Seminars at Virtual Harmony University
July 19 - 31, 2021
Seminars are 110-minute topic-specific sessions that will meet six times over the course of two weeks in July. Each seminar is led by an industry professional and has subtopics, guest speakers, breakout sessions, and craft sessions all to strengthen participants’ knowledge in that area.
This year, we're offering six targeted seminars, with three seminars meeting Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays:
PLUS another three seminars meeting on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays:
Register for the seminar(s) of your choice, or participate in up to 2 with your full registration. Whatever you decide, be sure to grab your notebook and get ready to learn!
Music Educator Seminar
Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 3-5 p.m. Central | starting July 19
For music educators or future music educators (juniors or seniors in college) who want to learn more about how to use barbershop in the choral classroom.
This seminar is eligible for graduate credit or continuing education units.
With content specifically for middle and high school teachers, our world-class faculty will show they have been successful in their own music classrooms using barbershop to great success.
Topics include:
- How to use the barbershop style in the classroom
- Performance practices
- Vocabulary
- Style differences
Arranging Seminar
Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 5 - 7 p.m. Central | starting July 19
This seminar will follow the life of an arrangement, from concept to completion.
Each day will be a combination of either roundtable discussions or targeted lessons on key arranging topics as the process progresses, followed by small group breakout sessions with individual seminar faculty to hone arranging skills.
We'll use a combination of the seminar arranging project and student's own works for review and feedback.
Performing Seminar
Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 7 - 9 p.m. Central | starting July 19
Through interviews, discussion, workshops, and presentations, this seminar will feature working actors, performers, producers, coaches, and singers sharing how participants can take their performances to the next level, making even stronger connections to each other, their audience, and themselves.
Leadership Seminar
Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday from 3 - 5 p.m. Central | starting July 20
Join the best leadership educators in the Barbershop Harmony Society as they share how you can develop yourself to be the best leader possible for your chapter and/or district.
These 110 minute sessions will include discussion, exercises and application to the real world situations you are asked to lead. The topics have take-away participant workbooks for your future reference.
Director Seminar
Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday from 5 - 7 p.m. Central | starting July 20
The Director Seminar will be a combination of demonstrations, explanations, coaching under glass, panel discussion, and small group lessons.
Seminar faculty will cover a variety of topics such as:
- rehearsals
- repertoire
- gesture
- choral sound
- score study
- contests and competition
- shows
- and more!
Come hone your conducting skills with the finest directors in barbershop.
Applied Vocal Instruction Seminar
Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday from 7 - 9 p.m. Central | starting July 20
This Seminar in Applied Vocal Instruction provides training for chorus directors, section leaders, and others who want to empower singers through individualized instruction.
In Week 1, Rob Mance will explain how to identify the most common vocal inefficiencies and how to offer solutions, using teaching techniques that put singers at ease and promote a joyful, optimistic growth mindset.
In Week 2, participants will practice giving and receiving PVIs (personal vocal instruction) in breakout sessions under the supervision of a Master Coach.
Participants have the option to register as either Observers (who receive PVIs) or Apprentices (who give and receive PVIs).
