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Essentials in
Schools
HARMO-ssourian Saturday August 2 2003
Saturday Bulletin -- Harmony College / Directors College 2003
Updated: 8/2/2003 5:42:00 AM
An educator’s second year at Harmony College –
why I came back
Last year was my first time to Harmony College, and little did I know the magnitude of this organization. I knew that the Barbershoppers in Denver were wonderful and giving, but I didn’t know that there are thousands of men just like them. I was impressed that the Society is full of men from every walk of life, yet they loved singing enough to be here and learn more to improve their skills. And what I found in 2002 made it inevitable that I would return this year to soak up still more. (If nothing else, the male to female ratio is a dream. And I have to say, I have never had so many doors opened for me…it’s nice to be around true gentlemen.)
The classes offered really opened my eyes to what I didn’t learn in my years as an undergrad. In fact, much of what is taught here At HCDC is not taught at music educator’s conferences. Let me be so bold as to say, I learned more in one week here than I have at any traditional music educator’s convention. Things such as the physics of sound, just intonation and how to adjust a capella singing, and the numerous nuances of barbershop opened a whole new world. I mean, “woodshedding?” …”Chinese seventh?”…”Barbershop 7th?” These are not terms in any textbook I have. I was surprised to hear that barbershop has its roots in the African-American community. This was important to me because of the demographics of my urban school setting.
Barbershopping started for me when I received a fax in the spring of 2001. The fax was an invitation to receive free music, learning tapes, and tutoring…in the barbershop style. Typically, unsolicited mail ends up in the trash, and I particularly thought this fax had a “catch” to it. I have never had someone offer to provide me with so many aides to help my students. So, I decided to call the number and find out where the lie was.
I spoke with Tony Pranaitis, a chiropractor and chapter Vice President of YMIH for the Denver Mountainaires, and he convinced me that his agenda was to help grow my music program. I had never heard of Barbershop and was leery about trying it in the urban high school where I teach. If you have ever seen Sister Act II with Whoopie Goldberg, that’s basically what my class is like. But, “FREE” is a language I understand, and if Tony was willing to do all the work, I was willing to have him come to my classroom.
Most music teachers struggle to get boys into their programs and I thought that quartet singing might be a good start to entice young men to sing. Tony provided me with a music educator’s packet with simple songs and rehearsal tapes. I convinced four of my best singers to try barbershop, and Dinner for Four was born. We learned everything from what to wear to how to stand according to parts. The boys loved the humor in the songs and the challenging harmonies, but most of all they loved the attention they got from all the girls at George Washington High School. Dinner for Four became as popular as NSync. Everywhere they sang, the girls just went crazy.
I think the main reason that people join an organization is because they can identify with that group. Barbershop singing provides young men with an opportunity to connect with other music lovers. Here, there is a sense of belonging, acceptance, camaraderie, challenges, and love. It is not enough for me to train kids to sing technically sound. I’d rather give them an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
I am still in awe that a group of Barbershoppers would work so hard to become an active part in the lives of my students. The Denver Mountainaires and my choir have sung for each other in several shows. We have made strong efforts to become more visual in each other’s communities. It just goes to show you that regardless of race we can all find a common ground.
One signal honor that demonstrates this common ground: in 2001, I was thrilled to receive the Award of Harmony by the Denver Mountainaires as a person outside of the Society who helped promote barbershop singing. I was also given a scholarship to attend Harmony College. Free. Music to my ears.
“You just judged an international contest. Why are you taking classes at Harmony College?”
For those of you that I have yet to meet: “Hi!!! My name is Rob Mance, and yes, I am the youngest judge in the Society.” I got into the judging program at the age of 20 in the music category, judged my first official contest at the age of 22, and last month, a week after my 25th birthday, I had the awesome experience of judging my first international contest.
In the other parts of my life, I am a voice performance major at McGill University in Montreal. I also direct two choruses in Montreal, coach as often as school will allow, record in my project studio, work a part-time job and hold onto a part-time fiancée (who I met through barbershop… phew!)
“Why am I here?” Whatever I do in life, I am always eager to learn as much as I can. Whether I am at school, judging a contest away from home, or enjoying some free-time, it is a constant preoccupation of mine to learn as much as I can about the things that interest me.
What better place to do that than here at Harmony College? Having so many talented people together in one place makes it so exciting. Standing in the lunch line talking to the person next to you can be a great education!
Dapper Dans of …
Harmony College?
By Elbert Ford, staff reporter
Let me introduce you to Bruce Brann (photo left) and Dick Kneeland (photo right). They are retired Dapper Dans of Disney World and Disneyland, Bruce having started in 1965. Dick was a regular at Disneyland, while Bruce was a temp and then at Disney World they were both regulars. When in California, Dick belonged to the Society and directed the Simi Valley Chorus.
Both men are still involved in Barbershop. Dick is here attending Director’s College and directs a chorus in Dallas. Bruce is at his twentieth Harmony College taking regular classes. He still resides in Orlando and sings with the Orlando Chapter.
When I talked to Bruce about his attendance at HC, he had just come from Vocal Techniques Class. Here is a guy who has retired from a career in professional singing, yet still studying vocal techniques. He said that he takes that class every year and learns something each year. He says you can never learn it all but that different instructors always come up with something you need to know.
Bruce shared with me a memory of Bub Thomas singing with the Dans, going below to change, and then bounding up the stairs two-at-a-time (“It hurts to climb stairs, so get it over with twice as fast”), to draw caricatures for people on Main Street.
Shows to be webcast – email the foks back home
Friday night’s Parade and Saturday night’s shows will both be webcast. Details on the front page of the Society’s web site, www.spebsqsa.org
Webcast class change
Scott Hoge's "Webcasting 101" class will meet on Saturday at 5:30 pm in our normal classroom, NOT at the theater as previously suggested.
Let’s get away to Biloxi
When’s the next time you can get away for an unhurried week of singing, shows, and relaxing in the company of old friends? How about Biloxi, site of the 2004 Midwinter Convention, January 25 to February 1. Yu can count on
- Fun and sunshine
- Shows featuring all the 2003 quartet medallists (even Don Kahl!)
- Seniors quartet contest
- PLUS… some new surprises
To register, go to www.spebsqsa.org > Happenings > Midwinter Convention or call 800.876.7464 x8462.
Take home the
HARMO-ssourian
…and share it with your chapter and family. It's a great way for them to learn about the life and culture of Harmony College, and to encourage them top join you here next year. View it on the web at www.spebsqsa.org/hcdc
Address corrections
If yours is wrng in the roster, you can fix it yourself in Members Only. GO to www.spebsqsa.org/members
Final counts | |
Harmony College: |
250 |
Directors College: |
202 |
Next Generation |
36 |
Music Educators |
13 |
Quartet coaching |
96 |
Faculty |
67 |
Total |
664 |
Thanks again for a great week -- see you next year!
From your entire Harmony College / Directors College faculty and staff, thanks for sharing the love again.
--Elbert Ford, Staff writer
--Brian Lynch, HARMO-ssourian Editor
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