Barbershop harmony is a musical style which is characterised by being performed a capella, or unaccompanied.  The only instrument used is the pitch pipe to give the key note of the song being performed.

Barbershop music consists of four (and only four) separate voice parts; Tenor, Lead, Baritone and Bass. The second voice down (called the Lead) carries the tune, while the tenor voice, at the top, provides the accompaniment. The foundation of each chord is provided by the bass singer, while the baritone normally sings between bass and lead lines.

The early barbershop singers did not use printed music, but simply invented their parts to make the chords sound right.

As early as Elizabethan England common folk were schooled in 4-part vocal harmony to sing in Church. These folk met at the local ‘barbershop’ before going to church where the techniques of 4-part harmony were applied to popular song.

What we class as barbershop singing today really started in the 1800s in USA, when harmony quartets travelled with minstrel shows, tent shows and vaudeville.  The popularity of barbershop peaked just before the First World War and then declined due to the popularity of movies, “jazz” style & popular recorded music of the ‘roaring twenties’.

The barbershop style was resurrected with the founding of a barbershop singing society in Tulsa.  In 1939 two men, Rupert Hall and Owen Cash, initiated a revival in the 'lost art'. The move quickly gathered pace and aroused tremendous interest amongst men who liked to harmonise. The American Barbershop Society was formed ~ and so was born what was to become a unique worldwide fellowship of amateur singers.

The Society's gifted musicians created 100's of barbershop arrangements of almost long-forgotten melodies. Barbershop choruses (choirs) were soon to be heard, as well as quartets. The movement grew. Contests were held. Coaching programmes were organised. A national Society Headquarters was set up in Kenosha, Wisconsin and an annual educational 'Harmony College' instituted.

During the mid-60's the first barbershop chorus was formed here in England - 'The Crawley Chordsmen' - and that subsequently led to the founding of the British Association of Barbershop Singers* which became affiliated to the now huge American Society (the largest all-male choral singing association in the world).

Other countries followed suit and today barbershop societies are flourishing in many other parts of the world including Europe, Australasia, South Africa and even Japan! The theme is always 'Service through Song'.

This worldwide fraternity of barbershop singers has created a unique musical fellowship. Wherever in the world barbershoppers gather to sing 'The Old Songs' and 'Keep The Whole World Singing', will be found a common bond of warmth and friendship. In song!

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF BARBERSHOP SINGERS (B.A.B.S.)

~ of which the Rivertones is a 25-year member ~ is a not-for-profit registered charity and is comprised of 58 member clubs throughout the U.K., each with its own performing Chorus. There are around 2000 individual members, spread over 56 choruses and over 60 quartets. It is dedicated to the preservation of the style and serves to educate and coach its members in the craft of good singing. An annual 3-day Harmony College is held at Worcester University and a 3-day national convention is staged, also annually, at a national venue. ‘Learn To Sing’ courses are also now run regularly throughout the country. Each year, several scholarships are awarded to members of the Association to attend the American Society's International Harmony College. Our Association is a part of the national ‘Making Music’ choral organisation.

 The B.A.B.S. is bound by a Code of Ethics which requires this secular, non-political association of singers to ~

"exhibit and endeavour to spread . . . the love of barbershop singing

and its spirit of fellowship and harmony throughout the world

. . . rendering all possible altruistic service."

. . . . Harmony in Life