Bexhill Harmony

What is Barbershop ?

This style of singing originated in America and came to Britain in the 1950's. Groups like the Beach Boys drew on Barbershop Harmonies to make their unique sound.

Barbershop is unaccompanied four part harmony. The parts are known as Lead, Tenor, Baritone and Bass. Barbershop was first sung by men in barber shops and that is why we still use those terms. The Lead section sings the melody, the Tenor the high bits, the Baritones “fill in” and of course the Basses sing low.

Our repertoire is wide ranging and includes popular music from the Edwardian era through to the present day. We sing songs from the shows, ballads, Christmas songs and carols. Barbershop is arranged so that different voice parts blend together; so it is possible even for untrained voices to produce an exciting sound.

We sing at charity events, for weddings, anniversaries, parties, birthdays, in nursing and residential homes and we have even been invited to sing at wakes! On several occasions we have performed at Bexhill's famous De La Warr Pavilion, as well as theatres in Hastings and Eastbourne. We also enter local music festivals. Any excuse to sing!

If you are interested in joining Bexhill Harmony it is not necessary to be able to read music because we provide tapes/CDs for you to learn from. Some of the girls like to bring their own hand held recorders when we are learning a song.

The main thing is that you enjoy singing as part of a group and are able to sing in tune. Barbershop singing is about friendship and enjoyment and we come from all age groups and walks of life.

The Baritones:

l – r Margaret, Holly, Astrid, Heather

The Basses:

l – r Paulene, Susan, Jean

The Tenors:

l – r Mo, Vicki, Debbie

The Leads:

l – r Back row Joan, Shirley, June, Pat
l – r Front row Barbara, Marilyn, Jean, Linda, Maureen

Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers

Bexhill Harmony are members of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop singers (LABBS) along with 48 other groups dotted around England and Wales. LABBS was founded in 1974 with just six ladies clubs which had formed partly as a result of the men's association, the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS).

Every year, LABBS holds an Annual Convention for Choruses across the UK and even those not competing go along to listen and enjoy. LABBS also organise a Harmony College every couple of years. Both events are great excuses for weekends away with chorus friends. We even manage to fit in a bit of shopping on these occasions!

Booking Bexhill Harmony

If you would like further details on how to book Bexhill Harmony for your event, please contact Joan on 01424 212186. You can also contact us on info@bexhillharmony.co.uk