Anglesey Barbershop
Friends in Harmony
What is Barbershop Harmony Singing?
Barbershop singing is a real joy and can be enjoyed by anyone who can sing in tune. It is four part harmony singing with one part singing the tune (Lead), and the other three parts singing in harmony with the Lead. The Tenor sings above the Lead, while the Baritone and Bass parts sing around and below the tune respectively. Singing is always unaccompanied. The songs best suited to the Barbershop style are the popular tunes from before the 1930’s but some more recent songs are also suitable. Our musical standards are high and the group works hard to improve but don’t be put off if you have no musical training, we have ways of teaching new singers using teaching tapes and other methods. Come and listen! We then spend time on preparing for sing-outs, rehearsing new songs and perfecting them. Time is also spent on Presentation which is very important for a professional appearance and ensuring that the audience ‘feels’ the mood of the song. Well known repertoire songs are also sung to keep them fresh in the mind and sometimes Guest Quartets or Octets perform. There is a break for coffee and notices which also rests the voice before continuing till 10pm. Finally, the song ‘Let’s get together again’ is always sung and then the risers are put away, the hall tidied and some members go for liquid refreshment.
Rehearsal Nights
We Meet at 7.45pm on Monday nights. Some arrive early to help erect the risers (the staging), and put chairs out. Before commencing singing the experts advise a period of ‘warm-up’ which is important for the voice. A series of warm-up exercises are always rehearsed.
