Barbershop is a unique vocal musical form. It is characterized by four-part harmonies sung without accompaniment and in a pop/jazz style. It is really fun to sing. The four parts are called by the same names regardless of whether they refer to men's or women's groups. The melody is sung by the Leads while Tenors sing clear, light harmony above the Leads. Basses sing the rich low notes at the bottom of the chord, and the Baritones do vocal gymnastics to sing whatever note is needed to complete the chord. All parts lean into and harmonize with the Leads.
What distinguishes Barbershop from other harmonies is its "ringing chords." These chords, also known as the angel's voice or the fifth voice, result when individual voice notes and frequencies combine in such a way that a fifth sound can be heard above the blended sound of the four parts, even though no one is actually singing it. It is exciting to hit upon these chords while singing, and it is one of the reasons audiences are so drawn to barbershop harmony.
Barbershop is a uniquely American musical form. It gained popularity around the mid-1800's culminating in the formation of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing (SPEBSQSA) which later became the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) still in existence today. Barbershoppers were featured in minstrel shows and amateurs spontaneously broke out in song at picnics and parties, in barbershops, and on street corners.
Sweet Adelines is open to women of any age who love to sing. While
it is uncommon to have young girls in a chorus, Serena is the youngest
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Barbershop Singing for Women
After WW II--with its rationing, grieving, sacrifices, and labor--people in the United States wanted to live again. Barbershop experienced a resurgence, and this time women wanted to sing, too. That's when Edna Mae Anderson in Tulsa, Oklahoma invited some ladies to her home on Friday the 13th, 1945 to sing barbershop. The group grew in number to 85 women and named itself Atomaton. This, president Anderson explained, was because they had an "atom of an idea and a ton of energy." Women's barbershop caught on, and within four years the organization could boast 1,500 members, 35 chapters, and 60 quartets singing in 14 states. They adopted bylaws, elected national officers, and created a system of adjudication for annual national competitions. It was thus that Sweet Adelines was born.
Contemporary barbershop singing has become more stylized
than in the past. Today's groups are vibrant, calling forth their
gospel, blues, and jazz roots. Choreography has been added--from simple
gestures and steps to elaborate stage performances--along with
glittering costumes. The extent to which these elements are added
varies greatly from group to group, but Sweet Adelines are known for
their sparkle.
On October 24, 2009, at the 63rd annualNational
Convention in Nashville, SweetAdelinesingers from all over the U.S.
and around theworld set a Guinness Book of World Recordswhen 6,651
singers
joined together for the "World's Largest Singing Lesson." Today there are approximately 25,000 members of Sweet Adelines International whose mission is to advance the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. Their goal is to "Harmonize the World." See this Sweet Adelines International video to find out more! http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/
Syringa Sound Chorus is a Sweet Adeline Chorus. We have written our Chorus Standing Rules and By-Laws, we collect dues, and grow our membership. Now that we are an officially recognized chapter, we qualify to compete in Regional competition against other choruses.
