BIG IDEA - HOW TO GROW MUSICALLY
NEXT ZOOM MEETINGS
April 7th - April 21st - May 5th
6:00pm Pacific Daylight Time
Chapters from across the country have been getting together to share with each other how their choruses are doing.
What have they tried?
What were the results -Success (or Failure..)?
What are the WOWS with the process?
What are their NOWS – what’s next?
and time for
“ASK PAUL ANYTHING”
HOMEWORK for the coming weeks should be two-fold:
1) Moving ahead and watching the classes on the Performance Sphere
2) and since we’re near the end of the “beta series,” maybe we should all try to rewatch all of the WAVEBOX classes ….. and even dip back in time, and review what we learned in the “How to Grow Your Chapter/Chorus” series.
What's this all about?
It’s all about getting quality education out to barbershoppers (individuals and chapters) on ways to do what do want to do — even BETTER!! (and to be able to offer it “live” and also 24×7)
During the 2023 Harmony College Northwest July weekend, we were talking with Paul Ellinger who has been working on a series of classes – which became known now at the BIG IDEA! His goal was to provide an affordable way to provide ongoing support for our chapters and choruses throughout the year with class videos followed by ZOOM chat meetings with attendees from across the country. Members of the HCNW team immediately got “on board” to bring the BIG IDEA to life in the beta series that’s been happening since last August.
The classes were divided and presented as two series:
- How to Grow Your Chapter/Chorus
- How to Musical Grow Your Chorus
BIG IDEA FOLLOWERS?
Would you like to be included in our mailings, please email info@harmonycollege.net
BIG IDEA ON YOUTUBE!
For this first year, all of the BIG IDEA classes and ZOOM meetings have been edited and added to our Harmony College NW YOUTUBE channel for you and others to watch. Click on this green button to view all of the playlists related to the BIG IDEA!
HOW TO GROW YOUR CHAPTER PLAYLIST:
There are six class videos covering topics on How to Grow Your Chapter. Each is about 30-minutes in length and stored in our YOUTUBE channel. The classes are packed with examples and good ideas to help your chapter/chorus grow.
Part 1: How to bring people into your chapter to enjoy the music and singing. There’s a wide spectrum of singers who just might enjoy your chorus.
Part 2: How to become “viral”… in other words, let’s become enjoyable, inviting and approachable so that people will want to know more about our chapters.
Part 3: Keeping your chorus culture full of fun, friendships and singing. Secret sauce: have an altruistic purpose – find a bigger reason to sing together!
Part 4: Become a “guest magnet” — attract people like a street magician by giving potential new members an easy “on ramp” to success.
Part 5: Successful follow-up tips. Remember, YOU are just giving people an opportunity to do something very amazing for themselves.
Part 6: Rebooting our chorus culture and purpose. Determine your top priorities and then prioritize your time accordingly. If growth is most important, then give it a fair amount of your energy in and out of rehearsals.
MUSICAL GROWTH PLAYLIST:
Seven classes dealing with the musicality of your chorus with topics like: Wavebox Singing, Vocal Concepts, Performance Sphere, Artistry, Stage Fright, and Branding Your Mountain. Watch the MUSICAL GROWTH CLASSES
The seven Musical Growth classes go in depth on Paul’s Wavebox Singing and Performance Sphere classes.
Samples and Examples
Why do we need to change our perspective?
This interview saved on YouTube is with Linda Ronstadt talking about the importance of singing in our lives – no matter what things get in the way.
We Sing so they may speak! This Ontario District video shows vividly how we can help others by reaching out.
BALLROOM DANCING
These tow videos compare two approaches to attract new dancers. Both companies offer clear goals and expectations.
What is your chapter’s approach: weekly – 3 hrs each time – for the rest of your life! Maybe we need to look at new ways to define what we love.
These holiday ideas can be worked into chorus plans throughout the year.
TIPS / BUZZ WORDS !!
For those of you who have been following the BIG IDEA – the following words or phrases should have some additional meaning from our classes and ZOOM visits.
It’s about others
Welcoming
Time Efficient
Seasons
Any level
Fun, Belonging, Singing
Get your chorus out and sing often
Create visitor flow
Non-judgmental
“Try it outs”
Onramps/Offramps – help people get onboard with easy onramps and offramps, not the same 3 hours a rehearsal for 20 years.
“Join us for six weeks this October as we learn music for Christmas, and join us for our Christmas show.”
CLICK HERE
to view more highlights of ideas that
Paul left with the Cascade Chorus in
Eugene. (Thx, Will)
Marshmallow Challenge
Watch this video on how the marshmallow challenge demonstrates the need for teamwork. It is so easy to just find a leader willing to lead and let them do it for 50 years…. but we need to build leaders and teams for success to keep our chapters and choruses alive and full of energy.
Donny Rose video on
“How to Use Learning Tracks”
YOUTUBE
This playlist includes the early classes and meetings as the BIG IDEA project was launched in the summer of 2023.
Why did this video go viral?
“Old Men Singing at Tim Horton’s?” Watch class videos #1 and #2 in the “How To Grow Your Chapter” playlist.
Click on photo to view the video.
MORE IDEAS
- just get out and sing anywhere you can, even 2 songs
- Tags are effective: short, sound great, and doable
- Take the time to reach out – and even ask people to sing with you
- Build your own 30-second holiday elevator speech — know what you’re going to say before you say it! Be real and be inviting.
- Candlelight caroling
- Add a “visitation” night into your rehearsal schedule.
IDEAS for Growing
- Instead of one show – plan a show that can be taken to several non-profits or care facilities.
- Hold regular “Friends & Family” nights (every other month) at rehearsal time. Invite anyone to come and see how much fun your chorus is having. Make it a performance opportunity – perhaps wearing a casual chorus costume. Even have drawings for prizes.
- Go out and do “sing-a-longs” — get people singing!!!
- Financial: One chapter applied and received a grant, based on a promise to do 3 free performances.
- Get your chapter excited about searching for guests.
