Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2006/January 2007 | Page 35

INTERVIEW

Country Roads and Razzle Dazzle.
 Barbershop is four-part harmony
unaccompanied
vocal
music,
featuringsongswithunderstandable
lyrics and easy-to-sing melodies
– just the type of songs people like
to sing along to. 
Member Maria Read says:
“Absolutely every member plays
a part in the chorus. We are an
ensemble, which means we do it
together!”
 “For 2007, we are completely
revising our repertoire - so it’s a good
time to join when everybody will be
learning lots of new songs”.
Maria adds that individual
commitment is expected, and
members would need to develop
good breath control, improve their
ensemble vocal techniques, be
prepared to do homework and of
course attend regularly.

Homework? “Yes” says Maria.
“Someone sings into a tape and you
take it home and learn your notes”.
In return, she says, the Chorus
provides its singers with voice
coaching, teaching tapes, public
performances – and lots of fun. As
well as enjoying the camaraderie,
members get to dress up in their
choice of glamorous black and
gold cocktail wear, which has been
chosen as their new look for 2007.
“We have performance dresses
to look great, feel great and sing
fantastically well,” says Maria.
The ladies perform at music
festival
competitions,
annual
Barbershop conventions, residential
homes, churches, schools, parties
and shows, and will sing to raise
funds for any local organisation.
New singers can expect to be
voice tested and given a part

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suitable for her voice. Four parts are
available: lead, which is singing the
melody; tenor, harmonising above
the melody; bass, for the lowest
harmonising notes and baritone,
a harmony part to complete the
chord.
 The Chorus is a member of Ladies
Association Barbershop Singers,
which has 48 choruses in England
and runs an annual convention that
is the highlight of the Barbershop
year. Not only is it the National
Competition, but it also has some
great shows, usually featuring
top quartets from America. The
Convention is held up and down
the country in Harrogate, Brighton,
Bournemouth or Cardiff.
The choruses own musical
education is supplemented by
an annual Harmony College, a
residential weekend of musical

education with classes given by
the country’s top vocal educators
and guests from the U.S.A. It’s a
real opportunity to learn vocal craft
and performance skills in a very
intensive and rewarding way.
 Weekly practice sessions are
held on Thursdays at 7.30 pm in
Carisbrooke CE Primary School,
Wellington Road, and new members
will find a warm welcome.
 For more information, contact
booking officer Eileen Dunford on
01983 840265 or public relations
office Maria Read on 01983 840692.

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