The Barbershop Harmony Society is devoted to promoting, preserving, and enjoying a special form of harmony known as barbershop singing. It was originally known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quarter Singing in America — SPEBSQSA!
Musically speaking, barbershop harmony is a style of unaccompanied singing with four voices harmonizing around a theme or melody. The “lead” typically sings the melody, while the “tenor” harmonizes above the lead and the “baritone” and “bass” harmonize below. The common use of the dominate 7th chord (known as the Barbershop 7th) helps to give barbershop its distinctive sound of close harmony. Much of the repertoire focuses on familiar ballads, jazz and blues numbers, and romantic love songs.
Our chapter welcomes singers of all levels, and aims at maximizing the enjoyment of the group both in weekly rehearsals and in bringing barbershop music out for public consumption in every season.