How often have you heard the phrase, "but we've always done it that way!" It certainly has been used in the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter over the years. I have served on the board in one capacity or another for as long as I can remember (which due to a major case of CRS, is not always that far back). During that time, a number of new ideas were brought to the attention of the board, it's officers, or committees. After some discussion, there invariably was someone who offered up that time-honored phrase, "but we've always done it that way!" Unfortunately, that too often tended to end the consideration of the new idea, and we went on to business as usual. Doing things "that way may have served us well for a prolonged period of time, but considering the current status of our society, our district, and our chapter, we are probably overdue for making changes.

As you know, the society has made some rather drastic changes in the past two years. We officially are still the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. [legal name], but our representatives in Kenosha want the public to know us better as the Barbershop Harmony Society. Also as you are aware by now, our logo has undergone drastic change. They are also making new arrangements of songs that are more familiar to the generation(s) that will hopefully keep barbershop harmony singing alive well into the future. Some members disagree with the new changes, but are willing to give them a try, some are downright opposed, and others welcorne them with open arms wondering why it took so long. Are these changes going to make any difference in the long term? Will they create an interest in the general public to hear more barbershop harmony? Will they create an interest in male singers to entice them to join our society? Only time will tell!

Change is inevitable! The society has outlined a long- term plan that, if it works, many of us may not live to see the end result. Most people, including myself, are

Continued on Page 3... see Change is Good?

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