The hallowed halls of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will ring forth with the sounds of vibrant harmonies on Jan. 13, as the spring series of Academia Hernando commences with a flourish of melodic song; as delivered by those who sing it the best. The Academia Hernando community learning series presents the “Hernando Harmonizers” at 10 am on Friday, Jan. 13, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill.
Academia Hernando is a not-for-profit lifelong learning organization that provides quality instruction and learning experiences for adult students throughout Hernando County and beyond. Their goal is to inform, educate and inspire adult learners through a series of weekly lectures on a wide variety of topics.
An event notice explained that the Harmonizers will be performing a wide range of music in the barbershop style, from time-honored patriotic songs to classics of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, to more modern favorites recorded by Eric Clapton, Dusty Springfield, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, The Beatles and from movies such as “Toy Story 2.”
The “Hernando Harmonizers” boast 28 active members, both male and female, hailing from Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties. Members come to the community with only one mission in mind, to entertain using the time-honored magic of barbershop music, while having fun and enjoying singing with their friends.
The “Hernando Harmonizers” sing a cappella in a four-part harmony (lead, tenor, baritone, and bass). “Our voices are our instruments, and we celebrate the homage and heritage of barbershop. A type of music that is uniquely American,” said Jay Gettig, a founder of the “Hernando Harmonizers.”
Among songs featured in the “Hernando Harmonizers’” full-length Jan. 13 concert will be “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” “Carolina in the Morning,” “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You,” “So Many Voices Sing America’s Song,” “The Old Songs/Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” “Hello Mary Lou,” “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” “When I’m Sixty Four,” “America the Beautiful” and more.
“We sing both modern songs and barbershop and Sweet Adelines style,” said Paul Hunt, member and membership coordinator of the “Hernando Harmonizers.” “Both classic songs and songs from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.”
Variety truly is the spice of a “Hernando Harmonizers” show. “We’ll have quartets,” said Hunt. “And I have it on good authority that Frick and Frack will be there to tell jokes.”
Sharon Printz, board member of Academia Hernando, looks forward to welcoming the Hernando Harmonizers to the Academia Hernando musical stage. “Our audience can look forward to quality singing. They will hear songs they can sing along to in their mind, as they will know them. They can expect perfection,” said Printz.
Academia Hernando presentations begin promptly at 10 am and last two hours with a 15-minute intermission. The spring series will continue with “Russian Art and Architecture” presented by DeeDee Aleccia on Friday, January 20. Other presentations will include “Tai Chi and Diabetes Empowerment” presented by Laura Gamba on January 27. “The Great 60s Sitcoms” will be presented by Jason Fortner on February 3. “They Created What?” will be presented by Sheryl Long on February 10. “The Crisis in Ukraine” will be presented by Damien Austin on February 17. “Spies, Lies and Betrayal” will be presented by Col. Mike Pheneger on February 24. Finally, “Simon & Garfunkel, Bruce Gobioff” will be presented by Bruce Gobioff on March 3.
To register for the entire lecture series in addition to an excursion that will take guests to Chinsegut Hill, print the registration form found at https://www.academiahernando.org/fall-series and mail with your check for $80 payable to Academia Hernando, Inc.
Mailing address: Bev Nuzzi
15027 Middle Fairway Drive
Brooksville, FL 34609
Checks also can be brought to an Academia Hernando presentation; in addition, walk-in admissions are available at $15 per presentation. Visit https://www.academiahernando.org/ for more information or call (352) 345-8345.
