FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Movin’ On Up: VALLEYAIRES to become VALLEY HARMONY SINGERS
Move to Encino precipitates new direction
Encino, California, January 20, 2013 – The San Fernando Valley’s premier Barbershop Harmony Society chapter will begin the year in a direction designed to propel it firmly for success and prosperity. To accentuate its connection to the community, the chapter will move to Encino. Not just content with changing homes, the San Fernando Valley Chapter will also change the chorus name to the Valley Harmony Singers.
The new home of the Chapter will be the First Presbyterian Church of Encino located at 4963 Balboa Boulevard. The Chapter is confident the move to Encino will be conducive to attracting interested singers from the Valley and the greater Los Angeles area. “The changes are transformational,” says Bruce Poehlman, President. “We are looking toward a vibrant and multi-faceted future as we increase our presence in the San Fernando Valley and the Encino community.” Rehearsals for the chorus led by Master Music Director, Laura Pallas, will be on Mondays, starting at 7:00 pm.
With a new home also comes a chorus name change. The 40-member chorus will change its name from the Valleyaires to the Valley Harmony Singers. Most of the chorus members live in the San Fernando Valley, but the excellence of the Chorus has drawn men from a number of nearby communities, such as Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and Conejo Valley as well as other cities throughout northern and western Los Angeles County.
The chorus, which specializes in male four-part a cappella barbershop harmony, will expand its repertoire to collaborate with local performing arts groups and build its audience. “We are eager for these changes,” says Tim Salaver, VP, Member and Chapter Development. “With our partners at Encino Presbyterian, we want to build opportunities for enrichment through the performing arts. We feel very confident that having a home in Encino is the means to accomplish this.”
Beginning February 4th, The Valley Harmony Singers will meet each Monday evening, from 7:00pm to 9:45pm, at the First Presbyterian Church in Encino. All interested men are encouraged to come see what the fun and excitement is all about. Call our SING line, 818-994-SING, with any questions, or check out our current website, www.valleyaires.net. A new website is under development.
About Us
Formed in 1959 as the Reseda Chapter, changing names in 1969 to the San Fernando Valley Chapter when membership expanded to include all communities in the Valley. It is now past the half-century mark for continuous operation in the valley, celebrating 50 years of harmony in 2009. The Valley Harmony Singers currently have over 40 members, with most actively participating all year. The men, who range in age from under 30 to over 80, come from varied trades and professions. They are brought together by their love of 4-part harmony, the musical style, and a strong sense of camaraderie that creates a warm bonding relationship with one another. The chorus is led by Master Music Director, Laura Pallas.
The chapter is one of several hundred belonging to the Barbershop Harmony Society, spread throughout North America and several European countries. The Society was formed in 1938 to perpetuate one of the very few uniquely-American musical art forms, four-part a cappella barbershop harmony.
The Valley Harmony Singers Barbershop Chorus is a 14-time Champion of the Southern California Southwest Division. It ranks as one of the top competitive choruses in the strong Far Western District of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and is considered to be one of the top barbershop choruses internationally. In 1986, the Valley Harmony Singers became the first Los Angeles area chorus to win the Far Western District title, and earned the right to represent the District in International Competition in Hartford, CT, where the chorus was judged ninth best in the world.
Media Inquiries
Tim Salaver, VP, Member and Chapter Development
Chapter Communications
Bob Karlin, VP, Communications
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