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United we stand
Sharing and caring defines Harmony
By Gaye LaCasce, International President
Harmony's mission statement describes us as an organization that "empowers all women through singing, education, and friendship." While singing is first in that statement, the concept of "friendship" (and the community that's created as a result) is powerful.
When there are devastating natural disasters, like what much of the US has just experienced, or the unprecedented Canadian wildfires in 2023 (and I could go on...), that's when the beauty of the friendship and caring in Harmony is on full display. Likewise, when chapters or members experience illness, tragedy, or loss, the Harmony community is there, both in spirit and in practical ways.
Although we often excoriate social media, it's there that expressions of concern and care, offers of help, and personal messages of support are ubiquitous. Some of those heartfelt posts are so beautiful - one can feel the authentic emotion behind them. That's our community - Harmony.
In 1961, US President John F. Kennedy addressed the Canadian Parliament saying, “Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder. What unites us is far greater than what divides us.”
Although Kennedy was speaking about the Canadian/US relationship, that quotation resonated with me for a different reason. The idea that what unites us is greater than what divides us is so true in Harmony - our music and our desire to work collaboratively connect us in ways that are impossible to quantify.
This is Harmony's culture. And our culture explains the outpouring of concern and comfort that I see. We are living our mission, and that's a wonderful thing.
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Minor Chords 20th Anniversary Shirt!
By Tessa Walker, Youth Coordinator
We have started a tradition of buying t-shirts for Minor Chords participants each year. However, we thought EVERYONE would want this Special Edition 20th Anniversary shirt to celebrate such an amazing accomplishment!
Each shirt purchase will give some money back to our Youth Programs in Harmony and you can also choose to donate extra to the cause as well.
Sales end October 12! You should receive your shirts in time for IC&C where you can wear them around proudly to show your support.
ORDER NOW!
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It's here!
Re-live the memories of Grand Rapids - the singing, the hi-jinks, the 'blend of friendship' - as we prepare to make new ones in Louisville.
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| International Convention News |
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One month away!
By Shannon Shelton-Muller, IC&C Marketing Assistant
Can you believe that we are only one month away from IC&C 2024? I don't know about you, but I'm excited to see friends, compete, dive into educational classes, and experience awe-inspiring performances as an audience member.
IT'S A CELEBRATION!
This year's opening event is a celebration of all things barbershop. There will be lots of singing, exciting updates, officer installation, awards, and Singing with the Queens! But that's not all. Since we're in Louisville, what better way to mark the occasion than with a Derby Hat Contest!
How will it work? Everyone wearing a derby hat/fascinator will get a ticket when entering the ballroom. Then five tickets will be drawn out of a hat and those five people will come up on stage. We will then present each derby hat competitor and determine the winner based on audience response. The winner will get a certificate for a comped one-night room and tax for their stay at the Galt House.
Want to make your own derby hat/fascinator? There are lots of DIY instructions and videos out there. Here's a couple to get you started.
How to make a headband fascinator courtesy of jewelboxballerina.com .
Looking for something a little more advanced? Check out this version at polkadotchair.com .
On your mark, get set, go...make a derby hat!
REHEARSAL ROOMS ARE STILL AVAILABLE
Thursday Open Rehearsal Rooms are filling up but there is still space available. If you have NOT already signed up there are still earlier slots in the afternoon available. If you have already booked for a rehearsal slot but would like another one, your chorus is now welcome to sign up for a second slot.
Here is the access to the Sign Up Sheet for booking a space. There are four rooms this year for Open Rehearsals, available in 50-minute rehearsal slots between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Thursday, November 7. The information on the Sign Up Sheet lists the name of the room and its size in square feet. Please choose the room appropriate to your chorus size so that the larger choruses have the opportunity to book the larger rooms.
The rooms are available for booking from now until Thursday, November 7. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact iccservicesmgr@harmonyinc.org
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS RETURN REMINDER
If your chorus or quartet is in possession of one of the following awards, THIS IS A REMINDER to return the award at IC&C.
Awards must be returned in their travel cases or bags, be in good condition, and be engraved if this is required.
Return the Award to the Hospitality Room no later than Thursday, Nov 7.*
If your chorus or quartet is not attending IC&C this year, it is still the responsibility of the award holder to make the necessary arrangements to return the award as required.
CHORUS AWARDS
The Jerry Dunlop Award
The G. Ruth Geils Award
The L.A.B.B.S Trophy
The MacIntosh Award
The Tait Trophy
Jeanne O’Connor Championship Chorus Award
QUARTET AWARDS
The Accord Award
The Findlay Plaque
The Susan C. Trenchard Award
The Audience Entertainment Award
Young At Heart Award
Harmony Future Award
*The Sandi White International Membership Award is due to be returned to the Hospitality Room by Wednesday, November 6.
If you have a question about your award, please contact iccservicesmgr@harmonyinc.org
WE STILL NEED CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS!
We’re nearing the home stretch and still need volunteers, especially as pattern workers or ticket sellers during the Chorus Contest. If you are not participating in the Chorus Contest, please consider volunteering in one of these capacities. Even if you’re in the contest you can help – volunteer after your performance or encourage family and friends to help.
Additional volunteer opportunities:
- Contest Stage Viewing (Wednesday afternoon).
- QT Semis and Finals: Photo room monitors
- On-Site Manager Assistant, Saturday morning
- Banquet: Help with seating
- Showcase Hall assistant: Line up medalists before their performance.
There are other positions as well. Please check out the volunteer signup sheet here. Harmony, Inc. 2024 Volunteer Opportunities: Registration - Opening Ceremony - Showcase (signupgenius.com) You can also access the signup on the Volunteer page on the Harmony website – look for the “Volunteer Here” button at the bottom of the page.
Thank you for your help, Harmony!
SERVICE ANIMALS WELCOME
As you know from our FAQs, service animals are welcome at IC&C and are allowed at the hotel. There will be at least two service dogs at IC&C, so we'd like to remind you of basic etiquette when encountering a service animal: (Tips courtesy of guidedogsofamerica.org)
1. Approach the handler, not the dog
2. Never touch a service dog without asking permission first
3. Never, ever offer food to a service dog
4. A sleeping dog is still on the job
5. An unattended service dog is a sign its owner needs help
If you will have a service animal at IC&C and have not done so already, please email Allison Thompson so that appropriate accommodations can be made. Please put ICC Service Animal Accommodation Request in the subject line.
OCTOBER DEADLINES
Remember these important deadlines:
October 24 - Submit your song registration (for competing quartets and choruses)
October 31, midnight EST - Online Registration closes - order through your AEP registration until then (you may still purchase AEPs and tickets at the door)
ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO A DINNER TICKET OR AEP?
Are you a member of Harmony and have an AEP, contest ticket, or reserved dinner you no longer need? We've got a brand-new service this year that can help. It's the Self-serve AEP/Ticket transfers form.
HOW IT WORKS:
- Sellers - complete the form available on the page found in the link above to post details about the pass(es) you wish to sell. You will receive a confirmation message with instructions on how to finalize the transfer. Buyers will contact you via the email address you share in this form to arrange the transfer. Once you have agreed, click the link in your confirmation to update the transfer list.
- Buyers - check the list of Available Tickets and contact the seller who has the kind of ticket you need. You'll pay the seller directly and pick up your pass at registration when you arrive in Louisville.
If you are not a member, or if you have trouble logging into the Harmony, Inc. website to utilize this transfer service, please contact the Corporate Office for assistance.
CHECK OUT THESE DINING OPTIONS AVAILABLE DURING THE CONTESTS
As we DO NOT have the opportunity to offer any food concession sales during this year’s contests and there is no food and beverage (except water) allowed in the ballroom, please use the links below to check out what's available in and around the hotel.
There are four onsite restaurants: Swizzle, Walker’s Exchange, Jockey Silks, and The Veranda. Click here for dining hours and menus. There are also many restaurants within walking distance. Click here to view a map and get more information.
NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE TO YOUR HOTEL ROOM?
So you've booked your hotel room for IC&C but there's been a change in arrival date, roommates, etc. You must use the website to make any changes to your hotel reservation. YOU CANNOT CALL THE HOTEL DIRECTLY.
BOOK A SCOOTER
Looking for mobility assistance during IC&C? Booking is available for scooters.
Cost: Wednesday, November 6 - Saturday, November 9 (scooter due for drop off by 11 a.m. Sunday, November 10) is $175.
Arriving earlier than Wednesday? No problem. Scooters are available as early as Sunday, November 3. The cost for an earlier rental for the week is $206 (Sunday, November 3 or Monday, November 4).
To book: Call 502-799-5419.
Let them know you are with Harmony, Inc. for their convention at the Galt House.
Give the required time for pick up and drop off.
Payment is due at the time of booking.
All scooters will come with baskets. Still have questions? Contact Debbie, IC&C Business Services Assistant.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Check out what you missed or get a quick review by using the links below:
Watch the recording
View the slides
GET YOUR PHOTO FORMS!
Photo forms are available online.
Make sure to print your copy and bring it with you to contest. Quartets will turn theirs into the photo room during the pattern. Chorus photos will be taken onstage. A representative from each chorus will have an opportunity to meet with the photographer after contest to select your official photo and turn in your order form.
Remember, you can always visit the FAQ page for details on IC&C! The FAQ sheet is kept updated throughout the contest season with everything you need to know.
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Growing Harmony at IC&C
Do you enjoy talking with members about the various ways they can support Harmony? Do you have a passion for philanthropy? Do you love helping our organization grow and flourish? Then, we are looking for you!
The Harmony, Inc. Philanthropy Committee is seeking volunteers to help staff our “Growing Harmony” table at IC&C, which will be located right outside the Grand Ballroom.
Before IC&C, you’ll be invited to a brief Zoom session that will give you the information you’ll need to educate members who stop by the table. You’ll share information about the various ways Harmony, Inc. utilizes donations to support our activities and programs. You’ll also have information about Sing Canada Harmony to share with our Canadian members. You will collect cash and credit donations at the table.
SIGN UP TODAY and join us in “Growing Harmony” at IC&C!
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REMINDER TO REPORT PERFORMANCE ACTIVITY!
By Kathy Stone, Copyright and Licensing Coordinator
Hopefully all of our Chapters had an amazing, fun, profitable summer performance schedule.
First thing – submission of the HAR-122 report must be done by OCTOBER 10, 2024 to Corporate.
As previously stated, Harmony, Inc. and its Areas and Chapters are required to pay fees to three separate U.S. music licensing agencies (ASCAP, BMI, & SESAC) whenever we perform music at live events that we organize i.e. Chapter Shows, AC&C's and IC&C. By completing Form HAR-122, (found in the Members Only section of the website and embedded in this sentence) your chapter will fall under umbrella agreements with these licensing organizations. So, instead of your chapter paying fees directly, you can submit your information to Harmony, Inc. and we will report on your behalf. Your chapter/area will then be billed for your portion of fees paid under Harmony, Inc.’s licensing agreements. The fees will typically be less than paying directly to these organizations to perform your music.
If your chapter had a performance or show that was attended by the public, regardless of whether or not you sold tickets, accepted donations in lieu of tickets, or performed for free, you can fulfill this requirement by reporting your activity on Form HAR-122 ... UNLESS you have your own accounts in place with ASCAP, BMI, & SESAC.
Canadian Chapters/Areas must report their performance activity to SOCAN, with whom we do not currently have an umbrella license. This reporting must be done independently by each chapter/area; consequently, the form referred to is not applicable in Canada.
Please review the linked form and familiarize yourself with the information. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you submit the form within 10 days of the event.
If you have questions about completing this form, please contact the Finance Assistant . Questions about this information? Contact the Copyright & Licensing Coordinator or the Finance Assistant.
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Time to have your say!
The IBOD Annual Meeting is coming up November 4-6. Do you have an agenda item you would like to submit for the IBOD to consider?
Use HAR-009 to submit your thoughts and ideas. Deadline for submission is October 7, 2024.
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| Harmony Distinction Award |
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Harmony Distinction Award Nominations
By Taralee Lashway, Director of Membership
Do you know someone who has contributed significantly to Harmony, Inc. and/or the barbershop community at large who exemplifies the organization's values, principles, goals, and objectives? Someone who embodies the "Blend of Friendship" and is committed to making Harmony, Stronger? Consider nominating them for the 2025 Harmony Distinction Award.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 International Convention and Contest year. Any Harmony, Inc. Chapter and Associate Member in good standing can nominate an individual who is suitable to serve as a Harmony, Inc. ambassador as the Harmony Distinction Awardee.
To meet the criteria for this honor, the Honoree:
- Would agree to attend and receive the Harmony Distinction Award at the Membership Meeting during that year’s Opening Ceremony of the International Convention.
- Would agree to take part in publicity and media coverage surrounding the presentation of the award.
- Work with Harmony, Inc.’s Public Relations Coordinator to represent and serve as a spokesperson for the organization.
For more information, visit the Member’s Only section of the website (under Corporate Manual, Section 14.5), then fill out the nomination form HAR-058.
Deadline for nominations to be considered for the 2025 award year is January 31, 2025!
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Convention Team changes
By Allison Thompson, IC&C Convention Manager
Please join me in welcoming Ruth Maple to the team as our incoming Convention Business Services Assistant!
Ruth started her Harmony, Inc. tenure with The Notations of Kankakee, IL in 1976, and is now a member of The Village Vocal Chords in Area 4. She has served as their Secretary, Treasurer, VP, and At-Large Board member and is currently the Recording Secretary and Leader of Team Finance. She has sung in many quartets over the years, placing 10th two different times. She has even played a role at IC&C as the US Properties Manager for Harmony, Inc. where she was responsible for housing and transporting all of the sales items.
In her professional career, Ruth has held many Administrative Assistant positions for various companies. She was also a home care provider and chartered a local HCP organization that became a member of the State of Illinois Association of Home Childcare Providers. In this role she was responsible for setting up their Exhibition Hall - managing the entire process and coordination.
Ruth is also active in her church, serving on the Parish Council and on many committees, including Liturgical Development, Worship, Activities, New Wine Leadership, eight years as Children’s Choir director, 10 years as Christmas Pageant Coordinator and three years as Interim Music Director.
I know that with Ruth's experience and personality she is going to knock it out of the park!
I want to also thank Deb Wilson for creating a great foundation for this position and welcome her as the new Volunteer Coordinator in 2025!
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| 2024 Delegates/Associates/Affiliates Meeting Notice |
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2024 IC&C Delegates/Associates Meeting
By Debbie Parmerter, International Parliamentarian
The 2024 Delegates/Associates Meeting will be held via Zoom on Sunday, November 17, at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Chapter Presidents (Delegates)
If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may select another chapter member to serve as an Alternate Delegate by completing Form HAR-029.
Associates
You are encouraged to attend this meeting. The voting privilege of Associate members will be exercised through the vote of one Associate elected at this meeting.
General
The agenda for the International Board of Directors Annual Meeting will be posted on the Harmony website by the end of October. Delegates and Associates should review the agenda and note any items you would like discussed. This is an opportunity for members to discuss the business conducted and decisions made by the International Board of Directors.
Elections Committee
During this meeting, Delegates will elect an Elections Committee for the 2025 International Board of Directors elections. The newly elected committee will appoint a Chair from its members, to be ratified by the Delegates. Besides having duties for IBOD elections, this committee will also be used for any membership votes conducted during the year. More information on the duties of this important committee can be found in the September 20 HI Note or in the Corporate Manual.
REGISTRATION TO ATTEND THIS ZOOM MEETING IS REQUIRED! Complete Form HAR-029 by November 16, 2024 to receive the link to the meeting.
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Sing together. Unite the world.
We are inviting all of Harmony to sing together with friends, family, or your whole community on World Singing Day and be a part of something big.
The following Harmony chapters have announced they will be hosting World Singing Day events:
Silk'n Sounds Chapter, 4:00 p.m., Saturday, October 19, at Fairfield First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT
Harmony Heritage, 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 19, at the Warwick Mall, 400 Bald Hill Road in Warwick, RI. This event is open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and singing abilities.
Montreal City Voices, 2:00 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.), Saturday, October 19, at Cedar Park United Church, 204 Lakeview Ave, Pointe-Claire, Quebec
Will your chapter or quartet join in on this year's World Singing Day song of the year?
Here's info on how to take part - and how to let the HI Note know all about it!
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| Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion |
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 Join the EDC Roundtable discussions!
By Emily Parsons, Equity & Diversity Committee Chair
Have you ever wished you could gather with a group of fellow singers from across Harmony, Inc. to talk about issues that affect your chorus, quartet, or Area, and bounce ideas off each other? If so, you’re in luck!
The Equity and Diversity Committee is launching the 2024-2025 schedule of Roundtable Discussions, held on Zoom. The overarching theme for the year is Inclusion as Part of Member Retention and Recruitment, and we have a variety of discussions planned through June 2025.
All members of Harmony, Inc. are invited to attend. Meetings are held on rotating days of the week, and you can come to whichever ones fit into your schedule. Newcomers are always welcome to join in.
The next session takes place on Tuesday, October 22, at 6 p.m. Eastern. We’d love to see you there! The discussions are always interesting, and you’re bound to come away with a new idea to ponder, and maybe even some new practices to implement within your group or Area.
Check out the Harmony, Inc. website to register to receive the Zoom link, and to see all the scheduled dates.
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Your donations to the For Love of Harmony program enable you to identify individuals or groups to receive special recognition, while at the same time providing a monetary gift to Harmony, Inc.
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A Cappella Showcase in memory of Eleanor Jean Kimmins
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| Condolences From The Membership |
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- to Linda Hartnell (A Cappella Showcase, Area 5) on the death of her husband Phil Hartnell
- to Norma Kimmins (A Cappella Showcase, Area 5) on the death of her mother Eleanor Jean Kimmins
- to Jeanne Chapman (Harmony Heritage, Area 2) on the passing of her sister on September 9, 2024
- to Barb Hamilton (Nickel City Sound, Area 5) and her family, on the recent passing of her dear father, George Hamilton.
- to Kath Kelly Morgan on the death of her husband, Mike Morgan, on September 25, 2024
- to friends, family and chorus mates of Joanne Green, Past President of Seaside A Cappella (Area 1), who passed away after a fierce fight with cancer on September 23, 2024
Need to post a condolence notice? Please have the information sent to the Administrative Coordinator to be recorded. Thank you.
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| International Conventions & Contests |
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2024 NOVEMBER 6-9, GALT HOUSE, LOUISVILLE, KY
2025 NOVEMBER 5-8, HERSHEY LODGE, HERSHEY, PA
2026 NOVEMBER 11-14, GALT HOUSE, LOUISVILLE, KY
2027 NOVEMBER 10-13, NIAGARA FALLS CONVENTION CENTER, NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO
2028 NOVEMBER 1-4, HERSHEY LODGE, HERSHEY, PA
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The next issue of the HI Note comes to your inbox October 20. What would you like to see covered in our pages? Drop a line to editor@harmonyinc.org and we'll tell the world. Next deadline is October 13.
See you again, soon!
Copyright © 2024 Harmony, Inc., All rights reserved.
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