What Is This Thing Called Sing!?

And how we're promoting it

I know PROBEmoter usually offers chapter-related tips, but I want to share how we're nationally promoting a new project where (for the first time) we're joining forces with our allied a cappella organizations for a three-night, concert-like performance and workshops.

So, here's the plan - and where you fit in!

The project:

It's a question being raised among vocal harmony enthusiasts around the country, in Canada and even in parts of Europe. What is this thing called Sing!?

The answer is found in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 30-July 2, 2001, when representatives from the widely diverse world of a cappella harmony singing meet for three days of workshops, demonstrations and performances open to the public in the heart of Music City, USA.

Named "Sing!, An A Cappella Celebration," the event will feature performances by professional and non-professional singing groups known in the worlds of country, gospel, classical, pop, rock, jazz and barbershop music. A cappella harmony is produced without instrumental accompaniment.

Sing! is being sponsored by the Society, in cooperation with seven other organizations interested in harmony singing. Organizers believe that Sing! is the first event of its kind.

Later in the week, the Society will hold its 2001 international convention and contests, also in Nashville. The convention is a separate event from Sing! It will be attended by more than 10,000 of the Society's members and guests.

Three Sing! shows will be staged in the Andrew Jackson Hall at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center beginning at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 30, Sunday, July 1 and Monday, July 2. Performers include the Swingle Singers and Chanticleer, two Grammy award-winning groups who regularly tour throughout the world; FRED and The Gas House Gang, gold medal-winning quartets from the Society; contemporary Christian singers GLAD, and Showtime, international queens of harmony from Sweet Adelines International.

Also appearing will be Malaika, an Afro-Canadian women's quartet; the House Jacks; m-pact; the For Heavens Sake and Riptide quartets; the 100-member Big Chicken Chorus, and the popular Edlos who combine comedy with their country and pop close-harmony singing.

In addition to appearing in concerts, members of the performing groups will conduct seminars and vocal demonstrations during morning and afternoon sessions set for Sunday, July 1 and Monday, July 2 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Topics of the seminars include creating vocal harmony, techniques for blending voices in close harmony, scat singing, music arranging, and staging, among others.

Joining the Society in sponsoring Sing! are Sweet Adelines International and Harmony Incorporated, who both offer a cappella singing opportunities for women; the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA), the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Mainly A Cappella and Primarily A Cappella.

Tickets for each event are available separately. Reserved seats for the shows at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center are $35 per night. Admission to the seminars is $20 per day or $35 for both days' sessions. An all-events Sing! pass featuring a reserved seat for all three shows and admission to all seminars is $90.

Further information about Sing! and featured performers is available online at: www.singacapella.com Tickets may be ordered now online through the SING! Website or by writing to SING! at the Society, 6315 Harmony Lane, Kenosha, WI 53143.

The PR/Mkt. Committee has contacted each sponsoring partner with three things in mind: An article in their membership magazine, PAID advertisements in their membership magazines, and a target membership mailing to the state of Tennessee and eight adjacent states. The intent is to approach those music educators and singers most likely to attend within a 300 miles radius of Nashville.

We are also staffing booths at each organization's national conventions to register and take-away fliers for the event.

And (of course), we're using all Society outlets (Harmonizer, district bulletins, district conventions, COTS, etc.) to get the word out.

In February of 2001, we'll be in direct contact with Nashville promoters (Ticketmaster, entertainment magazines, etc.) to further promote the festival to "general public music lovers" within the same 300-mile radius.

We're combining free promotion through newspapers, magazines, and radio/TV - AND PAID advertisements over several months to make sure we get coverage of our target markets.

This is the first time the Society has initiated an a capella concert with other organizations. And even with the work we're doing, YOU CAN HELP!

Feel free to use the project article above and tell your local music educators about it. It'll be a great concert, and very exciting hands on workshops with the best a cappella singers around.

So, help us out. Talk it up with your chapter, your music educators, and anyone else you think might enjoy this festival. Let them know about the Web site, and let 'em go!

Thanks for your help. You'll agree this is an exciting time for the Society and expanding our harmony horizons to other singing organizations. See you there?