by Janet McGregor

Special to The Citizen

It's not necessary to be able to read music or have a trained voice to be a member of the Southland Chorus.

You do, however, need to be male. Barbershop is “for the average guy with an average voice, who enjoys singing a song and would like to know more about harmonizing and improving his singing talents,” says a spokesman.

The Southland Chorus is the name used by singers in the Fayetteville chapter of the SPEBSQSA Inc. SPEBSQSA stands for the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartets Singing in America. Members prefer to call themselves by the shorter title, the Barbershop Harmony Society.

The chorus currently has 26 members. Within the chorus, there are three quartets that perform separately also. The chapter was formed in 1990. They sing a wide variety of songs ranging from music written in the 1840s to John Lennon's “Yesterday.”

Those who are interested in joining the group will receive lots of help. They offer schools, craft sessions, tape recordings and manuals to help novice members become better singers and learn to sing in a quartet. “You can go as far as you want, or you can simply sing in the chorus and enjoy the fun,” the spokesman says.

Fun is a large part of the draw for chorus members. The enjoyment is evident to anyone watching and listening to their performances. The quartets and choruses have provided entertainment at conventions, business events, local civic and social gatherings as well as many community events. They also “bring a smile” to shut-ins, those in retirement homes and communities and at hospitals.

The chorus practices each week in the chorus room at the old Fayette County High School at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to stop in and listen as they practice.

For information, phone Glen Allen at 770-487-7551.

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