The Pitch Pipe - January 2009 - (Page 3) bulletin board Harmony Classic News Based on recommendations from the Judge Specialists and Education Direction Committee, the International Board of Directors has approved three significant enhancements to the rules regarding Harmony Classic competitions. Effective with the 2009 Harmony Classic Competitions in Nashville, Tenn., the maximum number of singing members on stage for Division A (small) choruses has been increased to 40 and for Division AA (midsize) to 75. The Board recognizes that once a chorus wins an opportunity to compete at the International level, this is used as a membership recruitment opportunity. The rule change supports a chorus’s opportunity to grow, but still maintains the integrity of the two divisions. This rule change does not affect regional competitions. Small choruses still compete with 15 to 30 singing members, and midsize choruses with 31 to 60. In addition, the highest scoring contestant in the Harmony Classic competition is invited to mic test at the chorus semifinals on Thursday of the convention week. If that chorus is unable to accept the invitation, the next highest scoring competitor will be asked. Also, effective with the 2009 competitions in Nashville, an Audience Choice Award has been established for Harmony Classic competitors. A random selection of 100 members of the audience will be invited to vote for the one chorus, of the 10 competing choruses, they find to be the most entertaining. The audience members are not provided with any criteria for their vote, nor does this award have any effect on the outcome of the two contests. The winner of this award will be presented with a plaque and ribbons for each member of the chorus that performs on the international competition stage. YWIH Festival Update With all of the changes coming to the International Convention and Competition, here’s one more! Next year, the Young Women in Harmony Festival moves to the Friday and Saturday preceding convention, which begins on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. Our goal is to reach dozens of local performers and introduce them to the thrill of singing barbershop harmony. They will meet for rehearsals on Friday, Oct. 16 in the afternoon and all day on Saturday, Oct. 17 and put together a package that will showcase their talent and hard work in a performance during the Harmony Classic contest on the evening of Tuesday, October 20. Stay tuned to The Pitch Pipe, Rising Star Newsletter and our Web site for more information on this exciting and new festival format coming to Nashville in October. Upcoming Convention Sites • Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 20-24, 2009 • Seattle, Wash., Oct. 19-23, 2010 • Houston, Texas, Oct. 18-22, 2011 • Denver, Colo., Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2012 • Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov. 5-9, 2013 Correction The July 2008 issue of The Pitch Pipe incorrectly listed the wrong director of Upper Chesapeake Chorus, 1st place medalist Division AA and 3rd place overall in the 2008 regional contest. Upper Chesapeake's director was Cydney Wentsel. We regret the error. contributors Joni Bescos, Certified Judge (music, sound and expression), Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Master Faculty, Master Arranger, Editorial Review Board, Rich-Tone Chorus, Region 25 Maggie Ryan, The Pitch Pipe Correspondent, Editorial Review Board, Greater Harrisburg Chorus, Region 19 Lynnell Diamond, Music Arrangements Coordinator, Approved International Faculty, Certified Judge (music), Certified Music Arranger, Certified Director,Toast of Tampa Show Chorus, Region 9 Peggy Gram, International President, Certified International Faculty, Certified Judge (showmanship), Master Director, Top of the Rock Chorus, Region 25 January 2009 3
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