Free Classes and tutorials
Sample the wealth of knowledge offered by the Barbershop Harmony Society with these compact classes from past years of Harmony University.
For Directors and Coaches
Structuring Effective Choral Rehearsals with Theo Hicks
Learn from classroom music teacher, chorus director, and BHS gold medal quartet singer, Theo Hicks, on how to plan and implement effective rehearsals for your barbershop group. Theo discusses how it is not just about the rehearsal, it revolves around the barbershop chapter experience and your singer’s ownership over their product. Great experiences and rehearsals blend art and science. This 23-minute video will give you both concepts to build on and content to share. Change a few things in your approach and make a big difference, even as soon as next week.
Outstanding in Front: 16 Part Tutorials with Larry Dodge
Watch director Larry start at the most basic concepts in directing and advance to our most advanced. The best way to use these? Watch one, work with the concepts with your group, then watch the next one. Don’t watch all 16… you will explode!
The Power of Positive Coaching with Cindy Hansen-Ellis and Paul Ellinger
Positive communication in a coaching session can and will impact the singer, the performance, and the audience. Cindy and Paul will model coaching styles with both registered and pick up groups, and will show do’s and don’t that may not be on your radar based on gender, age, experience, or other issues that need to be navigated.
The Science of Riser Placement with Rob Mance and Steve Scott
Watch Rob Mance spend 90 minutes with a live chorus and talk about “stacking” the risers with several goals in mind. Learn how you can influence blend and pitch by where you put individuals and voice parts.
Directors...STOP TALKING! with Dr. Don Campbell and Kirk Young
Watch Dr. Don Campbell direct a group with limited verbal cues, while Kirk Young breaks down what just happened. Directors can communicate so much more by speaking less, and have wonderful, unintended results!
Director's Roundtable with Gary Steinkamp, Rob Mance and Steve Armstrong
Gary Steinkamp, Rob Mance and Steve Armstrong share ideas and strategies and investigate barriers and frustrations. Collectively, watch how participants develop a new network of peers and friends who want to see directors succeed and learn the most important thing of all.. you are not alone!
Barbershop History
The History of the BHS Contest & Judging System
Longtime judge and barbershop historian Kevin Keller shares his meticulous research into the history of contests and judging in the Barbershop Harmony Society. Kevin invites us into a deeper understanding of our past, and the powerful impact that the contest experience has on so many barbershop singers.
History of Barbershop with Dr. David Wright
Dr. David Wright takes an in-depth look at the barbershop art form, its history, how it formed, and how it continues to evolve even today. Wright has been a mainstay every year at our Harmony University with his class History of Barbershop. His class combines many years of extensive research with his own experience with singing barbershop to craft a presentation that’s both entertaining and enlightening.
AIC Stories: Champion Conversations
Vol. 1 with the Association of International Champions
Hang out with the champs as they share a rare behind-the-scenes look at what happens when you dedicate your life to this level of quartet singing. Fred Farrell leads a panel of gold medalists: Jay Hawkins, Hank Brandt, Mark Hale, Royce Ferguson, Mike Lawton, and Drayton Justus.
Virtual Rehearsals
Copyright Basics
Arrangements & Copyright
Barbershop Harmony Society's Copyright & Licensing Manager Janice Bane discusses the different types of arrangements and the steps you can take to ensure your unpublished, custom, or out-of-print arrangement is legal for your group to use!
MEMBERS: login to Member Center to access the Show Clearance Forms and Reporting article in Document Center.
Recorded 9/25/2020
Copyright 101 with Janice Bane and Scott Harris
One of the most frequent topics we hear about from our singers is regarding copyright. Janice Bane, BHS Copyright & Licensing Manager, is joined by BHS Arranger & Repertoire Manager Scott Harris to explain some of the rules and best practices that you need to know. They discuss clearing a new arrangement, guidelines for barbershop shows, audio/video recording licensing, and so much more!
Getting "In Sync" with Sync! Exploring Video Permissions & Copyright
Presented by Janice Bane, Senior Manager of Copyright at the Barbershop Harmony Society, for the 2021 Chorus America Virtual Conference.
Grant Basics
Grant Basics 101 with Ashley Torroll and Ashley Brown
In addition to briefly describing the BHS grant process, this class will aid you in creating more persuasive and descriptive answers to grant proposal questions to help enable exciting engagement with your communities.