Juneteenth 2023

It feels as though perhaps we would be remiss were we not to share a few reflections of homage to Juneteenth this year. Most likely our friends, family, followers and #barberfam are familiar with the significance of this day, but just in case- here’s a quick summary of what was only declared a national holiday… Continue reading Juneteenth 2023

A Tribute to Dr. King

“Too quickly, apathy and disinterest rise too the surface when the next logical steps are to be taken… as the nation passes from opposing extremist behavior to the more pervasive elements of equality, White America reaffirms its bond to the status quo. Let us not think of our movement as one that seeks to integrate… Continue reading A Tribute to Dr. King

#HALOGrind 2022

Greetings, HALO family, friends and followers! We hope folks have hung on with hope amidst the disorienting and fluctuating conditions of the pandemic through the holidays. Many of our own were also affected, but we are grateful to have pulled through. We are so happy looking back on 2021, a full and exhausting year finishing… Continue reading #HALOGrind 2022

Pressing On

Goodness, it’s been a long time since we’ve shared updates here! I’m sure from the experiences we’ve shared in this quartet and the echoes of exhaustion resounding through social media that we’re not the only ones working to catch our breath after a year and a half of life under the pressures of the pandemic.… Continue reading Pressing On

#HALOeffect- Introducing Pinnacle!

Soooo… we said we’ve got exciting new things ahead! One very cool leap of faith toward growth we’ve made is a move toward expansion to include a new quartet in HALO, Incorporated’s work, straight outta Sweet Adelines. Introducing Pinnacle! So last summer, we made connection with Christine Czuhajewski, who reached out to learn more about… Continue reading #HALOeffect- Introducing Pinnacle!

HALO Effect- Recapping Race and #RealTalk

Hello, everyone!! Wow, it’s been more than a minute. Our fall and holiday season was intense as we embarked upon our research study, Race and #RealTalk: A Community Music Therapy Model for Addressing Racism in the United States, which culminated into another public Race and #RealTalk performance on December 15. Our series was focused on… Continue reading HALO Effect- Recapping Race and #RealTalk

HALO & History: More Connections with Heart of the Civil War

[Sergeant A.M. Chandler of the 44th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, Co. F., and Silas Chandler, family slave, with Bowie knives, revolvers, pepper-box, shotgun, and canteen] Date Created/Published: [United States], [between 1861 and 1863] Medium: 1 photograph : tintype ; visible image 66 x 78 mm, in frame 153 x 179 mm. Summary: Photograph shows identified Confederate soldier, A.M. Chandler, and identified slave, Silas Chandler, who accompanied two Chandler brothers during their military service in the Civil War. For more information, see "Glimpses of Soldiers' Lives," http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/coll/SoldierbiosChandler.html Reproduction Number: --- Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication. This photograph cannot be loaned to another instititution. In 1861, A.M. Chandler enlisted in the "Palo Alto Confederates," which became part of the 44th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. His mother, Louisa Gardner Chandler, sent Silas, one of her 36 slaves, with him. On September 20, 1863, the 44th Mississippi Infantry Regiment was engaged in the Battle of Chickamauga, where A.M. Chandler was wounded in his leg. A battlefield surgeon decided to amputate the leg but, according to the Chandler family, Silas accompanied him home to Mississippi where his leg was saved. His combat service ended as a result of the wound but Silas returned to the war in January 1864 when A.M.'s younger brother, Benjamin, enlisted in the 9th Mississippi Cavalry Regiment. (For more information, see this source: Coddington, Ronald S. A Slave's Service in the Confederate Army. New York Times Opinionator blog, September 24, 2013) http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/a-slaves-service-in-the-confederate-army/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Barbershop is known for connecting people through the community it creates. I’m pretty stoked to learn more and more its power to connect exiting communities and organizations! From reading our last blog post, Kyle Dalton reached out to offer me a tour of the Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick. This is the place… Continue reading HALO & History: More Connections with Heart of the Civil War

HALO and Heart of the Civil War- Keepin it #RealTalk

Hello there, friends, fam and followers! Long time no nothin’, huh? We came off a VERY busy spring season. Just to quickly recap, we were with North Carolina Central University for the Barbershop Revival hosted by the Caronlinas District of the Barbershop Harmony Society in March. In April we presented a Race and #RealTalk workshop… Continue reading HALO and Heart of the Civil War- Keepin it #RealTalk