Area 1 was successful in receiving a $250.00 grant from Sing Canada which will help with our Zoom cost for 2021-2022 year. If you're able, please look at placing Sing Canada on your list to donate any funds available. More to come about Sing Canada in your next Area Ensemble. Thank you again Sing Canada!! |
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Seaside A Cappella was proud to see itself in headlines in a local Lunenburg County publication recently. Views of our virtual chorus video, mentioned in the article, now number more than 6,300 ! | |||
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In case you missed it during Harmony Harvest, here's a link to Seaside A Cappella's virtual chorus production of That's Life. We are proud to have more than 4,800 views now. Enjoy! | |
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Seaside A Cappella is very proud to have Linda Brehaut as an Honorary Member. A dual member with Valley Voices, Linda served as President and later as Past President of Seaside A Cappella since its inception. She was instrumental in laying the foundation and moving us through the gate to charter status in 2018. We first announced Linda's Honorary Membership at our 2020 AGM, however, we were not able to make a presentation at that time because of pandemic restrictions. However, on October 19, Music Director Judy Comeau and Past President Yvonne Rafuse were honoured to be able to meet with Linda in person to finally present her with a framed certificate. We were pleased that Deb Moreau of the Valley Voices accompanied Linda, as she too was a founding member of Seaside A Cappella. Shown: Linda Brehaut, far left, with Yvonne Rafuse and Judy Comeau, standing, and Deb Moreau. |
![]() Whether you were able to attend or not, your feedback about our virtual Harmony Harvest education event will provide important information for the planing of future events. Please take a few minutes to answer our BRIEF satisfaction survey at this link, with our thanks! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SHZYZLX |
The ScotianAires are returning to in-person singing on October 20th...but in a new format. A task force of six members representing the directing team, the board executive, and the membership worked to create a plan to return to in-person singing in a safe manner that follows all Nova Scotia Public Health requirements and guidance from relevant organizations such as Harmony Inc. and the Nova Scotia Choral Federation. Since the number of in-person participants is limited, the chorus will continue to concurrently host virtual rehearsals for members for as long as required, until such time as members can return to in-person singing as a full chorus. Participation in any in-person singing rehearsals/events will be completely voluntary for members and the health and safety of members is the first priority. Singers participating in person will, among other things, be screened for symptoms at the door of the rehearsal hall, will have to wear a mask at all times, and will be appropriately distanced from other members present. Like many other chorus and choir members across the globe, the membership is hopeful that making music together without restriction will be in the not too distant future. The official planning document states "A phased return to in-person singing, in line with evolving public health guidance, will support the continued learning, nourishment, and sisterhood of the chorus." Attached is the complete text of the ScotianAires in-person singing plan as well as frequently asked answers and questions, | |||
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Seaside A Cappella is one of four finalists for this month’s Awesome South Shore award. Each month, the Awesome Foundation (https://awesomesouthshore.ca/) chooses a worthy South Shore organization to receive a $1,000 grant, no strings attached, just for spreading awesomeness! Here’s how it works: We get to make a “live on ZOOM” four-minute pitch to the Trustees of Awesome on: Wednesday, September 2 7 – 9 pm Atlantic time (tune in a few minutes early) The event is live to the public. We’d love your support. Join in and cheer us on! Pre-register free at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/online-1000-no-strings-attached-giveaway-tickets-112814898398 | |
For more information, see: | awesomesouthshore.ca |
As 2019 rounded the corner into 2020, you might have found Fatima Whelan singing in the front row of the ScotianAires chorus in Halifax, NS where, as a lead and then a tenor, she had been a member for about 13 years. A little farther back in time, you may even have enjoyed her performing with one of her quartets, initially as a tenor and most recently, as the lead in Arpeggio. Fatima had always loved singing and performing, but as a member of Harmony, Inc. (HI), she experienced the positive impact of feedback from the best in the craft during the frequent coaching opportunities provided by many of HI’s judges. During an impactful session with the late Larry Clemons, she realized how rewarding it would be to be able to give to others the same sense of possibility and accomplishment. With a little encouragement from one of her mentors, Fatima signed up to test drive her judging skills through the “Best Seat in the House” program at the 2015 Area 1 (Atlantic) Contest and her journey to qualifying as a Harmony, Inc. Performance Judge began! ![]() Not surprisingly, Fatima also made some lifetime friends. Stacy Hugman was also a Performance Judge Candidate working alongside Fatima. “Fatima and I have been rooming together for the past three years at Category School”, recalls Stacy. “We were fatefully put together in a room the first year, and haven’t looked back since. We instantly Three years of preparation produced many great memories and a particular highlight for Fatima was attending Harmony University in 2018 where she took part in the coaching apprentice track. Fatima had the opportunity to learn from acknowledged leaders in the field and the classes left a powerful impression (not to mention the social time over ice cream!). But the most memorable moment for Fatima came at the beginning of 2020 when she received her certification. “All the love and support you receive from your peers and fellow harmony friends, it’s pretty special” explains Fatima. “I love how the category has been evolving and that we are always learning from each other as judges.” It’s a difficult time at this moment in history for music makers. Fatima reflects on what music and Harmony, Inc. have meant to her and what it means now: “Music has been an incredible gift in my life. I think discovering Harmony, Inc. was like a full circle moment. I never imagined I would come to love and respect such an incredible organization where I have met some wonderful friends who love and support one another and where we are encouraged to grow, flourish, and embrace and honour who we are. ‘Harmony Strong’ is really apparent right now. Though there are no contests that I can judge, with our love of singing we are finding creative ways to keep connected and to continue to learn.” |
Newfound Sound was very proud to receive the Area 1 Membership Award to acknowledge our 28.6% increase in membership for 2019-2020. Seven of our new members joined Harmony with our March 2020 renewal, plus three joined in March 2019, bringing our current membership total to 27. Our chorus worked hard to attract members over the past two years using a free a cappella vocal workshop and lots of PR campaigning, both in person and online. A generous grant from the Bruneau Centre for Excellence in Choral Music at MUN supported our goal to promote and sustain women’s barbershop singing in the province. With our new logo, updated posters, business cards and letters, we hope to continue our efforts to strengthen our membership and take on more performances. President Anna Tapper and Vice President Anita Power Taylor proudly display the certificate. We are looking forward to having a formal presentation with our membership in the future when it is safe to gather in person. Thank you Area 1 for the recognition and continued support! For more information about Newfound Sound or to contact us, please visit us on Facebook Newfound Sound Barbershop Chorus our webpage www.newfoundsound.org or email us newfoundsound@hotmail.com | |||
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Once you are part of the ScotianAires family you are family forever! Joanne Stewart was a beloved member of the ScotianAires for many years, lending her singing talents to the Hummm Bugs Quartet as well as the chorus, and contributing her creative mindset to many projects including the sourcing and creation of our current contest outfits. In November of 2017, Joanne was diagnosed with ALS. It has been a difficult and challenging journey for Joanne who has spoken of the distress of trying to figure out how she would break the news to her sisters in Harmony, but also of the love and support she has received in turn. As Joanne explains, “The chorus members were not just singing partners, they are family. Since November 2017, life has changed dramatically. I got married, sold my house, travelled across Canada and so much more. I have lost my voice and I’m unable to swallow. My ScotianAires family keeps in touch and reaches out often. When I’m introduced to people by my new husband, he often pops up pictures of me on stage as a member of the ScotianAires or me dressed as Ursula the Octopus on fun night. He is proud of my being part of the ScotianAires family, and how they help boost my spirits.” Each year the ALS society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia holds a walk, ALS Walk Strong, to raise funds for their equipment lending library. In 2019 the ScotianAires performed at the kickoff event at the Bedford waterfr ![]() ![]() Joanne could feel the love – nothing virtual about it! “Witnessing my ScotianAire sisters do the drive showed my family what I’m always telling them” she explained. “Because I’m part of the ScotianAire family, despite my illness, I never feel alone.” Joanne is certainly a special alumna of the ScotianAires chorus….one of the homemade signs summed it up this way: “Joanne, you are the best daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, wife, ScotianAire.” The ScotianAires are so honoured and inspired to have Joanne in our lives! |
Sunday June 14 was an emotional but special day for the ScotianAires as they participated in a drive by in support of former member Joanne Stewart who has ALS. The chorus, along with Joanne’s friends and family were escorted past Joanne’s home by the RCMP who led the many decorated cars through the neighborhood with horns blowing and lights flashing. Joanne was greeted with smiles, gifts, and donations to this worthy cause. Funds raised just during this event totalled over $1,100.00. Sunday June 21 is the official ALS Awareness day with many people taking part in virtual walks to support the ALS Society of NB and NS. | |||
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