Mersey Harmony
Liverpool Ladies Barbershop Singers
Barbershop History
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The Roots of Barbershop The musical term 'barbershop' dates back to singing by African Americans during the 19th century.Men would gather in local barber shops to sing the popular songs of the day. As time passed a fraternity and camaraderie grew among the singers and their style eventually developed into four part harmony singing . The modern revival of barbershop singing came about in 1938 when the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA) was formed and established. 
"Barbershop Quartet" by Norman Rockwell 1936
Over the years barbershop has expanded its vision to include music from many different genres as well as still honouring the traditional songs, songs that include:
"civil war songs, minstrel songs, songs in the high-brow
popular style of the 1800s, folk songs, gay nineties songs, Tin Pan Alley songs reflecting early jazz influences, turn-of-the-century ballads, waltzes, marches, roaring twenties songs reflecting jazz influences, Broadway songs, influences of that era Songs found in barbershop have always had vastly differing origins, styles of lyric, rhythms, types and range of melody, degree of formalness or informalness, degree of simplicity or complexity..." Today barbershop harmony singers include both men and women. The organisation is worldwide enjoying the education, performance, and competition opportunities afforded by 'The Hobby'. Links: |
The Barbershop Style Traditional barbershop style is unaccompanied singing characterised by harmonic four part chords for every melody note. The melody is sung by the Lead, with the Tenor harmonising above the melody, the Bass singing the lowest notes and the Baritone completing the chord harmony. Presentation and choreography complete that winning style!  Mersey Harmony at St George's Hall Liverpool
One of the aims of barbershop singing is to generate warmth, joy and happiness. These qualities are reflected in the words of a traditional barbershop
song that we sing regularly: Keep the whole world singing All day long Watch good will come a winging On a song Smile the while you are singing Oh carry, carry your part Keep a melody ringing In your heart. And smiling faces sum up the whole meaning of that barbershop style!  |
