This year, the school choir is excited to announce the formation of several new barbershop quartets, adding a vibrant and harmonious dimension to its musical repertoire. These quartets, composed of talented singles from various grade levels, aim to bring the unique sound of barbershop harmony to the school community.
Director James Halvorson says, “I have been a performer, director, arranger, anc coach of barbershop quartets and choruses for close to 40 years. It has taken a while to get the interest and talent pool for these kinds of groups to start, but as our program has grown after Covid, we had the opportunity to start these groups.”
The barbershop style, characterized by its close four-part harmonies and a rich blend of vocal textures, has a long-standing tradition in American music. With the revival of interest in their genre, the choir’s director saw an opportunity to engage students in a fun and collaborative way.
“The work these 4 guys put on shows and it has really engaged other choir members to seek out opportunities to sing in smaller groups.” Halvorson says, “This is the reason I am looking to start after school choruses next semester, so we can create an environment that fosters these small group interactions all while improving the individual musicianship of every participant.”
Each quartet will consist of a lead singer, a tenor, a baritone, and a bass, allowing members to explore their vocal range and develop their skills in a supportive environment. Auditions for the quartets took place within the choir program, drawing a strong turnout from choir members eager to participate. After several rounds of auditions, the selected groups have already begun rehearing under the guidance of the choir’s director.
Halvorson said, “The members are Sterling Burnett on Tenor, Matthew Funez on Lead, Larry Halvorson on Baritone and Ethan Fisher on Bass. We held an open audition within the choir program and I chose the 4 most prepared voices that worked together. Much of the barbershop harmony style is about finding voices that naturally blend together. That makes the work of building the ensemble much easier.”
In addition to regular performances during choir concerts, the quartets will have the opportunity to participate in local events and competitions, showcasing their hard work and dedication. Halvorson expressed enthusiasm about the potential for these quartets to not only entertain but also to inspire fellow students a greater appreciation for music within the school.
“I am looking into the possibility of starting an after school barbershop chorus in the second semester. This would allow our choir members from different choirs to work together in one larger ensemble and we hope to encourage more guys that aren’t currently in choir to join us and see what barbershop is all about. Ultimately, we’d like to turn that chorus into an actual class so we could hold more regular rehearsals and continue to develop our Bass clef singers on campus.”
The choir is inviting the entire school community to attend and support these talented groups as they embark on this exciting musical journey. The choir’s members are eager to share their passion for music and the joy of barbershop harmony with everyone. With their unique sound and dedication to excellence, the new quartets are sure to become a cherished part of the school’s musical landscape.
