The Miami-Shelby Melody Men are part of the Barbershop Harmony Society, an international organization boasting membership in 17 districts worldwide who like to sing. Over the years the Melody Men have been supporting music awareness and music appreciation in our local school systems. We have been especially active with Elementary age students.
The chapter purchased “Get America Singing … Again!” songbooks for every Elementary school in Miami, Dark, Shelby and Champaign counties. Originally each school received 30 student songbooks and two songbooks for the teachers. In Miami County the music educators responded by establishing ACES (All County Elementary Sing) for fourth and fifth grade students. Eventually we purchased a set of Volume II songbooks as well as CD’s for each set of songbooks in the Miami County schools. The CD’s can be used as a learning aid or as accompaniment for performances.
Annually each Miami County Elementary school is invited to nominate students to be part of an ACES concert. There are generally 100 plus students from across the county
who participate on the first Sunday afternoon of March. These students meet each other for the first time early that afternoon. They also meet their director for the afternoon for the first time. They have a couple of hours to get to know one another, rehearse together, rehearse with the Melody Men and to have a snack before taking the stage at 4pm for the concert.
The Melody Men have been privileged to participate in every ACES concert. This year will be the tenth performance and it is always a highlight of the year for the Melody Men. The Melody Men support the students by giving of our funds, our time and our talents. There has been financial assistance from other community organizations in this endeavor and they are;
Ohio Music Education Association, District XI
Sunday, March 6, 2016 at Troy High School, you have an opportunity to attend an ACES Concert. It is open to the public and there is no charge.
Join us for a great Sunday afternoon of singing.