An RSS feed (or news feed) is a means by which you can stay informed about what's going on at GEM Connection without having to regularly visit the website.
To make use of an RSS feed, you need some "feed reader" (or "aggregator") software. Most modern web browsers have feed readers built in.
The RSS feeds for GEM Connection are listed below...
Many people think of men in striped blazers with straw hats on when they think about Barbershop music. I know I did when I received a Christmas present for a GEM six week course to learn how to sing with this amazing Barbershop Harmony Chorus.
How wrong was I !!!
Barbershop singing has likely existed as an art form since the 1700s, but American barbershop music enjoyed a notable wave of popularity in the mid-twentieth century. Samuel Pepys, a seventeenth-century English politician described Barbershop as the era where social gathering spots were popular, a tradition that continues into the present day.
This is definitely true of GEM Connection; we are a very social bunch and when we go on trips are always looking for steps or a spot to gather and burst into song.
We sing in four part harmony which are made up of
Lead: sings the melody, with others harmonizing around them.
Tenor: harmonizes above the lead.
Baritone: harmonizes below and above the lead.
Bass: has the deepest voice among barbershop singers and voices the lowest note in a barbershop chord.
We sing a cappella, or without instrumental accompaniment, using these four parts to produce ringing chords and powerful overtones (typically octaves and fifths). This will sound very technical so some, and I thought that to start with, but there is nothing to fear. To more experienced singers this may sound like a new challenge. GEM are part of LABBS Ladies Association of Barbershop Singers who have over 50 Choruses registered with thousands of members. Each year there is a convention packed full of competition from quartets to the full choruses; and is a fabulous event so show off the arrangements GEM have been working hard on during the year. So if you think you have what it takes to become a beautiful Barbershopper please get in touch and come along to hear for yourself. Gaynor Pawley