National Barbershop Quartet Day
April 11th is National Barbershop Quartet Day!
National Barbershop Quartet Day is a day to honor and recognize the unique and harmonious singing style of barbershop quartets.
Barbershop quartet singing is a style of a cappella music characterized by four-part harmony and a distinctive style of singing. The day is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of this art form, which has roots in African-American culture and has been popularized in the United States and around the world.
History of National Barbershop Quartet Day
This musical day was first celebrated in 1938 by the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), now known as the Barbershop Harmony Society. The day was created to promote and celebrate the art of barbershop quartet singing.
The Barbershop Harmony Society was founded in 1938 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by a group of men who shared a love of barbershop quartet singing. The society grew quickly and became a national organization dedicated to preserving and promoting this unique form of music.
In 2004, the United States Congress recognized National Barbershop Quartet Day as an official holiday to celebrate the contributions of barbershop quartet singing to American culture.
How to Celebrate National Barbershop Quartet Day
There are many ways to celebrate. Here are some ideas:
- Attend a Barbershop Quartet Concert
Check your local listings for barbershop quartet concerts in your area. Attending a live performance is a great way to experience the art form in person and support local artists.
- Host a Barbershop Quartet Singing Party
Invite friends and family over for a barbershop quartet singing party. Encourage everyone to sing along and harmonize to classic barbershop songs.
- Learn to Sing Barbershop Harmony
Join a local barbershop chorus or quartet and learn to sing barbershop harmony. The Barbershop Harmony Society has over 800 chapters around the world, and many offer opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels to learn and perform.
- Share Your Love of Barbershop Quartet Singing on Social Media
Use the hashtag #NationalBarbershopQuartetDay to share your love of barbershop quartet singing on social media. Share photos of your favorite quartets, videos of yourself singing, and any other memories or stories you have about this unique style of music.
- Watch a Barbershop Quartet Documentary
Take some time to learn more about the history and culture of barbershop quartet singing. There are many documentaries available that explore the origins of the art form and the impact it has had on American culture.
National Barbershop Quartet Day is an important holiday that celebrates the unique and harmonious style of barbershop quartet singing.
Whether you’re attending a live performance, learning to sing, or simply sharing your love of this art form on social media, there are many ways to celebrate this special day.
So, gather some friends and family, put on some barbershop music, and celebrate National Barbershop Quartet Day!
