[Harp-L] Does SPAH need harmonica competition - in brief

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Maybe what SPAH needs is a harmonica competition that would draw outsiders 
(the public) and harmonica players who would not otherwise attend a standard 
issue convention plus provide national news attention.
I came across a story about the International Whistling Convention whhich has 
been holding contests annually for 32 years. 
This might be something that could run in conjunction with the SPAH 
convention.  Maybe on a Friday night. Maybe not every year but every five years. 
While the Internet and Harp-L have boosted SPAH's visibility in the last few 
years, maybe it could use some more help. 
(Reality check. What has whistling got to do with harmonica? To the general 
public whistling and playing the harmonica are in the same general hobby 
category; a nice pastime, but not to be taken too seriously.)
I was browsing the Associated Press wire last night and I came across a brief 
story about the 32nd International Whistlers Convention in Louisburg, N. 
Carolina. April 18-24.
>From what I could figure out (sponsoring Franklin County Arts Council's Web 
site) there are no money prizes but contestants pay $20 and there is a pricey 
$15 banquet.
While I generally dislike music contests, national and international contests 
do tend to draw more attention than simply holding a convention for the beli
evers.
Maybe this is what SPAH needs
http://www.whistlingiwc.com/
Colorado woman among the winners at International Whistlers Convention!
 LOUISBURG, N.C. (AP) â The Seven Dwarfs did it at work. Some people do it in 
the shower. But it takes a special kind of person to whistle competitively.  
At the 32nd annual International Whistlersâ Convention, the best of the best 
gathered Saturday to whistle their hearts out. Sandra Henzler of Fort Collins, 
Colo., took first place among women for songs that included âPoor Wandering One
â and âQueen of the Night Revenge Aria.â Geert Chatrou of Mierlo, The 
Netherlands, took first place among men for songs that included âFete de la Belleâ 
and âConcerto in C Major.â  Todd Dickerson of Hickory, N.C., whistled âAir 
des Bijouxâ to win teenage champion honors. The childrenâs grand champion was 
Emily Edwards of Louisburg for her rendition of âBattle Hymn of the Republic.â 
 Two people won Entertainer of the Year awards: Steve Herbst of New York 
City, who has won the award for the past two years, and Phyllis Heil of Hickory. 
The Hall of Fame Award, the conventionâs highest honor, went to Barry Rector of 
Coquitlam, British Columbia.  The whistler who traveled the farthest to 
compete was Tang Cheng-Dong from Dalian, China.  People from 33 states and 12 
foreign countries attended the convention, which is sponsored by the Franklin 
County Arts Council.