case stmnt

CASE STATEMENT

What is the need?

For decades, there has been an increase in the average age of those who sing in post-
school acappella groups in Oklahoma, to the point where the sure survival of acappella
music in the state is in jeopardy.

As can be seen by the Vision and Mission stated above, ACAPPELLA FEDERATION is
focused on the long term preservation of live, amateur acappella singing in Oklahoma
by introducing it to young men in a light that will be most attractive to them, thus
enhancing the future of the art form

There have been many singers and performers who have, in a number of positive ways,
benefitted from their involvement in this kind of music. There can be many, many more.
And, of course, acappella music spans several genres and contributes irreplaceable
artistic and cultural preservation. To a well-rounded community culture, the continued
existence of this artistic form is essential.

What evidence is there that this is a pressing need?

As the baby boom generation, a demographic that made great strides in vocal music,
gets smaller, and as more and more secondary music programs are cut, it is clear that,
without aggressive assistance, the prognosis for amateur, post-school, secular vocal
music would not be encouraging. The Barbershop Harmony Society’s membership has
dropped from over 33,000 to under 26,000 in the last 15 years. In a wide sense,
secondary school music has been economically threatened for decades. The newest,
perhaps most dynamic acappella association in the world, CASA, although 23 years old,
has grown to only 6,000 people worldwide.

How is ACAPPELLA FEDERATION uniquely qualified to tackle this need?

While, over the last several decades, there have been short term youth outreach
campaigns on the part of singing organizations in the state, the primary mission of
ACAPPELLA FEDERATION is a year-round, year-in-and-year-out focus on youth
outreach and the building of a performing group whose image and music choice is
specifically attractive to young men. We also have an innovative schedule and chorus
system that more conveniently fits into the very busy schedule of the young man of the
new millennium. In addition, many of the more experienced men in the chorus are
particularly well credentialed relative to the chosen mission. Our ranks possess several
degrees in Vocal Music and Vocal Music Education and numerous Quartet and
Directorial District Championships (SWD of the BHS), as well as several International
Quartet and Chorus Championships (BHS).

What will be the benefits of action?

The men of ACAPPELLA FEDERATION see ways to reverse the long-term trend away
from home-grown, amateur acappella music.

 We feel that, at the very least, we can show a real alternative to young men who
may have thought that, upon graduation from school choral programs, their
singing / performing days were over.

 The chorus will incorporate a mentoring program wherein older members will
mentor student members.

 The young men in the organization will get the benefit of being in the equivalent
of a risk free leadership laboratory.

 There are also the intent and hope that ACAPPELLA FEDERATION will be of
valuable help to choral music teachers in the state. We know that any help that
we can give to those teachers and their programs will move singers and singing
in the direction of life-long involvement, no matter the degree.

What would the alternative be?

Although we, “the FEDS”, do not go forward with thoughts of incompletion, we know that
any proper Case Statement must make mention of what could or would happen if the
mission of the group were to go unfulfilled. It’s not a stretch of reality to see that the
possibility of the eventual extinction of amateur acappella singing in Oklahoma, if the
current negative trends went unchecked, would be significantly increased. It would be
very unfortunate if we all had to get used to the idea of young men, who would
otherwise have sung often and well, missing out on that part of life, and of the rest of us
not enjoying their performances.

Here are some more excellent reasons to give to this cause:

 The young men, especially students, who will join will likely not have the means
to contribute financially and/or pay any or all dues, travel expenses, costume
expenses, etc. Your contribution will literally enable young men to participate
who otherwise may not.

 The month to month expenses of the chorus would be much more easily met.
Currently, we are paying $60.00 per month for the rental of this, one of the finest
acoustical rooms in Central Oklahoma. Our long-term plan also includes the
purchase of risers and, of course the ongoing purchase of sheet music and other
music learning tools. These and other tangible aspects of the endeavor will raise
the quality of both the product and the experience of creating it.

 Our donors and sponsors will be the beneficiaries of an Incentive Program which
will include free performance tickets, special publicized recognition, special
Events and performances for donors only, dignitary status at any and all Events,
and other demonstrations of well-deserved gratitude.

 Donations to the chorus, as it acquires official status as a non-profit organization,
will be tax deductible.

 Every little bit helps. Corporations often look at the number of donors in choosing
the level at which they will donate to an organization. So, your gift can actually
spur additional gifts.

Thank you for considering being a donor to, sponsor, and/or patron of this exciting new
chorus. The endeavor we’re undertaking will require the benevolence of many.

But it will be worth it.