartets. and fledgling director under Chuck Lower (Direc- thing children might see in with the quartet for the audience. It’s great that you have a young quartet reaching out tor) and Stephanie Brictson (Associate), but it al- movies and TV shows, but The Crooning Jonahs really communicated well with to schools. This can set the seed for future generations ways feels like I grow leaps and bounds at HCE-DC! rarely have the chance to see the kids. They took questions from the kids and actu- of barbershoppers. and hear one live. A heartfelt thank you to Alan Wile, who chairs ally walked up into the bleachers with the microphone Sincerely, the M-AD Endowment Fund, and of course, Glenn After the assembly today so the whole audience could hear the question. John Wernega, music teacher Phillips, District V.P. for Director Development! I students keep coming to me They not only made a huge impression during the Quinton Township School was reminded of so many basics this past weekend, asking if the quartet will be assembly, but also afterwards by going to a class and Quinton, N.J. gained some new tools for my ‘tool belt’ and of back again. Several students singing Happy Birthday to a student in sixth grade. editor’s note: According to The Cherry Hill Pine Barons course, had some confidence building. It was great got their autographs. I¹m sure Some of the girls in her class said they were ready to cry President Jim Scollay, The Crooning Jonahs are a colle- to get togetther with other Directors and Barber- I will be hearing the kids and teachers talk about the when they did that. giate quartet associated with The Cherry Hill Pine Barons shoppers, as well! Great job HCE2014 Faculty and quartet all week. I told them about the Valentine’s Day tradition of and made up mostly of alumni from the local high school. Staff! The Crooning Jonahs not only sang for our school, people hiring quartets to sing Let Me Call You Sweet- Chas Byram

Dear Gary and Bill, Dear Chris, pation in our educational events to include SAI, HI the “wait time” for results! Win-win, on many levels! On behalf of the entire Bella Nova chorus, I’d like to thank you so Gary’s laudable initiative to work closely with and mixed-gender quartets as well as individual Finally, I want to convey how overwhelmed I very much for the warm hospitality you extended during this week- Bella Nova’s leadership and help to bring you to our women seeking to learn and experience more was by the individual thanks I received from your end’s Southern Divisional. I know we threw a couple of wrenches in stage this past weekend as “mic coolers” at the con- about barbershop skills. Our HCE faculty has also members during the weekend. It was almost em- your works for scheduling around Richard’s other obligations and we clusion of our terrific Mid-Atlantic District Southern included top female instructors and coaches, most barrassing inasmuch as I, personally and as District couldn’t possibly feel more supported than we do thanks to your ef- Division Chorus Contest was a great gift to us ALL! recently featuring HI’s 1996 Harmony Queens For President, had only given my (and our Board’s) forts. Not only was your chorus’s performance first-rate, Heaven’s Sake, as a teaching quartet. We are proud solid endorsement of Gary’s initiative; he along that our district has the highest percentage of Our experience with the MAD family was amazing. This weekend, but the enthusiasm and encouragement your with our fine Events Team (under Walter Griffith, female chorus directors among all districts in the about 70% of our chorus had never participated in a barbershop event members and their guests showed as supporters also copied!) did the real “heavy lifting” to make Society, all of whom are registered Associates with before, so the experience wasn’t just about the scores and the evals... to all our quartet competitors and participants in it all possible and to have everything work out so our organization. All this background is to under- it was also about exposing them to the laughter and friendships they our evening Show of Champions was a great addi- smoothly! But it was the fact that so many women score our very real commitment to encouragement would have experienced if we had been closer to a Harmony, Inc. area. tion to everyone’s overall experience. Our pride in took the time and effort to seek me out and thank of EVERYONE to enjoy and participate fully in our You are all unbelievably gracious to let us partake in the party! being able to offer you the opportunity to perform me and our District for our hospitality that really for us was really exceeded by the joy we felt having great activities and art form! Thus, it was a “natural” moved me. It was just another testament to the Many thanks to the entire District leadership, the judging panel, you all with us to experience our “district family to include your fine chorus in our activities. “class” of your Bella Nova organization, to say the the hosts of this weekend, and most importantly, to you, Gary, for your atmosphere!” By the way, in addition to the benefits YOU least. flexibility and patience. We are beyond grateful and we’d be happy to accrued from participation, WE were really the repay the favor if ever the opportunity presents itself. As I mentioned from the podium, we in MAD On behalf of our Board, Chris, please accept our are fortunate to have had the foresight to open our beneficiaries, too, from a very practical standpoint, thanks, our congratulations, and our friendship as Hugs to you both! gates of inclusion to our sisters in harmony for a as having a “mic cooler” of such high quality im- you proceed on your exciting journey in HI. We Christina substantial period of time. Our Harmony College- mediately following the official conclusion of the wish you continued success, growth and satisfac- Christina Lewellen East Youth Camp has, for YEARS now, been open contest gives our judging panel an opportunity to tion in all you do. carefully collect and review results AND gives our President, Bella Nova Chorus, HI to girls and young women to benefit from a terrific Sincerely, www.BellaNovaChorus.com educational experience. We have opened partici- great audience a wonderful “treat” to help shorten Bill Colosimo

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n Saturday night at the International his or her new techniques to the test. Convention in Las Vegas, as the crowd stood Two days later on July 14th the Squires entertained Oand cheered and cheered with genuine at the Attleboro Retirement Village. Fifteen singers delight, Matt Gifford, bass of our newest champions, presented the chorus “long program” that included a Bringing the Musical Island Boys spoke from the heart and for sing-along to an attentive and appreciative audience the all of us when he said, “In a world that has so much of Attleboro residents, staff, and family members. turbulence and so much trouble right now, if everyone just sang the world would be a beautiful place, right?” The very next day the Squires hosted an inter- Dream chapter get together with The Country Gentlemen Just a few hours earlier on the very same and The Sounds of Liberty choruses for an evening to stage, BHS CEO Marty Monson said, “SING a LOT of singing and camaraderie. After a warm-up, sing- Life more! Nothing matters unless we are having FUN along and tag singing each chorus sang a 3-song singing. “It’s the Music” is a theme that will continue set, followed by a cavalcade of through the rest of the year and beyond. Be inspired quartets. The evening concluded to learn more music, not just as a chorus/chapter with the 50+ member combined (You don’t member, but also in a quartet or a small ensemble.” chorus singing a rousing rendition The Squires And earlier in the week members of the Society of “Keep the Whole World Singing.” sang at both have to be Board of Directors visited every chorus appearing to th Saturday, July 19 found a retirement deliver a simple request: “When you get home, reach twenty-five chapter members and village and out to other chapters and other musical organizations big to make a their families enjoying themselves a veterans’ in your community. Collaborate with them and form at the Chapter Family Picnic. The home. difference!) alliances to promote singing in your communities and order of the day was singing (LOTS make time in every one of your performances to reach OF SINGING), swimming, shared Sun and song out and embrace everyone who wants to sing.” conversation and partaking of — perfect Two weeks later, I opened my in-basket to find the the abundant and tasty variety of conditions Abington-Levittown chapter weekly bulletin, “The snacks, covered dishes, burgers, for a chapter DISPATCHES FROM INTERNATIONAL Squires Wire. “ As I read through the bulletin I found hot dogs and desserts. Horse picnic. by Dick Powell, myself getting more and more excited. In just nine shoes, anyone? MAD IPP, days (in the summer doldrums, no less) they managed Two days later, on July 21, BHS Board Member-at-large FIVE chorus activities which covered education the Squires entertained at the (director training), performing for the public in two Delaware Valley Veterans Home in NE Philadelphia. different retirement homes, holding a chapter family Eleven singers, wearing service caps, and two chapter picnic, and hosting an inter-chapter get-together. I quartets entertained the audience of honorably think this is a remarkable level of activity for a small discharged veterans of the Armed Forces of the United chapter. Heck, it’s a remarkable level of activity for any States and the Pennsylvania Military Forces. chapter! Here are some of the highlights: And what did they do on Tuesday? Why they th On July 12 the Squires hosted a Chorus Director gathered for their weekly chapter meeting and chorus Workshop Intensive (CDWI). Terry Reynolds (M-AD) rehearsal! What else would a barbershopper do? and Jerry Schmidt (Seneca Land) led five directors and directors-in-training (including the director and My hat is off to this chapter. They get it. They really Now, what are you and your The Country Gentlemen and The assistant directors of the Squires) through their paces get it. And quietly and without fanfare they are living chapter doing to bring the Sounds of Liberty join the BucksMont in the morning. In the afternoon session, the Squires the dream every day and breathing life into our vision dream alive? Squires of Song for an evening of bar- of Song was on hand and each director had time to put of a world united in harmony with everything they do, bershop fun. Photos by E. Fox and every song they sing. Well done Squires!

MID’L ANTICS / SUMMER 2014 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 24 AROUND THE DISTRICT Dear all of you Yesterday we had a magical moment of pure happiness. Your generosity, your kindness will hen the Alexandria Harmonizers arrived in France to help 1940s. stay in our hearts and in our memories Wmark the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the musical act brought The group’s members paid their own way to Normandy, for ever. a group of World War II veterans with them, in a manner of speak- with 100 singers traveling overseas for the event. They ing. All of the citizens of Les Ventes are were joined by what Reynolds calls his “special forces,” very sad today. We regret your departure, Along with their luggage and equipment, the Harmonizers had guest singers who have agreed to bolster the Harmonizers’ we would have kept you longer and would with them a photograph taken on Armed Forces Day. In it, mem- ranks. have liked to share a drink with you bers of the singing group posed with 26 members of the greatest Alan Lamson, the former president of the Barbershop generation. Thank you for having made this event Harmony Society, is one of those people. He traveled from possible The veterans had no idea how far that image would travel. New England a few times a month to rehearse with the “We’re taking that with us to the beaches of Normandy, so they Harmonizers in the lead up to the anniversary. It was such a marvelous day can be part of the experience, even though they can’t make the Reynolds said this series of performances was a one-of- You are always welcome and hope to trip themselves,” said Terry Reynolds, president of the Alexandria a-kind opportunity. see you again Harmonizers. “This one was I did have not time to say good bye to The group is one of a few musical acts to represent the United very different the two men who spoke French - States in the massive undertaking to commemorate the anniver- just because of I regret that. Can you tell them for sary. Organizers said the tribute drew more than 1.2 million people, the purpose and me? including many veterans of what is known as “The Longest Day.” honor, the ability And express my gratitude to all the The Harmonizers’ musical director Joe Cerutti called the op- to take part in generous members of the Group portunity an honor, but knowing it likely will be the last milestone honoring our veterans and the I m so proud to have crossed your anniversary many living D-Day veterans can attend made it that path much more important to the musical group. greatest gen- “While it was extremely emotional for us to share the stage with eration,” Reynolds all of the veterans in attendance, we were equally motivated to per- said. “We feel it’s With all my friendship form in honor of all of the living veterans who could not make the a tremendous honor represent- Christine Guerard journey, and those who lost their lives during those historic events,” former mayor of Les Ventes Cerutti said. ing our home- June 6, 1944 saw Allied forces make their first push into Nazi- town and the there occupied Europe. Thousands of soldiers waded ashore along the United States and to meet us Normandy coast, joining those who already had parachuted into the Barbershop and ran along the four France in what Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called “a great crusade.” Harmony Society.” Over 200 Harmonizers and families along with huge buses waving and cheering The list of Allied casualties would rise to 9,000 before the beaches Along with the many of the residents of the small Normandy farming and welcoming us. We were met by town officials were secured. performances in village of Les Ventes assembled in front of the town hall and soon met Peggy. Normandy, the The Harmonizers were chosen to participate after receiving a to honor Lt. Billy Harris, an American pilot who crash “The towns folks had a chair for her in front of group put on two us and we began. We sang in front of the town recommendation from the mayor of Sainte-Mere-Eglise — the first landed outside the town in 1944. Lt. Harris’ widow, town liberated by the Allies. concerts in Paris and hall and faced the green and the crowd. There Peggy was among those present. Follow this link www. Over the course of five days, the chorale held a final show in was an exchange of gifts between the chorus and performed at the Brittany American Cemetery Cologne, Germany, dailykos.com/story/2012/06/06/1098049/-Les-Ven- the towns folks. And CDs and chorus pictures for in Normandy, marched in the D-Day parade in alongside a barber- tes-France-They-don-t-forget-WWII-Pilot for the story Peggy and the mayor. Sainte-Mere-Eglise and sang at France’s Nor- shop chorus from of this remarkable woman and her extraordinary bond “The singing experience was awesome! Chris mandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. that country. with this French town. Huber, who was instrumental in making this When the Harmonizers arrived at Sainte- But the highlight visit happen, told the story and Peter Hubbard Mere-Eglise, they saw the famous parachute of the trip was a visit translated. When Tony Colosimo sang the solo in Bring Him Home hanging from the church steeple and quickly to Les Ventes to honor American pilot Billie D. Harris and meet his to Peggy, it was a major emotional highlight. We had to take a few were immersed into a huge celebratory crowd widow Peggy Harris. The village was saved when Billie diverted his minutes to get our composure!” of folks from around the word. Many in old damaged plane at the cost of his own life. Peggy was there to greet from an account by Katie Callahan uniforms. Many driving USA military vehicles and thank the Harmonizers. Alexandria Times Staff Writer they had restored. The Harmonizers performed Harmonizer Jack Pitzer relates: “As we pulled into the village, 9 june 2014 Alexandria Times 20 songs, including a medley of patriotic music, there was the memorial to Billie and other Veterans on the end of a and 13 June 2014 Looking Back military songs and popular music from the small green lined with trees leading to a town hall. Little kids were by Jack Pitzer

MID’L ANTICS / SUMMER 2014 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 25 AROUND THE DISTRICT Middle school quartets experience seventh heaven Bucks County’s 3rd annual YIH Festival builds interest in barbershopping

ucks County Chapter evening. Chapter President Chas. Byram intro- Quadraphonic (Tamanend): Ryan O’Donnell, for top-notch instruction in vocal production Bpresented it’s Third An- duced BHS Board Member Doug Brown as the Gio Pannone, Seth Wohl, Ben Cerauli and ensemble singing tailored especially for a nual Youth In Harmony Fes- emcee of the evening. The Third Place, Bronze Medalist quartet, capella singing. tival at the Lenape Middle Mr. Brown laid out the order of the evening from Lenape Middle School is: The vision of Bucks County chapter is to School in Doylestown, Pa. and invited Bucks County Chapter Quartet 3 ‘n’ 1 : Karl Gray, Carl Krause, Findlay Camp- continue to expand community awareness of May 7. This year the adjudi- Cross Keyes Connection to start of the music as bell, Josh Knecht the joys of good, clean, fun, barbershop quartet cation process covered six ‘mic testers.’ They were followed by six student singing. The chapter is accepting tax-deductible The Second Place, Silver Medalist quartet, middle school quartets from quartets. The very talented Tritones, then made donations as part of a matching grant challenge from Tamanend Middle School is: the Central Bucks School a surprise performance! to be able to send up to four more middle- District. The Trio… and David: Vahan Kazandjian, Mid-Atlantic District Quartet Champions and school quartets. Atlantic Harmony Brigade is Avery Knappenberger, David Brownell, Frank The program builds on International Competitors Frank the Dog were supplying the matching funds as they share in Masciotro an exposure to a cappella music started by very well received. Regional supporters of the the vision. the Central Bucks Middle School Choral Mu- Society’s Youth In Harmony program, their set And the First Place, Gold Medalist quartet, Access more information at their website sic Directors some years ago. Their program of four songs covered the time for the contest from Unami Middle School is: at: www.buckscountybarbershop.com; www. using The House Jacks, Five O’Clock Shad- administrator and judges to make final notes The U-Tones: Mitchell Tafel, Kyle Farrel, An- atlanticharmonybrigade.com; www.midatlan- ow, and most recently, Rockapella; well and score tabulations. They are still wondering thony Scarpone-Lambert, Stephen Burdsall ticdistrict.com/?Code-HCE known professional a cappella groups, how many times the word “red” appeared in that Please visit (and like) www.facebook.com/ has caused a strong interest among the All participants received coaching and in- one song… TheBucksCountyCountryGentlemen for pictures students in creating unaccompanied vo- struction leading up to the event which earned The Bucks County Chapter (known locally as and future updates of this event. cal harmonies. them a coveted certificate of participation and The Country Gentlemen Barbershop Chorus) are free milk shake from Chik-fil-A in Warrington. — by Chas Byram The evening started with quartets, fam- pleased to present the following quartets: ily members and music directors arriving for The winning quartet has earned a full Mr. Byram is the current President and Assistant Honorable Mention: warm ups and final preparation for the sponsorship to attend the Mid-Atlantic District’s Director. He wants all middle or high schools in the adjudication process. Volunteers from Artistic Harmony (Lenape): Christian Rob- Youth Camp at Harmony College East. The Youth greater Central Bucks area (private or public) to be the chapter and their fan base acted erts, Evan Byrne, Nick Ferrara, Connor Hopkins Camp, now in its eighth year, draws in students sure to reach out if interested in participating in and educators from the New Jersey, Pennsyl- as quartet hosts, judges, and additional Jugajum (Tamanend): Miguel Vazquez, Justin the 4th Annual Festival in 2015 by Fall 2014: chas. vania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia areas performers as needed throughout the Koren, Gennaro Pannone, Jon Smedley [email protected] Open mic nite great venue for recruiting! In order to share the barbershop bug with the area, and hope- The house band played a few songs and the quartet was nvited fully attract some new members, the Bucks County Chapter has to the stage. The pitch pipe blew, they started The Chordbuster been sending quartets to the area open mic nights. March and the room fell silent! FROM TOP: Chas. Byram says, “I had the privilege of participating in one of The bar stopped serving, the patrons gathered closer and were 1ST Place, The U-Tones these quartets and the response was overwhelming!” silent (some 40 people in the room), and by the end of the song the kitchen staff had filed out to hear! 2ND Place, The Trio...and David He continues, “We had called ahead and found there was a pe- riod of time before it begins to sign up. When we reached the sign Three songs later (with grand applause after each song), when 3RD Place, 3’n’ 1 up table, the man realized we were not just a quartet, but a BAR- the quartet started to leave the stage, the emcee and house band BERSHOP quartet and became very excited. He insisted the three insisted they do ‘one more’ and of course, the audience asked if Even the kitchen staff turns out to hear Dave Ives (Tenor), songs we planned on performing were not enough and wrote us in they knew Lida Rose (which has happened every time thus far). Chas. Byram (Lead), Fred Nobbs (Bass), Eric Fleischer (Bari- for four (fine by us!).” The quartet obliged, closing the evening with this favorite number tone) belt out the Chordbuster’s March. from Meredith Willson’s “Music Man.”

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By Bob Wachter, Director, Memorial for the first time.) These oc- quartets participating. Harmony Heritage Singers casions are especially rewarding to HHS HHS has a “no guilt” attendance because their members have over 500 policy reflecting confidence that their fficially chartered as the Mount How the Harmony years of active Military Service. singers want to be a part of rehearsals Vernon Chapter in 1996, the Recently ye editor asked one of the and performances, but that family and Heritage Singers Harmony Heritage Singers has O founding members and long time direc- other personal obligations come first. If been in continuous operation for 18 tor Bob Wachter to share some details a man fails to attend for several events, continue to be one of years. Singing 25-30 performances per on how HHS operates and here is what he will get a call to ask if he is OK. The year, HHS has consistently maintained the most successful he told us. call is simply concern for his well-being a roster of around 85 members and and is accepted in that spirit. daytime choruses in roughly 65 active singers with up to 50 HHS rehearses at a local Library appearing at two monthly rehearsal ses- twice a month and has two public HHS recently introduced a “home- the Barbershop sions throughout the year. performances per month, most of which based” learning program to speed the are paid. process of learning new music. Mem- Harmony Society Half of their members have never bers receive learning tracks and sheet sung barbershop before and many of HHS musical selections are in the music to work on at home and arrive at the rest maintain dual memberships barbershop style with a variety of songs chapter meetings prepared to refine and with local chapters that meet at night. appropriate for entertaining old and polish the music and the performance HHS goes to great lengths to ensure young alike. plan. their activities never conflict with those The degree of difficulty of songs of other chapters in the area. The aver- is matched with the chorus level of HHS music and fellowship have age age of the men in the chapter is competence. Music is sometimes mildly proven very compelling for guests, and 75. During the year, men are absent for challenging but HHS is attentive to one visit to a rehearsal is usually enough varying periods of time, either travelling repertoire content so that their 17 song them to return and become members. to Florida, visiting family, etc.. regular repertoire can be maintained. Bob added that, “If anyone can use Most of their public performances They also use Barber Polecat songs, and our approach to advantage, that would are paid, but some are not. Two notable have a list of 9 Christmas songs that are be great. Just remember that building unpaid community service performanc- resurrected for that season. any organization takes time, patience, es are on Veterans Day at Mount Vernon, HHS has two registered quartets that and good inter-personal skills. If I can and when HHS members gather to are featured on each performance. If answer questions that come to mind greet “Honor Flights” at Reagan National either or both quartets are not available, about Chorus Operational Guidelines, Airport. (Honor Flights are scheduled to they use substitutes to form pick-up feel free to email me at bbswach@aol. bring WW II Vets to see their own WW II groups. They never do a show without com.”

MID’L ANTICS / SUMMER 2014 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 27 AROUND THE DISTRICT Lansdale’s Annual Picnic Attracts 14 Local Chapters

By Ig Jakovac

t all began in 1985 when the Frank North Pennsmen Barbershop the Dog IChorus of Lansdale, Pa., qualified to sing at the District Competition for the very first time. To celebrate, For the finale, all 120 quartetters come together to form a high-octane quartet chorus. Live in the 7th! the North Pennsmen chapter invited three other chapters to help us celebrate and we still celebrate by having a songfest where we Get ready for eXtreme quartetting! invite all local chapters to attend! f it is mid-August, it must be time for the through the day. This is the 29th consecutive time Atlantic Harmony Brigade Rally (AHB) and that we have qualified to sing at the District Convention One prime features of the AHB Rally will be the Summer Show. This year it will be held during and 14 local chapters came by to share in the fun and I quartet contest – where competing quartets the weekend of 22-24 August, in Claymont, camaraderie. They included 11 men’s choruses are drawn completely by random and song Delaware. That means great quartetting for (Lansdale, Reading, Pottstown, Hamilton Brothers in selection is not revealed to the quartet until an the guys who will be participating, and great Square, Abington-Levittown, Bryn Mawr, hour before the contest. The thrill and challenge Harmony opportunities for everyone else to attend a truly Philadelphia, Allentown-Bethlehem, Princeton of doing your best with such short notice in memorable and outstanding barbershop show. and Cherry Hill) along with three female a judged competition is the reason we call it choruses Ringing Hills (SAI), Valley This is the 9th anniversary of the AHB and once “extreme quartetting”. Forge (SAI) and Liberty Belles (HI). again, the 120 or so individuals who have been The other exciting element for this year’s rally Each of the 14 chapters who studying twelve challenging songs since mid- is that our featured quartet is none other than attended this year along with 26 March will get a full weekend of singing in as the 2007 International Champs – OC Times. quartets performed one song many combinations of impromptu quartets as They will be our featured headliners for the each with the exception of the 2 they can handle. Every man has made it his Saturday evening show, to be held at 7:30 International Qualifiers (Brothers Day . . . mission to be note and word perfect so that at the Crowne-Plaza Hotel, Claymont, Del. in Harmony and Frank the Dog) every one of the attendees knows that they The rest of the outstanding entertainment who each sang two songs. Plus, can rely on each other to have the best singing for the show will be a cavalcade of quartets throughout the evening, we heard experience and expectation of ringing chords all from the AHB membership as well as the hundreds of tags from all corners outstanding sounds of the 120 man AHB of the grove and lots of socializing chorus. All for the price of $20 (or group with new and old friends - what an discounts at $15). For details about awesome night!!! . . . into the show and to buy tickets, visit www. There were a total of 395 attendees who did a great night AtlanticHarmonyBrigade.com. Hurry job in helping us “get rid of” about 4 1/2 Barrels because seating is limited. of beer, 4 1/2 Barrels of Birch Beer, 1,200 Hatfield Hot Dogs, with 1,200 rolls, 50 pounds of Chili, 5.0 gallons of Sour Kraut, 15 pounds of onions, 18 Participants sing in quartets pounds of pretzels, 30 pounds of potato chips, 5 cases of with whichever other three water, 4 bottles of ketchup, 4 bottles of mustard. names are drawn from the hat.

MID’L ANTICS / SUMMER 2014 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 28 LAS VEGAS What happened in Vegas . . .

by Jim Hawthorne decided to lose weight and do something with The chorus competition was held Friday from the Red Bank Area Chapter his life. He lost over 100 pounds and attends col- with two sessions totaling 31 choruses. First Atlantic Gazette lege in Florida to become a musical educator. place went to The Vocal Majority with a score August 2014 The Barbershop Harmony Society and of 96.8%, who returned after three years of not competing with 158 men on the risers. Las Vegas was the site of the 2014 Internation- Harmony Foundation through the Youth in Har- mony programs has truly changed the lives of The Masters of Harmony from the Far al Convention. This is the first time the conven- COUNTERCLOCKWISE many young men, not just make them singers. Western District placed second with a score tion was held in Las Vegas and the first time the FROM TOP: entire convention was held in one location. This is only possible through the contributions of 95.1%. Third place went to Great Northern of members to Harmony Foundation. Union from the Minneapolis area with a score MAD EVP Ig Jakovac and MAD The MGM Grand Hotel was the site of hous- of 94.5%. Sound of the Rockies from Denver ing, contests, shows, rehearsal rooms, registra- Competition from the foreign affiliates President Bill Colosimo present placed fourth with a score of 92.8%. Fifth place tion and all other convention activities. The continues unabated with eleven quartets, seven Voices of Gotham President was taken by Zero8 from Stockholm, Sweden MGM is a huge complex of buildings including from Sweden, two from New Zealand and one Brian Lindvall with a token of with a score of a three-story convention center comprised of each from Australia and the United Kingdom. support from the Mid-Atlantic 92.4%. numerous ball rooms and meeting rooms used One of the Swedish quartets, Trocadero, quali- District. by the competing choruses for rehearsing, an fied to compete in both the collegiate and regu- I believe this arena which seats nearly seventeen thousand lar contests. Interestingly they scored better in is the first time where the contests and shows were held and the the regular contest placing 18th with a score of a chorus from ‘Round Midnight rocks the hotel itself containing guest rooms, numerous 81.8% compared with 7th with a score of 74.8%. the affiliates has house in the semi-finals. restaurants and lounges, a food court, a show The regular quartet competition started medaled. room and, of course, a casino. Wednesday with 53 quartets competing in two The Voices of Musical Island Boys win the All of these facilities were connected by vari- sessions. Of the Mid-Atlantic District quartets Gotham, placed crowd -- and the gold. ous hallways, so it was not necessary to go out- competing, Last Man Standing placed 29th 15th with a doors where temperatures in excess 100 degrees with a score of 79.1%, Up All Night placed 31st score of 83.7%. were experienced every day. However, it was with a score of 78.7%, Mayhem placed 33rd with Saturday a score of 78.7% and Gimme Four placed 40th Lunch Break announces it’s their necessary to have a good pair of legs to navigate night the top ten last competition -- then finishes between the various events. with a score of 77.6%. scoring quartets in the top 10! The Harmony Foundation International Col- Two M-AD quartets, Da Capo and Frank the competed in the legiate Quartet Contest led off the competition Dog, who qualified for the international contest finals. After three photos by Dan Wright Tuesday evening. The contest was won by The chose not to compete. consecutive Academy, from the Sunshine District, with a The semi-final round of the quartet contest second place score of 80.9%. Second place went to The Sunny took place Thursday afternoon with the top 20 finishesMusical Island Boys, from New Zealand, Boys, also from the Sunshine District, with a quartets competing for a place in the top ten. placed first with a score of 89.5%. This quartet score of 79.7%. Round Midnight placed 12th with a score of was the fourth collegiate champion to win the “big boys” contest. These two quartets are products of a pro- 84.1%, their same position as last year. The New gram started by Gene Cokecroft, tenor of the Fangled Four, the 2013 collegiate champion, Attendance was the highest in five years with Suntones, and now includes Alex Rubin direc- placed 16th with a score of 82.0% over 7,000 enjoying the competition and renew- tor of the HD youth chorus and the THX chorus Thursday evening the Association of Interna- ing old friendships. and is assisted by financial contributions from tional Champions presented their annual show. Having the entire convention in one place Harmony Foundation. The Sidewinders were honored on their 50th was a real plus. As I have said before, if you have The tenor of The Academy was a grossly anniversary and Second Edition on their 25th. not attended an international convention you overweight 14-year-old when he first started The AIC Chorus, directed by Tony De Rosa, pre- cannot possibly know what you are missing and singing barbershop with this group. After gain- sented a number of songs and the champions should make an attempt to attend. Next year’s ing the confidence to perform with a quartet he for the last eight years performed. convention will be in Pittsburg, Pa.

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o doubt about it, as barbershop singers The 3 minute rule we’ll typically look for any excuse to bust Let’s say you have three minutes to tell a pro- Na chord or two...maybe even three...right? spective member about barbershop singing and But, how do we effectively project the enthu- make a convincing case to join your chapter. Making the siasm we share about our hobby beyond the pro- The best advice? verbial footlights to someone who may not have case for a clue as to what this whole barbershop harmony Pick two or three most important points they thing is all about? need to hear and let those points sink in. You’ll likely want to say much more, but information Ahhh...I’m glad you asked me that! overload may be a turn off!! Let ‘em ask for more The fact is...too often because we understand and you’ll quickly see what the true interest level is! That Ol’ what we’re talking about, we automatically as- Don’t assume sume that other people should understand too.... they know what you know right? WEB NOTES Barbershop Well, the reality is...it ain’t necessarily so! What seems simple to you and me might be Therefore, our job as effective communicators is confusing to someone else, so it’s important to to facilitate understanding. assess any uncertainties, questions and/or con- ABOVE: MAD was well-repre- cerns before you start talking. Style That means speaking as plainly as possible to sented at Harmony Univer- help our listeners understand how what we do Think in terms of features and benefits. In sity in Nashville last week. can impact, benefit or affect them in a positive other words...what are the best features of this phenomenon we call barbershop harmony sing- way. LEFT: Faces 4 Radio found ing and what are the benefits! If need be..make There are some really exciting initiatives un- their picture on the wall at a list! derway at the international, district and chapter Harmony Hall. It’s great to be levels, so now more than ever, it’s important for Talk with them not at them a senior champ! everyone to be on the same sheet of music ( Just because you have an opportunity to by Eric Herr, pardon the pun! ) share information doesn’t mean you should keep VP Marketing & PR Here are four ways to help you communicate talking. more clearly. Pause. Make ‘em care Ask and answer questions so the conversation is a dialogue and not a monologue. Simply saying that joining your chapter/ MAD Harmony U attendees Dan chorus is great and you need to sign up doesn’t Remember, good communicators are made, not born. So, if you want to be certain you’re Wright and Sean mean anything to your listener. But, help them communicating clearly, try this: Ask a friend or Mueller take their understand what’s in it for them and the light- family member who perhaps has minimal knowl- barbershopping bulb just might go on or at least begin to flicker. edge of the whole barbershop experience to VERY seriously! Often, you can get that to happen by first listen to what you’re saying. If they’re confused, consider making some adjustments. finding out if they like to sing and if so, finding out if they’re active with any musical groups or The bottom line is.. It takes work to get any point across clearly and concisely. While there are organizations. By being a good detective, you’ll never any iron clad guarantees, the time you take be better poised to help them understand how to tweak your barbershop message, just may pay joining your chapter can be a big plus! off in some pretty handsome dividends!

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THE PREZ SEZ

The hallmark of great leaders is Lesson 1 where both parties (individual or group) feel a legitimate Learn to be OPEN sense of accomplishment and gratitude for the transac- not necessarily their ability to tion — those are the keys to communication success. And, When I have personally visited many chapters, whether know, but their ability to learn! as simple-minded as it may sound, it all starts with paying in the context of a show and afterglow visit, a chapter attention to the other person! meeting or a coaching or training session of some kind, I ” Leadership… t’s amazing what we can hear when we least expect that have learned to set aside my expectations about the cul- Here’s a classic example. A veteran barbershopper, hav- “golden nugget.” A colleague was sharing with me her ture and mission of each group before walking in the door. ing served his proud experiences at a recent workshop on “Adaptive Leader- In one case, when I was part of a team invited to help a . . . this is the I chapter in ship” hosted by a local university. During the workshop, a struggling chapter, a chapter member raised his hand right is all countless first time in all university master’s candidate was presenting the abstract away. “What’s your agenda?,” he asked. (His tone was a bit leadership of her master’s thesis, in which she delivered the above negative, leading me to pause carefully before answering.) my years in this ABOUT line, noted by my friend as the most significant “nugget” of roles for 40 He was a bit taken aback by my response, which was organization the workshop on effective leadership. years, wrote simply, “I have no agenda!” an extensive that anyone has As I near the end of my service to you as District Presi- I then assured him that my (in this case, our) agenda was email to me and a dent over the last two years, I can’t think of a better lesson thought to call going to be, in fact, his (or, more correctly, their) agenda! number of other I’ve learned during my tenure than that captured by this There would be no way to impose my agenda, based on district leaders ask- me and actually LEARNING! nugget. Of course, it’s presumed that a chosen leader has preconceived expectations or outcomes, and expect a ing for clarification a certain storehouse of knowledge to effectively adminis- talk to me about positive outcome to the mission. on a number of ter and guide an organization. how I feel about From that point forward, when it was clear to all parties policies and prac- But I assure you that knowledge alone, regardless of that the exercise was based on openness, where I was tices and express- things! the leadership position, isn’t enough. The experiences of there to learn and they were there to learn, too, the time ing concern over a engaging with chapters and individual members and their spent on the exercises was not only more productive but number of things“ families that I’ve been privileged to have as both EVP and led to an overall feeling of buy-in by all parties which he thought MAD was doing. DP have taught me so much, thus enabling me to be more resulted in many more positive steps toward resurgence of Although his concerns focused largely on the way we effective in problem solving, planning and envisioning an by Bill Colosimo, a now-healthy chapter! run our conventions and contests, there were indications even more positive path for our District and our art form in MAD President he had an underlying dissatisfaction which extended far the future! What I thought I “knew” going in was not nearly as im- portant as what I (and all!) “learned” in the process beyond the specific issues he outlined in writing. I read The timing of this editorial is important. While I’m writ- and re-read the email, considering for some time how I ing now to provide you with some examples of what I’ve Leadership Characteristic: Open-mindedness could most effectively respond to him in writing with an learned as your president, the primary message I’d like to Lesson 2 eye toward that “win-win” I referred to earlier…but I just convey is germane to you as either a prospective leader of Learn to Pay Attention! couldn’t put my finger on how to get to the bottom of this your chapter in the upcoming year or as a member of your member’s real discontentment, no matter how many of chapter’s nominating committee or leadership team who All too often, the apparent ability of a prospective these single issues I tried to address in writing. should be assessing right now who might be an effective leader to communicate is seen as a fundamental leader- Finally, I did something truly revolutionary! (I’m smiling leader in your chapter for 2015! ship characteristic. But there’s a big difference between as I type that!) I picked up the phone and called the guy! knowing how to communicate and continually learning So, for each of the following lessons I’ve learned, I In the first call, we scheduled an appointment for the next how to communicate as situations and personalities come conclude with a leadership characteristic which I’d strongly day when we both could take the important time with no into play. encourage you to consider as valuable in a potential leader distractions to pay attention to each other and the issues for your chapter. A lot of folks speak and write well, but I continually learn he’d raised … and it was my hope that I might discern what (Let me be clear at the outset: I’m still learning how to that that’s not the secret to success in communication! The the real problem might be. integrate the “lessons learned” in my daily affairs! And, as extent to which communication is sincere and the inten- with most things, it’s “progress, not perfection!”) tion is to really engage in a positive win-win dialogue, See LESSONS, continued on next page

MID’L ANTICS / SUMMER 2014 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 31 THE PREZ SEZ MID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT OFFICERS President: Bill Colosimo (Linda); 571-213-7376; [email protected] LESSONS, continued from previous page Leadership Characteristic: Empathy Nevertheless — and this is critical — all leaders make mis- Immediate Past President: Dick Powell takes! And groups of leaders can make mistakes, too! Even (Roxanne); 410-451-1957; Our conversation the next day lasted 45 minutes. Lesson 3 with the best of intentions, a valid and exciting vision, and [email protected] Yes, we addressed the specific issues he’d raised with a Be a Visionary … but Anticipate Consequences! thorough consideration of consequences, there comes a time Secretary: Keith Jones; 202-651-1268; sensible dialogue on the many considerations that go into This lesson is clearly the most difficult to absorb without when a decision turns out to be — well — just wrong-headed [email protected] planning and executing events, and what we might do to try falling on your head a million times, believe me! It presumes in the end! Treasurer: Bob Eckman (Maggie); to make our activities more suc- that a chosen leader has some degree What then? I’ve learned, often in the interests of choosing 434 589-1262; [email protected] cessful. And, yes, we agreed that of vision that can see the whole the least worst alternative, that even the most well-intend- Executive VP: Ig Jakovac (Anne Bureau); many, if not all, of the issues he’d field of the organization, its mission, ed, can’t-miss vision, when its unanticipated consequences 267-932-8344; [email protected] raised had been addressed to his its constituents and its future, and mitigate its worth, needs to be subordinated to an under- Board Members-at-Large: satisfaction. conceive policy and practices that standing that it’s always better to do what’s right, to the best Christian Hunter (Tracey); 908-806-7122; But, in the end, I got what can align all of these with excit- of your ability, than to dig your heels in and forge ahead into [email protected] I was looking for. As we were ing possibilities which will enroll the firing line, continuing to take on casualties! Hardman Jones (Amanda); 804-379-6257; nearly done with our conversa- the participants in executing a I can tell you from the number of times that I and others I [email protected] tion, this fine man paused … game plan. So while it’s not techni- admire have admitted a mistake and sought to correct it, that Dennis Ritchey (Sherrie); and very softly said, “Ya know, As the cally knowing how to be a vision- there’s a liberating and contagiously positive outcome for all 540-846-6408; [email protected] Bill, this is the first time in all my younger set ary but having the innate ability to concerned. And, in hindsight, the humility, courage and flex- Roger Tarpy (Jean); 804-829-2466; years in this organization that see what’s possible that may qualify [email protected] would say, ibility to review the vision which prompted the action in the anyone has thought to call me a potential leader for success, that’s first place does not negate the value of the vision, but rather 2014 District Operations Team and actually talk to me about “BOOM!” only one part of the equation. enhances it, as it gives time and wisdom to the selection of VP Chapter Support & Leadership Training: how I feel about things!” If a potential leader hasn’t learned a more reasonable, less negative set of options which might Chuck Harner; 903-938-3001; how to anticipate consequences of not have been previously considered! This has confirmed in [email protected] As the younger set would say, “BOOM!” potential decisions regarding policy my mind that the most successful visionaries do, in fact, see VP Chorus Director Development: and practices of a group, the vision from the clouds with their feet still on the ground! Glenn Phillips; 410-519-5385; And, of course, the lesson was is incomplete…and likely flawed. In [email protected] clear. A man who had invested Leadership Characteristic: Flexibility my case, I’ve been fortunate to be or VP Contest & Judging: so much time, treasure and care have been a performer, director, coach, committee member Gary Plaag; 703-868-5152; into what we do had begun to feel disenfranchised, if not (and chair), and instructor in our organization, as well as Your Takeaway! [email protected] totally disregarded, when it came to our organization. I im- a member of our district’s Operations Team in several key VP Events: Walter Griffith (Mary Jo); mediately thanked him for the lesson he’d taught me, and I’ve written this not just to provide examples of how I’ve 570-735-5577; [email protected] positions which provided me with a strong background in have attempted to carry this example with me, along with grown as a result of the trust you’ve placed in me and the les- the what if’s of decision-making when it comes to district VP Financial Development: the many others I’ve been privileged to experience, as I’ve sons I’ve learned…and continue to learn! What I really hope Alan Wile (Patty); 703-538-6526; leadership. you see is that this set of key leadership characteristics— [email protected] grown as a leader. So, on the surface, I may have a good bit of the knowing open-mindedness, empathy and flexibility—are all able to be Sometimes, simple as it may seem (but hard to remember VP Marketing & Public Relations: down pat. However, I have had to constantly learn, often learned or acquired through experience and mentoring. Eric Herr (Fran); 856-988-7721; in the heat of battle!), all the other guy needs is for me (or with the helpful guidance of others, how to consider the [email protected] you!) to pay attention to him! Empathy, a critical characteris- But an individual chosen as a prospective leader must be often-overlooked unintended consequences, often with tic of quality leadership, is not based solely on one’s capabil- willing to embrace them and dedicate him/herself to the VP Membership Development: potentially negative outcomes, which may accompany such training, practice and discipline to apply them in the office to Christian Hunter (Tracey); 908-806-7122; ity to know, but on the ability to learn what’s most important decisions. And, again thanks to the wonderful people all [email protected] from the perspective of the other person in a relationship, be held! This is true for a chapter’s chorus director, president, around me who help me, I’ve done my best to solicit and whether it’s in the form of a single transaction or a long-term or other officer. It’s true for a board member at large, who VP Music & Performance: Roger Tarpy receive counsel and consensus on how to best anticipate and (Jean); 804-829-2466; [email protected] association. avoid negative outcomes. See LESSONS, continued on next page

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VP Youth In Harmony: Gary Plaag; 703-868-5152; [email protected] VP Atlantic Division: Rob France (Lisa); 215-766-8066; [email protected] VP Northern Division: CALLING George “Oley” Olson (Pat); 973-539-7941; [email protected] VP Southern Division: all Hardman Jones (Amanda); 804-379-6257; [email protected] storY TELLERS! VP Western Division: Don Myers (Verna); 717-838-6146; gnolead@ yahoo.com Lorin May, editor of The Harmonizer, would Chief Information Officer: Mike Kelly; like chapters to submit some of your interesting news (even if a [email protected] 1-3 sentences) to [email protected],. PROBE will compile a weekly top 10 list on their website, which you can see every week . Example story: “The XYZ Chapter in the Mid-Atlantic district The Mid’l Antics is published by the Mid-Atlantic has been regularly going to the airport to sing for returning District of the Barbershop Harmony Society. It is for overseas soldiers on the tarmac.” (That’s one sentence! More info and about barbershoppers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West is great if you have it, but not always necessary.) Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Editor: Roxanne Powell, 1717 Sturbridge Pl, Next time your chapter is doing something fun or going some- Crofton, MD 21114; 443-454-0604; where interesting, why not shoot a message to the society’s flag- [email protected] ship publication and let 23,000 of your closest friends in on the secret? NEXT DEADLINE: Oct. 15, 2014

LESSONS, continued from previous page selection of future leaders of your chapter in one might even be considering! — could organizations. Want to see your name the coming months! Please take to heart that be just the right person for any job in your contributes, ultimately, to helping forge the You may not consider yourself a leader, in “print?” Have you or your the willingness to learn may be, in the long group. but you’ll at least be responsible for picking quartet or your chorus had an vision and execution of your chapter and its run, superior as a qualification of a potential performing ensemble(s). (It’s also true for Please trust this: With the right lessons them! I hope, the perspective shared here amazing barbershop experi- great leader to the knowledge or longevity learned and applied, along with a fundamen- will help you carry out that responsibility your district leadership team members, for that person may have in your chapter. ence? Tell me all about it: whom your chapters will be voting at the tal knowledge of what we do and how we with the care I know you wish to invest in [email protected] upcoming House of Delegates meeting in You, too, can and should be open-mind- do it, all of us, to one degree or another, are the mission we all share…”Making the Music Wildwood in October.) ed, empathetic and flexible as you consider responsible for the legacy of our chapters that’s Making a Difference”…today and whether you or someone else — whom no as thriving, growing and exciting singing tomorrow! LIKE US ON FACEBOOK I urge you to be actively involved in the

MID’L ANTICS / SUMMER 2014 Visit www.midatlanticdistrict.com often for up-to-the-minute information on everything! page 33 HARMONY COLLEGE EAST What you can expect • When you arrive on Thursday you will be given your room assignment Where, When, Cost? • Classes start Thursday evening FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND (weekend of • Everyone starts Friday morning with breakfast at the cafeteria followed by vocal warm the third Sunday in June). Why not in- ups troduce your family member — son, • You will be involved in either classes or coaching (quartet or chorus) all day Friday with grandson, dad or grandad — to our breaks for lunch and dinner great art form? • There is a Friday night show where some of the quartets being coached get to strut Jun 18-21, 2015 their stuff • Following the show you can sing or socialize until whenever… Tuition is around $200, which immerse yourself • Saturday is similar to Friday in a weekend of includes a 3-night stay, 6 meals, all • There is a gala event on Saturday night where both quartets and choruses get to per- courses, two barbershop shows. form for you • This is followed by more singing and socializing if you have any energy left To download a printable course MAD catalog or to register, go to www. • Sunday morning you turn in your room keys and drive home — midatlanticdistrict.com/HCE barbershop exhausted BUT VERY HAPPY! Who is welcome? All Barbershop Society sing- ers and directors. Also (did you know?) music educators, youths interested in the art form, Soci- The best value in barbershop! ety Associates, your entire quar- Guaranteed to improve your Our host is: Questions tet and choruses large, small singing and performance skills, raise Salisbury University or Comments? and in-between! your Barbershop IQ 30 points, double 1101 Camden Avenue Ig Jakovac Roger Tarpy your “friends” list and keep you Salisbury, MD 21801 [email protected] [email protected] singing all night as well as all day.

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