The CHAMPLAIN ECHOES are excited to kick off Harmony Awareness Week (Feb 9-15) with a bang! Presenting:
BARBERSHOP BOOT CAMP: A guide to the basics for new (or gently-used!) Vermont barbershoppers, male or female.
- Saturday, February 8, 9:30-4:30 at the Pines, 7 Aspen Drive, South Burlington (behind the Green Mountain Suites Hotel at 401 Dorset Street).
Are you new to barbershop? New-ISH? Or maybe you’re a veteran chord-worshipper who might like a “tune up” of your skills?
BARBERSHOP BOOT CAMP will take you through the basics of singing well in the barbershop style. In addition, you will have the chance to meet fellow barbershoppers from other choruses throughout Vermont. Non-barbershoppers who are curious about our art form are also welcome!
Topics will include:
- the basics of barbershop - why we do what we do
- how the singing voice works
- practical tips for immediately improving your sound
- singing with energy and support
- how to tune a chord
- vowels, consonants: where are the sleeping alligators?
- expanded sound and the barbershop “cone” (not the Cone of Silence)
- how to improve your visual performance
- analyzing other performances: what works well, what could be made better
- Q&A - what are your personal challenges?
This will be a dynamic, interactive and very participatory day - you aren't just going to hear about it, you will get to experience it yourself. Barbershop is definitely a learn-by-doing skilllset!
Presented by Jim Coates, a 36-year veteran barbershopper with 25 years experience as a certified Presentation Judge. Jim is also an experienced front-line director and veteran quartet man, and has coached many quartets and choruses to International medals (including the men’s champ quartet Marquis and HI Queens From the Heart and Foreign Exchange).
Assisting will be veteran Presentation Judge, front-line director, and Harmony Queen, Linda Janes. Also assisting will be Carol Spradling, a front-line director with 25 years experience as a music educator and professional theater performer.
We are asking participants to pre-register by emailing Jim Coates at jc1357@hotmail.com or by calling/texting 802-881-4602. There is no price of admission, but we will offer the opportunity for a free-will donation. All proceeds will benefit the Champlain Echoes, a small non-profit a cappella chorus whose mission is to offer all women in Chittenden County a chance to sing together and spread musical joy throughout the Burlington community.
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