Barbershop Harmony Society - Mid-Atlantic District Barbershop Harmony Society

Music Programs: The Mid-Atlantic District produces three to four conventions every year, where District chapter choruses and registered quartets compete to qualify for District honors and to compete at annual international conventions. In 2024 around 1300 friends, family and fans attended these conventions. The District qualified five choruses and 9 quartets for international competition. Contests are adjudicated by certified judges who donate their time and effort to evaluate the artists and help them improve their artistry. After the contest, the judges provide feedback and coaching to the competitors, which is a significant component of the contest experience.

Competitor Support: The District supports its high-achieving quartets and choruses that compete at the international level. In 2024 the District provided $4,000 to 5 chorus and 10 quartets.

Music Education: Dozens of highly qualified volunteers conduct educational programs targeted at all age levels. The largest program, Harmony College East (HCE), offering more than 40 classes and seminars during a 3-day weekend event attended by more than 170 men and women of all ages. Students, including music educators, directors, arrangers and enthusiasts, learn singing, quarteting, composition, arranging, show production and directors sharpen their directing skills. This year, seven HCE full scholarships were provided to music educators. Partial scholarships were provided to five high achieving quartets preparing for the BHS International Convention. Coaching support was provided through the year to quartets and chapter choruses through a grant program that offsets a portion of the coach's expenses. The District also supports the certification of judges for contests. In 2024, five participants attended certification training. The District has a strong youth barbershop program that encourages youth quartets and ensembles through music educator engagement, coaching and Youth Adjudications. For 2024, the District provided support for a harmony explosion event and for a youth chorus to attend the BHS annual international youth festival.

Leadership Education: In addition to music education, the District provides management and leadership training to chapter and District leadership. Historically, this has been through 2-3 Leadership Academies held across the District. The training sessions provide chapter leaders with the latest information and thinking on chapter management. Many sessions have now been recorded and are available on-line. The District also conducts activities to support training for Chapter Advocates, and provided a grant for a chapter leadership team to attend a BHS leader development event.