Sample invitation
For organizers: this is the invitation text we actually use. Copy the whole page, fill in the bracketed bits, and send it out — by email, in choir group chats, as a printout, wherever singers will see it. (This page prints nicely: hit Ctrl/Cmd + P.)
Tag along · [Your city] · [Date] at [time] · [Venue, address, directions] · Free, donations welcome · [Your contact]
Let’s meet and sing barbershop together, whether it’s tags, songs, or something you just made up! You don’t have to be an experienced singer: everyone is welcome — high voices, low voices, and everything in between. You don’t need to read music, and you don’t need to bring anything but yourself.
What is barbershop?
Barbershop is four-part close harmony singing. You may have seen a barbershop quartet before without realizing it: they appear in The Music Man, in Scrubs, on Jimmy Fallon. Barbershop music is full of seventh chords, syncopations, and play between the different voices. The four parts of barbershop singing are tenor, lead, baritone, and bass. Singing barbershop can be a challenge, but that’s what makes it fun! As Deke Sharon puts it: it’s the martial arts of a cappella singing.
What are tags?
Tags are short pieces of barbershop music that are attached at the end of songs. They are easy to learn and fun to sing! We teach them by ear, part by part, so within twenty minutes the whole room is ringing chords together.
Can I listen to more barbershop?
Yes! We’ve compiled a playlist on Spotify as a small introduction to the style.
What do I need to prepare?
You don’t need to prepare anything; we will have sheet music printed out and a toy piano in case we need it.
What do I need to bring?
You & your voice! Maybe some water. Maybe a friend.
Who’s behind this?
We’re a small group of people who enjoy singing barbershop together. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome: our events follow a code of conduct.