Barbershop boys are
Sociable singers hope appeal for members will strike a chord
Members of Perth Barbershop Singers are hoping an appeal for new members strikes a chord with the Perthshire public.
The sociable group meets on Monday evening each week at the People With A Mission Ministries building in the Fair City’s Riggs Road.
Sessions are held to hone the harmonies as singers perform a variety of numbers from across the decades.
Established in 1996, the group has attracted members throughout Perthshire and beyond for 27 years with music associated with the distinctive genre.
But, while there is always an emphasis on delivering a polished performance while enjoying a spell in the spotlight, members are also keen to highlight the many benefits of communal singing and the joy it can bring.
Perth Barbershop Singers can currently count on around 16 members attending the weekly gatherings, which start at 7.30pm and are led musical director Lindsay Clark.
People from all corners of the region – as well as further afield – attend and enjoy singing songs from a repertoire of around 100 tracks.
David Gardner, who chairs the group, explained the figure has fallen from approximately 25 singers 10 or so years ago and efforts are under way to raise the profile once more.
Auchterarder resident David (74) started singing as part of a choir during his childhood, which was spent in the Stirling area.
He stressed Perth Barbershop Singers is for all ages, although explained that it was predominately men who attended because of the nature of the harmonies associated with the music.
Explaining the intricacies of a genre which can trace its origins back to 19th Century Africanamerican communities in the USA, he said: “Barbershop singing started in America in the barbershops, hence the origin of the name.
“African-american population in the USA suffered from segregation for many years and were not permitted to enter venues such as theatres, cinemas and the like.
“The only place they could freely congregate was the local barbershop.
“A style of music was born there, and, in more enlightened times, the style became more popular and can now be heard worldwide.”
The retired electrical engineer continued: “The singing is performed by four-part harmony groups – comprising bass, baritone, lead and tenor, a quartet being a the most popular formation.
“We understand that anyone coming along the first few times will need time to settle but they’ll be given as much help and advice as possible. All the music is provided, including a CD, but people don’t have to be able to read sheet music in order to join the group. Some people pick it up once they’ve been coming for a while, but it’s not essential.”
Perth Barbershop Singers is run on a strictly not-for-profit basis and regularly uses performances to raise valuable donations for worthy charitable causes, something which has most recently resulted in a welcome donation to Strathcarron Hospice.