Harmony Inc. holds contest and convention
Harmony Inc's Area 4 Contest and Convention was held this past weekend in Aurora. The Glen Ellyn-based chorus, the Village Vocal Chords (VVC), were in attendance, along with other choruses from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin. While not competing this year, the VVC performed on multiple occasions and were on hand to celebrate the win by their "sister" chorus, the Misty River Music Makers (MRMM), based in the Fox Valley area.
This year's contest was set to the theme of "A Weekend at the Ozzies", with quartets competing on the evening of June 13th, and choruses competing on the afternoon on June 14th. The VVCs were well represented in the quartet competition by three of their quartets, with their own "The Karamels" bringing home the first place honors, and "Daybreak" earning third place. In all, five quartets and three choruses qualified to compete at the international level. They will have the opportunity to travel to Louisville, Kentucky, in November to compete with other qualifying quartets and choruses from across the US and Canada.
The weekend's activities concluded with a dinner and party at the Lisle Hilton, where the groups were in costume and performed songs from various musicals, with the MRMM representing characters from "The Wizard of Oz". Winners of the weekend-long raffles were also announced at the party. The proceeds made from raffling the donated crafts and gift baskets will go to El Sistema, an all volunteer organization providing musical instruments and instruction to "at risk" children.
The VVCs last competed in November, 2013, in Windsor, ON, CA, where they became the organization's championship chorus for an unprecedented 19 times. Per the organization's rules, the winning chorus cannot compete the following year, so they could only cheer on the other contestants at this year's contest.
The Village Vocal Chords chorus is the Glen Ellyn-based chapter of Harmony, Inc., an international, nonprofit, and educational organization for women barbershop singers. They rehearse on Tuesday evenings, 7:00 pm, at the St. Thomas United Methodist Church, with members coming from all over the Chicagoland area. The chorus is always interested in expanding its membership, so, if you are a woman who loves to sing, they will help you "find your voice".
For additional information on the chorus or to see their calendar of performances and events, visit their website, www.villagevocalchords.com.