Hi everyone! Boy have we had a busy spring and summer. We attended our first Area Contest & Convention (AC&C) as official members of Area 3 of Harmony, Inc. This was new for us! Before, our chapter had been classified as a “geographically outlying chapter” in Harmony, Inc., but effective with this year’s membership renewals, we were welcomed into the Area 3 family and we qualified for International the good ole’ fashioned way–with a minimum qualifying score!

For many of our members, this was only the second or third time they had every participated in a barbershop harmony contest. We even had a few first-timers! We had an excellent time and we felt great coming off of the stage. As always, Richard (our fearless leader) was a fabulous coach and director. He kept us calm and focused…and, most importantly, he reminded us to enjoy the ride.

We’re now focused on our preparations for this year’s International Contests & Convention (IC&C), which takes place near Syracuse, N.Y., this year. We’re really, REALLY excited about our new ballad. It’s hard, but it’s worth it! We’ll be spiffing up our existing uptune and trying to get more out of it than we have in the past. We’re working really hard and we have a clear vision for the future.

We’re also growing! We’ve had the very good fortune to welcome some talented ladies to our risers this spring and summer. Many of them are making plans to come with us to IC&C, so there they’ll officially be welcomed as part of Bella Nova’s second trip to International but first time to the “big girls’ contest.” We cannot wait!

Our new rehearsal site is working out great. It’s so nice to have a permanent home! Our risers are there, our stuff is stored in our own storage locker…. it’s “home.” Please feel free to stop by and visit anytime! We rehearse at the Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge #288 on Waxpool Rd. in Ashburn, Va.

Until next time!