Taking care of

32 Pages·2010·3.93 MB·English

INSIDE: Barbershopper stars in #1 box office hit • Membership Growth Task Force • Philly Convention
November/December 2009
Taking care of
BUSINESS
How Marty Monson and Pete Benson
turned up the heat in Hilltop, Minnesota

November/
December
2009
VOLUME
LXIX
NUMBER
6
Features
4
9 2009 Society Hall of Fame
Learn why Gene Cokeroft, Hugh Ingraham,
Roger Lewis, Richard Mathey and Burt Szabo
are going down in barbershop history
13 Harmony Foundation’s 50th
Never before has the need for vision and
philanthropy mattered so much to the Society
CLARKE CALDWELL, HARMONY FOUNDATION CEO
15 The path to future growth
The Membership Growth Task Force makes its
initial report and gets four new assignments
16 Know who you want to be
What happens in the board room and in the
imagination makes a huge difference to the
men on the risers and to your community
LORINMAY,EDITOR,THE HARMONIZER
PARANORMAL PUBLICITY.Micah Sloat, a member of
Westminster Chorus, has been busy promoting “Para- 23 Be ready for February 14th!
normal Activity” with Katie Featherston, his co-star in
the $100 million fright movie sensation. He’s had little There’s still time to create an unforgettable
time to sing lately, but has managed to fit in a few good Singing Valentines experience in your area
words for four-part harmony along the way.
On the Cover:
Departments Msoanr,t yG Mreaotn Nsoonr,t hPeertne UBnenio-n
Photo by Kevin Johnson
2 8
THE PRESIDENT’S PAGE HARMONY HOW-TO
Let’s build on 2009’s successes in 2010 How to have the experience of a lifetime
3 24
STRAIGHT TALK STAY TUNED
Chapters Helping Chapters—we need each other Quartet-less singers get chance on district stage
- Romance at Harmony U
LETTERS 26
A 4-week turn-around on this issue left no time to MEMBERSERVICEDIRECTORY
get your letters. Double letters in the next issue Where to find answers
4 28
TEMPO THE TAG
American Harmony movie storms Detroit “Catch the Excitement” music by Joe Liles
Harmony University scholarships going fast!
• 1
November/December 2009 The HARMONIZER
THE PRESIDENT’S PAGE
Bill Biffle, Society President • bbiffl[email protected]
Thanks for your efforts in 2009—let’s keep it up!
“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Bold- back. We love to sing. Let’s show it more. We love
ness has genius, power and magic in it.” each other. Let’s show it more. We love to have fun.
Let’s have more of it. If you’ll become the “energy” guy
A
s the end of my first year as your president approaches, at your meeting, I’ll do it, too. If you’ll decide to greet
I’m moved to take stock a bit. We worked hard in each man warmly each week, so will I. If you’ll smile
2009 to start the process of reversing our decades-old more and complain less, I will, too! If you’ll gently—
membership decline. And it’s starting to work! Dona- lovingly—encourage your chapter leaders to add more
tions to Harmony Foundation in support of our out- variety to your meetings, to allow a little more laughter
reach and chapter support programs are up. Recruit- in, I will, too! Let’s agree to make even more of a dif-
ment is up. Many chapters have examined what they ference in 2010! Okay?
do every week and made changes for the better. For At the top of the page is a quotation from a lead
that—on behalf of a grateful Society and the men who singer named Goethe. (He must have been a lead
will follow us here—I thank you! singer; he was a man of action!) Action—bold ac-
But of course, as Karen Carpenter sang, “We’ve tion—does have genius in it.
only just begun.” As I’ve said in these pages before, Let’s begin anew in 2010. Let’s be bold. Let’s cre-
we didn’t get into this situation overnight, and we’re ate magic. Let’s make 2010 the year we—you and
not going to start to grow again—real, sustained I—turn this thing around, guaranteeing the
growth—overnight either. More of us need to join future of this organization
Harmony Foundation’s great programs in support of that has so enriched our
our future. Go to www.harmonyfoundation.org and click lives. Let’s put both oars in
on “Donate Now” at the top of the page. Or call 866- the water and row together
706-8021 and ask how to get involved. We toward that distant shore.
have some great, new programs to help our Toward the same goal: Assuring
chapters grow—and to attract even more that this organization we love so much will survive
young people to our hobby—but we can’t us on this earth.
put them into place without more financial Will you join me and thousands of others in this
help from barbershoppers and barbershop crucial effort? Together we can grow again. In Har-
supporters who care enough to get mony.
While recruit- involved. Who care enough to back I’m at (cid:69)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:192)(cid:72)(cid:35)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:3)for another year.
their passion for this hobby with
ing is up, while
their money.
donations are up,
Recruiting’s best motives
while many chap- While recruiting is up this year,
it’s not up enough. We—all of (cid:69)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:192)(cid:72)(cid:35)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:74)
ters have made
us—need to do more. If we are
changes for the going to reverse this deadly down-
ward spiral, we need to introduce
better, we need to
even more men to the life enrich-
do more. ing music and fraternity we share. November/December 2009
Volume LXIX Number 6
If you’re like me, you’ve been
Complete contact info: pages 26-27
thinking of inviting that neighbor, relative, co- The Harmonizer (USPS No. 577700)(ISSN 0017-7849) is the official publication
worker, fellow church member to a meeting, but you of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet
Singing in America, Inc., dba Barbershop Harmony Society. It is published in Janu-
just haven’t gotten around to it. Let’s make a pact. ary, March, May, July, September and November at 110 7th Ave N, Nashville TN
I’ll do it if you will! Okay? After all, you’re not really 37203-3704.
Periodicals postage paid at Kenosha, Wisconsin, and at additional mailing offices.
doing it for you, your chapter, or even your Society.
Editorial and advertising offices are at the Society headquarters.
You’re doing it for him—for the prospect! Has your Advertising rates available upon request at (cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:93)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:35)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:74). Publisher
assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts or artwork.
life been changed by this hobby? Shouldn’t he have
Postmaster: send address changes to editorial offices of TheHarmonizer, 110 7th
that opportunity, too? Ave N, Nashville TN 37203-3704 at least 30 days before the next publication date.
And, as we all know, recruiting isn’t enough. We (Publications Agreement No. 40886012. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses
to: Station A, PO Box 54, Windsor ON N9A 6J5. E-mail: [email protected])
need to retain more men. Bringing them in is only the A portion of each member’s dues is allocated to cover the magazine’s subscription
first part of the equation. Keeping them is the other. price. Subscription price to non-members is $21 yearly or $3.50 per issue; foreign
subscriptions are $31 yearly or $5 per issue (U.S. funds only).
And—again, we all know this—what happens every © 2008 The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop
week at your chapter meeting is what brings them Quartet Singing in America, Inc. dba The Barbershop Harmony Society.
Printed in the USA
2 •
The HARMONIZER November/December 2009
(cid:86)
(cid:86)
STRAIGHT TALK
Ed Watson, Executive Director•[email protected]
Where to start: Chapters Helping Chapters
M
any of you know that 2009 was the “Year of the Donor Choice program that can help your chapter
Chapter,” and the slogan we used was “It’s your with funds! Find out, through communication, what
Chapter…”—implying that the solution to chapter other chapters in your area are doing to perform, to
problems was in your hands. There were sporadic give, and to educate. Chapters Helping Chapters.
and scattered inputs from around the Society that Help with Youth In Harmony. Contact our Youth In
showed some people understood what we were trying Harmony committee (includes all the YiH reps in
to encourage, but for many it was simply business as each district), and ask what you can do on a com-
usual. The entry point for new members, and the exit munity, a district, and even an International level
point for former members, is the chapter. While new to encourage barbershop in our schools and to our
chapters form and others grow and thrive, the Society younger generations. I guarantee that the most jaded,
continues to lose members faster than it gains new curmudgeonly, crabby, ghastly old Grinch will be
ones. There are many chapters struggling to succeed, affected when he sees a quartet of teens singing “Ken-
or even to have four parts at each meeting. tucky Babe.” It brings tears to my eyes just thinking
So, we have decided to carry the “Year of the about it. Ask “Montana Jack” Fitzpatrick. And ask
Chapter” theme forward, but the 2010 slogan I want the chapters that have put on YiH Harmony Explo-
to use is “Chapters Helping Chapters.” We hope that sion camps or sent a youth chorus to Midwinter and
each and every chapter around the Society will look the Youth Chorus Festival how they did it and what
to strengthen itself, to have more fun, to be more it was like. Chapters Helping Chapters.
vigorous, and to engage at every level of competition, I know, some of you are thinking that other chap-
singing, performing, tagging, community involve- ters won’t help you, that you’re the competition. Or
ment, and all those things that make barbershopping you’re thinking, “We’re out here in the boonies, there
the most enriching and rewarding of pastimes. How? aren’t any chapters around to help.” Wrong! Hear of
the Internet? Cell phones, Facebook, Twitter? When
You can seek help the Beatrice, Neb. chapter won the 2006 “You Can
Help with shows: Use the Standing Ovation Sing Too” award, were they any closer to another
Program, the scripts available in the Harmony chapter than you are? Unlikely! But the St. Joseph,
Marketplace and at Harmony University, the Mo. chapter was watching over them as they did it.
coaching available from all manner of coaches I know, I was kept up to date by then-Central States
and judges, and advice for your show District President Byron Myers.
2009’s “Year from other chapters who have put on Ask Westminster where they would be without
successful shows. Ask around, e-mail the help of the Masters of Harmony. Ask the chap-
of the Chap-
the Harmonet, talk to your District ters near The Vocal Majority if they aren’t helpful,
ter” focus will leaders.Chapters Helping Chapters. gracious and help others be successful. Get help from
Help with competition: Use the Music Sound of the Rockies, ask the Evergreen District
continue on in Mentor Program, the Chorus Director and the San Antonio Chapter ... the list goes on.
Workshop Intensive (CDWI) program, You can, and may, always drop me an e-mail if
2010 as “Chap-
the Chorus Director Development you don’t know where to turn. Sometimes the help
ters Helping (CDD) committee, help from coaches you need is just a nudge in the right direction to
and judges, and advice for your competi- get information. I am here to serve you, not to do
Chapters.”
tive package from other chapters who it for you, but to help you do it for yourself. But
have been successful in competition. before it gets to me, try your local chapters or your
Chapters Helping Chapters. district leadership. They will also be a valuable re-
Help with making meetings more fun. Use Society source. Try www.barbershop.org and other Internet
resources at www.barbershop.org, ideas delivered at resources. And then take the advice or not, but do
Leadership Academies, ideas from our Society Chapter something or get out of the way, because there are
Support and Leadership Training (CSLT) committee, others who will. And we must succeed.
from manuals, from other chapters who have more fun To all Society members, how am I doing?
at their meetings. Chapters Helping Chapters.
Help with your community involvement. Start with
the Singing For Life program, an easy and very effec-
tive way to help others less fortunate—already orga-
nized for your chapter to get involved. Ask Harmony
Foundation for information on various charitable
giving avenues they have available, including their (cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:35)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:74)
• 3
November/December 2009 The HARMONIZER
(cid:67)
(cid:79)
TEMPO(cid:80)
Timely news
Barbershopper stars in #1 box office fright movie
Micah Sloat promotes barbershop harmony while promoting Paranormal Activity
W
(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:16)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:17)(cid:3) recently moved into their first home. Katie is disturbed
Must be willing to work late nights without knowing what by nighttime events that remind her of haunting child-
next scene will entail—no script has been created. hood experiences. Micah at first refuses to take these
Micah Sloat answered that L.A.-area Craigslist events seriously, but leaves his video camera running
advertisement in 2006. He beat 150 other aspiring at night to capture what is happening while they sleep.
actors for the co-starring role by the way he immedi- (The entire film is recorded from his camera’s perspec-
ately slipped into character in
response to first-time director
PARAMOUNTPICTURES
Oren Peli’s opening question:
“Tell me why you think your
house is haunted.” After seven
days as co-star and camera-
man, filming improvised dialog
inside the director’s own house,
Sloat collected his $500 pay-
check for the ultra-low budget
production. He returned to his
computer programming day
job, hoped Paranormal Activity
would lead to something, and
continued to audition for other
roles. In 2008, he discovered
Micah Sloat with co-star Katie Featherston
barbershop and some really
cool new friends in the West-
minster Chorus, while he continued to work for a big tive.) Increasingly unsettling events captured on video
break as an actor or musician. prompt them to call in a medium, who is of little help
Would “The #1 Movie in America” be consid- but who offers ominous details regarding spirits and
ered a big break? After great reaction at horror film demons. Tension builds to unbearable levels as the
festivals, a copy of Paranormal Activity made its way couple desperately tries to make sense of the increas-
into a big-studio producer’s hands. Paramount Pic- ingly disturbing and violent events they experience
tures picked up the movie, a or discover while reviewing video.
He also sings in a barbershop
new ending was filmed, and Critics have applauded the actors’
some of Sloat’s original songs choir, which he promises isn’t convincing performances and Peli’s
were added to the movie masterful use of minimalism to build
as dorky as it sounds. “Some-
sound track. Through bril- forboding and dread while delivering
liant marketing and great one who has no musical back- many truly frightening moments.
word-of-mouth, the thriller ground might see it as overly Micah attended Skidmore Col-
exploded with a huge Octo- lege in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where
zealous men singing in harmo-
ber opening weekend, and he was involved in theater and ran
the $11,000 movie made ny,” he laughs. “But I get really the campus TV station. He gradu-
more than $100 million do- ated from the Musicians Institute in
into it. I’m bringing it back. Jus-
mestically. Westport, Conn. Hollywood, where he was studying
native Sloat and his co-star tin Timberlake can have sexy, acting when the Paranormal Activity
Katie Featherston soon found I’ll have barbershop.” role came available. He’s been too
themselves working full time busy promoting the movie to attend
—Entertainment Weekly
to promote the movie, ap- Westminster rehearsals lately, but he
pearing on magazine covers hasn’t hesitated to promote barbershop harmony in
and as guests on the talk-show circuit. The movie is the media as a great outlet for hip, good-looking young
now widely available on DVD and BlueRay. guys like himself. We couldn’t agree more, Micah! Let’s
The R-rated thriller focuses on a young couple—the hope this is only the beginning of a long, successful
characters are also named “Micah” and “Katie”—who career, both in movies and in four-part harmony!
4 •
The HARMONIZER November/December 2009
Society briefs
Submit Spring contest per-
mission applications ASAP.
Society Library and Licens-
ing Coordinator Julie Grower
needs permission applications
for new arrangements at least
two months prior to your
Spring contest date. Clear-
ance submission does not
guarantee publisher approval.
Visit http://tinyurl.com/permis-
sionform for the Arrangement
and Reproduction Permission
form. Contact (cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:92)(cid:35)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:85)- LORIN MAY
bershop.org. 2009 “Harmony Foundation Presents ...” show now on DVD! Relive
what many called the best barbershop show ever, featuring OC
Midwinter 2011 changes to Las
Times,Masters of Harmony,Vocal Spectrum,Ambas-
Vegas. Tucson, Ariz. will in-
sadors of Harmony,Max QThe Vocal Majority, and the
stead host the 2012 Midwin-
Harborlites Chorus. DVDs ordered before Feb. 1, 2010 are just
ter Convention. For details,
$24.99. (After Feb. 1, $29.99 + shipping and handling.) Order at
visit www.barbershopHQ.com/ www.harmonyfoundation.org/presents.
?p=1210. Register at www.
barbershop.org/midwinter.
Register for Singing for Life by Jan. 31, 2010 CONVENTIONS
2010
Book hotels now for BQPA
PHILADELPHIA
Festival.The Barbershop Chapters planning to participate To make your blood drive June 27–July 4
Quartet Preservation Associa- in the 2010 Singing for Life successful: 2011
tion (BQPA) Spring Festival project must register by Jan. 31 • Promote the event by KANSAS CITY
July 3–10
will be April 8 -10, 2010 at so they can be paired with the using free materials avail-
2012
the Embassy Suites in Tempe, correct blood collection agency. able at www.barbershop. PORTLAND,ORE.
Ariz. ($95/night all two-room Help save lives during May 2010 org/blood (logos, PSAs, July 1–8
2013
suites). Book by March 9 so while getting great chapter PR ads, posters, flyers), and
TORONTO
the BQPA will receive compli- and building relationships with share them with the blood June 30–July 7
mentary meeting space. Visit other area groups! agency, too. 2014
www.embassysuitestempe.com To register: Get detailed in- • Schedule entertainment TBD
2015
orwww.bqpa.com or contact formation about SFL at www. throughout the day: di-
PITTSBURGH
convention chairman Rex barbershop. vide your chorus June 28–July 5
Touslee at (cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:35)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:17)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80). org/blood, click into VLQs and 2016
the sign-up but- quartets; invite NASHVILLE
July 3–10
Check out Barbershop Harmony ton and enter women’s barbershop 2017
Time radio program. Dennis BARBERSHOP choruses, quartets MINNEAPOLIS
Driscoll recently completed (all caps) for the and other local cho- July 2-8
the fourth season of his week- user name and ral and instrumental MIDWINTER
www.barbershop.org/
ly radio broadcast, originat- HARMONY (all groups to perform.
midwinter
ing at the local NPR station caps) for the password. Upon • Make it a fun day for 2010
in Bryan-College Station, registration, instructions will be those who donate their TAMPA
Jan. 26-31
Texas. (KAMU, 90.9 FM) sent in a confirmation e-mail. A time performing and/or in
2011
Each half-hour show from late Society Marketing & PR Com- the donors chairs! LASVEGAS
September to early December mittee member will contact you One of the continuing Jan. 25-30
features male and female bar- within 24 hours. In most cases, aims of our Society is to have 2012
bershoppers. Hear a sample at the blood collection agency will chapters involved in com- TUCSON
Jan. 17-22
http://kamu-fm.tamu.edu, click contact you within two business munity service. Every minute
HARMONY
on “Local Radio Shows” and days. (If your chapter was paired of every day, someone needs
UNIVERSITY 2010
look for “Barbershop Harmo- with the American Red Cross or blood. Register your chapter St. Joseph, Mo.
ny Time.” Contact Dennis at Canadian Blood Services, you in the 2010 Singing for Life August 1-8, 2010
(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:35)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:78)(cid:17)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:87). may have to initiate the project Program and help save hun-
with them.) dreds of lives!
• 5
November/December 2009 The HARMONIZER
(cid:67)
(cid:79)
TEMPO(cid:80)
Harmonizer cover dates coming
back in sync by summer 2010
Excerpts from “Sept/Oct Harmonizer in Decem-
ber? What gives?”, a Dec. 14 post found at www.
barbershophq.com/?p=1241.
Your Harmonizer’s information hasn’t been old, NITRO quartet traveled all the way from Toronto to participate in
it’s just that the cover dates have been out of American Harmony’s Detroit promotions. They also performed on
sync. You’ve still been getting six issues per year, stage before the last Detroit screening.
every two months on average, with info that was
up-to-date in the
Another successful American Harmony
weeks before each
issue was sent to
screening, this time Detroit. Who’s next?
the printer. (How did the dates get out of sync?
See www.barbershophq.com/?p=976.)
The Detroit screening of American Harmony… the Movie was an
Issues will be noticeably more in-sync by sum-
outstanding success thanks to creative marketing by Detroit-area
mer. Skipping no issues, you’ll get the July/Au-
chapters. After committing to selling 500 tickets and securing the
gust 2010 issue by end of July 2010.
prestigious Detroit Film Theater (adjacent to the Detroit Institute
There’s a small price to pay for getting issue
of Arts), chapters contacted local high school musical directors,
dates back in-sync. Catch-up issues will be no
Right On Q quartet promoted it on the radio, and co-producers
larger than 28 pages each, but it balances out
Aengus James and Colin Miller conducted live phone interviews.
because you’ll receive seven Harmonizer issues
Quartets conveniently scheduled performances in the DIA while
during 2010.
approximately 5,000 people shopped for “Target Family Sundays.”
There’s one price you won’t pay. We won’t re-
Detroit News,Detroit Free Press and the Metro Times each gave
lease lower-grade editions. We still need plenty of
the film three out of four stars. More than 700 tickets were sold
story ideas, authors and submissions to the maga-
for an estimated value of $5,000. Proof that with a little sweat
zine. Please submit ideas, suggestions or questions
and tears and going the extra mile, some extra marketing can
to (cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:93)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:35)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:74).
make a huge impact.
Dozens of Harmony University scholarships available for 2010—don’t delay!
The following scholarships are available for Harmony University, all thanks to your generous support of Harmony Founda-
tion. All scholarships include full tuition and board, none include travel costs. To those interested in applying, please first
read the full rules for each scholarship at http://tinyurl.com/HUscholar.
Director’s College. For front-line direc- limited: Inquire immediately! Contact peting quartet wanting to reach the
tors, assistant directors or aspiring direc- the Society Education department at next level. Get rules and applications at
tors who have never attended Director’s (cid:86)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:35)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:74) or 800-876- www.barbershop.org by April 21, 2010.
College on scholarship. Applications SING x4122. Mail completed applications to the Ed-
must be post-marked no earlier than ucation Department, Attn. Larry Ajer
March 1 and no later than April 1. Earl Moon. Sponsored by Scholarship, 110 7th N, Nashville,
Download applications at www.barber- the Whittier, Calif., TN 37203. For more informa-
shop.org and send to Education Depart- Chapter, pays tuition for tion, call 800-876-SING x4122
ment, Attn. Director’s College Scholar- first-time barbershopper or e-mail (cid:86)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:35)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:74).
ship, 110 7th N, Nashville, TN 37203. attendees who might not
(Please do not e-mail.) For more info, otherwise have the op- Lou Perry. Goes to the creator
contact Mike O’Neill at (cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:35)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:85)- portunity to attend. Down- of the best original arrangement.
bershop.org or 800-876-SING x4126. load an application at www. Young arranging talent especially
choralaires.org. By May 1, 2010, sub- welcome to apply. Deadline: March 15,
Bring your baritone free. If you sign up mit your application to Norm Bernier, 2010. Send electronic files by e-mail
for the quartet track at Harmony U, PO Box 482, La Mirada, CA 90637 or (preferred, Finale or PDF) to RobCamp-
it’s four for the price of three courtesy (cid:81)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:35)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:93)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:17)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:87). (cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:35)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:68)(cid:17)(cid:92)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:17)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:88) or send by regular
of Harmony Foundation and the Larry mail to Don Gray, 9 Filson Place, Cin-
Ajer endowment. Scholarships are Larry Ajer. For a successful, active, com- cinnati, OH 45202. (cid:78)
6 •
The HARMONIZER November/December 2009
Your Society A BRAND-NEW CLASSIFICATION FOR WOMEN
who desire “insider” status with one of the largest singing organizations in the world.
membership
offers you
special
pricing
For more information, visit www.barbershop.org or call 800.876.SING (7464)
with Hertz!
For details, visit
www.barbershop.org/hertz
Special Deal
4 piece min
(cid:84)(cid:105)(cid:112)(cid:113)(cid:33)(cid:112)(cid:111)(cid:109)(cid:106)(cid:111)(cid:102)(cid:33)(cid:98)(cid:117)(cid:33)(cid:33)
(cid:105)(cid:98)(cid:115)(cid:110)(cid:112)(cid:111)(cid:122)(cid:110)(cid:98)(cid:115)(cid:108)(cid:102)(cid:117)(cid:113)(cid:109)(cid:98)(cid:100)(cid:102)(cid:47)(cid:100)(cid:112)(cid:110)
• 7
November/December 2009 The HARMONIZER
(cid:86)
(cid:80)
HARMONY HOW-TO
How to have the experience of a lifetime!
“B
ut Joe, I have a job ...” what brought us together, after all. Don’t let anything
“Well, this one will pay less, but there’s a lot more get in the way of enjoying the music.
adulation.” Stay positive. I know I could not have gone
Those words from Joe Liles have stuck with me through all the ups and downs of this incredible career
for more than 24 years as a member of your Society’s without being a positive person. It certainly has made
music and education staff. Words can not express the me much stronger and wiser for it.
honor I have felt throughout these years and the thrill Be honest and forthright with everyone you meet
it has been to serve. and they will respect you for that whether they agree
Much has changed. When I arrived, the Society with you or not.
office had a secretarial pool to type our dictations. To- Let people know you care at every opportunity. I just
day, I walk around with a Blackjack II on my hip and never wanted to wait until it was too late.
a laptop in my office and home. Everyone who was
on staff when I arrived—except Joe Liles, who will The most important thing of all ...
be joining me in retirement—has either moved on, Make a difference in the lives of everyone you know.
passed on, or remained back in Kenosha. There is no question that the joy of singing makes a
Some things are the same as they’ve always been. difference in your life and your loved-ones lives. You
We’re still addicted to ringing chords, we still can’t have the ability to say “I love you” more easily and
agree on what belongs under the umbrella of barber- with more feeling than many out there who don’t
shop harmony. I still can take my three grandsons to know how because they have not reached down into
a show and not worry about what they see or hear. their inner feelings. You also make a difference in the
Men keep joining us and wondering where we’ve lives of the audiences you sing for every time you per-
been all their lives. form from your heart ... your very best. You can bring
I’m happy to report that as a Society, we’re sound- a tear to an eye of someone because of a wonderful
ing better and in far better vocal health than we were ballad or a smile to a face just because of the way you
24 years ago. (I like to think I shared a role in that.) performed the song.
More young men are discovering barbershop harmony Joe Liles was wrong when he said, “This one will
than ever before. We’re also smaller, which presents pay less.” Barbara and I are the richest people in
big challenges; but we’re hopefully wiser than before the world. No one could have prepared us for all
in some ways, and we seem headed for better days the long lasting friendships we would make and will
ahead if enough members catch the vision and make keep for many years to come. Thank you for the
their corner of the barbershop world the best it can be. privilege to serve. (cid:78)
A storied career. Before joining the Barbershop
My philosophy: What’s most important
Harmony Society staff in June 1985, Jim had served for
as barbershoppers and as human beings
19 years as a choral music educator in Oregon colleges
Along my 24-year journey, I continually challenged
and public schools, where his choirs—particularly jazz
myself to learn the craft so I could be the best I could
groups—were widely honored for their excellence.
be. I’ve sometimes smiled when Barbershoppers were
As a Society staff member, Jim has conducted thou-
unhappy about something our Society had done, only
sands of barbershop harmony presentations at schools
to have them be smiling with me after I’ve had the
and colleges all over North America. He has served as
chance to speak with them about it. There were also
head clinician for countless barbershop youth work-
those times when I cried with my brothers, and that
shops and camps, helped state music education confer-
was all right, too.
ences attendees understand how and why to include
I’ve also learned a thing or two about what makes
barbershop school music programs, and helped develop
us tick as an organization and what matters most.
and coordinate the Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Con-
Over these many years, I’ve put together a philosophy
test. He’s an expert voice teacher, coach and director
(if you will) about why we are a part of this style called
who had helped countless choruses improve their per-
barbershop harmony. This philosophy comes from
Jim DeBusman forming skills and train their musical leadership
a lifetime of experiences. It starts with all the many
Retired 24-year It is estimated that Jim has come in contact with
friendships we all have made as members of the So-
employee of the more than 150,000 “students” in 40 years of teaching.
ciety in our chapters and quartets, where we may not
Barbershop Har-
Jim’s presentations often end with him saying, “Please
mony Society know what our fellows singers do for a living, but we
commit yourself now to keep music in your life ... all
jdebusman@ certainly know what part they sing and how well.
your life.” Few have better practiced what they preach!
comcast.net Never lose the thrill of singing four-part harmony. It’s
8 •
The HARMONIZER November/December 2009