Fall Convention Update – Cancelled
At our House of Delegates virtual meeting last month, our District Management Team and chapter delegates voted to cancel our 2020 Fall Convention due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision relied of the advice and recommendations of health experts and governments around North America, as well as regular communication with all of the other districts within the Barbershop Harmony Society and the BHS headquarters team.
This is not a choice any of us wanted to make, but it is a necessary step to ensure we’re doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our members and our communities. We will continue to work with our chapters, our members, other districts, and Society headquarters to provide innovate programming throughout the coming months and to discover new virtual ways to connect.
Ontario Quartet Event Update – Postponed
The Ontario Quartet Event committee has made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s event to Saturday August 7th, 2021. We had remained hopeful that we would be able to hold the event in some capacity because it takes place largely outdoors, but we have ultimately decided that holding the event would just be too dangerous for participants due to the latest scientific findings about the role that singing can play in spreading the virus.
Registration is still open for the new date on the Ontario District website. The 2021 event will use the same great music, so hold onto it and keep practicing! Participants who had already registered for the event have the option of staying registered for 2021, as we hope you will, or seeking a full refund. Refunds can be requested by emailing Alex Mirhady at amirhady@rogers.com.
Pep Rally – Cancelled
While not an official district event, the APOC Pep Rally is a favourite event that barbershoppers across Ontario look forward to every year. Sadly, as you may have expected, it has been cancelled this year.
Maple Leaf Chord Company – Going Virtual!
The Maple Leaf Chord Company, Ontario District’s Seniors Chorus, is moving forward in spite of the pandemic, making use of Zoom for members to be able to participate in chorus rehearsals virtually. Membership dues in the chorus project will now entitle participants to TWO years of fun and educational barbershop. For more information or to sign up, see Ron Whiteside’s message on the district website.
12-month District Dues Reduction
In light of the pandemic and with fewer programs being offered at the district level, the House of Delegates accepted a recommendation from the Ontario District board to reduce district dues in all categories by 50% for twelve months. The temporary reduction will come into effect August 1, 2020.
We invite you to cosider voluntarily donating these savings to one of our district’s charitable projects (Harmonize for Speech or Sing Canada Harmony), or even directly to Ontario District. A donations to any of these organizations would entitle you to an income tax receipt. For more information about this decision and a full breakdown of district dues, see treasurer David Smith’s note on the district website.