So what's the Society Marketing/PR Committee doing for my chapter?

I'm pleased to address those who are truly on the front lines of providing important chapter relations - bulletin editors bringing news and information to each member, and public relations officers representing each chapter to the community. I salute your efforts and support your good work.

Just so you hear it directly from me - the Society suggests chapters make positive and aggressive efforts to be your community's ambassadors of this original American art form. We're asking you to go beyond previous efforts of annual show advertising and periodic performances at malls.

We want you to contact schools, provide scholarships, work with other community history groups, collaborate with other music groups (schools, symphonies, radio, etc.), and be a creative music force to "bring singing back to communi-ties." And the Society's Board, with your district board of directors, enthusiastically endorses our plan.

On a national level, the Society remains committed to Honorary Memberships. Not coming all at once, but be watchful of foursomes like the Oak Ridge Boys, Four Freshman, Statler Brothers, and individuals like Roy Disney, Jimmy Dean, Gordon Lightfoot joining the ranks of existing Honorees Dick Van Dyke, Osmond Brothers, Mitch Miller, and Victor Borge. We're trying to cross music boundaries to help the Society "bring singing back to communities."

How does this affect you? These personalities will help us bring funding to Harmony Foundation, which just might underwrite a music program in your town someday! Be listening for another try for a SING Festival! The first was a massive songfest in Nashville the week before the 2001 International Convention.

The Society is inviting other music art forms (gospel, jazz, school music groups, swing, etc.) to perform with our groups on multiple stages throughout the variety of venues for the weekend. How will that benefit you? Alerting your media of this opportunity, and anyone form your chapter at

tending can be newsworthy. Those are just two of the many underway! The Society Board of Directors has embarked on a multiyear plan and wanted to whet your appetite.

There are many people across the country giving time and energies to bring barbershop harmony recognition nationally. I know you want to be part of it! Stay tuned and BT - it's gonna be fun!