The members of Hershey's own Parkside Harmony recently returned home wearing silver medals from the group's finalist placement in an international choir competition in Louisville, Ky., from July 4 to 7. The live event was the 84th annual convention sponsored by the Barbershop Harmony Society, featuring top vocal ensembles representing eight countries.

Parkside Harmony is an internationally known male a cappella group of 50 auditioned singers. Since its founding in 2015 by artistic director Sean Devine, it has performed across southcentral Pennsylvania, as well as at music festivals and competitions across the United States, including Las Vegas, Orlando, and Nashville. Parkside Harmony had previously earned bronze medals at the international competition in 2017, 2018, and 2022. This year's score and placement mark the group's highest achievement to date.

"This year's performance was extra special, as we feel we've finally come back from the pause in singing during the pandemic," Devine said. "It's taken a while for our singing community and even our audiences to fully return to enjoying live music together again. This year's convention was one we'll never forget!"

Along with music director Vincent Sandroni, Devine and the rest of Parkside Harmony's leadership team have been preparing for this performance for over a year. The journey to the 2023 championships commenced with a qualification at the Mid-Atlantic District convention, a local title that Parkside Harmony has won every year since 2017. Out of the hundreds of choirs from around the world that attempt to qualify in similar regional events, only 34 ensembles earned the right to compete at this year's international convention.

"It's fun to celebrate these accomplishments," Sandroni added, "but we're ready to move on to the next performance and to keep creating music that brings people together and lifts people up."

Parkside Harmony's 2023-24 season will include auditions for new singers and the coordination of several local concerts. More information on the group and its upcoming rehearsals and performances can be found at http://www.parksideharmony.org.