News

2017 Installation Banquet

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44339We’re a new enough chapter that we never take for granted the fact that we’ve made it to another annual installation banquet. We had our first one last year and yesterday repeated the evolving tradition.

This year’s theme: Music is Timeless! Those who really got into the swing of things dressed in “period” clothing! Best dressed most definitely goes to Marcie for showing up with her groovy 70s outfit!

Welcome to our new board!

Barbershop Harmony Society Executive VP Dick Powell offered some powerful and inspiring words, stressing how Bella Nova continues to build a legacy. With love, support, and energy, he installed the 2017 Board of Directors:

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  • President: Cat Lander
  • VP Music: Kris Adams
  • VP Membership: Marielle Roberts
  • VP Admin: Melissa Hartman
  • VP Finance: Judy Rector
  • VP Events: Jerri White
  • Member At Large: Erin Cassidy-Whong
  • Member At Large: Tricia Pentz
  • Member At Large: April Setlik

2016 Chapter Awards

Outgoing president Susan Shields presented Bella Nova’s annual awards to women she feels captures the essence of each category.

2017-04-02 17.49.21Riser Diva: Marcie Miller

The Riser Diva award is to recognize the member who epitomizes a core contributor from the Bella Nova risers. This member is always prepared, brings a positive attitude to the risers, and represents the type of singer we aim to attract to our risers. She is often a quiet contributor who gets the job done—and not just vocally. She exudes the type of work ethic and consistent performance to which we should all aspire.

2017-04-02 17.50.48Richard’s Other Wife: Cat Lander

Our esteemed Bella Nova director is only as good as the strong women who stand behind him. This member has provided above-and-beyond support to Richard throughout the year, enabling him to bring his best skills and most positive energy to the membership at large. She represents all of Bella Nova by supporting him behind the scenes in ways not often recognized. She positions him for success. In this way, she positions the entire chorus for success.

2017-04-02 17.51.51Fabulous Freshman: April Setlik

Consider this Bella Nova’s “rookie of the year” award. She may be new to barbershop, or just new to the Bella Nova risers, but she has already made a noticeable impact on the chapter. She was quick to fit into the Bella Nova culture and her energy is contagious enough to make us all feel like brand new members. We can’t image our chorus without her and, in a nutshell, we are better because she decided to become a member.

 

2017-04-02 17.53.17The Invisible Crown Award: Debbie Parmerter

Representing Bella Nova’s highest annual honor, the Invisible Crown award is presented to the member whose name deserves to be etched into Bella Nova’s history books for her selfless contributions, unwavering support of the Bella Nova culture, and the positive energy she pours into the growth of our chorus. No matter what the task at hand or the challenge our sisterhood faces, this member adjusts her “invisible crown” and takes care of business. She is the spirit and heart of Bella Nova—and for that we recognize her as chapter royalty.

Fun For All!

A huge thanks to our installation banquet committee for all of its hard work. We love you, Judy Rector, Kristina Adams, Annie Ermlick, and Heidi Brown! Whomever had the brilliant idea to provide us all with kazoos…. very well done! We had plenty of fun running through some repertoire songs with them.

BIG NEWS!

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We have some awesome news!!! Bella Nova has been invited to participate in the 2017 Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival. This must-attend event is always the highlight of the a cappella year in the Mid-Atlantic Region and we are THRILLED to be sending a Bella Nova contingent to represent our harmonic sisterhood.

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Representing Bella Nova is Erin, Rachael, Tricia, Allyn, Kris, Morgan, Kate, and Cat. These beautiful ladies are a stunning representation of the Bella Nova family and we’re grateful that they’re taking our contemporary approach to  barbershop harmony to the Harmony Sweepstakes event.

Just the Facts

Fun fact: Kris has participated in two Harmony Sweeps events before with Epic… but this time she’ll be laying down the bass notes rather then playing “blending ninja” baritone like she does with Epic!

Another fun fact: Our youngest Bella Nova participant is Morgan, who hits the Harmony Sweeps stage at just 13 years old.

A final fun fact: We’re not gonna tell you who is the oldest Bella Nova representative, because we don’t age in our chorus. Ever. Somehow, we’re all magically stuck at 29 years old…

Tickets are Elusive!

The Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival is a hot ticket!

Saturday, February 25, 7:30 p.m.

Hosted in the historic Birchmere Theater in Alexandria, space is limited and tickets are always at a premium. If you’re thinking about attending, do yourself a favor and grab your seat soon! The show always sells out.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

We hope to see you there. Bring some Bella Nova pride and enjoy the best a cappella music in the region!

Bella Nova Founder Named International President of Harmony, Inc.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Roxanne Powell, Director of Communications, Harmony, Inc.

Email: directorcommunications@harmonyinc.org

BELLA NOVA CHORUS MEMBER APPOINTED AS INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT OF HARMONY, INC.

Christina Lewellen Appointed to Serve as President of Barbershop Harmony Organization

Christina Lewellen

Christina Lewellen

ASHBURN, VA, OCTOBER 1, 2016 — Harmony, Incorporated, an international organization of female a cappella singers specializing in the barbershop harmony style, has announced that Christina Lewellen has been named International President. The Winchester, Va., previously served as VP Education and Director of Communications on the International Board of Directors, a leadership body elected to represent Harmony, Inc.’s membership on a wide range of business matters and issues.

“This an exciting time in Harmony Inc.’s history, which spans more than five decades,” says Lewellen. “We rely heavily on the talents and expertise of our volunteer leadership to thrive as an organization, and I’m honored to be leading the charge of such a stellar group of women. Serving on the International Board of Directors is a great responsibility, but it also lends itself to great rewards. Being named International President is, indeed, the greatest reward.”

Lewellen has been a member of Harmony, Inc. for six years. She is a member of Bella Nova Chorus, based in Ashburn, Va. and has served in a variety of leadership positions at the local level. In addition to serving as Bella Nova’s first chapter president, she is also the tenor of Epic, Harmony, Inc.’s 2012 International Quartet Champions. She participates in the hobby with her husband, their children, her parents and her sister.

“Barbershop harmony is a part of my family—so many of the wonderful people I’ve met through this organization have become like family,” Lewellen says. “Having the opportunity to serve in the positions I have is honestly the least I can do to give back to the organization that has given me so much.”

When she is not engaged with the barbershop harmony hobby, she works as an association executive for a global professional association based in Washington, D.C.

Harmony, Inc. celebrates and preserves the barbershop harmony style, which traces its musical roots back to the turn of the 20th century. Today, barbershop harmony singers not only celebrate the classics, but also put their own spin on contemporary songs as well. For more information, visit HarmonyInc.org.

About Harmony, Incorporated:

Harmony, Inc. is an international, non-profit organization whose purpose is to empower all women through education, friendship and a cappella singing in the barbershop style. Since 1959, the organization has expanded from its Eastern roots to include more than 60 chapters in the United States and Canada, from California to Newfoundland, and from Manitoba to Florida. For more information, visit HarmonyInc.org.

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