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The Barbershop Harmony Society There's a national organization dedicated to preserving the uniquely American art form of barbershop quartet singing. The organization is presently called the Barbershop Harmony Society, but when Hourglass was active, it was called "SPEBSQSA." That impressive array of initials stands for the "Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America." Founded in 1938, the Society does just what its name implies. The Society comprises roughly 35,000 members in about 800 chapters across the United States, ranging in size from about 20 to over 200 members. Most chapters meet once a week, and most are built around a "chorus." People who like to sing music in the barbershop style but who aren't yet confident enough of their ability to sing in a quartet will find a lot of support and an excellent learning environment in the chorus, which is conceptually like a glee club or church choir: lots of other people singing each part and helping the newcomer to learn in a non-threatening situation. The Society is divided into 16 Districts in the USA, and includes affiliates in several foreign countries. Here in western Pennsylvania, the chapter in Butler, PA (to which the members of Hourglass belonged) and the other chapters in the Pittsburgh area are all in the "Johnny Appleseed" District, which includes all of Ohio, most of West Virginia, a tiny bit of Kentucky, and the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania. Visitors are always welcome at chapter meetings. Just show up and enjoy some singing and good fellowship. If you decide you'd like to join, they'll tell you how. If you aren't interested in joining, there'll be no pressure. If you'd like to visit several chapters or attend several meetings before deciding, you'll be welcome to do so. If you live in Ohio, West Virginia, or southwestern Pennsylvania and you'd like to locate a chapter in your area, take a look at the Johnny Appleseed District home page. If you live elsewhere, or if you'd just like to ask any kind of question of the helpful folks at our national headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, check the Society's home page or just call 800-876-SING.
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