The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to players of the harmonica. Organized as a club, SPAH has members worldwide, though the majority of the members are located in the United States. Members include both harmonica players, ranging from beginners of all ages to professional musicians, and enthusiasts who love the harmonica but do not play it. In pursuit of its mission to preserve and advance the harmonica, SPAH engages in several activities: Publishes a quarterly magazine, Harmonica Happenings, which is distributed to SPAH members. Publicizes activities in the world of harmonica through its magazine, email newsletter, website, and Facebook page. Organizes an annual convention for harmonica players, composers, authors, educators, enthusiasts, manufacturers, vendors, and crafters. Makes annual awards for excellence, which are presented at the annual convention. Makes grants to deserving youth to attend the SPAH convention. Raises funds for the youth grant through donations to the William Rosebush Youth Fund. Encourages the formation of local harmonica clubs both in the United States and around the world, and advises interested local organizers on request. Objectives The objectives of the organization are to "cultivate, develop, improve, foster, promote, preserve and advance the harmonica and harmonica playing." History SPAH was founded in October 1962 by Earl Collins Jr. (1924-1988), who began by taking out advertisements in newspapers in the Detroit area, looking for harmonica players with whom to meet. The idea for SPAH came from the early results of these ads. SPAH was incorporated on October 23, 1963. It is based in Troy, Michigan, United States. Early SPAH events were evening concerts. Over time, SPAH events grew to two days, and eventually to the present five-day convention. The SPAH magazine, Harmonica Happenings, was first published in 1967. For several years, the SPAH convention was held in the Detroit area, organized by SPAH members and officials who resided in the area. Starting in 1996, SPAH began working with other local clubs to stage the SPAH convention in additional locations, beginning with Saint Louis, Missouri. Since then, the SPAH convention has been held in Denver, Colorado (twice); Saint Louis (multiple times); Columbus, Ohio; Kansas City, Missouri; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Sacramento, California; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Irving, Texas (twice). Activities To execute its mission to preserve and advance the harmonica, SPAH engages in several activities Publicity Through print and the internet, SPAH helps