Barbershop Harmony

Here is another picture from the weekend trip to DC. The Newseum has a perfect view of the Capitol.

Well, last night I went to my first Barbershop Harmony practice with the Cranberry BogMeisters. I thought I enjoyed singing, but these guys are truly bitten by the bug! They look for any excuse to "ring a chord" as the call it. The rehearsal lasted about 2 and 1/2 hours. There were no musical instruments, just a pitch pipe and our voices. Fortunately the director has perfect pitch and seems to be able to hear the notes and sing the various parts for the singers. (Tenor, bass, baritone and lead) There were about 13 men there in all. They have an agenda that includes a warm up time, a music lesson (last night was on interpreting the music), tag practice led by one of the singers, and then various adhoc quartets made up of those present. We always stood when we sang, and there was lots of singing. There was a little bit of business and talk about the recent "contest" they attended in Cleveland and other business matters for the group. When the practice was over they adjorned for an "after glow" at a local restaurant for cookies and milk and informal conversation. I joined them for the conversation and milk part and again they rang out in tune a couple of times for the enjoyment of the local patrons. It was a lot of fun. I brought home a songbook with 12 songs that all barbershoppers are supposed to know, so they can "ring out the chords" at the drop of a hat if need be. Cool.