Harmony Explosion! 2021 presents virtual student quartet performances

By Jerry Meier

Sixteen student quartets representing six area schools were brave enough to overcome obstacles of the pandemic and participate in Harmony Explosion! 2021, held virtually on Saturday, March 27.

Special rules were enacted this year to encourage choir students to participate virtually even though many students could not meet in person to practice! The student quartets were asked to submit an unlisted YouTube video performance of their a cappella song.

Our eight Harmony Explosion! judges, four from the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) and four from Sweet Adelines International (SAI) scored each video for singing quality and overall performance. Eight quartets earned GOLD medals and eight quartets earned SILVER medals.

A list of all 16 YouTube links from Harmony Explosion! 2021can be found on the HOA Chorus website. Go to the News and Events tab under Harmony Explosion!

I want to say THANK YOU to the vocal music teachers at the six schools participating in Harmony Explosion! 2021:
Pam Williamson - Olathe Northwest High School in Olathe, Kan. (3 Quartets).
Robin Christie - Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, Kan. (5 Quartets).
Dr. Dwayne Dunn - Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Kan. (1 Quartet).
Jerrod McNutt - Augusta High School in Augusta, Kan. (2 Quartets).
Jason Cole - St. James Academy in Lenexa, Kan. (3 Quartets).
Jessica Seidler - Prairie Star Middle School in Leawood, Kan. (2 Quartets).

Medals were awarded to the following quartets:

8th Grade SAI:      SILVER Medal - Prairie Star Bombs (Prairie Star)
8th Grade Mixed:  SILVER Medal - Rolling Tones (Prairie Star)

10th Grade SAI:  GOLD Medal - Treble in Paradise (Bishop Miege)
10th Grade SAI:  GOLD Medal - All Naturals (Olathe Northwest)
10th Grade SAI:  SILVER Medal - Dreamers (Bishop Miege)
10th Grade SAI:  SILVER Medal - Bishop Miege Stagettes (Bishop Miege)

10th Grade BHS:    GOLD Medal - Three and a Half Men (Lawrence)
10th Grade BHS:    SILVER Medal - Trail Mix (Bishop Miege)
10th Grade Mixed:  SILVER Medal - Mixed Up (Bishop Miege)

12th Grade SAI:  GOLD Medal - Rosettes (St. James Academy)
12th Grade SAI:  GOLD Medal - Sole Sisters (St. James Academy)
12th Grade SAI:  GOLD Medal - Fortes (Olathe Northwest)
12th Grade SAI:  SILVER Medal - Local Vocals (Augusta)

12th Grade BHS:  GOLD Medal - Accidentals (Olathe Northwest)
12th Grade BHS:  GOLD Medal - Crusaders (St. James Academy)
12th Grade BHS:  SILVER Medal - Five Cannibals (Augusta)

I want to recognize and say THANK YOU to the Harmony Explosion! 2021 judges:
Kansas City Chorus (SAI):  Susanna McBride, Heather Schouten, Mary Olson, Liddy Miller.
Harmonium (BHS):  Micah Jeppesen, Mark Fortino, Michael Troyer, Marshall Crowl.

They did a great job encouraging all of the student quartets to continue singing together for next year!

SAVE THE DATE -- Harmony Explosion! 2022 is planned for Saturday, Feb. 19, at Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe, Kan. Let's try to get everyone back together, safely in person, to enjoy the student quartet performances once again.

I can't wait to see you there next year!