Preface

Among the goals of the Big Sky Youth Harmony are the following:

1.       To provide a memorable, enjoyable, educational experience for young singers, generally aged 13-23, with emphasis on close harmony (Barbershop) singing.

2.       To make certain each camper, during each camp, has multiple opportunities both to hear the Barbershop style sung well, and to sing the style.

3.       To provide campers with the best instruction in good vocal technique, and coaching in the areas which distinguish Barbershop from other a cappella styles.

4.       To encourage young singers to embrace singing in all its aspects, including recreational and vocational, and to encourage them to sing for life.

5.       To encourage young singers to consider the Barbershop Harmony Society, Sweet Adelines, and Harmony Incorporated when they consider singing as a hobby in the future.

6.       To arrange an appropriate venue, and a performance by the campers before an enthusiastic audience.

Toward these ends, the following Code of Conduct has been developed for faculty and chaperones (here after referred to as “counselors”) at Big Sky Youth Harmony Rendezvous.  We recognize that campers are greatly influenced by what they see counselors do and say. The responsibility for these "Barbershoppers of the Future" is awesome, but well worth the effort to perpetuate our style of singing.

Counselor Code of Conduct

1.       Counselors will conduct themselves at all times in a manner which conveys a proper and wholesome image of the barbershop hobby.

2.       Counselors will refrain from participating in any activity during the Rendezvous which is prohibited to campers, such as smoking or drinking, whether or not in the presence of campers.

3.       Counselors will refrain from participating in any activity which might be interpreted by campers as flirting.

4.       Counselors will avoid engaging in activities among themselves which might convey to campers the impression that inappropriate relationships exist among counselors.

5.       Counselors have a responsibility to bring calm to the camp after lights-out in the evening.  Chaperones should be in the cabins with campers and not gathered for singing or partying among themselves or with the campers.

6.       Male counselors should not be in female camper cabins, nor female counselors in male camper cabins.

7.    Counselors  should dress conservatively at all times.  BSYHR identity shirts are encouraged.  Other T-shirts and full cover tops are appropriate.  No counselor, either male or female, should dress in a fashion which might detract the attention of young campers away from their musical focus. Sleepwear is not appropriate for use during activities in public areas, or between genders.

8.    Counselors should refrain from singing songs or telling stories in questionable taste, in keeping with the wholesome, family-oriented nature of our hobby.

9.    Counselors should strive to be inclusive in their recreational singing during the camp.  This means including, in some part, campers in woodshedding, tag-singing, and gang singing.  This should include the "not-so-gifted" singers, as well as more accomplished vocalists. Recognizing that tag singing or woodshedding with other counselors is one of the most enjoyable parts of the camp for counselors, this does not intend to restrict the singing of tags by counselors, but to encourage them to include campers in such activity to some extent.

10.                        Counselors should make every effort to set a good example by being on time for scheduled events, and by actively supporting those events. Counselors are encouraged to stay with their campers during events.

11.                        Avoid singing in areas where our sound might not be appreciated, such as outside late at night.  Avoid providing an opportunity for unappreciative listeners to criticize.