Chorus Philanthropy

The Asheville Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society and its performance arm, The Land of the Sky Chorus, is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Every year, we strive increase our performance and philanthropic endeavors in the community. Uppermost in our philanthropy is the support of music education in our local schools. Traditionally, performers in all areas of the arts look to donors for financial assistance. In these tough economic times, the vitality and success of many artistic endeavors in our schools are at the most risk and are in need of all of our support.

As part of those efforts, we can provide quartets, our directors, and other members to any music teacher in Buncombe, Henderson, and Haywood counties, for classroom demonstration of the close vocal harmonies found in our uniquely American art form, barbershop. Please contact us for more information.

Also, several years ago in honor of long-time barbershopper, long-time Asheville Chapter member, esteemed Land of the Sky Chorus Music Director, and friend the Skip Hotchkiss Fund was established. The philanthropic fund, fueled by a portion of all performance receipts and donations from sponsors, chapter members and families, friends of the chorus, etc, is used to provide monetary donations to the schools music education, or general, funds.

Over the past several years, to the Skip Hotchkiss Fund has provided grants to the choral programs at Tuscola High School, Waynesville, NC, and Pisgah High School, Canton, NC. We also have been proud to share our performance stage with excellent choral groups from these fine schools.

The Skip Hotchkiss Fund has also provided scholarships for local students to attend the Youth in Harmony – Harmony Explosion Camps, sponsored by one of our musical friends, the Dixie District of the BHS. These educational and fun three-day happenings provide a successful barbershop summer camp experience for high school boys from a six-state area. The Camp will be held at the University of Alabama-Huntsville this year. Scholarships allow students to attend the three-day camp for almost no expense, and their teachers to attend for free. Harmony Foundation, the Barbershop Harmony Society and the Dixie District also provide support.

We look forward to continuing this tradition of giving of our time and money to educate youth in the vocal arts long into the future. If you would like to take part in this by giving us your support, please contact us. Thank you.