OUR STYLE

Barbershop music is sung unaccompanied with four parts:  tenor, lead, baritone and bass – with melodies that are easily remembered.

• Tenor - The highest part, is sung above the melody.  The tenor should have a light, sweet, pure tone that will compliment but not overpower the lead.
   

• Lead - One of the two middle parts - is generally the melody and is sung in the range between A below middle C, and above middle C.
   

• Baritone - Also middle part - is harmony usually below the melody.  The Baritone harmony notes cross the lead notes.
   

• Bass - The lowest part - is harmony sung below the melody.  Bass singers should have a rich, mellow voice and be able to sing the E flat below middle C easily.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wide range of voice parts offers women with high or low voices a very comfortable part to sing. 

Barbershop has a recognizable form using lyrics that are clear and understandable.  Properly tuned barbershop chords are congruent with the physics of sound, creating an overtone when sung at their best.

Energy and physical involvement are required from the barbershop singer in a degree of intensity not usually found in other choral forms.  An important and vital part of an uptune is rhythmic interest.

Barbershop music is emotionally satisfying to both the listener and the performer.

And the best part is...You can’t do it alone!

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EDUCATION

Education in the art of singing barbershop harmony is an on-going project for the Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus.  Each rehearsal begins with ear training exercises to school the members in pitch retention and note intervals.  The proper physical and vocal techniques for good singing are incorporated into each rehearsal.  The Music Team and the Team’s section leaders through a visual and vocal qualifying program reinforce the techniques.  Their objective is to help build a chorus that presents a great performance in both sight and sound.  Personal vocal instructions are offered throughout the year.

On a regular schedule, the chorus employs world-renowned coaches who teach interpretation of lyrics, expression within the music, breathing and vocal techniques and performance enhancement. 

In preparing for the annual regional competition, the chorus has a working weekend retreat.  This is a cleverly planned, theme-oriented weekend held at a local facility.  This fun weekend builds camaraderie within the chorus and launches their glittering assault on the competition stage.

Our region also is education oriented.  “Preserving Harmony Weekends” are held bi-annually in the fall and winter for the purpose of education and personal growth in both musical and administrative elements.  While these are working weekends, they are also filled with the showcasing of talent, the challenge of close harmony, fun-filled quartet opportunities, good food, exciting exchanges of ideas and the strengthening of inter-chapter friendships.

Sweet Adelines International makes available coaches, audio and video tools for vocal and administrative personnel, and seminars held on a regular schedule.  There are many avenues of help available to choruses and quartets at every level.

These are just the highlights of the educational opportunities available at all levels of this wonderful, exciting organization.  It makes the fact that “We can’t do this alone” a fun-filled, spirit-fulfilling adventure.  So while “We can’t do it alone” – the best part is...We don’t have to!