BARBERSHOP GROUPS BATTLE IN HARMONY.Byline: Sonia Giordani Staff Writer Gary Bailer grew up singing in a family gospel chorus but didn't continue much as an adult. Jeffrey Flexer sang in choirs all the way through college, then started his career as a computer software designer. And Stan Dean - he used to sing only in the shower and listen to performances from the audience. But barbershop would be the thing to bring the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. men on stage as singers with Valleyaires, the Valley's oldest male barbershop chorus A barbershop chorus is a chorus that sings a cappella music in the barbershop style. Most barbershop choruses belong to a larger association of practitioners such as the Barbershop Harmony Society, Sweet Adelines International or Harmony, Inc. . The chorus' more than 50 men performed in competition Saturday at Reseda High School Reseda High School, established in 1955, is located in the Reseda section of Los Angeles, California, United States. The current principal of Reseda High is Alfredo Tarin. The mascot of Reseda High is the Regent, a lion welding a crown and a scepter. , joining 15 barbershop quartets barbershop quartet Popular vocal ensemble consisting of four unaccompanied male voices. The voice parts are tenor, lead, baritone, and bass, with the lead normally singing the melody and the tenor harmonizing above. and six choruses vying for a chance to sing in the four-state Far Western District competition in Bakersfield this fall. Valleyaires' singers join 34,000 members across the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Canada in the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, founded in Oklahoma in 1938. ``It's interesting in this hobby how people from different backgrounds and skill levels can just blend together so well,'' said Flexer, a Valleyaires tenor who also sings in a barbershop quartet called the Great American Sound Company that performed on Saturday. ``It's one of those hobbies that once you've started, you just can't stop.'' Flexer notes that most groups help raise money for national and local charities. His group regularly visits area nursing homes as well as children's programs to help boost music education. ``It was the enjoyment of singing that drew me to the group,'' says Van Nuys resident Stan Dean, who joined the group 18 years ago. ``I also enjoy the camaraderie ca·ma·ra·der·ie n. Goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends; comradeship. [French, from camarade, comrade, from Old French, roommate; see comrade. ,'' he says, noting that the group includes doctors, attorneys, plumbers - even a barber. ``You can go anywhere in the country - anywhere in the world - and find a group to sing with,'' said baritone baritone or barytone (both: băr`ĭtōn), male voice, in a lighter and higher range than a bass but lower than a tenor. Jerry Lovell, a Granada Hills member of Valleyaires and part of the quartet known as 4.0 that sang ``Good Night Little Boy of Mine'' and ``I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover four-leaf clover n. A clover leaf having four leaflets instead of the normal three, considered to be an omen of good luck. .'' Members also said the groups help bring together men of all generations. Jason Howe started singing at the age of 9 as he grew up hearing his father - who sang professionally in Disneyland's Main Street barbershop quartets. ``My father had been doing it all his life,'' said Howe, a baritone. ``And when I was old enough to join, I did.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Members of the Great American Sound Company, from left, Jason Howe, Gary Bailer, Tom Raffety and Jeffrey Flexer. Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer |
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