NEWS RELEASE
HARMONY, INCORPORATED
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GUELPH, ON - The Over Tones, Inc., the Guelph, Ontario chapter of Harmony, Incorporated, an international organization of female a cappella singers specializing in the barbershop harmony style, recently earned regional recognition and qualified for a spot at Harmony, Inc.’s international competition, which will be held in Providence, Rhode Island later this year.
The Over Tones, Inc., based in Guelph, Ontario, placed first out of six choruses in Harmony, Inc.’s Area 5, which includes choruses from Sudbury, Alliston, Guelph, St. Jacob’s, London, and Brockville.
The competition took place in Alliston, Ontario on May 28, and participants earning a score of a certain threshold are qualified to participate in the international competition of Harmony, Inc. choruses in November.
"The Over Tones, Inc. chorus rehearses all year to become more masterful at the four-part harmony that characterizes the barbershop style, but qualifying to participate in the International Convention and Contests of Harmony, Inc. is truly an honour,” says Amy Chop, chapter president. “We plan to build on the success of our area contest showing as we prepare for our international performance, and we’re proud to represent the Guelph community among choruses from all across the United States and Canada.”
Harmony, Inc. has hosted area and international conventions for more than 50 years, gathering female singers of all musical backgrounds and experience levels to participate in a series of competitions for quartets and choruses.
Participants are adjudicated by a panel of trained judges evaluating categories that encompass what songs the performers elect to sing, the skill with which they sing those songs, and how they present the songs, which can include emotionally connecting with the audience.
“The Over Tones, Inc., not only earned area recognition for its performance, but it has also accomplished something equally notable in qualifying to join other choruses at the premier event in Harmony, Inc.’s annual competition cycle,” says Sandra Dunlop, Harmony, Inc. president. “This positions The Over Tones, Inc., as one of the top representatives of our organization, and we appreciate the talent that these women bring to the barbershop harmony genre.”
With 29 members, The Over Tones, Inc., is directed by J.J. Piccolotto of Guelph, Ontario.
The chorus presented two songs at the area contest to earn its placement, Can’t Buy Me Love and Once Upon a Time.
These selections are a small sample of the chorus’s extensive repertoire, which is ideally suited for a wide range of audiences and events.
Along with the success of The Over Tones, Inc., director J.J. Piccolotto’s quartet Just Jump placed first in the quartet competition, and president Amy Chop’s quartet, Bluebird, made up entirely of chorus members, placed third with the most improved score.
Both quartets had taken on new members in the past few months, and it is truly an achievement that they both qualified to compete at the International contest in Providence, Rhode Island, in November.
Just Jump can be reached here, while Bluebird can be found here.
About The Over Tones, Inc.:
Founded in 1966, the Guelph, Ontario chapter of Harmony, Inc., brings four-part a cappella harmony to the local community through regular performances and educational events.
The chorus consists of women representing a wide range of musical backgrounds, from novice to trained professionals, and performs under the direction of J.J. Piccolotto.
The Over Tones, Inc., rehearses from 7 to 10 p.m. on Mondays at Riverside Glen.
For more information, visit here.
As this is the 50th anniversary of The Over Tones, Inc., a celebration will be held on June 25.
For more information on this amazing event, contact Sandy Christie, at [email protected].
About Harmony, Incorporated:
Harmony, Inc. is an international, non-profit organization whose purpose is to empower all women through education, friendship and a cappella singing in the barbershop style.
Since 1959, the organization has expanded from its Eastern roots to include more than 60 chapters in the United States and Canada, from California to Newfoundland, and from Manitoba to Florida.
For more information, visit HarmonyInc.org
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