Barbershop

What does it really mean?

Almost anyone can sing barbershop

Almost anyone can sing barbershop, but few can sing it really well. Barbershop is a challenging a capella form that demands excellent vocal production, unity, clean and consistent vowels and the right balance between parts. With wall of sound and balanced chords you get beautiful overtones. Add artistry to express the most beautiful possibilities within the arrangement and what you receive is barbershop at its best.

Barbershop is sung in four parts

Barbershop is sung in four parts, with no instruments, in close harmony. The melody is the second part (Lead). The Lead usually sings within a range between A below middle C and C above middle. the Tenor sing a part consistently above the lead. She sings with a light, soft and clear tone that compliments the lead without dominating (not to be confused with classical soprano). The Baritone sings in the same register as the Lead, but moves around, sometimes above (with a lighter tenor feel) and sometimes below (with a wider more filling tone) and she provides the "glue" of the chord. The Bass provides the foundation of the chord, with a rich, warm and full resonance, often between Eb below middle C and G above middle C.

Contest

Every year your chorus can campete with other choruses. That gives you a chance to qualify for international competition in North America, where you meet the top groups from all over the world.
The four judging categories (sound, music, expression and showmanship) gives you a clear assessment of where you are in your current development, and valuable tools in your mission to give the audience the most excellence musical experience possible.
Through competition you get to go deeper into your quest for knowledge of vocal production, how you deepen the message of the song through character and choreography.
The contest provides you with a healthy urge to perform your best at all times and you are given the oppertunity to learn from other groups.

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