Letters to the Editor - August 2016

Letters to the Editor - August 2016
Type of post: Club news
Sub-type: No sub-type
Posted By: Dick Bushell
Status: Current
Date Posted: Tue, 16 Aug 2016
ARE WE STILL RINGING CHORDS, IN ACCORD?
 
Are we current members of BARBERSHOP still ringing chords like we used to?
Are we ringing as many chords in HARMONY with others as we used to?
Are we ringing as many chords around AUSTRALIA with our friends as we used to?
 
Many long-time AAMBS and BHA members think not!
Some say that the nature of our association, especially our conventions, has changed.
Some think that ‘competitiveness’ has allowed schisms and disharmony to develop between choruses and within our fellowship.
 
The ‘Polecats’ used to cross over all chorus repertoires enabling four or more Barbershoppers from anywhere around the country (or the world) to ring chords together wherever they met.
Not so today!
Some choruses look on the ‘Polecats’ with disdain and their members know only a few.
‘Mass Sing Outs’ and other communal events become less interesting and less relevant to them.
 
Does BHA encourage learning ‘Polecats’?
Should BHA encourage its members to take part in Barbershop Harmony Society’s ‘Barberpole Cats Program’ so we all earn a BHS ‘Barberpole Cat’ certificate and badge.
 
Maybe each year, all BHA choruses could learn a ‘contemporary’ song?
The same song, using the same arrangement with the same interpretation!
A contemporary song, still in the Barbershop style but a ‘Non-contestable’ song so it didn’t become ‘hackneyed’ by overuse in competitions??
After a few years we would all have some ‘up to date’ songs in our repertoires which could be sung anywhere. Songs that the public would recognise and maybe sing along with.
This could lead to;-
- more and longer airplay on radio and television
- greater exposure and acceptance of our art form,
- attracting new singers
- possibly attracting young singers to Barbershop!
 
Ringing chords in public with singers other than your own chorus friends, adds an exciting and fun dimension to singing; it promotes the camaraderie which is unique to Barbershop.
The more people we will entertain, the wider we will share our Barbershop art form and the more enjoyment we will get from it.
 
For some years, older members have been saying that the nature of our ‘Afterglows’ has changed!
That ‘Afterglows’ are not as ‘inclusive’ (especially for new and less experienced singers), are not as much fun, and are not as well attended as in years past.
Some say that bed is often more inviting than an ‘Afterglow’!
Choruses sometimes retreat to their own accommodation just so they can sing songs they know.
Successful ‘Afterglows’ are essential to maintain strong spirit of fellowship and friendliness within our movement and to encourage more interaction and stronger ties between singers and choruses.
                                                                                                                                                   
Maybe we could ‘Brainstorm’ this within our own choruses and regions then share our thoughts and ideas with others?

Rob Wansbrough
BHA Member No. 852