Absolute A Cappella -- September 25, 2009

Dear Choral Music Educator:

We are thrilled to announce a cooperative venture between Appalachian State University and the Watauga Arts Council to offer the fourth annual opportunity for high school singers to develop skills in A Cappella singing.   This one-day workshop is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2010 and will be conducted as an event preceding the annual Barbershop Quartet Show that evening.  The exciting and engaging format to be used will energize and motivate young singers to want to continue their involvement in singing activities for the rest of their lives using separate sessions for both guys and gals.

Workshop Outline:

• Registration will be from 1:00 to 1:30 pm at the Broyhill Music Center which is the home of the Hayes School of Music and Rosen Concert Hall  
• Warmup and craft session 1:30 to 1:50 using vocal techniques you teach every day for rehearsing and inspiring young singers
• Voice Placement and ear training 1:50 to 2:10
• Music learning session 2:10 to 4:15
• Break  4:15 to 4:30
• Showcase Session 4:30 to 5:00 pm in Recital Hall

The Showcase Session will provide the opportunity for workshop participants to sing the songs that they have learned in a performance to which the public will be invited.  They can then join the audience to hear a sampling of A Cappella singing by male and female award winning quartets and groups, including ASU student ensembles, which will be featured on the 29th annual Barbershop Quartet Show later that evening at 7:00 pm.  For those workshop participants, and music educators, who choose to stay for the evening show the $12 admission fee is waived.  An extra added bonus!

Clinicians for the Absolute A Cappella workshop, and section leaders for the learning sessions, are provided by the Barbershop Harmony Society and the Sweet Adelines International organizations.  This event is part of the Youth in Harmony (YIH) and Young Women in Harmony (YWIH) programs that are approved by the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

Registration (deadline Friday, September 17) for workshop participants is $10 per student (non-refundable) which will cover the cost of music and clinician expenses.  Forms for registration can be downloaded from watauga-arts.org under the heading Arts In Education.  Information about the evening Quartet Show is found under the Community Events heading.   Registration forms sent to, and checks payable to:  Harmony Sounds, P.O. Box 454, Boone, NC 28607.  An optional commemorative screen printed tee shirt may be ordered for $10 at the event. 

 Info Contact:  moyrf@appstate.edu