According to the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS), “Barbershop music features
songs with understandable lyrics and easily singable melodies, whose tones
clearly define a tonal center and imply major and minor chords and barbershop
(dominant and secondary dominant) seventh chords that resolve primarily around
the circle of fifths, while making frequent use of other resolutions.”^[1]

Slower barbershop songs, especially ballads, often eschew a continuous beat, and notes
are often held (or sped up) ad libitum.The voice parts in barbershop singing do not correspond closely to the correspondingly named voice parts in classical music. Barbershop singing is performed both by men’s and women’s groups; the elements of the barbershop style and the names of the voice parts are the same for both”.

The 21^st Birthday Show on the 10^th March was a great success. Thank you to all that came and made it so.  The Derby Theatre was full of enthusiastic show goers. ‘We’ve never had such a big house for a show like this’ said one of the box office clerks. ‘A brilliant show, ten out of ten for entertainment,’ said an audience member.  We were delighted that all the effort had been worthwhile.  Ten new men have joined the Chorus recently and seven of them were singing in the show. ‘It was a wonderful experience’ said new member George Mackie ‘ I’ve sung and played guitar for years but performing with the Chorus has added a new dimension to my singing pleasure.’

By the time you read this they will have performed at St. Johns Church in Long Eaton and, at the moment, if you were to visit Harrington School, Long Eaton on the Wednesday evening rehearsal you would detect a frisson of excitement in the room.  After the hard work and pleasures of the show they are getting down to more hard work, (and hopefully subsequent pleasures) preparing for the annual Barbershop convention.  Once a year up to 40 of the Barbershop Choruses in the Country gather over one week-end to sing their hearts out.  They compete for the Best Chorus gold medal. The Chorus managed a third place bronze medal last year so are working feverishly in the hope they may improve upon that. This year it is to be held in Southport on the week-end of the 25^th – 27^th May.  If you are interested in quality Choral singing, in four part harmony, that is the place to be.

We rehearse every Wednesday at 7.15pm in Harrington School, Derby Road, Long Eaton NG10 4BJ. Any men interested in singing contact Martin on 07855270803 or e-mail publicity.gcc@gmail.com

Following our success in gaining a bronze medal at the National Barbershop Convention at the end of May, and wanting to entertain the people of Long Eaton, the chorus are due to perform at 3.45.pm. Additionally, they are hoping to interest the local men in joining them. “It’s great to have the opportunity to perform at the local carnival, particularly after our recent success” said Chorus member Brian Sargent. ‘We have members from all over the East Midlands and would like to get more local people involved, particularly younger ones’.

To that end, we are to hold a singing course starting on 7 September 2011 for prospective singers to sample the fun of barbershop, in a large group, without any obligation. The course is free and teach CDs are provided to learn the songs. Musical knowledge is not a priority – it’s more of a love of singing that’s needed.  We will have a stall at the Carnival where further information can be obtained.

They showed their worth to thirty three other competitors by winning the bronze medal.  Brian Sargent, one of the lead section said ‘ We had been working hard since last year and knew there was improvement, so we were delighted.’

The Chorus sang ‘In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning’ the ballad made famous by ‘old blue eyes’ himself Frank Sinatra and the up tempo ‘Original Dixieland One Step’ , a fast and furious number which tested the stamina of some of the older members.