In 1990 Aberdeen City Council invited schools to submit items for a variety show to be held in His Majesty's Theatre. In Cults Academy, at that time, we had many excellent music groups but none could really be described as "variety". There was only one way forward -we had to create a group.

There were many very good girl singers in the school at that time so we formed a close harmony group. It was purely by accident that the first book bought for the group was "Sweet & Sassy", a Sweet Adelines publication. The girls were thoroughly absorbed with the sound immediately and performed a medley in the show; complete with brightly coloured waistcoats provided for us by the organisers. Thirteen years on, the group is still going strong but, of course, being a school group we lose members at the end of each session and have to recruit new voices.

I was delighted to be invited to attend the Harmony College this year and to be able to attend. Both the Granite City Chorus and the BABS committee and members made me feel very welcome. I have attended many training courses in my teaching career but I have rarely returned from one feeling as inspired as from this one. The organisation was first class and the provision of courses, seminars and performing opportunities was commendable. The tutors and invited speakers were really inspirational.

I attended the directing course as my first stream. I learned so much about the true barbershop style during these sessions. I have conducted many performances over the years but always of music in a very classical style. The barbershop style is very different and, when I was invited to conduct the choral class, I was rather apprehensive. However, the singers were very kind and responded well. It was a real thrill for me to hear the massed voices. Watching myself on video was also a very sobering experience.

As my second stream I attended "working with young people". I hope that my input to this was useful. We discussed many ways to engage young people in barbershop and even ways to engage them in any kind of singing. In many areas the provision of music education is being drastically cut, although this is not the case in my area.

Many suggestions were made, including summer camps. I was also able to assist by agreeing to make a computer file of an African song in barbershop style that had been successfully used with children but had not been written down. The file will provide both a printed copy of the music and the ability to make teach tapes from it. The group is intending to continue the discussion via an e-group.

I was totally immersed in the barbershop style throughout the weekend. I was amazed at how many quartets were there and by the ability of all the participants to sing at every gap in the proceedings and in every available space. Since returning from Harmony College I have set up two quartets in my school -one of senior boys and one of male members of staff. This undoubtedly is as a direct result of attending the weekend. Also, a link is being formed between my school and the Granite City Chorus who have been invited to sing in one of our school concerts.

Another advantage of attending the college was the chance to explore the repertoire and to find out how to become involved in e.g. Sweet Adelines Inc. It is difficult to access suitable music since it is not available to view in most music shops. Browsing through the catalogues and sheet music was invaluable to me. I wish there had been a little more time in the schedule for this .

I believe that the provision of scholarships for educationalists to attend the Harmony College is a very worthwhile venture. The future of choral singing in all styles is seriously under threat and we all have a role to play in reversing this trend. We need to continue to recruit singers and directors. Once they are involved, they will generally stay but the main area must be in raising awareness and providing opportunity .I wish BABS every success in the future and offer my full support to helping maintain and raise standards.

MOIRA A HUNTER
Principal Teacher of Music Cults Academy, Aberdeen