Human voice in harmony: The Barbershop Style | Guest column

Published 4:37 pm Wednesday, May 27, 2015

“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” — Kahlil Gibran

By Jim Morrison

Ah Music!

Twenty years ago, San Juan Island was treated to a new style of local music at the first “Barbershop Bonanza.”

Before that, there had been concerts by the San Juan Singers and various off-island performers, but since then the “Island Chordsmen Plus” (women added in a traditionally male group, thus the “Plus”) have hosted and performed at this annual summer event at the Community Theatre.

As they’ve developed their talents under the guidance of director Angel Michaels, the “Island Chordsmen Plus” have become the community “utility” singers, performing at birthday parties, the Pioneer Days festivities at the Historical Society, the Village at the Harbour and the Life Care Center, for various civic groups, and mid-winter annually on all-day forays around the island “spreading the love” on Feb. 14 with singing Valentines.

There is also a “Ferry Sing” in July, where they ride the inter-island boat and entertain the passengers.

Even though many of you have attended and enjoyed one or even all of these Bonanza concerts, you may still not be able to describe Barbershop Music to your friends. You can attempt with: “I don’t know what it is, but I know I like it.”

Is it just old fashioned ditties sung by guys in straw “boaters?” No.

The technical description is: Barbershop harmony is a style of unaccompanied vocal music characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture. Did that help any?

Picture Old Uncle Tom singing “Zip-a-dee Doo-Dah” while bluebirds flit about his shoulders. The happy birds represent the close harmonies of Barbershop.

The reason audiences like this music is because of “a cappella” melodies with cozy harmonies, comprising four separate but closely supportive voices. It is melodic comfort music, easy to listen to and, as Gibran says above, it brings peace.

You may also picture Barbershop singers as a stereotypical mix of wrinkles and memories dating to before you were born. No again.

There are currently two members in the “Island Chordsmen Plus” in their early twenties, and that trend is growing. Perhaps you are a young man or woman who likes to sing. Come to the “Bonanza” show and imagine yourself up there having fun and spreading joy with your voice.

This group is a “family” who care about and enjoy each other, and the rehearsals are happy, fun gatherings with tons of laughter.

Each annual Bonanza show is a joyous mix of the “Island Chordsmen Plus” and guest performers. “Sound Vibrations,” our island all-women Barbershop group, returns again this June. You’ll want to attend just to hear them, they’re that good.

This year “Pacific Sound,” a Titanic-sized chorus with numerous quartets from the greater Seattle area will WOW the audience with a wall of precision sound, while “Bon Vivant,” an award-winning quartet of young guys from across the border in Canada, eh, will share their beautifully blended tones and tickle our funny bones.

The date is June 7, Sunday, 2 p.m., at the Community Theatre; write it on you calendar or gadget. Perhaps you have guests coming that weekend. Do what others are doing and bring them along, they’ll love it.

Have another event planned? Read the quote above: Does that other event promise as much?

Tickets are only $18, festival seating, and can be purchased from “Island Chordsmen Plus” singers (call Holly at 370-5544/298-4682 or catch them at Market Place on Saturday afternoon, May 30), and from members of “Sound Vibrations,” or from the San Juan Community Theatre ticket office, 378-3210