Harmony Happening in the HIlls
Reserve the weekend of August 19-20, 2011 for another great weekend of harmony in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This year's clinician is none other than Jim Henry.
Dr. Jim Henry holds degrees in vocal music education, music theory and music composition, including a Ph.D. in music composition from Washington University . He is currently the Director of Choral Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he conducts the University Singers and Vocal Point and teaches choral methods, choral arranging, and choral conducting. Prior to his appointment at UM-St. Louis, he was head of the choral music department at Lindenwood University for nine years, during which time the University Chorus quintupled in size under his leadership. He also formed Voices Only, a unique a cappella ensemble that performed to rave reviews at the 2004 Missouri Music Educators Association conference, toured Germany, Holland and Sweden, and produced a recording.
In addition to his duties at UM-St. Louis, Dr. Henry is the musical and artistic director of the International Champion Ambassadors of Harmony, a 160-voice men's a cappella chorus that performs barbershop, jazz, and light classical music. The Ambassadors of Harmony have produced three recordings, and have won Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals in International competition eleven times.
Dr. Henry’s singing experience spans classical music to jazz. He served as bass section leader for the Saint Louis Symphony Chorus and sang bass with Odyssey, a popular St. Louis-based jazz quartet. He also arranged for and sang bass with The Gas House Gang, International Quartet Champions. He now sings bass with Crossroads, the 2009 International Champion quartet.
As a composer, Dr. Henry has won awards for his songs and piano pieces. He served for three years as composer-in-residence at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School under the aegis of Washington University, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, and the Buder Foundation. He was also a music mentor for the “Music, Words, Opera” educational program sponsored by Opera Theatre of St. Louis.
Dr. Henry travels the world as a guest conductor, coach, and lecturer. He is also a contributing author for the new Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, published by Routledge.
Here is the long-awaited music list that we will be singing under the direction of our clinician, Jim Henry:
| BHS Catalog # | Song Title | Arranger |
| 7340 | America the Beautiful | Hopkins |
| Free & Easy | America the Beautiful Overlay | Liles |
| 7641 | God Bless America | Lyne |
| 7601 | This Is My Country | |
| 7388 | Swing Down Chariot | Vagavonds |
| 8809 | The River Of No Return | Cokeroft |
| 110792 | Gonna Build A Mountain | Waesche |
This year we will once again have the Friday evening will include the Somewhat Serious Quartet Contest which is a great time of fellowship, food and fun.
Those attending Friday evening's festivities are invited to find three other singers and enter the contest. They will even choose a name, rehearse once or twice, and sing one barbershop song (most likely a polecat or one of the festival songs).
Plan now to join in the fun. Plans are underway for a great year with a great clinician that will add to your knowledge and fun in singing.
Headquarters hotel again this year is the Best Western Golden Spike Motel. You can make reservations by July 1, identifying yourself as a barbershopper. Room rates for the double-queen rooms are $93 per night plus tax, and $5 each for every guest over two. The suites are $149 per night plus tax. If rooms are available after July 1, you will still be able to get rooms at that rate, if they are available, by identifying yourself as a barbershopper. Make your plans early and make your reservations directly with the motel at 605-574-2577.
If you have any questions, please call Pete Anderson at 605-209-3701 or by Email.
To register for Harmony Happening via the web, click HERE.
To download the registration form, click HERE.
We look forward to seeing you in August.