Atlanta Harmony Celebration! Making a Joyful Noise

By Traci Sanders

In 2003 Kathy Stone formed a new acapella chorus with a few friends and a wellspring of enthusiasm. A chapter of the international organization Harmony, Inc., the new group was called Atlanta Harmony Celebration! (ACH!) noting that the “!” is an actual part of the name. Nearly twenty years later, the group has twenty-five women ranging in age from their early twenties to mid-seventies. Their connection? They all love to sing.

These talented women grace their audiences with various musical arrangements, including show tunes, pop, gospel, blues, and barbershop melodies. Unlike most chorus groups, the vocal style preferred is the acapella style called barbershop, an art form where the voicings are called tenor, lead, baritone, and bass. This particular style of music was made even more popular by the release of the movie Pitch Perfect, which encouraged younger men and women to become involved in acapella singing.

AHC! typically holds weekly meetings at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center every Thursday evening. “As a member of Harmony Inc., we learn more about the barbershop art form participating in educational events and contests,” said Kim Johnston, a long-standing member. AHC! is currently the Area 6 first place chorus and the international 5th place chorus for Harmony Inc.

Covid-19 forced many changes, especially no in-person meetings. However, the women continued to meet virtually on Zoom and simply muted their mics, practiced their parts individually, and then discussed any improvements needed. “It was quite a challenge,” Johnston said, “but we enjoyed being together virtually and keeping our vocal cords warmed up, even if it wasn’t in person for a while.”

Despite their inability to sing together, members did meet in person once outdoors, masked and socially distanced, at a park during the pandemic. “We are not just chorus members,” Johnston explained. “We are friends, and we missed each other terribly. Meeting just to chat was a breath of fresh air for the group.”

In past years, Atlanta Harmony Celebration! performed at many events in Gwinnett County and surrounding areas, including Suwanee Fest, Lilburn Daze, and various senior community centers and holiday events. More recently, they were the proud recipients of a grant from the Explore Gwinnett 2020 Gwinnett Creativity Fund. They are excited to be once again singing together and performed in person at the Merry Little Christmas event in downtown Lawrenceville.

Occasionally, the group receives payment or donations for their performances, but those funds go directly into the organization to cover music, costumes, performance fees, and travel costs. “We don’t do this for the money,” Johnston said. “We’re simply a group of women who Continued on page 23