|
How sweet it is: local chorus perfecting the ‘lock & ring’ |
|
|
Friday, 10 October 2008 |
|
Register Staff
10-9-2008 That all-American, four-part harmony music so popular in the 1950s – a sound made famous by and most closely associated with men’s corner barbershop quartets – is being kept alive in the Eastern Sierra by a group of very talented and lovely ladies.
These women are not only preserving the men’s barbershop sound, they’ve all but revived it in Inyo and Mono counties and, according to music-lovers near and far, are doing the genre proud.
In fact, the High Sierra Chorus of Sweet Adelines International – which describes itself as the “women’s version of barbershop” – has the awards to prove it.
The chorus is currently preparing to perform for local and visiting audiences later this month with special guests Bishop Big Band and the Perfect Gentlemen, a barbershop quartet from Southern California.
According to spokesperson Sara Lokan, residents and visitors are in for an evening of “magical sounds,” starting with the harmonies created by the ladies of Sweet Adelines.
“No one stands alone in the Sweet Adelines as they join their voices in four-part harmony and synchronization creating ‘the ring’ that we know as barbershop,” she explained. “Using artistry, finesse and emotion, they tune their chords to lock with the lead and her melody, creating sounds that we all love to hear.”
The melodies will be made during the Sweet Adelines High Sierra Chorus show “Sentimental Journey” on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop. Admission is $18 and will be used in part to fund scholarships provided by the High Sierra Chorus to local high school students.
The Perfect Gentlemen will be back by popular demand from the L.A. area to entertain the audience with their sound and comedy. “Be sure to come early and get the seat of your choice while listening to tunes of the era performed by the Bishop Big Band,” Lokan said. “Stay after the show to dance to the Big Band and listen to the ‘Afterglow’ by the High Sierra Chorus and its quartets.”
The High Sierra Chorus has performed many times for the Bishop community with Christmas carols at the Bishop Street of Lights, singing valentines for residents’ sweethearts, entertaining for the residents of the Sterling Heights assisted living facility, as well as many other celebrations and occasions.
The High Sierra Chorus competes annually in the Regional Chorus Competition in Bakersfield. And, the Sierra Stars Quartet of the High Sierra Chorus has competed and placed second and fifth in the past two years at the Regional Novice Quartet Competition. “That ain’t too shabby for one of the smallest choruses competing with regional choruses from Southern California,” Lokan pointed out. This November, chorus members will be flying to Hawaii for the International Chorus and Quartet Competitions and Convention with singers from around the world. Those that ring the most chords win.
Lokan said the High Sierra Chorus is always eager to perform its special talents, and welcome new members to join in the craft. Members of the group meet every Tuesday from 6:30-9 p.m. in the Patterson Room of the First Presbyterian Church in Bishop.
The chorus’ mission is to join in the art of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style, sharing and teaching their musical craft with new members and the community and promoting harmony, friendship and self-esteem. “It’s not just the singing … it’s the friendships and support we share in our chorus and the friendships we create and maintain when we travel to regional and international competitions and seminars” said High Sierra Chorus Director Nancy Coufal. “Everyone has one thing in common – taking the pitch, ringing the chord and connecting with each other and our audience through the art of the vocal music we share.”
It takes a lot of practice to create the incredible sounds of barbershop harmony, but the members think it is well worth the effort. “It makes you feel good when you go home, because you haven’t thought about anything all night except singing!” explained Jeannie Johantgen.
Kathy Christmas knows that “Sweet Adelines is the best hobby in the world and I don’t know what I’d do without it!” All the members explained they are enthusiastic and eager to make their chords “ring” in the true barbershop style.
“That’s when you reach an overtone, a fifth note,” Reta Zollars said. “You hear it ringing in the rafters! No one is singing that tone, but the chord is ringing! We call that ‘Lock & Ring.’”
That tone, Lokan noted, is essentially what everyone knows as barbershop harmony.
|
