The Art of Barbershop - Step by Step

Wow….has it really been 6 months since I posted an article on this site?  My apologies.  I know better than that, and I am going to be working much harder to make sure that I am posting more often and posting some great information for you to use with your barbershop group.

 So where have I been?……

My quartet went to Hawaii and competed in the quartet competition.  We didn’t do as well as we would like, but I was still very proud to stand up on that stage and represent my region.  (Region 7)

I have been coaching several choruses as of late.  3 Region 7 Sweet Adelines International choruses and 2 Central Standard District Barbershop Harmony choruses.  I’m enjoying the opportunity to teach others the skills of Showmanship, Expression, and Presentation AND I’m learning more every time that I step out in front of a group.

 Just recently Central Standard, one of the Barbershop Harmony Society choruses that I work with, won the Small Chorus contest at the Central States District prelims.  The Cody Choraliers, the other Barbershop Harmony Society chorus that I worked with, won Most Improved and got their highest scores ever at competition.  I am so proud of both groups.

 Dont’ get me wrong….I’m not trying to take the credit for all of that, but it sure has been fun and exciting to be a part of the journey with both of them.  I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with both of them again and that appears to be in the works.

I have recently been asked by Choreographer Extraordinaire Cindy Hansen to be a part of her Apprentice Program.  I will be able to work with her, get insights on how she does what she does, and feedback regarding my work.  Once she feels comfortable with my work and my coaching style she will recommend me to choruses that she cannot fit into her busy schedule.  Wow!  It was an honor to be asked and I am certainly looking forward to working with her.

Along the lines of fine-tuning my Barbershop Choreography craft, I am also attending the Visual Leadership Conference this summer in Toronto, Canada.  This conference is being led by Erin Howden, the amazing choreographer and assistant director of the North Metro Chorus.  I am so excited to have the opportunity to learn from her and to commune with others that do what I do and share a passion for this part of our artform.  I can hardly wait. 

 You can rest assured that what I am learning from Cindy and Erin I will put together with my own insights and share with you.

 Other than all of that, I am just plugging away as the choreographer for the great Kansas City Chorus of Sweet Adelines.  We had our most electric performances on the regional stage a couple of weeks ago and it has lit a fire under all of us as we prepare to compete at the Sweet Adelines International Competition in Nashville, TN this fall. 

 So lots going on….and I’m sorry for ignoring this site for a while.  I will work very hard to make sure that I update this site with some new and interesting tips as often as possible.

 Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Sheri

PS….Did I mention that my quartet Black Tie won the Region 7 Quartet Championship a few weeks ago?!  We will be competing in Nashville, TN as well.  Whoop-Whoop!!!