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Essentials in
Press Kit
Veterans Day - Remembrance Day
Become a part of a tribute to veterans that spans North America.
Updated: 9/18/2004 5:04:00 PM
On November 11, 2004, Veterans Day in the USA and Remembrance Day in Canada, the Barbershop Harmony Society will conduct an international community service event in cities and towns across North America. The purpose of this endeavor is to create a simultaneous, focused, singing event in hundreds of communities, engendering goodwill toward and public awareness of our Society.
Last year, several dozen chapters participated in the September 11 tribute. Those who did were recognized in their communities for their good work, and were pleasantly surprised with the level of help and support that other groups in the community gave. Several gained new members. Please refer to the Jan/Feb issue of The Harmonizer, page 26 for a recap of September 11, 2003.
This document is designed to assist those chapters that wish to participate in the 2004 project for Veterans Day / Remembrance Day with general preparation and execution guidelines. We learned a lot last year and will share that information with all chapters in the Society.
How to Begin
- Choose how you will participate—some ideas are listed below
- Go to your chapter board and build their enthusiasm for your project
- Appoint a chairman to lead the overall project
- Please let us know you will join in the tribute by filling in the participation form . We hope to see that chapters across Canada and the USA will participate. Help us spread the word!
Just Do Something…
The most important thing is to participate. Do something… anything to allow our Society to salute our veterans on a national basis. It could be a big community chorus event, or a couple of quartets singing at the local Veterans Hospital. By sponsoring a large community chorus, local chapters can build relationships with other singers and build credibility and goodwill with them. Quartets performing at local Veterans Hospitals bring joy to those who served their country and can establish an important community connection.
But, what you do is up to you and your chapter.
Listed below are some suggestions for programs that might work for you based on successful events last year.
Veterans Hospitals
Local Veterans Hospitals are always happy to have local groups come and entertain. Contact them well in advance for Veterans Day because many of them will be setting up programs for the day.
Building a Large Community Chorus
The key to building a strong link to the community is to develop good relations with other local singing groups. The idea is to build a community chorus that will be available for future events as well.
- Make a list of choral groups that your members belong to or are familiar with, as well as the local Sweet Adelines or Harmony, Inc. chapters. There also might be individuals who would be interested in joining in.
- the groups and individuals to inform them of the project and invite them to participate.
- Follow-up your calls with a letter outlining the details Veterans Affairs and Government Offices
You will want to determine what events, if any, are being planned for Veterans Day in your community and determine if you can participate. If none is planned, you can organize one
• Call the mayor’s office to connect with the community relations (or equivalent) office. Introduce yourself and the nature of the project. Ask them what plans are being made for an event. Invite the mayor (or governor) to speak if it is your event.
- Determine what permits are needed.
- Call the local Veterans Affairs office to see what events they might be planning and how you might plug into them. Let them know that this activity has been endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Affairs Canada.
Develop a Plan
- What will be the general approach to the event?
- Have a written plan (no more than two pages) with event details to circulate among the participants.
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Find the Venue - Where will the event be held? Early November is probably not suitable for outdoor events in northern areas.
- Try the Veterans Hospital nearest you.
- What time will it be held (Canada has an 11a.m. moment of silence, so avoid that time)
Select Music and Schedule Rehearsals
- The Society will provide music designed for SATB and male voices that all of us can use.
- SATB click here for sheet music. Click here for learning MP3s
- Male click here for sheet music. Click here for learning MP3s
- Your director should meet with the directors of the other groups (if you are doing a Community Chorus) to decide on the rest of the music for the program. Each group may want to do some numbers on their own, and then the entire ensemble can sing other selected music.
- Determine the rehearsal site(s) and schedule (minimum of three).
- Additional useful information and material is available at www.unitedwesing.barbershop.org
Get Sponsorships
- Corporations that have a large local presence are usually willing to give small donations (<$1,000) to help support local events. They also might offer a venue for the event.
- Government agencies may also help with materials or funding if they are involved with the event.
Publicize the Event
For a few tips on publicity, click here.
Pre-Event
In addition to vocal groups, you will want to invite interested individuals to sing with you.
- Public Service Announcements to invite singers
- Local newspaper ads to invite singers
- local newspapers, radio and TV stations at least two weeks ahead with the details of the event and who to contact.
Event PR
- Be prepared to answer questions from the media about the Society, your chapter, your program and participating groups. A one-page fact sheet will help.
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• Provide a site for TV cameras if needed. - Tell us how it went. Send photos and write-ups to Julie Siepler, Society Media Relations Manager.
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