I would like to thank the Harmony Foundation for giving me a grant to attend BABS 29th Harmony College. It was my first Harmony College so I was rather nervous as I didn't want to let anyone down, but once I got over my initial nerves I had a great time and I hope that I will be able to retain all the knowledge that I've learnt over the weekend and will be able to pass this on to my chorus and my new future Barbershop activities, both as a singer and assistant chorus director.

Why I enrolled on Harmony College
One of the aims of my Musical Director is to encourage all members of the group to improve their musical abilities and enhance their singing experience, by recognising untapped talent and creating opportunities for those people to realise their abilities, grow as individuals and allow all of us to promote Barbershop at its very best to the wider community. So with this in mind it was suggested that I attend Harmony College, and I'm so pleased that I did.

My journey to Harmony College started very late on Thursday evening, after spending the evening at my chorus rehearsal. On arrival at Worcester University you could hear distant voices singing in harmony so you knew you were in the right place!

After a good night's sleep and a good breakfast, the day started with an early morning vocal workout, Vocex, with Mike O'Neill. So feeling ready to start the day I went to my first session…

Mini Steam
My first session, 'Be A Vocal Coach' lead by Mark Grindall, was very informative. With Mark's wealth of knowledge we were able to learn how to help a quartet improve by sometimes just simple things, but by always being positive and encouraging.

My second session, 'Find Your Voice' was again very informative. We were put into small groups so this enabled us all to 'have a go'. We were able to see how voices were improved by watching and listening and also by being the one 'under glass'. Again this was with positive and helpful advice and encouragement and I was also shown how to put some 'Twang' in my voice!

Pick & Mix
There were so many to choose from so on the advice of my MD I attended the session 'Let Your Hands Do The Talking', presented by Cherry Hartshorn. I had never been involved with waving my hands out front so I was feeling a little concerned how I would cope, but with Cherry's patience and guidance I didn't feel too self-conscious and it was good that we were all able to 'have a go'. So with this new knowledge in hand (no pun intended!) I'm hoping this will help me in my next step with my new future Barbershop activities.

Future Barbershop Activities
With this new knowledge that I've learnt at Harmony College I'm hoping it will help me when I become involved with starting up a male and female youth Barbershop groups at The University of The West Of England, Bristol. So with the help that the Harmony Foundation gave me it will have a direct result in helping to promote our wonderful hobby to younger people.

In summary, I really enjoyed my Harmony College experience and I feel that it will be of great benefit to me and those that I will work with in the future. Not only do I feel I've learnt so much over the weekend but I also made some new friends at the College.

I would also like to thank the 'faculty staff' who worked so hard, in sessions and with the overall running of the weekend that was so well organised.

Thank you Ali Jack