October 2012 Performance of Popular Songs Supported by Les Schwab Tire Centers and BendBroadband.
Harmony 4 Women, a special women’s chorus, is currently seeking Central Oregon women of all vocal backgrounds and ages to learn to sing acappella (without accompaniment) for its upcoming fall performance. In past years, Harmony 4 Women performed an annual holiday concert, but this year, the chorus will be performing a program of popular, inspiring songs in an afternoon concert on Saturday, October 13 at Bend High School.
A compelling cultural event on its own, equally noteworthy is the fact that this biennial event benefits four organizations, all of which provide life-enriching opportunities for women, including Bella Acappella Harmony Chorus, Grandma’s House, Saving Grace and the Women’s Resource Center of Central Oregon. The event netted approximately $35,000 for the four groups between its events in 2009 and 2010.
Aspiring singers are encouraged to attend the upcoming Singers Kickoff Party, held on Thursday, August 16 from 5-8pm, at the home of singer Linda Gardner.
The event, with the affectionate tag line of Raise Your Voice. Sing Your Part. Have a Blast! will provide a chance for girls and women to learn about this unique opportunity to expand their vocal talents in a friendly, instructive environment. Party goers will get to hear the Bend-based Sweet Adelines group Bella Acappella perform songs from their repertoire. Refreshments will be served and there is no cost to attend. To RSVP for the August 16 party, email trixytazzy@live.com.
The 2012 Harmony 4 Women chorus will be comprised of new singers who register to sing by August 21, as well as the Bella singers and will be led by the talented director Connie Norman. The popularity of the television show Glee has elevated the status of acappella singing, and event organizers are hoping that this special opportunity will attract middle and high school girls to the risers, as well as women of all ages with a diversity of life experiences.
Additionally, this year Harmony organizers are coordinating a singing contest with area high schools, and the winners will perform solos in the concert and win scholarships. In past years, several mother-daughter groups have performed and nonprofit leaders and work colleagues have sung together. In addition to the musical education one receives by participating, a rich sense of family is created in the chorus. Between the music and this sense of support, several choral members have successfully navigated grief from loss of a family member or the healing of a major illness. The goal for this year’s chorus is to have at least 100 female singers on the risers for what will be a moving performance.
Rehearsals for Harmony 4 Women’s 2012 concert begin on Saturday, August 25 from 12-3pm, for a special introductory session at the Bend Senior Center, and will continue at the same venue on subsequent Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8pm through October 9.
Generous community and corporate support has already been pledged for Harmony 4 Women 2012. Les Schwab Tire Centers and BendBroadband share the title sponsorship, and other corporate donors include Dutch Bros. Coffee, The Garner Group, Hansen & Larson, Ida’s Cupcakes, Brian Liebman of Directors Mortgage, MicroSemi Corporation, Murtaugh Dental Corp., Papa Murphy’s Pizza LLC, SageCoach, Storage Solutions and Western Title & Escrow. Grants have been received from Trust Management Services, LLC and Roundhouse Foundation. Personal contributions have been made by Kathi Friedman, Claire Ann and John Wood, and Dana and Jerry Barron. Media sponsorships have been donated by Cascade Publications Inc., Combined Communications and Tim Underwood Productions. In-kind support has been pledged by Dawn Boone, Moonlight Mailing, Premier Printing, Premier West Bank and Sharon Leighty.
www.harmony4women.com or 541-383-3142.
