Men of Harmony

Picture it. It’s Valentine’s Day and you’re dining out with someone special. Suddenly, a traditionally attired barbershop quartet appears at your table, presents your companion with a silk red rose and a personalized card, and bursts into song.

Enter the Fox Valley Men of Harmony.

“We have four quartets,” says John Jeide. “The ‘Clef Hangers,’ ‘Golden Chords,’ ‘Mood Makers,’ and ‘Chordaholics.’ If we’re singing to a couple, we usually start with ‘Let Me Call You Sweetheart’ or ‘Heart of My Heart.’ If it’s an older couple, we might sing ‘Tell Me Why’ or ‘Only You’ since they might be familiar with those songs.”

The Clef Hangers are a barbershop-style quartet. Here they’re warming up on Sunday, Feb. 8 in Huntley High School’s auditorium before an event featuring the a capella stylings of groups like The Clef Hangers and students. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)

Launched almost 70 years ago, The Men of Harmony is the oldest sustaining chorus in Elgin.

“The enjoyment of barbershop harmony knows no age boundaries,” says the group’s website. “Our youngest members are in their teens; our oldest members are in their 70s and 80s. If you enjoy close harmony and good fellowship, you’ve come to the right place.”

“Barbershopping” has a storied history.

Barbershop quartets perform “a cappella,” and each of the four parts has a distinct role: Generally, the lead sings the melody, the tenor harmonizes above the melody, the bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes and the baritone completes the chord, usually below the lead. Close harmony and ringing chords distinguish the barbershop style.

This unique style of singing originated in the 16th century in America’s barbershops; while awaiting their turn in the chair, customers would sing and play simple instruments.

Much later, during the Gay 90s of the 19th century, barbershops became the place to hang out. There, dapper young fellows continued the tradition of singing, though this time without instruments.

Soon, this singing style overflowed into pool halls, saloons, and the streets, where it became known as “lamp post” or “kerbstone” harmony. Shoeshine boys were often considered local experts in barbershopping, entertaining clients in hotel lobbies, and bus and railroad stations. At the height of its popularity, no minstrel, burlesque, vaudeville, or music hall show was complete without the dulcet tones of a barbershop quartet.

Early standards included “Shine On, Harvest Moon,” “Hello, Ma Baby,” and “Sweet Adeline.” Interesting to note, early in their careers, Frank Sinatra and The Osmond Brothers sang in barbershop quartets.

Barbershopping is performed both by men’s and women’s groups; the elements of the style and the names of the voice parts are the same. Fox Valley has a chapter: the Fox Valley Chorus of Sweet Adelines.

“The women’s organization, Sweet Adelines International, was founded in 1945 when Edna Mae Anderson of Tulsa, Okla., invited a few women into her home to participate in the chord-ringing, fun-filled harmony that their husbands were enjoying,” says Vicki Krause of the Fox Valley Chorus of Sweet Adelines.

“We’re just a bunch of regular guys, of all ages, from all walks of life, with one thing in common…the love of singing barbershop style,” says Jeide, inviting others to join the group. “Don’t worry if you don’t have a wonderful voice; maybe you can’t even read music. Many of us are in the same boat. If you can carry a tune and have a good ear for music, you’re sure to fit in just fine.”

Head: The love of singing…barbershop style

For more information on Fox Valley barbershop quartets, visit www.foxvalleymenofharmony.com and www.foxvalleychorus.org.

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