Barbershop Harmony: The World’s Greatest Secret

In 1962, I saw the movie “The Music Man”. That was my introduction to barbershop quartets – four voices (bass, baritone, lead and tenor) singing close harmony, a cappella. “A cappella” translates to “like it’s done in church”, but has come to mean “without musical accompaniment. I loved it. I heard that there was an amateur singing organization for barbershop harmony, but I never found it in the New York City area. I think barbershop harmony is the world’s greatest secret.

It wasn’t until 1986, when I moved to Bethel CT, that I accidentally came across a barbershop chorus. They were part of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A – the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. I was at a bridge party, hosted by “Welcome Wagon”. The husband of the hostess excused himself, explaining that he had a rehearsal of his barbershop chorus to attend. I asked if I could join him. He took me as he was anxious to have a potential member. We went to a fraternal organization where they had a room for themselves. I enjoyed the music, and enjoyed the camradery, but did not yet join.

After meetings, they would go to the bar which, conveniently, was in the building. They hung out, sang in makeshift quartets, and drank. This is called an “afterglow”. I went to their afterglow, where they invited me to sing a “tag” with them. Tags are just the last line of a song – loaded with great chords. They chose a song I knew, and we sang a tag. The chills ran through my body as we sang. I was hooked, and joined on the spot I have been a member of SPEBSQSA for 23 years.

S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., which changed it’s name to the Barbershop Harmony Society ( abbreviated as BHS), is basically a singing fraternity. I have lived in several states. Whereever I went, I was welcomed heartily. While visiting my mom in Florida, I visited the Plantation Chapter rehearsal. I was welcome at their rehearsal, and sang with them on the risers. They supplied me with sheet music. I attended their afterglow, and sang songs and tags. All choruses and chapters do not sing the same arrangements. BHS has a dozen songs that every member must learn called barber polecat songs. No matter where I go, I can sing a “polecat” with anyone in BHS worldwide.