Nearly 100 barbershoppers kicked off their barbershop new year at Geneva Park in Orillia on the first weekend of the new decade. The newly re-branded Ontario Harmony Academy welcomed not just members of the Ontario District, but also representatives from Harmony, Inc. and Sweet Adelines International.
Nine faculty members from around North America helped to teach sessions and lead discussions for barbershoppers at all levels and in all roles, on a range of topics including the fundamentals of better singing, improving your chapter show, planning rehearsals, motivating a team, and delivering more authentic performances. Ontario District President Michael Black served as dean for the education event, and invited attendees to “carry your part”, the theme he has adopted on behalf of the district for the year. Paul Ellinger, barbershop thought leader and coach, delivered the keynote at the event and invited attendees to move away from the traditional “come see” model for bringing in new members and switch to a “go be” mentality. Chapter members swapped new inventive ideas on best practices throughout the weekend, and the conversation, camaraderie, and singing went late into the night.
We’ve already secured January 9 and 10, 2021 as the date for next year’s event, which is going to be extra special as we help to ring in not just the new year, but also the Ontario District’s 75th anniversary. We’ve already got some big things planned (hint: look for the return of The Wigwam) and we’re incorporating the feedback from this year’s attendees to make next year the best event in decades. Mark the date on your calendar now… you’re not going to want to miss this one!
