Sweet harmony
Members of the Lake City Harmonizers, a local barbershop singing nonprofit, perform at the Evergreen District Contest, Federal Way, Wash. in October, directed by Bianca Dixon. Front row, from left: Tom Rakes, Patti Mitchell, Norris Booth, Jimmie Allen, Glenda Kohoutek and Rick Nelsen. Middle row, from left: Steve Noland, Tim Donahue, Jim Davis, Tony Moore, Bob Billings, Olga Corredor and Michelle Clark. Back row, from left: Fred Goodhue, Stephanie Casey, Conner Osborne, Rich Agueros and Bing Sherwood.
Photo by Barbershop Harmony Society
Dixon
No instruments are needed to participate in or enjoy the sound of an a capella singing group.
"Singing barbershop is a fun and joyous hobby," Lake City Harmonizers Director Bianca Dixon said Wednesday. "We love the thrill of singing and ringing chords, which is the terminology used when a chord is sung so well in balance that it creates an overtone that we call 'ringing chords.'"
And, oh, how sweetly they ring.
The Lake City Harmonizers is the local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, formerly known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. It was chartered in 1981 and has been bringing the joy of song to the community ever since.
"Our international barbershop mantra is, 'Join us in building a better world ... singing,'" Dixon said. "Our chorus mission is: To bring people together in friendship and harmony through singing."
The nonprofit Harmonizers group has 22 active members, but Dixon said she would love to have at least 30 people join in the fun. To become a member, an interested person typically comes to rehearsal and participates for a few weeks to see if singing barbershop is a good fit. Those who decide to become members will fill out applications and pay dues.
Lake City Harmonizers belongs to the Evergreen Chapter within the organization, the Barbershop Harmony Society, which has chapters around the world. All have dues associated with them, Dixon said. The local chapter's annual dues are going up in February for the first time in many years. Dues include three different aspects — international dues, $180; district dues, $50; and chapter dues, $45 — for a total of $275 per year, or $22.92 per month. Members 25 and younger pay 50% of this and those 75 and older pay 25% of this.
Although it is not a requirement to read sheet music to join, Dixon said singers must be able to sing in tune and sing parts independently of the other parts. Sheet music and learning tracks are provided for singers to learn their parts.
The Harmonizers practice at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., Post Falls.
Why sing at a funeral home?
"The owner sings barbershop and has generously allowed us to use his facility as a rehearsal hall," Dixon said.
Lake City Harmonizers keep busy throughout the year. The group will perform later this spring and will take that show on the road to Kellogg and other Idaho locales.
"This year we will also be reaching out to different retirement communities to provide music to the elderly as a way of paying back to the community," Dixon said.
The Harmonizers annually compete at the Barbershop Harmony Society's district contest, which will be in October in Portland this year. The members also work the information booth at the North Idaho State Fair as a fundraiser.
"In addition, we have sung at the fair on several occasions and are looking forward to doing so this year as well," Dixon said. "The highlight of our year is the Christmas season. We spend from Thanksgiving through Christmas caroling at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, and the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn as a fundraiser as well."
The Harmonizers provide popular entertainment at parties and events throughout the year. On Valentine's Day, they'll be making hearts swoon with singing valentines, information about which will be going out in the near future.
"We have a few chorus quartets who individually will travel around and deliver a singing valentine, which typically consists of two songs with a Valentine's card and a memento — usually a small box of chocolates or a balloon," Dixon said.
Dixon said the Lake City Harmonizers provides the most fun place in Post Falls to experience the life-changing joy of singing and performing barbershop music.
"Men and women from all across the area come together with their desire to sing, improve their vocal talents and, most importantly, share their love of music through public performances of all types," she said.
Singers who enjoy singing harmony will find a musical home in Lake City Harmonizers, she said.
"You'll find singers who don't read music, to car and shower singers, to lifelong performers and some with tons of technical and formal training and education," she said. "Together, we create the most beautiful and joyous harmony and revel in every opportunity to share with others.
"And as we say every Tuesday night: 'It's great to be a barbershopper!'"
Info: lakecityharmonizers.org
Dixon