EVENTS
National Barbershop Harmony Day
National Barbershop Harmony Day is celebrated annually every April 11.
This date marks the birth of organized barbershop singing. It represented the beginnings of a moving trend where 26 men gathered on April 11, 1938 for a songfest.
Based on the success of this event, organizers Rupert Hall and O.C. Cash founded the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA).
In modern times that organization reformed into what it is known as today: the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS). The BHS is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and continuing to promote the art of barbershop singing in all of it's forms: quartets, choruses, chapters, training and education, and competitions.
Barbershop music is characterized by a cappella “close harmony”. The most common traits being four specific voice parts blending (or “rubbing” against) each other: tenor: lead, baritone, and bass. That blending of tones sometimes creates ringing chords. When the frequencies overlap, they may create overtones or phantom notes. Other characteristics include the echoing or repeating of specific words, and more!
It’s a musical genre that is rich with tradition and long in history. We actively work to keep this beautiful music alive and well. Our mission is to help bring the joy of barbershop music to the Houston area.
You can read more about out genre in this article: the barbershop style of music.