The special thing about the a cappella four part harmony music we sing is the unique style of our arrangements.
Barbershop music is typically built from harmonies that sit around a well-defined melody. The arrangements can vary from simple to complex. It's not essential to read music, however, as we use recorded tracks for each of the voice parts so singers can learn by ear.
It is the a cappella style and the ear training necessary for independent part singing that makes it one of the most challenging and rewarding styles for a vocal ensemble. When the music is sung accurately with good breath support and vocal technique, barbershop harmony produces overtone vibrations that create a resonant ring unique to this form of music. It really is a thrill to experience barbershop chords that lock and ring!
With Deke Sharon, the “godfather” of a cappella arranging
Of the four parts, the LEAD voice generally sings the melody and is unusual as it is below the high tenor harmony. The TENOR part sings the highest note in the chord; while it has a similar range, it is not to be confused with the vocal style of conventional soprano choral singing. The BARITONE part fills in the all-important missing note in a chord, that may be above or below the melody, and the BASS part (equivalent to Alto 2) supplies the foundation of the chord. So, whatever range of voice you have, there will be a part for you!
Vocal Dimension has a wide ranging repertoire including barbershop arrangements, swing, West End Show songs and pop - as well as a few classical pieces to stretch our skills. The presentation of barbershop music is critical in order to engage the listener. We sing without music and use various musical and visual performance methods to convey the message of the song and provide the audience with an emotionally satisfying and entertaining experience. There’s no standing still in barbershop!
Here are some of the songs in our repertoire:
- Die with a Smile – Lady Gaga
- Flowers – Miley Cyrus
- Reflection – Mulan, the movie
- Come Fly with Me - Frank Sinatra
- Treat People with Kindness – Harry Styles
- Jerusalem - traditional hymn
- How can I keep from singing - traditional choral
- Something in the way he moves - The Beatles
- For Good – Wicked, the musical
- Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics
- Valerie – Amy Winehouse/The Zutons
- Engel - Rammstein
It’s all about making music together and having fun doing it!
Below are some audio grabs to give a better idea of how we sound..
