10:00 - 10:20

WELCOME, Introduction of Presenters

and Area 1 Sing-A-Long - What A Dream Can Do

10:20 - 10:40

SESSION #1 - What does the story have to do with singing?

Presenter - Wendy McCoole

It's wonderful that we ask ourselves what a song is about, but how deep do we go with the interpretation of that story? Let's spend a few minutes understanding the layers of a story and how important that understanding (and agreement) is to singing in good quality and creating a unit sound.

10:40 - 11:00

SESSION #2 - The Many Benefits of Semi Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT) Exercises

Presenter - Renee Tramack

This session will explain what SOVT exercises are and how they help with many vocal inefficiencies such as breathy tone, vocal fatigue, changing vocal registers, press in the voice, etc.

11:00 - 11:20

GAME BREAK

• Guess That Chorus/Tune Pictogram Quiz
• Name That Area 1 Barbershop Baby

11:20 - 11:40

SESSION #3 - Planting Seeds Now to Nurture and Grow Your Harmony Chapter

Presenter - Kim Meechan

In just 20 minutes, Kim will help you get out of the weeds and discover a number of tactics your chorus can "plant" now to help nurture your current members and branch out to attract more youth and diverse members in the future. 

11:40 - 12:00

SESSION #4 - I Sound Like THAT!!!!? - Using Recordings to Self-Assess

Presenter - Kathy Greason

This session offers tips for effective ways to listen to your individual voice recordings as a first step toward improving your vocal contribution to your ensemble.

12:00 - 12:20

REFRESHMENT BREAK & OPEN MIC SOCIAL TIME

12:20 - 12:40

SESSION #5 - How to Identify the Key of a Song

Presenter - Janet Billings

In this session, those who have basic note-reading skills in either or both clefs will learn how to read a major key signature!

12:40 - 1:00

SESSION #6 - Let It Go, Let It Go! Unleash The Magic!

Presenters - Lynn Blakeney and Anne Bureau

It’s all about cutting loose, taking permission to make great musical choices, allowing your musicianship and years of experience listening to music, to make the song meaningful while being aware of the quality and the ensemble sound.

1:00

THANKS, AEP PRIZE DRAW, GROUP SING-ALONG 

(We’re Harmony, We’re Strong) GOODBYES & OPEN MIC TIME

SESSION #1 - What does the story have to do with singing?

Presenter - Wendy McCoole

Wendy grew up in a barbershop family and has been a member of Harmony, Inc. for over 30 years.  She is a Certified Singing Judge, the director of Sounds of the Seacoast (NH) and has won three International Quartet Championships singing with Exhilaration (2005), Limited Edition (1995) and Heart's Delight (1989). She is currently singing baritone in the quartet Sweetlife. Wendy lives in Eliot, ME with her husband Kevin. She is the Manager of Corporate and Community Engagement at a local museum, LOVES being a Nana, and enjoys getting filthy in her gardens.

SESSION #2 - The Many Benefits of Semi Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT) Exercises

Presenter - Renee Tramack

Renee is a second-generation, 39-year barbershopper, and a member of Harmony, Incorporated and the Barbershop Harmony Society. She certified as a Singing judge in 2011 and is the current Singing Category Director for Harmony, Inc. She co-directs the 2014, 2018 International Chorus Champions, New England Voices in Harmony and has earned two International Quartet Championships; Showcase in 2009 and Taken 4 Granite in 2016. She is a Singing Judge Candidate in the Barbershop Harmony Society and loves to work with individuals and groups to help them sing with a free and natural voice.

SESSION #3 - Planting Seeds Now to Nurture and Grow Your Harmony Chapter

Presenter - Kim Meechan

Kim Meechan is going into her third year as the Director of Membership for Harmony, Inc. She is also the past Chair of Harmony, Inc.’s Equity and Diversity Committee. Kim’s career was in psychology and management and, although now retired, she continues to advocate for social justice and equity. She has met with Harmony, Inc. members and chapters to provide resources on recruitment, retention and inclusion and is thrilled when chapters initiate positive changes that lead to growth.

SESSION #4 - I Sound Like THAT!!!!? - Using Recordings to Self-Assess

Presenter - Kathy Greason

Kathy Greason is a 32-year member of Harmony, Inc., a chorus director, a music judge, and Harmony, Inc.’s current ICJC.  Kathy is also a retired lawyer who dealt with public utility law, welfare law, elder law, and mental health law.  Singing is more fun!

SESSION #5 - How to Identify the Key of a Song

Presenter - Janet Billings

Janet has been a piano teacher for over 30 years and thoroughly enjoys the connection with her students.  She is currently the bass section leader with Women of Note chorus in Massachusetts, and a certified Music Judge with Harmony, Inc.

SESSION #6 - Let It Go, Let It Go! Unleash The Magic!

Presenters - Lynn Blakeney & Anne Bureau

Lynn Blakeney is a 32-year member of Harmony, Inc. as well as a Certified Performance Judge. She is Bass section leader of Northern Blend Chorus and has been fortunate to win two quartet championships as both a lead and tenor as well as two chorus golds. She lives in Evans Mills, NY with her husband Jim and has a son, Joshua, who lives in Bloomington, IL. She is excited to spend a few “minutes” with Area 1!

Anne is a 35-year Lifetime member, a certified Music Judge, Quartet Singer, Director, Coach and owns her recording studio Queen Anne Recordings, and baritone of the 1993 Harmony Queens Spectrum. Anne currently serves as Chorus Director Development for Harmony Inc, serves on the Board of Directors of BHS Mid-Atlantic District and the Board of Directors of the North Pennsmen Chorus.