Time Video has just published a video (below) that rocked me on this Sunday morning. It’s time to talk about something that used to be an important part of my life, and will be again: barbershop harmony.
Readers of my first book Laugh, Sing, and Eat Like a Pig know that before, during and after my disease, a huge part of my support came from the men in my chorus, the Nashua Granite Statesmen. At the time they were the northeast champions of the Barbershop Harmony Society, formerly known as SPEBSQSA. They’re the “sing” in the book’s title: shortly after learning I had cancer I asked my physician (Dr. Danny Sands) if I should stop going to rehearsals to save energy, and he said no: at times like this it’s not good to start dropping life activities that you love.
Amen. And I told people that my cancer Rx included singing – “Could be worse!”
Two things about the barbershop hobby (Wikipedia) rock these men’s world: the specific type of harmony (the “barbershop seventh” chord), which causes overtones to ring out; and the deep fellowship that forms between men in the society. (And between women in their barbershop societies, Sweet Adelines and Harmony Inc.)
Time’s new 10 minute piece conveys both. It was filmed at last July’s international competition in Philadelphia, and notes that TV shows like Glee and The Sing Off are bringing a new generation into the hobby. Enjoy, and understand. (Update 2018: Time no longer has this available in a normal online video format – click the link to play it:)
http://players.brightcove.net/293884104/default_default/index.html?videoId=902907776001
The impact on me personally:
During my illness, the Granite Statesmen provided indescribable support for me. It got to where I wasn’t strong enough to be active in the chorus anymore, but several times I went to rehearsals, on crutches or in a wheelchair. It brings tears to my eyes to recall how the directors would call me up to sing a song with them, and several times they sang Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” I was filled with a sense that whatever my outcome was destined to be, I was loved. And that no matter what – even at the end – I’d never be alone.
When you walk through the storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
There’s a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark
Walk on, through the wind
Walk on, through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
There’s nothing like the sound of a strong men’s chorus singing something emotional like that. And there’s nothing like the sound of a barbershop seventh chord when it’s sung perfectly. Here’s a short example, recorded in 2002 by “Overdrive,” one of my chorus’s quartets back then. Were these guys good, or what??
It’s not easy to do that! The harmony has to be perfect or the overtones don’t ring. That’s the work of being good at this hobby. (Overdrive was the New England champion quartet in 2000.)
As sometimes happens, the chorus has fallen on hard times now. After ten years as regional champions – competing at International contest as shown in the video – many seasoned members are on hiatus, and other choruses are having their turn in the competitive spotlight. But the brotherhood is the brotherhood, and the Granite Statesmen will be back. (I say so! :-))
These days my crazed speaking schedule makes it impractical for me to attend rehearsals, much less put in the hours it takes to learn the repertoire. (Barbershop is flying naked; a capella with no sheet music allowed on stage.) This video reminds me of one reason I want to adjust my business, so I spend more time at home: I want to be back on stage with my guys, making chords ring again, in the barbershop style. It takes work, but boy does it pay off.
(Here are the Granite Statesmen’s CDs over the years; I sang on most of the songs on the Irving Berlin CD. I wasn’t there for the Christmas CD, “Just Add Snow,” but it’s said by many people to be their favorite holiday CD of all time.)
Robin says
Great advice from your doctor (to not give up that which you loved)! Also – there is nothing like barbershop singing and men’s voices lifted in harmony! Love it!
Katrine Kirk says
I love singing, but I absolutely only sing in the shower. My cats don’t seem to mind listening in, though. Kind creatures. Here are a couple of my favorite links to people who really can sing.
Danish comedians “Linie 3” have fun with a medley that starts out as an acapella harmony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHVqFb9gf2Y
And Thomas Eje, from Linie 3 performs a Gary Moore cover with a humorous version of “Still got the blues”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0qNZFry4Qs&feature=related . It makes me giggle.
Here is Agnes Obel, a contemporary Danish singer, who is a shooting star in our little corner of the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjncyiuwwXQ. This song would probably make great material for a barber shop version.
Finally, “What a wonderful world” with a young British amateur singer on Britains Got Talent. One of the more surprising auditions. A lesson in not judging talent by first impressions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPoyh39vkvw&feature=fvsr
Enjoy!
Katrine
Anne deBronkart says
Kristine – LOVE your selections – thanks for sharing them. I’m a former (lady?) barbershopper, choir member, and shower singer, and still love good vocal music even though I don’t seem able to create it any more!
e-Patient Dave says
Katrine, you must be SUPER cool- my MOTHER replied to you, which she’s never done to ME (online), except for on CaringBridge, of course.
Chris Susalka says
Hey Dave,
How’s this for ironic:
I am singing with the two gentlemen featured on this video Rob and Bobby Seay (from the Dundalk Chapter) this weekend! I also sang with Round Midnight 2 weeks ago after a Chapter show (two of the members were featured in this film as well)!
Not to mention that you and I have sang together as well Dave. It was a few weeks after the convention in Montreal. :-)
My Grandfather was a founding member of the Nashua Granite Statesmen and they started the chorus in his barbershop in Nashua nearly 60 years ago. Proud to be able to say that and can’t wait for my boys to be old enough to sing with me as well.
Most people get into Barbershop Harmony for the music, but stay for the fellowship and friendships they make along the way.
I wish you well Dave!
Chris
e-Patient Dave says
Great to hear from you, Chris! Yeah, I know you have deeeep roots.
I’m not surprised to hear you’d sing with the Seays… long time serious barbershoppers, all of you.
Keep the whole world singing!