The magic of Barbershop Music

Ian Bee
 |  Special to the Press-Citizen

I’ve been singing at a collegiate and professional level for more than 15 years with a repertoire spanning from classical, vocal jazz, broadway, traditional choral music, and modern a capella. But until last year, I never had the chance to sing classic barbershop arrangements.

That changed when I joined Old Capitol Chorus, the Iowa City Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. In this group, I found the magic that so many others have experienced. The magic of close harmonies, ringing chords, and elusive overtones.

In anticipation of Old Capitol Chorus’ spring show, When You “Almost” Care Enough, I wanted to outline what makes barbershop music so special.

Barbershop is not a genre, but a specific arrangement style that creates the distinctive “barbershop sound”. In traditional choral music, the melody line is typically featured in the highest voicing (i.e., the soprano part in a mixed chorus). In barbershop, however, the melody is always sung by the “lead,” who is the second highest voice in the arrangement. The other parts (bass, baritone, and tenor) harmonize above and below the lead to create a “close harmony,” wherein the notes sung are very close in relation to one another.

This a capella close harmony, coupled with unique chord selections, gives barbershop its unique “ringing” chords and tight sound. Any song can be arranged or re-arranged into barbershop music, which keeps the art form fresh!

Barbershop music is further emphasized by the performance itself. Barbershoppers are not just musicians − they are entertainers and performers. Barbershop quartets and choruses seek to delight and entertain audiences, creating a rapport with the crowd and incorporating elements of musical theatre into live shows.

Wondering how you can see this classic art form live? Come to Old Capitol Chorus’ spring show When You “Almost” Care Enough. Featuring a lineup of classic barbershop tunes and new takes on pop hits, it promises to be a night of music and fun for the whole family. Also featured in the show will be barbershop quartet The Choir Boys and the Iowa City Youth Choir.

Tickets are available now and will be available at the door. Come hear the close harmonies of barbershop at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 1 inside Opstad Auditorium at the Iowa City High School. Tickets are $20 each, with family ticket packages available. To purchase tickets and learn more about the show, visit https://oldcapitolchorus.com/SpringShow2025

Ian Bee is a board member of the Old Capitol Chorus, serving as VP of Marketing and PR..

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