Convention Class Sign-Up

These are the initial slate of classes that will be available at the 2025 Spring Convention. More will be added. At this time, we are expecting classes to be scheduled Friday Morning starting at 9:00 AM, Friday Afternoon Starting at 1:00 PM and Saturday Morning Starting at 9:00 AM. There is a place for you to sign-up for the class you want to attend. We ask that you sign-up at this time. This will help us to put a final class schedule together so that we do not overlap the most popular classes. This sign-up is not a commitment, you will be able to attend whatever classes you want, but it will be extremely helpful to the Convention Team for preparing the final schedule.

Class Title What the Class Covers Instructor
5 Easy Steps for Vocally Expressive Performances Learn how to make vocal expression simple in just 5 easy steps. These will enhance your musicality, vocal production, and entertainment value. Bonus: It streamlines your rehearsal time as well. Be prepared to sing! Chris Loftin
Arranging Rob Hopkins
Building Community w/in the Ensemble What builds or hinders an ensemble's rapport and culture? How do we make sure our members feel valued and have buy-in? This class explores how our culture impacts singers and then our audiences Chris Loftin
Care for the Aging Voice Jay Butterfield
Change Your Habits for the Better Using the Alexander Technique This interactive class offers a transformative journey into understanding your body, mind, and habits for a more effortless singing experience. Through engaging exercises, you'll translate theory into practical tools for improved alignment and ease, whether you're singing in a quartet or a chorus. Discover how the Alexander Technique can heighten your awareness, empower you to break unfavorable habits, and unlock new possibilities for your voice. Join us to explore innovative ways to sing with freedom and confidence, transforming both your performance and your enjoyment of singing. Lucas Bitzer
Encouraging Youth in BBShop Forum How do we get more youth singing barbershop? Come get answers to your questions from experienced Youth Harmony Experts. Chris Loftin
Getting the Most from Your Coaches What is the ensemble's role is to make the most out of time spent with coaches and judges? In this class we would offer tips on how to prepare for a coaching session or post-contest feedback session, and how to implement what you've learned on your own in order to improve and create more impact with your music moving forward. James Pennington
Happy New Ear! Dive into the fascinating world of hearing and its vital role in singing. In this course, you’ll explore the basics of ear anatomy, learn how to “sing with your ears,” and discover the shift from mechanical singing to self-regulated vocal vibration. Through engaging practice, you’ll unlock a deeper connection between listening and vocal freedom—empowering your voice to resonate effortlessly. Let’s tune in and sing out!" Lucas Bitzer
Holy Intonatius, How Can I Sing in Tune? What does it truly mean to ""sing in tune""? In this hands-on class, we’ll dive into the deeper layers of this essential skill. Together, we’ll explore the physics behind pitch, train our ears with intervals and chords, and listen to examples that sharpen our ability to tune within an ensemble. You’ll also discover powerful apps to enhance your ear training and uncover the magic behind the beloved Barbershop 7th chord. Join us to fine-tune your skills, elevate your ensemble singing, and experience the joy of harmony at its best!"
Lucas Bitzer
How & Why of Warmups Oh no, I've been asked to lead a warmup? What should I do? Does the order of warm-ups matter? Come learn the how's and why's of warm-ups. Chris Loftin
Making Great Word Choices Through the Alexander Technique The words we choose when leading a person or group through exercises are more powerful than we realize—they shape the experience, impact well-being, and influence the effectiveness of the practice. In this elective, you’ll learn a modular, building-block approach inspired by the Alexander Technique to refine and elevate your communication. Discover how intentional word choices can inspire trust, clarity, and meaningful engagement as you guide groups or individuals. Join us to master the art of impactful language and create a more positive and transformative experience for those you lead!"
Lucas Bitzer
Music Theory Rob Hopkins
Musical Leaders Roundtable
Directors, what do you need? Advice on shows, audition processes, culture, etc? Come get answers to your questions from expert directors. Chris Loftin
Show Me Your Overtones! What are overtones, and how do they shape the unique quality of your voice? How do they interact when we sing together? In this interactive class, we’ll break down the physics of overtones, exploring their presence in your voice and their role in creating rich sound. Depending on time, we’ll dive into topics like vowels, formants, intervals, and chords—perfect for those who love to get a little nerdy! By the end of the session, you’ll be equipped to perform real-time overtone analysis using your smartphone. Join us to deepen your understanding of vocal harmony!" Lucas Bitzer
Singers Posture Myth Busters! As singers, we learn a lot about "posture" from an early age. But are all these exercises beneficial for every individual? Since each person is different, we should focus on exercises that are suitable for everyone! Join us as we explore alignment exercises for groups and individuals, discuss common misconceptions, and apply new ideas based on the Alexander Technique. Lucas Bitzer
Vocally & Visually Expressive Performances What does it mean to be Vocally or Visually Expressive? This class demonstrates excellent examples across multiple vocal styles and provides easy strategies for singers to include. Chris Loftin
Westminster Guide to Performance This class is based on a book of acting methods Westminster pioneered, and goes into the technique the chorus uses to engender fully realized and open performances on stage. Will Lagos
Leadership Academy Classes
President TBD
Treasurer TBD
Secretary TBD
Marketing TBD
Membership TBD