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I've never sung seriously before (other than in the shower). Is that a problem?
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Anyone who has a good ear, learns quickly and is motivated to sing harmony will adjust. We teach vocal techniques as part of the normal rehearsal process. As part of the chorus, you will be standing close to other members in your section that will be singing the same part. Carrying your own part in a quartet is, of course, an entirely different and more challenging experience and is highly encouraged once you are comfortable singing in the chorus.What is a barbershop chorus?
A barbershop chorus is a group of men (or women) singing four-part harmony where more than one person is singing each part. Choruses usually segregate the parts into sections. Tenor - the highest range, frequently sung in 'falsetto' voice. Higher than the normal tenor range in a church choir. Lead - the melody, with a range equivalent to a tenor in a church choir. Baritone (bari) - a range slightly below the lead and perfect for those that love to sing harmony. Bass - the lowest part, often the root of the chord and often responsible for establishing the beat. The chorus consists of many leads and basses, fewer baritones and very few tenors.What is the Barbershop Harmony Society?
It is a non-profit society dedicated to the singing and preservation of barbershop harmony. There many chapters and 30,000+ members, mostly in the US and Canada, but also located throughout the world. The Chorus of the Atlantic is a part of the Society. For more information visit www.barbershop.org.How do I figure out what part I would sing?
This will depend on your vocal range (how high and low you can sing comfortably.) Typically, this gets worked out during the first few rehearsals with the help of others. Often, new singers start out singing Lead, because Lead sings the melody which will usually be more familiar to you. Many members have sung different parts in the chorus at different times in their careers.The chorus already knows a lot of songs. How can I possibly learn all those songs and "get up to speed" with the rest of the chorus?
This will take time. There are no shortcuts, but you will get help from other singers in your section. Fortunately there are learning tapes and CDs for many of the songs that we sing. These enable you to hear your specific part clearly and practice along with it. They also give you a chance to sing your part along with the other three parts. They make learning much faster. In the meantime, you can still perform along with the Chorus and follow along with the more experienced singers in your section.Do I need to know how to read music?
No. The ability to read music is helpful but not necessary, especially with the other aids that are available, such as learning CDs. You will probably find, however, that you will develop some music reading ability as you rehearse new songs with the Chorus. Most of our members did not read music when they joined, and most still learn solely through the use of the CDs.Why should I join?
You get to participate in life rather than watching it. And you get to do it with the best guys around, while you learn to sing and make friendships that will last the rest of your life. Within the Society there are many levels of challenge with chorus singing, quartetting and brigading (extreme quartetting), and with competitions from Division level to District and International levels.