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| What do you serve a visiting chorus from Sweet Adelines? More sweetness of course! Seaside A Cappella (SAC) treated Pacific Edge chorus to an afternoon dessert party on June 25 in one of Mahone Bay’s beautiful churches. Visiting from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Pacific Edge was on a multistop tour of the Maritimes. “This was an event that is nearly impossible to describe,” said SAC Director Judy Comeau. “It was just so full of warm sisterhood, wonderful singing, and yes, very good food. We just connected with them in so many ways. And, boy can they sing!!!” Despite a somewhat imbalanced selection of voices on hand—“a double quartet with a bunch of leads”—SAC taught the visitors a song that the combined choruses sang together, and Pacific Edge did the same. SAC greeters handed out little packets to the visitors with NS pins and a tartan heart, and everyone raved about the delicious rhubarb squares prepared by chorus members. |
| Seaside A Cappella launched its annual Summer Sing program on June 29, with the tagline Do You Like to Sing? Apparently, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Nearly 40 women attended the first night, and a dozen more are expected for Week 2. The program runs over seven Wednesdays. Women were invited via Facebook, the website, posters, and word of mouth to come out, learn and sing a song with the chorus, find out all about a cappella singing, meet new people, and… just have fun! There may even be a public performance to look forward to at the end of it all! This is the fourth in-person Summer Sing program for Seaside A Cappella. The chorus held a virtual program during the last two years, and still managed to attract several women who like to sing. |
 Island A Cappella has been invited by the City of Charlottetown to perform at The Opening Ceremony for Canada Day! A huge thanks to Area 1 Education Co-ordinator and Island A Cappella's Baritone Kelly Mullaly for setting this up. Come out and celebrate Canada Day with us! |
| Valley Voices chorus is seeking a new look! We invite quotations for a branding and logo project based on the attached document. Please contact the Communication Team Lead, Brenda Main at fierybrook@gmail.com with any questions or to submit a quotation by May 13, 2022 | |||
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| Seaside A Cappella is immensely proud of Music Director Judy Comeau who was honoured as a Special Citizen by the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. The honour recognizes Judy's dedication as a volunteer. Here's what the organizers had to say: Each year the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg recognizes volunteers from across MODL that work to make their communities a better place to live through their volunteer efforts. From the overall list an individual is chosen to represent all the volunteers of MODL at a provincial volunteer recognition event in Halifax. At the MODL Council meeting of April 12th, an individual was chosen to be the MODL representative and that person is Ms. Judith A. Comeau, of Pleasantville. Ms. Comeau established a show chorus called Seaside A Cappella representing the Town of Bridgewater as members of Harmony, Inc., an international organization of women singers. She volunteers 5-8 hours per week, with many more hours dedicated to preparing for performances. Her combination of energy, enthusiasm, experience, and skill are what set her apart as an inspiring director. Although she works with a Music Team and a Board of Directors, Judy leads the chorus with a vision based on over 50 years in barbershop organizations, directing and coaching several award-winning choruses across Canada. Her goal is "ordinary women coming together to make extraordinary music". She emphasizes the educational aspect of the organization, teaching singers to produce the exact same sound at the same time, focusing on producing correct vowel sounds and using proper vocal techniques. Ms. Comeau has racked up an impressive list of honours in various competitions through the years, including International Championships in 2008-2009, and again in 2012-2013, silver medal showings at the National Musical Festival put on by CBC Radio, and at the World Choir Games, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Comeau's passion has taken her as far away as St. Petersburg, Russia, with her previous chorus for a seven day concert tour, at the invitation of the Russian Ministry of Culture." Congratulations to Judy Comeau on this newest award to her resume. | |||
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Jamie (she/her/hers) is a performing artist, educator, virtual assistant, and life coach, with a B.A. in music from Smith College and an M.S. in community economic development from Southern New Hampshire University. She spent the past five years travelling, teaching and performing across the U.S. with her husband, Ross Malcolm Boyd, while simultaneously developing online music education and virtual assistant businesses. After spending the early part of her career as a professional musical director, arts educator, and performer, she started her own theatre company in New Hampshire in 2010, and in 2020 she completed a life coaching program to help sensitive, aspiring adventurers get the confidence & tools to bring their own dreams to life. In August of 2021, she and her husband realized another dream: returning to Charlottetown (after a honeymoon visit in 2014), where her husband is studying music at UPEI. She’s delighted to find that barbershop is a place where all of her directing, conducting, creative, and leadership skills are well-utilized, and she couldn’t be happier to be making new friends on the island and joining the community that is Island A Cappella. A few more facts about Jamie? She loves the outdoors and dancing, will drop almost anything for great (gluten-free) ice cream, and she refuses to believe that there is any need to lead a conventional life – unless you want to! Although Jamie's official start date is not until the New Year, she can be contacted now at: director@islandacappella.ca Welcome, Jamie! |
| CONGRATULATIONS to our participants from Area 1! Wow!, What a jam packed fun-filled Convention. The members of Area 1 would like to thank all the Choruses and Quartets that participated in the Virtual International Convention this weekend. A fabulous job done by all... Choruses that participated are Breton Songbirds, Elm City Echoes, Island A Cappella, ScotianAires and Sea Belles The video from Area 1 Virtual Convention Quartets who participated are enJOY!, Coastal Harmony, Friends First, Harmonix, TAMbre, Tonic! and Retake THANK YOU!! |
| Thank you to the presenters at our Area 1 Virtual Harmony Harvest 2021. A gift to the Sing Canada Harmony Scholarship Fund has been sent. Sing Canada Harmony acknowledges gifts and tributes by email and email attachment, when and where possible, to maximize benefits to "ensure there will be someone to sing tomorrow". Sing Canada Harmony is the official charity of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) in Canada and, is endorsed and supported as a special charity by Canadian Members and Chapters of Harmony, Inc. and Sweet Adelines International. Our Board of Directors is comprised of Canadian women and men, from across Canada, who are committed to supporting vocal music in our schools and communities. For more information, please visit their web site: http://www.SingCanadaHarmony.ca/ and please tell your families, friends, local music educators and audiences about them and that they are accepting applications for scholarships to help children, youth, men and women in any course, program, etc that focus on singing or singing/vocal music support. |
| Please spread the word to share the HarmonySite to any group that would benefit from having a website that is user friendly. It could be any of the following:
A centralized group management tool A website to promote your group/choir/chorus A communications hub for the members Check out the link https://www.harmonysite.com to find out about pricing and their referral program. | |
| For more information, see: | https://www.harmonysite.com/ |
| Check out our hobby members https://youtu.be/O7xbGvbZSIg | |
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| Another wonderful Virtual Harmony Harvest completed. A big thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time for our event. Now, for the winners of the games. They are as follows: 1. Judy McNab - Sing with Tonic! 2. Janet Bernier - PVI with Judy Robichaud 3. Patricia Watson - PVI with Sue Kember 4. Jeannette Cormier - First in line for meal (after judges & head table) at our next ACC event 5. Catherine Evans - Featured on Area Member Celebration of Area 1 website 6. Gillian Nichol - Big Bang Promo Item 7. Judy Comeau - Big Bang Promo Item 8. Jill Reid - Free AEP next ACC event Congratulations to ALL! |
| Check out Area 1 Harmony Inc Virtual Chorus Video 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT3ZLbfu7tA | |
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| While Elsa makes her rainy way through the region, it's a perfect time to snuggle in and watch the recordings from our Virtual Area 1 Convention on June 4th and 5th. Due to some unexpected technical glitches, some events were not recorded BUT you'll find MOST of them in the "Videos" folder in the Member Only section of the Area 1 website. We expect to be sharing the completed Area 1 Virtual Chorus Video very shortly too... Please stand by! |
| Congratulations are going out to Margie Fife, Area 1 Associates Co-ordinator for winning the 2021 award for highest increase by 44.4% with Associate Membership. Margie, you continue to do a fantastic job for the Associates and Area 1. Thank you! |
| Each year a lucky chorus is awarded with a $1000 for the Karen Gordon Scholarship Award that usually is awarded at our Area Contest Convention but due to Covid restrictions and the cancellation of our ACC 2020 this year the ScotianAires have so thoughtfully awarded the scholarship to Area 1 Council to go towards education. It was presented at our Virtual Convention just held June 4-5, 2021. On behalf of Council and Area Members, we would like to thank the ScotianAires for their thoughtfulness and kindness for donating the $1000 so that all members of Area 1 will get to enjoy the education that surely will help us all with our hobby of acapella singing. Harmony Hugs! |
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CONGRATULATIONS
Elaine will be receiving a FREE All Access Pass (AEP) for our next AC&C, compliments of the Area 1 Council.
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It's A Wrap!
The Virtual Area 1 Convention Planning Committee is blown away by the fact that we had 175+ attendees logged on for our kick-off events on Friday night - and the same number again on Saturday for our Education Day! We were thrilled that total includes 51 "Barbershop Buddies" as well.
More than 40 people collaborated to make our event happen. We appreciate your support and enthusiastic participation.
Please complete your Satisfaction Survey we so can receive your feedback and continue to make future Area 1 events relevant and engaging.
And we hope to have the recordings of the events, the individual sessions, Milestone Presentations AND our beautiful Virtual Chorus Video of "It's the Music That Brings Us Together" available in the Member portal of the Area 1 Website shortly. Thanks for your patience.
Thank you to Clay Hine for donating the song to all members of Harmony Inc and to the Presenters Jeanne O'Connor, Jill Rodgers, Jen Cooke, Katie Taylor, Mark Kettner, Liz LeClair, Nathan Ogg, Kim Wonders, Philip Grant, Sandi Wright, Clay Hines, A big thankyou to Sue Kember, Tonic, Harmonix, Nova Quattro, enJOY!, TAMbre, Retake, AtTUNEment, Big Bang Promotion. Thank you to all members who participated in the audio and video production, too many to name. Lastly, thank you to Kelly Mullaly, Tanya Reid, Christy Arseneau, Eleanor Conrad and Paul Grimm for all the work put into the audio and video production.and education. Thank you Sing Canada for your donation towards our convention and to Linda McMaster, Area 1 Director, our fearless leader. |
Do you live in NS, NB, NL or PEI and want to learn more about a cappella singing in the barbershop style?
We have a LIMITED NUMBER of spots available for women in the Atlantic region to join us for our no-cost online Virtual Area 1 Convention on Friday, June 4th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm (ADT) and/or Saturday, June 5th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (ADT). Check out the schedule of events at this link: https://bit.ly/3sOSMB8 then sign up soon as a “Barbershop Buddy” using this simple online form: https://forms.gle/HyzsHFVit5G4tnzT9 and we’ll send you the Zoom login coordinates for the event! Questions? Drop us a line at: area1director@harmonyarea1.ca |
| Seaside A Cappella's That's Life video was chosen to appear in this year's SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts festival, running May 27 - June 6!! We will be part of a cross-country video concert called Aca Night in Canada I on Thursday, May 27, starting 9 pm Atlantic time. Festival tickets are on sale at www.singtoronto.com/tickets . Aca Night tickets start at $6.32; All Access Passes start at only $27.54. Come celebrate singing with us! | |
| For more information, see: | www.singtoronto.com/tickets |
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| Chorus member Elaine Blanchard has had an article about her journey with the ScotianAires published in an e-magazine for the insurance company Intact. The story was published just before Christmas and goes out to over 15 000 Intact employees across Canada! In the article, Elaine talks about she came to join the ScotianAires and how being part of this chorus community has helped her cope during the socially isolated days of the pandemic. We have attached the article for your enjoyment! | |||
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| 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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.jpg "Area 1 Director Linda McMaster installed to the International Board of Directors. Congratulations Linda!")
.jpg "Kim Meechan of the ScotianAires installed to the International Board of Directors. Congratulations Kim!")
| 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 |
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| 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!  The path to Performance Judge meant Fatima was able to work with and learn from some of the best judges, coaches and educators from HI and the Barbershop Harmony Society. Every year Fatima attended HI’s Category School working and learning with her fellow judge candidates and judge mentors including the current Performance Category Mentor, Joe Hunter. And fortunately, leading the way as Performance Category Director for the majority of Fatima’s training was the engaging and energetic Theresa Weatherbee. Theresa had no doubts right from the beginning that Fatima was in the right place. Theresa explains: "I remember serving on the Area 1 panel back in 2015 in St John's Newfoundland, when we offered the "Best Seat in the House" program. Fatima filled the chair that weekend and it was exciting to see how well she did. She was a natural when it came to scoring, and her comments were spot on. You can imagine how thrilled we were to hear after that experience she had decided to enter the judging program. I was fortunate to have been the Category Director through her training and proud to have certified her this past January. Fatima, we are so happy to have you in the program, Congratulations!”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  became friends and confidants. She is kind, thoughtful, considerate, insightful and most of all supportive! She will be a wonderful judge and the ScotianAires must be so proud to have another judge in their ranks! It truly has been a pleasure navigating the performance program with Fatima. Harmony, Inc. is lucky to have her and I am blessed that I met her. I can say with confidence, she is one of my best friends.” 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.”  Despite the need to physically distance, Fatima is realizing her dream of serving the barbershop community through education and sharing the love of the craft. She has been working with ensembles in online rehearsals and recently offered a class about overcoming performance anxiety as part of the HI’s virtual education initiative (HIVE). Fatima is remaining positive: “I look forward to the day when we can see each other and ring chords together. Certifying as a Performance Judge was a chapter, the journey continues and I am so excited for that!” We are excited too, Fatima. Congratulations! |
| 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  ont and were happy to have Joanne join them on their outdoor stage. This year’s walk was planned for June 21st but like many other events, the walk had to go virtual. But celebrating Joanne and raising funds for the ALS cause called for more than just a “virtual” response. And so the idea of a “drive by” celebration and fundraiser was born…the brainchild of Joanne’s close ScotianAire friends Debbie Bradley and Linda McMaster. The call went out to the ScotianAires and to other family and friends of Joanne, and on June 14th , over 30 cars met in the early afternoon and paraded past Joanne’s home, led by an RCMP escort! Vehicles were decked out in purple, the official colour of the ALS society, and some were festooned with dragonflies which the society has chosen as its symbol as a reminder to reconnect with our strength, courage and happiness. Joanne sat out on her front lawn and enjoyed the show surrounded by many members of her family including husband Wayne, son Matthew, Mom Flos, sister Penny, grandson Ben and step-grandson AJ. Friends and relations dropped off flowers and offered words and signs of love and encouragement. Altogether with the donations from the drive by, the ScotianAires and Joanne’s online donation page, over $4500.00 was raised for ALS NB/NS!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! |
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| 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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