Mark Fortino, lead in the 12th Street Rag quartet, had no musical training when he walked into a meeting of the Heart of America Chorus in Kansas City, Missouri, 21 years ago. "People cannot believe how much fun it is," he said. "Those previously unfamiliar with barbershop are quickly drawn in by the 'ring' of the barbershop chord. If someone likes to sing, they owe it to themselves to go to a practice and experience the camaraderie and supportive atmosphere."
Barbershop quartets and choruses contribute more than 100,000 hours of labor per year singing for more than half a million people. Their programs foster music education and music appreciation.
The Fortino family does its part. Mark's entire family is involved in barbershop. The Heart of America Chorus includes his brother John; their two sons, 12 and 10; his brother-in-law Jerry; Jerry's 13-year-old son; and Mark and John's dad Ron.
And, the beat goes on. Wife, mom and grandmother Mary attends all rehearsals and is an active member of the chorus' support group, The Heartbeats. This family involvement is repeated in chapters all across America.
"Although most of our members lack formal training and do not read music," said John Fortino, "they have learned to create an incredible sound. They have learned their musical trade in the Society."
Barbershop has taken center stage with professional musicians in many instances. Rock group Phish performed barbershop arrangements and featured quartet FRED on their 2001 Phish tribute album Sharin' in the Groove. Russell Crowe invited a barbershop quartet to warm up for his band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, at Chicago's House of Blues. Such performances help inspire more young people to consider a music style once practiced mainly by an older generation.
"When I joined a barbershop chapter at age 12, there weren't many young Barbershoppers," said Jim Kline of international champion quartet Gotcha! and a Barbershopper for 44 years. "Our Society enables singers to continue singing after their school days in a group other than a church choir. It's a way to keep singing and the fellowship is unbeatable."
Kline was instrumental in starting college competition at the annual barbershop convention in the early 1990s. He saw this as one way to preserve the music genre for future generations.
Another way is the Society's annual Harmony College/Directors College, one week of intensive education in this uniquely American form of music. Last year's sessions drew people from South Africa, Germany, England, Canada and most of the 50 states. This year's college will be at Ohio State University, July 31 to August 7.
Source: Barbershop Harmony Society
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