Signature Youth Workshop

I’d like to start by thanking the Hobart Convention Committee for all their hard work in getting so many local students involved in the BHA youth workshop on the Friday of the Festival. The Hobart Convention Committee has made an impact by visiting schools regularly to provide resources, opportunities for performance, and coaching to the schools, which will help foster a longer term commitment to Barbershop in these schools. The students all had an excellent time working with Signature and learned a lot from the experience. I’d also like to thank the members of the Baden Street Singers and Sound Connection for joining the school students on stage and supporting them with your wonderful voices.

Last week, BHA had a presentation slot at this years Australian Society for Music Education conference, with the aim to expose many teachers to the benefits of having Barbershop as part of a music curriculum. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to attend to give this presentation, but fortunately for BHA, one of our Music Category judges, and most successful directors, Nick Schurmann was able to step in with only a few days notice to deliver an engaging and exciting presentation. Those in attendance were also lucky enough to get a performance from the current mixed chorus champions, the Baden Street Singers, to get them excited about what Barbershop can be at its’ highest level!

Looking to the future, I will be working closely with the 2021 convention committee to make the youth event in the gold coast the biggest and most successful one BHA has ever had.

Yours in Harmony,

Kieran O’Dea

Vice President, Youth Development.