1ST EVER YOUTH HARMONY FESTIVAL HELD IN PITTSBURGH
Donna Knapp, Greater Harmony Chorus
On Saturday, October 5, 2013, 30 girls, 7 boys, and 4 teachers came to Glade Run Church outside of Pittsburgh for this first Youth Harmony Festival co-sponsored by Greater Harmony Chorus, Sweet Adelines, Intl., and North Hills Harmony Line Chorus, Barbershop Harmony Society. In addition to a day of singing, breakfast, a pizza lunch, and t-shirts were provided by the choruses.
Jean Flinn, Certified Music Judge and Master Director of the Greater Cleveland Chorus, was the faculty clinician for the day. The teacher reviews of Jean’s class were, simply put: Wow!! Two of the teachers were totally unfamiliar with the barbershop style and are now completely hooked. When not in the teacher workshop, Jean could be found with small groups of boys or girls teaching tags or coaching quartets.
Chuck May, Director of Greater Harmony Chorus, and Jennifer Fogle, Assistant Director of Greater Harmony, directed the boys and girls choruses. Sidekicks Quartet was the girls teaching quartet. The girls sang “We Go Together” and “With a Little Help From My Friends.” The boys, “Love Me and the World is Mine” and Sittin’ on Top of the World.” The boys and girls did a combined song: “Is There Anybody Here From My Home Town.”
The kids had a blast and even when not on the risers were in small groups all over the church and outside rehearsing their songs, singing tags, and making new friends.
The gym was full for the 5:30 show and additional seats had to be brought in! An octet of girls from two different schools sang “Lean On Me” and brought the house down. The Dotted Quarters, a brand new quartet, did a fabulous job singing “Over the Rainbow.” They have since requested coaching and plan to compete in Region 17’s YWIH contest in February. And a other “new” quartets of young men and women sang some tags on the show. Both host choruses and the teaching quartet also performed.
The Festival received an overwhelming “Hooray!” , and the Second Annual Pittsburgh Youth Harmony Festival is set for October 4, 2014. We’ve only just begun!!
