Barbershop
I'm writing this blog at the behest of Alan P. Basically because he
won't leave me alone until I do.
Those of you that know me, know that one of my loves is Barbershop Singing. In a previous life, I was a very active member of the Barbershop fraternity, singing with the best female chorus in the country, and in a quartet from time to time. The chorus was invited all over the world and held in very high esteem.
Since becoming ill, it has become a spectator sport. I can't begin to tell you what kind of reaction I used to get when I told people I sang Barbershop. You see most people think they know what Barbershop is, but they don't. It is a very highly skilled art form that takes many hours of practice to perfect, and is always choreographed, which makes it doubly difficult to sing. Once a year, the men hold an International competition in America, which is transmitted to all parts of the world by Webcast (which you have to buy). Choruses and quartets qualify to compete, so there are the top 50 quartets and the top 30 choruses.
As usual, I bought this years Webcast. The only downside to this, is the time difference, so because of my illness, I take about four weeks prior to the event to turn my clock around to US time of whichever state it happens to be in. This year was Philidelphia, which was better than the previous year in California. Still, it was a time difference of five hours. So by the time the Webcast came along, I was sleeping all day and up all night. Under normal circumstances, I would do the same thing at the end of the convention, and gradually turn my clock back. However, this year, I had double glazing fitted, and they started the Monday morning after the convention finished on the Saturday night.
There are usually between nine and fifteen thousand people at these events, and they are impossible to describe, it's a case of you have to be there. Well, I got my fix (the next being the women's international in October), and I thought you might enjoy a taster of what it's all about. This year's competition win hasn't hit You Tube yet, copyright problems I believe, so here is the winners of last years chorus. Hope you enjoy it.
Watch it to the end,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmDGntpZC3I
Those of you that know me, know that one of my loves is Barbershop Singing. In a previous life, I was a very active member of the Barbershop fraternity, singing with the best female chorus in the country, and in a quartet from time to time. The chorus was invited all over the world and held in very high esteem.
Since becoming ill, it has become a spectator sport. I can't begin to tell you what kind of reaction I used to get when I told people I sang Barbershop. You see most people think they know what Barbershop is, but they don't. It is a very highly skilled art form that takes many hours of practice to perfect, and is always choreographed, which makes it doubly difficult to sing. Once a year, the men hold an International competition in America, which is transmitted to all parts of the world by Webcast (which you have to buy). Choruses and quartets qualify to compete, so there are the top 50 quartets and the top 30 choruses.
As usual, I bought this years Webcast. The only downside to this, is the time difference, so because of my illness, I take about four weeks prior to the event to turn my clock around to US time of whichever state it happens to be in. This year was Philidelphia, which was better than the previous year in California. Still, it was a time difference of five hours. So by the time the Webcast came along, I was sleeping all day and up all night. Under normal circumstances, I would do the same thing at the end of the convention, and gradually turn my clock back. However, this year, I had double glazing fitted, and they started the Monday morning after the convention finished on the Saturday night.
There are usually between nine and fifteen thousand people at these events, and they are impossible to describe, it's a case of you have to be there. Well, I got my fix (the next being the women's international in October), and I thought you might enjoy a taster of what it's all about. This year's competition win hasn't hit You Tube yet, copyright problems I believe, so here is the winners of last years chorus. Hope you enjoy it.
Watch it to the end,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmDGntpZC3I
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23 Comments
Thank you for sharing this here on the Cloud - AlanP was right to badger you until you did. I have to admit that all I know about Barbershop is the occasional appearance of Ted's quartet on the TV show Scrubs, so I appreciate the insight you've given. To be so good at something that you are invited to travel all over the world to share your talent is something I have only ever dreamed about, so good on you for achieving such a level.
Anyway, I was only trying to be funny. Ok, failed again. Well done Weens;)
Instant Tears, and sadness for you. It is so hard to read the way you describe it as a former life. Not making much sense except that I feel for you and knowa little of
what it is like. A tiny example; my son wanted me to sing at a Kareoke a few evenings ago, I have trouble having the energy to breathe as well as talk, let alone sing. I sang at the folk clubs and Cambridge festival and played guitar, people still ask me to do it. Even my husband tells me he misses me singing. I would if I could. It is so natural and hard not to.
I am happy for you that you have managed to hear the broadcast and that your double glazing is done!!! Enjoy....
But lucky you that you saw a lot of the world and sang. Wonderful memories.
Yes Mike, there was some Barbershop in the Music Man, it was the Buffalo Bills a very early quartet. The Barbershop music in the Music Man was written by O. C. Cash, who was the man who started the Barbershop fraternity in 1938.
Tony, thanks for watching.
Bren, I didn't know you sang. I understand exactly what you mean about missing it. You should get that guitar out and sing for yourself. I sing along to Barbershop CD's all the time.
Keep singing, :)
Big hugs:-)
Chris
We have a midsummer music festival where I live and for me one of the highlights is a barber shop ensemble from Milton Keynes. Pure entertainment. And I recognise two of them from the London commuter train, when you wouldn't know what they do for fun. Really, truly marvellous. Gawd I love life and people.
Thanks and do write more on the subject. Don't let anyone stop you.
Thanks Marion, you did indeed live it with me, reading my jet lagged mails filled with nonsense.
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