HARMONY EXPLOSION CAMP NORTHEAST
July 20, 2024

Worcester State University, Worcester MA

An a cappella Music Camp for High School students
“A Young Singer’s Best Event of the Summer!”

Contact Roger Menard or Andrew Lujan to be a part of the team!

Open to all high-school aged singers, Harmony Explosion Camp Northeast (HXNE) provides top-notch vocal coaching and choral instruction in one dynamic, FUN event!

We offer an all-voice chorus experience for young singers.  The HX chorus will sing a cappella, close harmony in four voice parts with ranges that align with traditional choir roles such as soprano, alto, tenor and bass (SATB).  The Barbershop tradition typically refers to those parts as Tenor, Lead, Baritone and Bass, and the music selections for the camp will be appropriate for all vocal ranges.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Are YOU ready to ... meet other students who share similar interests, learn more about singing and vocal technique, experience the thrill of singing and blending harmony, ring 4-part chords and ... have a ton of fun? We’re ready for you! 

We need your help ... spreading the word and encouraging youths to join more than 50  other young men and women on the risers to learn and perform a variety of a cappella vocal music, all under the direction of internationally recognized conductors and clinicians. 

MUSIC EDUCATORS

HXNE has a special program for music teachers and those pursuing music in college! Observe rehearsals, attend special workshop sessions led by our guest clinicians and staff at both HXNE and Harmony College Northeast! You’ll also be able to sing a cappella 4-part, close harmony traditionally known as Barbershop! It’s a fantastic and invaluable summer professional development opportunity!

The timing of the camp provides a perfect opportunity to energize your choral students in preparation for the new school year. The activities of the camp help students to train their ears, read music, tune close harmonies, improve part independence, sing expressively... Personally, you can observe some master teachers and clinicians in action, pick up some new tricks of the trade, share your own insights and techniques with colleagues from a wide area, learn some new repertoire, and generally "recharge your batteries" before heading back to the classroom in September. Collegiate music education majors gain valuable experience before student teaching or moving into the workforce, interacting both with high school students and seasoned professionals.

Ready for some great news? You can attend the camp with your students, but you are not their chaperone! No hustling them from one activity to another. We have a full staff of chaperones who are responsible for the students while you get to take classes, observe rehearsals, and sing with your peers! As for most music festivals, we certainly encourage you to go over the music with your students before the camp, but they have the ability to practice on their own with .mp3 learning tracks.

CLINICIANS

Tony Colosimo, Chorus Director

  • Anthony has been a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society since 1991. He has competed in quartets since the age of 12 with many of them being notable competitors in regional, national, and international competitions.

  • Anthony is the lead singer of First Take (2023 BHS international finalists), the associate director of the Alexandria Harmonizers, a certified singing judge, and is an active coach and clinician for youth and adults in BHS events.

  • Anthony is a professional singer in the Washington D.C. area. He has performed at the White House, Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, on TNT, and under many notable choral batons. In 2005, Anthony sang on stage with Andrea Bocelli as the recipient of the NIAF Andrea Bocelli scholarship for music at Christopher Newport University where he received degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral Music Education.

  • Anthony is a vocal music instructor in Montgomery County Public Schools at Sligo Middle School and a cantor and chorister at St. Stephen-Martyr Church in Washington D.C.

Kirk Young, Music Educator Track Instructor

Kirk Young has taught 24 years in the public schools as a Music Educator.  He has a B.S. in Music Education from the University of Maine, Orono.  He is an International Finalist quartet singer, an International Chorus Director, an elite arranger, a Music Judge, and a former staffer at our BHS headquarters.  He is uniquely qualified to help teachers see what is possible for them and their students by exploring barbershop harmony music in the classroom.

Sweet & Sour Faculty Quartet

Tenor: Christina Tramack * LEAD: Samantha Tramack * Baritone: Mert Tramack
Bass: Josh Tramack

Sweet & Sour formed in 2015 with one goal in mind: to compete as a family quartet in the Northeastern District Mixed Quartet Contest. Since then, they have competed in numerous Harmony, Inc. and Barbershop Harmony Society contests under the Mixed Barbershop Harmony Association. Christina (tenor), Samantha (lead), and Joshua (bass) Tramack are siblings, and found their baritone in Samantha's spouse, Mert Tramack!

Thanks to the Everyone in Harmony initiative brought forth by the Barbershop Harmony Society, Sweet & Sour has had the honor of becoming the 2022 Northeastern District Quartet Champions, becoming the first mixed quartet to do so in the district’s history. In 2023, they became international semifinalists at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s international competition. Since forming, Sweet & Sour has had the privilege to entertain countless audiences with their unique brand of barbershop and a cappella singing. Their repertoire includes genres such as jazz, country, musical theater, rock and roll, and just about everything in between. They often get asked who’s sweet and who’s sour, and the answer is simple: That’s for you to decide!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • Simply put, Harmony Explosion Camp Northeast is one of the best and most unique musical enrichment opportunities available to high school-aged students and their teachers. A joint outreach effort of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS), Harmony, Incorporated (HI), and Sweet Adelines International (SAI), HXNE Camp brings together young singers from the northeastern US and Canada for an intensive day of learning and music-making, under the leadership of stellar directors, clinicians, and coaches. This year's camp will be held Saturday July 20, 2024 at beautiful Worcester State University in Worcester, MA.

  • The camp is open to any student who has completed 8th grade (typically aged 13-14); students may attend through the summer following their 12th grade (senior) year (typically aged 17-18).

    Chaperones are also a vital piece to the camp and are accepted aged 24 and older (HXNE has the right to choose its chaperones using criteria outlined in the job description). Information about becoming a chaperone can be found here:

    A separate track is available for professional music educators and collegiate music education majors, more information can be found here.

  • Why is this camp available at no cost to students?

    The estimated “real cost” per-person of approximately $200 is supported by the generous support of Northeastern District (NED) of the Barbershop Harmony Society - and by contributions from chapters, quartets and individuals from men's and women's barbershop organizations.

    To sign up, visit our registration site

    The camp is a nonprofit entity, and all the staff volunteer their time. If you would like to make a financial contribution to the program, you may donate by credit card via the online DONATE buttons, the Camp Registration site, using the downloadable, fillable form, or by contacting hxne@nedistrict.org. We are grateful for gifts of any amount.

  • Chaperoning for HXNE Camp is an extremely rewarding experience and is essential to the success of the camp in general. For further questions about what specific responsibilities chaperoning entails, please contact us at hxne@nedistrict.org or visit our website.

  • It is easiest to complete an Online Registration!

    You will be directed to print out and complete your required forms which you will then send to our registrar.

    If you are unable to register online, please contact hxne@nedistrict.org

  • You will receive an instant registration receipt once your online registration has been submitted as well as a follow-up confirmation email.

    Once your forms have been received, you will receive an email with a link to a “participant only” page which will allow you to download your information packet, music, and learning tracks.

  • You'll join over 50 other young singers in an experience you won't forget! You will eat in the college cafeteria (an all-you-can eat meal plan. . . and the food is great!), attend dynamic rehearsal sessions, sectional rehearsals, and workshops, and listen to quartets or sing tags at the ice cream social. The day culminates in a Saturday evening concert, featuring the camp chorus and guest stars from the international barbershop stage. For adults, you have the same amount of fun and an experience that is rewarding!

  • All attendees should check-in on Saturday, July 20, 2024 in Sheehan Hall. Our staff will be ready to welcome Campers and Music Educators between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM & Chaperones between 7 AM and 7:30 AM.

  • Participants of the camp will depart Saturday, July 20, 2024 after the All-Camp Showcase event (estimated end time ~9:45pm).

  • Repertoire at the camp is SATB barbershop and other choral literature. Past selections have run the gamut from Coney Island Baby to Under the Boardwalk to Tomas Luis de Victoria's Weep, O Mine Eyes and Franz Biebl's Ave Maria. We've also performed songs from the famous movies of Pitch Perfect, Les Miserables and some other favorites! Our clinicians include respected educators and award/medal-winning champion barbershoppers. (Often both!)

  • The fundamentals of singing and technique are the same for barbershop as for any other style of choral singing, although some of the stylistic conventions may be new to you. You will also need to choose your appropriate barbershop voice part. To find out more about the art of barbershop, please visit our website: www.nedistrict.org/youth-in-harmony

  • Bring your whole quartet and get coached by our staff! Refine your barbershop skills, sing in a large chorus, perform for your peers, and learn some new repertoire and tricks of the craft while having a wonderful time.

  • The timing of the camp provides a perfect opportunity to energize your choral students in preparation for the next school year. The activities of the camp help students to train their ears, read music, tune close harmonies, improve part independence, and sing expressively. Personally, you can observe some master teachers and clinicians in action, pick up some new tricks of the trade, share your own insights and techniques with colleagues from a wide geographic area, learn some new repertoire, and generally "recharge your batteries" before heading back to the classroom in September. Collegiate music education majors gain valuable experience before student teaching or moving into the workforce, interacting both with high school students and seasoned professionals.

  • Ready for some great news? You can attend the camp with your students, but you are not their chaperone! No hustling them from one activity to another. We have a full staff of chaperones who are responsible for the students while you get to take classes, observe rehearsals, and sing! As like most music festivals, we certainly encourage you to go over the music with your students before the camp, but they can practice on their own with provided MP3-file learning tracks.

    NOTE: We encourage students to arrange their own transportation with their families, but if you plan to drive a group of students to/from camp, we strongly suggest you follow whatever protocols your school district uses for permission for student transport to protect yourself from any liability.

  • Tell everyone about us! Refer singers you know to our website! If you'd like to donate, use the "DONATE TO NED YOUTH" button below or on our registration page.

    Please contact us via email to find ways to help

Change Young People's Lives

Harmony Explosion Camp Northeast (HXNE) has been a transformative event for music teachers and for kids who like to sing for decades!  It is the “crown jewel” of our youth activities.  After a COVID inspired gap, we can’t wait to launch it again in 2024. Previous camp attendees and volunteers know that our camp offers an eye-opening, learning experience. It provides an important foundation for musical and relationship growth.

In order to succeed this year we need your financial help.  We have pledged that no 2024 camper will have to come “out of pocket” to attend our event.  We want all youths to have the opportunity to sing barbershop harmony, regardless of their economic status.  But meeting this promise will ONLY be possible with generous contributions from people like you.

To help us in our quest to get youths singing barbershop, we’re grateful and excited to be partnering again with Harmony Incorporated and Sweet Adeline’s International.

Please take a moment to consider a personal contribution. 
The actual cost for one youth to attend HXNE is around $200.  Could you personally sponsor a camper or perhaps contribute a different amount?  All donations matter regardless of their size. 

Be a force multiplier!
Another way you could help would be to spread the word about this amazing program with folks that are not already barbershoppers. 
There are lots of people who appreciate music education/enrichment programs and would be happy to donate if they knew about our camp and how to give.

Parents with kids, now more than ever appreciate that these types of live, in-person events are essential to the healthy development of youths.  So, be a force multiplier by making a donation and asking others to do the same.

You might also consider nudging your chapter or your quartet to raise money for HXNE.  You could pass the hat, run a raffle, donate a performance fee, gift it from your treasury, or create a challenge amongst yourselves.   All donors will be recognized for their contributions. Have fun with it!

There is a NED Youth donation button at the bottom of this page.  Please click on it and donate today.  If you prefer, you can also send a check payable to the Northeastern District and mail it to 3 Owls Head Drive, Nashua, NH 03063.  Please put HXNE or HX camp in the memo field to make sure your gift gets to the right program.

Help Us Spread the Word
Finally, while financial assistance is a necessity for this program, what is equally important is spreading the word about HXNE to local high school students and their music educators. 

We are excited about the registration expectancy for 2024, but our enrollment could significantly increase with the help of everybody who sings Barbershop. So, please join our movement and share our message and the website.  Please get active on social media to tell our important story. 
A 60-day commitment by ALL of us to spread the word can really change the lives of youths (and maybe even some teachers!)

CALLING MUSIC EDUCATORS

Are you a dedicated Music Educator with a passion for nurturing young talent through singing? If you have teaching experience or are currently working as a music teacher, we want YOU to be part of our exciting initiative!

Join our focus groups and planning task forces for youth events in the Northeastern District. Your expertise and unique perspective can play a vital role in shaping the way we organize and deliver these events for aspiring young singers.

We are on the lookout for individuals who proudly wear two hats – that of a Barbershopper and a Music Educator. Whether you belong to BHS, SAI, or HI, and reside or work in the Northeastern District, we invite you to collaborate with us.

Together, we can unlock new possibilities to inspire and empower the next generation of singers. Let's make a difference and create meaningful experiences that will impact young lives positively. Reach out to us now to explore how you can contribute!

SPREAD THE WORD

Help us reach talented high school singers by downloading our captivating poster (available in PNG or PDF format) and sharing it far and wide.

Together, let's ensure that every young voice with a passion for singing has the opportunity to ignite their potential at our Singing Camp.

Join us in empowering the next generation of vocal superstars!

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

This exciting music event for high school students and music educators is

sponsored by:

in partnership with:

HARMONY EXPLOSION CAMP REGISTRATION

For any Comments, Questions or Concerns
please contact Roger Menard or Andrew Lujan