Barbershop Quartets

Quartets have always been the backbone of the barbershop harmony sound. It was even important enough when the society was formed to ensure that quartetting would continue.  SPEBSQSA was the forerunner to Barbershop Harmony Society and it stood for Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of BarberShop Quartet Singing in America.

While the focus in the society has changed to chorus oriented chapters, quartets remain a very important and exciting part of what we do.  Quartets are four man subsets of the chapter and chorus.  They select music that fits their individual character, most of which is not part of the chorus repertoir.  The chapter quartets provide the ability to perform for various functions with little notice.  They add to chapter shows because of their unique flavor of music selection and style separating themselves from the sound of the chorus.  While the big sound of the chapter chorus is impressive, the agility and uniqueness of a particular quartet can be very valuable and refreshing.

The Tuscaloosa chapter has had a rich history in barbershop quartets and today is no different.