Harmony? Women Can Cut It, Too
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday August 5, 1992
BARBERSHOP harmony used to be synonymous with boater hats, pin-striped trousers and handle-bar moustaches. It began in the barber shops of the United States at the end of the 19th century and was unquestionably for men only.
But in 1945 a group of women in the US formed a musical organisation called the Sweet Adelines.
Since then, women's chorus groups have begun harmonising all around the world and in October 1984 the organisation established a Sydney branch. It now has 50 members who train in the art of barbershop singing and, together, give public and private performances as the Sydney Town Chorus.
The manager of the chorus, Mrs Lynne Mathew, said the Sweet Adelines brought together women from all backgrounds who loved to sing.
"Anybody can do it if they can hold a tune," she said. "It's an educational organisation which gives people the opportunity to perform."
Mrs Mathew, of Lane Cove, said there was something magical about the sound of 50 voices in harmony.
"It's a real contrast to the choir who stand there poker-faced, holding music and singing.
"With barbershop, you can't just stand there and sing your stuff. A lot of emphasis also goes into the costumes and movement and facial expression of the chorus.
"The music comes across as a whole package of entertainment, not just a group of singers."
Barbershop music is a style of unaccompanied singing consisting of four voices: lead, tenor, baritone and bass.
Lead is the melody part; tenor is the harmony part, which is sung consistently above the lead; the baritone harmony crosses the lead, sometimes above it and sometimes below; and the bass part is below the lead.
Mrs Mathew said most women of average singing ability, with or without vocal training, could find a part that suited their range.
"Some people have learnt to play an instrument. Others can't read a note of music but have a good ear," she said.
"You just come along and do a small audition. Most people know if they have the skill to sing."
The oldest member of the chorus, Mrs Esme Morton, 77, joined the Adelines six years ago and sings tenor.
"When you have got an audience, it brings the best out. But once I get out and sing, it doesn't matter to me if I am in the back yard. I just enjoy the singing and love the harmony," she said.
The Sydney Town Chorus has performed at the Queen Victoria Building and at the Sydney Town Hall.
It supported the US quartet La Fiesta at the Willoughby Town Hall last Sunday.
It has also competed in eisteddfods and singing competitions throughout Australia and in the national competitions run specifically for barbershop harmony.
Mrs Mathew said music educators from the US judged the national competitions, which also involved sections for the men's barbershop organisation, the Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet in America.
"The first national competition was held in Australia two years ago in Geelong. Then, only three choruses performed. Since then, barbershop harmony has grown so rapidly that we now have 17 choruses competing," she said.
Sydney would host the third competition in June next year.
Mrs Mathew said the chorus performed a wide range of songs, from swing and show songs to gospel tunes.
"It really can be adapted to anything, and we have a lot of Australian classics arranged in barbershop style, like Click Go the Shears and I Still Call Australia Home," she said.
"It is certainly not just your average church choir."
The Sweet Adelines has 30,000 members worldwide and provides the chance for members to form quartets and to take part in the larger chorus. Women wanting further information about the organisation can contact Mrs Mathew on 427 3847
© 1992 Sydney Morning Herald