Youth In Harmony 2010
The Third Annual YIH Festival held on January 16, 2010, at Osceola High School in Osceola, WI, was another huge success. The energy these students brought to the festival propels the directors, choreographers, and the planning team to do bigger and greater things in their own barbershop lives.
This year we had 112 students. Twelve singers were college students returning to the festival to reunite with friends and their high school teacher who introduced them to barbershop music. At their request, our first ever Collegiate Chorus was formed, singing Friends, an appropriate song to describe the friendships formed through barbershop music.
Returning director, Liz Miller, with the assistance of “ICE!” as the teaching quartet, worked with 87 girls, bringing the confidence level and vocals to new heights. Judy Olson, director of Twin City Show Chorus, and Jackie Hillman of Vallee de Croix put that “icing on the cake” with some great choreography moves to Under The Boardwalk (a song that the girls clearly loved to perform). Their second song, Fun In Just One Lifetime, was a song the girls could easily relate to and challenge themselves with the pattern being sung over the melody.
Members of Take 12 perform at the YIH festival. Take 12 is an auditioned group of girls singing barbershop from Osceola High School. Under the direction of Osceola high school music director Victoria Salmon, this group has been in existence for over five years.
Organizers try to bring something different to each festival as many of our students will return. This year as requested by the students, we had sectionals, as well as time for socializing and tag singing. Students responded positively to the changes, as standing on the risers continues to be the “least favorite.”
The concert included performances by “KAMEL” and “Take 12“, two auditioned barbershop groups from Osceola High School. The girl's teaching quartet “ICE!” and the boy’s teaching quartets “Bright Knights” and “Prove It!” demonstrated how amazing and how much fun barbershop music can be. The 2010 Collegiate Chorus, the 2010 YIH Boy’s Chorus, the 2010 YIH Girl’s Chorus and the Combined Choruses (everyone‘s favorite) showcased all they the had learned throughout the day's activities.
The finale this year was a special treat for our students as well as our audience The festival planning team has chosen HARMONY, arranged by Doug Miller as the theme song for the festivals. This year we brought in Doug Miller, and his wife Connie to direct the song; Connie worked with the girls on their part, and Doug worked with the boys. Under the direction of Doug Miller, the audience was treated to a very moving finale which brought them to their feet before Doug brought his hands down on the last note. What an honor for these students to meet, and perform a song being directed by the arranger!
Youth In Harmony 2011
The planning team is back to work preparing for the 2011 - 4th Annual YIH Festival. YES, there is a bit of planning and work that goes into this festival, but the rewards far out weigh the work! Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 15, for "Barbershop ROCKS" at Osceola High School in Osceola, WI.
If you would like to attend this year's festival or would like to learn more about YIH, email Kathy Lucken at allen045@centurytel.net.
Left: Members of KAMEL sing at the 2010 festival. KAMEL is a group of girls who have auditioned for a place in this elite quartet. While members have come and gone throughout the years, KAMEL has been favorite at many Vallee de Croix performances. Right: Members of ICE!, Denise, Marcia, Karen and Peg, demonstrated why they're always contenders at Sweet Adelines International competitions.