What is Barbershop?

Barbershop is an unaccompanied style of four part harmony singing. Most barbershop singers enjoy singing in a large group or chorus where each of the four parts is sung by a number of people. Some also sing in a quartet or an octet.

The ‘ring’ of a well sung barbershop chord is what makes our music so exciting to sing and to listen to. It is quite possible when all four parts sing in perfect harmony for several additional notes, which are not being sung by anybody, to be heard in a chord. This is called ‘expanded sound’.

Barbershop singing is different from other forms of choral singing in that we are encouraged to ‘emote’ the songs. Singers also perform moves to enhance the music, adding to the entertainment factor. We also dress up for our performances and competitions, adding a touch of glamour and colour to our special brand of entertainment.

Last but not least, Barbershop is about friendship, support and enjoyment. Belonging to a group of friendly, enthusiastic singers is a joy and takes us to a wide variety of places and events to perform, to compete and to socialise and have fun together. It is a great hobby!

STOP PRESS

Youth Chorus – The Ivy League

In 2007 the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers, LABBS, formed a new youth chorus which is known as The Ivy League.

All members of the chorus are under the age of 25 years and are very keen and enthusiastic to improve as singers and to represent LABBS to their very best. They also wish to support others to join, both to encourage younger singers into the organisation and to increase the membership of the association.

The youth chorus meets every three months at present and welcomes enquiries from young females under the age of 25. The chorus can be contacted via their website http://www.labbsyouthchorus.co.uk if you would like further details.

They will be performing for the first time at LABBS Convention, the annual competition for Ladies Barbershop singers, in November in Bournemouth. We look forward to hearing them then.

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