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| Four Part Harmony |
Barbershop and SATB choir are two different styles of music. Barbershop is a style of arranging in close, four-part, a cappella harmony, while SATB is a traditional choral arrangement that includes four voice parts: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.
In barbershop music, the melody is usually in the second voice with harmony above and below. The arranger harmonizes every melody note with few passing tones or doubles and creates more harmonic movement by adding secondary dominant chord progressions. The baritone part functions in a unique way, filling in the missing note of each chord.
In contrast, SATB choir music is arranged for four voice parts: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. The soprano part is sung by women and boys with unbroken voices, while the alto part is sung by women with lower voices. The tenor part is sung by men with higher voices, and the bass part is sung by men with lower voices.
During the performance I went to, the audience was given an opportunity to participate in what the director called a "tag". Their singing group divided into the four voice parts for barbershop: tenor, lead, baritone, and bass. Then each group sang their part of the "tag" for the song they demonstrated. The guests were invited to sing with each group and were then instructed to choose which group they felt comfortable singing with. At the end of the demonstration, each group sang the whole tag together.
Though each part, except the lead or melody, sounded only like disparate notes, together it made a complete and blended whole which was very pleasing.
It was fun.
The invitation encouraged the recipient to invite others to the performance. I approached Susan from my congregation with whom I have become friends.
Susan likes to sing but told me she doesn't sing in groups anymore because of her aging voice. However, I enjoy playing the organ for our church services when she is the music director. She has a good feel for the hymns and how to lead me, as well as the congregation. Plus, I wanted to go to this performance. I hoped she would say "yes". Happily, she accepted. That meant I wouldn't have to be alone in a group I didn't know.
There was also a drawing for "white elephant" door prizes. I got an interesting little wooden jar with lid that looks like I could use as a prop in a scene for one of my Nativity displays. Susan got a ceramic mug with "Colorado" painted on it in script.
At the end of the evening, the group was ushered to a serving area in the Masonic Temple in Fort Collins where the performance was held. There we had our choice of a couple of dozen different platters of seasonal goodies, fruit platters, and other baked goods.
It was a friendly lot after all. The performers and guests alike were easy to talk to, so I needn't have worried about being alone. But it was nice to have Susan by my side throughout the evening.
The weather has been a perfect Fall season for Colorado. No early snow. No hard frost to kill the life out of still green trees whose leaves suddenly turned brown and dead. Instead, we have been graced with beautiful yellow and orange displays of foliage bounded by vibrant grass and flowers. The days have been warm and the evenings pleasant. It was a lovely drive to Fort Collins just before sunset. The drive home was just as agreeable. Didn't have to worry about bad traffic, wet roads, or slick patches of ice.
In all, a great Monday night adventure because I took a chance on getting out of my comfort zone!
