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In September each year the forest near Pollock Pines, California, erupts in four part harmony
from Friday evening until Sunday noon. This year it will be the 24th through the 26th. The young men who attend learn about a marvelous art form that they will
enjoy for the rest of their lives.
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Learn to "ring" chords
The camp focuses on the barbershop style of harmony. This is four-part a cappella harmony, with an emphasis
on tuning, which produces those "ringing chords". It is also the perfect singing
style to learn before branching into other vocal music forms.
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Lot's of small classes
There are many instructors for the camp with lots of small group time. Class topics include breathing technique,
singing posture, vowel formation, tuning, and teamwork where students receive individual attention to their
specific needs. Between classes the halls and forest are filled with the sound of quartets practicing.
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Existing quartets are welcome
Many of the students arrive as quartets and work together the whole weekend. The men of BOGG
(Bunch Of Goofy Guys) attended camp in 2006.
The photo shows them competing in the High School Quartet Contest at Sparks, NV, in March 2007 where
they took second place.
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The gang's all here
The students also participate in a chorus and learn a number of songs over the weekend.
2006 International Bronze Medallists, Metropolis, are shown here entertaining the students.
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Get coaching from the best
A normal part of every camp are performances and coaching by top quartets.
Shown here are the 2005 International champs, Realtime. Over the years, champion quartets like
Metropolis, Q, Playback, Men In Black, Men So Forte and Late Show have been our coaching quartets.
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Camp isn't all work
There is plenty of time for sports, games, hikes, and eating. An after dinner
game is in progress in this photo. Besides breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there is an ice cream event each
night around 9pm with lots of syrup and goodies as toppings.
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Sing With The Champs
In this photo of Q singing
with a student, they are likely singing a tag. A tag is the ending of a song and is frequently
the prettiest part of the whole song. And it's short, which makes it easy to teach, and allows
many students to sing with these top singers.
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Top-notch direction
Each camp has several top chorus directors who work with the students. The guy in the "funny hat"
is Gary Bolles, who has a quirky sense of humor the kids love. He directed the 2000-2001 District
Champion Pot O'Gold Chorus from the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Far Western District YIH Webmaster
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