Bella Acappella, Bend’s local 29 member barbershop chorus, recently participated in a regional competition in Reno, Nevada. Competition consisted of choruses throughout most of Oregon (excluding Portland), northern California, parts of Nevada and Hawaii. Bella won a second place medal for Division A Small Chorus. Since being chartered in 2012, for the last three years, Bella has earned medals in the competition.
Contributing greatly to Bellas’ accomplishments is director Connie Norman. “She has won medals for her directing capabilities, specializes in four-part barbershop harmony and has been teaching, coaching and formulating choruses and quartets for over 30 years. Connie specializes in vocal production, performance expression and stage presence,” says Bella Manager Nancy Ueland.
“Currently Bella is seeking additional singers,” Ueland explains, “particularly with high or low voices, experienced or inexperienced, ages 12 and above. With additional members we can qualify for our goal of being a mid-sized chorus (31-60 members) for next years’ regional.”
Bella is a chartered member of Sweet Adelines International, a highly respected organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance. It is an independent, nonprofit music education association and one of the world’s largest singing organizations for women, boasting 23,000 members.
July 4 at 11am in Drake Park Bella will present patriotic songs like the Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful and Peace on Earth.
Bella rehearses weekly on Tuesdays at the Bend Sr. Center 1600 Reed Market Road from 5:45-9pm. Rehearsals are open for visitors.
H4W is a non-auditioning community benefit chorus that performs a holiday concert once a year at Summit High School.
On August 25 from 5:30-7pm Harmony4Women Singers will have a kickoff party at the home of Linda Gardner, 22055 Rickard Road and hold concerts on November 19 at 2pm and 7pm at Summit High School.
nueland@bendcable.com, 541-383-3142