"Get America Singing Again!"

 An-O-Chords "Finale" Youth Outreach Program

A primary goal of the International Barbershop Harmony Society is to "lead the cause of encouraging vocal music in our schools and communities."  So, beginning in 2001, the An-O-Chords, local Society chapter, has enthusiastically embraced this project as their primary charitable objective.  An-O-Chords firmly believe that elementary school vocal music programs build singing confidence in children and prepare them to continue experiencing the joys of music in the upper grades and throughout life.  The more often elementary students experience the fun of hearing their own voices blending with their peers, the more apt they will be to continue in upper grade music programs of all types.  As lifetime singers, we're concerned that through successive budget cuts, vocal music programs in most elementary schools have been seriously reduced.  As a result, upper grade vocal music programs suffer because too many children leave elementary school without the joy of musical experience or the necessary skills to encourage them to participate in music programs.  Instead, they either choose other activities, or worse, choose none at all.

 History of the "Get America Singing Again" Project in the Whidbey-Anacortes-Skagit Valley area

In September 2001, An-O-Chords representatives met with music teachers from the three Anacortes elementary schools to plan the project.  The An-O-Chords agreed to purchase and donate 200 new songbooks and teaching manuals and to introduce the songs to students at school, in live performances.  During the spring of 2002, all Anacortes' 4^th and 5^th graders learned the same seven songs, and in June of that year, they assembled at Anacortes High School's Brodniak Hall for a mass singing FINALE!  There, they experienced the thrill of joining their voices in a 675-voice ensemble. 

That first program, involving three Anacortes elementary schools and 675 students, was such a success that over the next four years, virtually every school district in the region has enthusiastically asked to participate.  The program has grown to 30 elementary schools in Sedro-Woolley, Concrete, Burlington, Mount Vernon, La Conner, Anacortes, Oak Harbor, and Coupeville, delighting over 3000 students per year!  Barbershop chapters from Vancouver, BC, Seattle, even the International Barbershop Harmony Society have inquired or sent representatives to Finale' performances to learn more about this great success story.

 FOR INFORMATION ON "GET America Singing…Again!"   call the aN-o-chORDS'
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH OUTREACH -- Ross Reed: 360-675-1998