Masters of Harmony

Masters of Harmony Presents Masters University

Jon Hoekema (updated by Don Shively), Apr 2, 2008

Masters University is a program designed for new members as an introduction to the Masters of Harmony way of life and the barbershop style. Each new member is required to take a four-week course consisting of classes on Vocal Production, Basic Presentation, Member Etiquette, and History and Organization. Upon completion of the program, each student is awarded a Masters degree from Masters University and will receive a diploma.

Masters University is the brainchild of past Presentation Coordinator Wayne Mendes and was designed to help newer members more easily transition into the chorus. Let’s face it, learning the entire chorus repertoire is difficult enough without other distractions. The program helps to alleviate some of the apprehension and confusion experienced when first participating from the risers, and introduces basic concepts not often reviewed during rehearsal.

The program consists of four 45-minute classes. The first two classes teach the basics of the barbershop craft and performance: Vocal Production and Basic Presentation. The second two classes help new members become better chapter members both on and off the risers: Chorus Etiquette and History and Organization.

These classes run through the entire year in eight-week segments with each class repeated twice so that, if a new member missed a class during the first rotation, he can make it to the next one. More classes can be scheduled as needed, but new members can enter the class rotation at any time without delaying the membership process.

Don Shively serves as Dean of Masters University. Don’s role as dean is to schedule classes and instructors and to track the attendance of students. The dean also may help the instructors to teach their classes in an engaging and relevant way and incorporate suggestions from students. Upon their completion of the curriculum, the dean makes the awards to successful students.

Although the program was designed for new members, every active member is required to participate and will receive a diploma. There are two reasons for this: First, so that every member receives the benefit of the program; and second, to give current members an opportunity to provide feedback to the instructors. There were many favorable comments on the classes, even from those with 20 years of barbershop experience.

The Vocal Production class, taught by Gene Clements and Sean Devine, and assisted by Mark Feiner, gives a basic introduction to the technique of singing. This includes proper standing position and posture to produce sound in a correct way. The vocal apparatus needs to be used properly in order to sing properly. The instructors introduce, demonstrate and discuss the concepts of proper breath control and vocal production. An example would be singing with an open throat as when yawning, rather than with a closed throat, as when swallowing. The student is also introduced to some basics of the barbershop style such as matching vowel shapes and resonance quality in order to help voices match and chords lock.

Obviously, one class can’t make a great singer, but the intent is to introduce and explain concepts and provide tools that might later be incorporated into a chorus rehearsal.

The next class offered is Basic Presentation, taught by the Front Row Captain Pat Claypool and Visual Auditioner Mark Matonic. First, the student learns our standard “repertoire” of focal points. Agreement on focus enhances our visual and emotional impact on the audience. Next the student learns how to do a “reset.” This is to give energy to the presentation of the song and has the added benefit of helping to keep the song on key. Proper singing position is reinforced since it is important in basic presentation as well as vocal technique. A singer who is standing tall instead of slouched sings better and is more pleasant to watch.

The mood of the song being sung makes a difference in how it is presented. An exciting up-tune such as “Yona From Arizona” is presented differently than the intense ballad “My Wonderful One.” Proper facial expression, at all times, communicates the message of a song and is one of the most important aspects of its presentation.

Each song also determines appropriate movements which may be used when performing. Often choreography is added to improve a song’s emotional impact, and all movement must be smooth, continuous and energized. Lazy moves are never part of a good visual presentation.

Member Etiquette is very important in a chorus that emphasizes doing everything with excellence. “Being a first-class organization means never accepting anything less than the highest quality in how we perform, how we look . . . and most importantly, how we conduct ourselves in public when representing our chorus. Our standards are high and they will be enforced.”

With this in mind, instructor Ron Andreas discusses rehearsal and riser etiquette. This means showing up to rehearsal on time and ready to sing, and attention to personal hygiene. It means no talking on the risers because nothing is more important than what’s being said by the person up front. Performance etiquette, which includes rehearsal etiquette, is also emphasized. There is also a certain standard of behavior expected of each member when in public.

The fourth class offered is History and Organization. Taught by long-time members Dan Place and Les Weiser>/b>, much of this class is from their first-hand experience. It comprises a brief history lesson on both the Society and the many high points of the Masters of Harmony’s 22-year history.

The organizational structures of the Society, Far Western District, and the Santa Fe Springs Chapter are discussed as well. Each student has time to tell his own story about barbershopping and what brought him to the Masters. This way, members get to know one another a little better. New members are encouraged to think about what role they would like to fill on the chapter organization chart, in order to maximize their enjoyment in the chapter and insure its continuing success.

Upon completion of Masters University and the recommendation of the Music Committee, each student is awarded a Masters Degree and diploma recognizing the accomplishment. When this program started in 2001 and the membership previewed the classes, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Many members said they came away learning something new. Others said the classes reminded them of the many basics each Master must adopt for himself.

Onward and upward!