Masters of Harmony

SCVA Honors Masters of Harmony Pioneer

Kirt Thiesmeyer, May 14, 2008

At their meeting on Sunday, May 4, the Executive Board of the Southern California Vocal Association established the new officer position of Vice President of Barbershop Harmony Festivals and appointed Mark Freedkin as the holder of that new office in recognition of his contributions to that organization as volunteer webmaster and coordinator of the Young Men’s Harmony Festivals over the past nine years. This new position will be responsible for coordinating the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Festivals that are hosted by the Masters of Harmony and Harborlites Chorus, respectively. The creation of this new position represents a significant accomplishment for the Barbershop Harmony Society and Sweet Adelines International, and demonstrates a growing acceptance by the choral music education community of the barbershop style as a legitimate musical art form.

The most significant thing about this appointment is that by naming Mark Freedkin to a permanent officer position for our youth harmony festivals, the SCVA has formally recognized barbershop music as an important part of their music education curriculum. So it is an honor to Mark for his long-time work, AND a big boost for barbershop singing as a musical art form. This is not the first recognition Mark has received for his pioneering work with youth. He was the Masters of Harmony Barbershopper of the Year for 2002, and he received the Far Western District President’s Award for 2006. Congratulations to our brother!