Lorraine visits Acappella Harmony Academy in Tulsa USA

I was recently privileged to be sponsored by the chorus to attend the (very appropriately      

  acronym-ed) Acappella Harmony Academy in Tulsa, birthplace and current headquarters 

of Sweet Adelines International.

The theme for the conference was not Think outside the Box, but rather Throw the Box Away!  

and sessions were geared to evolving women’s barbershop from “technically
excellent but predictable” to“technically excellent and OUT THERE!”

The Aha Moments were everywhere. 

For someone like myself from the ranks of Aussie-chorus member-land it was like being a

 kid in a lolly shop – if you can imagine Dede’s recent coaching session multiplied over 

three full days (my program totalled 20 sessions), then that would come close to the level of education, innovation and energy that we were feted with.

At the risk of boring you with too many superlatives, I’ll just mention three of the 

more personal Aha Moments that made the conference so special for me.

A spontaneous gathering of the seven Aussies (plus one renegade director/coach from NZ :-) 
in the hallowed foyer of the SweetAdelines International Headquarters, singing 
I Am Australian to the delight of official tours of delegates (the Americans love this song!)

A “date with destiny” moment, accidentally finding myself sharing a long lunch with Shirley 
Kout, one of the women responsible for bringing barbershop to Australia three  decades ago, 
and without whom we may well not have been doing what we do today.

 Realising, that not only were we learning from the organisation’s living icons, but that

this is the forum in which these iconic leaders also learn and refine their craft.                      

In a session on Mental Preparation (aka How To Deal With Nerves) a hand went up behind me,

and a fellow who I had not previously met, but have since learnt is Jim Arns, was sharing 

the story of his most nervestruck moment …..!!! Some minutes later, in the same session, 

another hand went up from among the class, and this time it was a  “dry mouth” story 

volunteered by Dale Syverson, followed by a debate among everyone present, on the use

of “pink pills” …I could go on, but of course I won’t. 

The only thing I want to add here is an encouragement to every member who loves

doing what we do, and wants to do it better.

Please keep your eyes open for the next time our Management Team offers the

educational grant, and apply for it!                                                                                                           

I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed with the learning experiences

offered by this organisation.                                                                      Lorraine