Tampa's Barbershop Choruses Headed To International Competition

TAMPA, FL -- Two Tampa barbershop choruses are striking the right chord on the international stage.

The Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony Chorus and the Toast of Tampa Show Chorus, both under the master direction of Tony De Rosa, have qualified for international competition.

The Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony Chorus will compete in the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International competition July 5 in Salt Lake City and the Toast of Tampa Show Choruswill compete in the Sweet Adelines International competition Sept. 19 in New Orleans. Both Tampa-based choruses qualified by winning their respective regional competitions.

Tony De Rosa is an accomplished musician, choral ensemble director, Barbershop Harmony Society member and a four-time international quartet champion. He is also the music director for the Voices of Liberty at Disney’s Epcot Center and the “Dapper Dans” of Disneyworld at the Magic Kingdom in addition to directing the two barbershop choruses.

Born into a barbershop-singing family, he has a lifetime of barbershop-related achievements and accolades. His mother, sister, daughter and niece sing with the Toast of Tampa Show Chorus and his son sings with the Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony Chorus.

“Barbershop offers a unique opportunity for people of varied backgrounds and life experiences to come together in a truly harmonious way,” said De Rosa. “It is a refreshing and exhilarating experience as you are a part of both making the music and expressing emotion through it. There is so much to gain from not only the performance and vocal education, but the special way our communities come together to support each other through any and all life’s moments. While each has their own style and function, the love of Barbershop is alive and well in the Tampa Bay area with these two organizations. We are all so very lucky.”

The Heralds of Harmony, previously directed by De Rosa's father, Joe, have been entertaining Tampa audiences since 1945, during which time they have won numerous state championships. The Heralds regularly compete at the International Chorus Contest of the Barbershop Harmony Society and, in 2018, placed sixth in the world with their highest score ever.

Performing throughout the year for major social, civic, community and charitable events throughout West Central Florida, the Heralds provide entertainment for a wide range of audiences including businesses, service and social organizations.

The Toast of Tampa Show Chorus is a perennial top 10 international medalist, placing fourth in 2017 and qualifying for this year’s contest by winning the 2018 Coastal Harmony regional contest held in Daytona Beach. In addition to sold-out performances for Tampa-area community organizations, the chorus presents an annual show, “SRO," presented this year at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts Oct. 6.