Vocal Chords

There’s more to barbershop music than four guys in candy-striped jackets singing “Sweet Adeline.”

For more than 40 years, the Princeton Garden Statesmen have been sharing songs of various styles and from different eras barbershop style. During concerts, such as the one the group will perform today, June 4, at Yvonne Theatre on the campus of Rider University in Lawrence, the chorus sings old songs like “Irish Blessing,” doo wop tunes such as “Trickle Trickle” and the calypso number “Jamaica Farewell.”

“Over the years, we’ve looked at more melodies and put them to the barbershop style,” says James Danner, a member of the chorus. “Obviously you have to be careful, there’s a lot of music that doesn’t fit well. When barbershop first began, it was the current melodies of the day that people harmonized to. Continuously there are new arrangements of songs.”

Danner says different people might argue over the exact definition of barbershop singing, but that in general it’s built on a melody surrounded by three-part harmony. That differs from other a capella styles where a melody is sung with harmony under it.

The chorus also tries some surprising songs, including the 1960s Turtles hit “Happy Together.”

“You might not think right away that it’s barbershop because it’s based more on rhythm, and the low part when they’re singing sound like a rhythm section of a band," Danner says. "We do utilize the voice to hear things like that, so it’s not your traditional Sweet Adeline that you’re used to hearing sung around the lamppost or down at the barbershop, so to speak.”

The group also commissions arrangements, including “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” performed during a holiday show at the Cranbury Inn last year. Danner says that’s always a treat because the arranger knows the singers’ abilities.

The program at Rider, titled “It’s a Brand New Day,” will differ from the group’s recent spring concerts because it’s a straight concert, while others have featured scripts and dialogue. The show will mark the introduction of Jack Pinto, the Statesmen’s new music director and will include an appearance by a guest quartet, Frank the Dog. Chorus members will also break down into quartets.

Chorus members come from various backgrounds. One singer worked for GM assembling cars, there are also doctors, lawyers and sales managers. Their musical experiences vary.

“A lot of guys you’ll find have had some musical background, whether it’s singing with a chorus in high school or doing a high school production or a college chorus or playing an instrument,” Danner says. “Occasionally, you’ll find some guys, and we do have several in the chorus, who basically don’t read music, never did much with music and heard what we do, liked it and came in.”

Those non-music readers are able to participate because the chorus has different learning tracks for singers based on their experience.

“They’re able to perform and learn what they need to learn," Danner says. "But they come from all different walks of life and backgrounds.”

The Princeton Garden Statesmen Barbershop Chorus will perform A Brand New Day at the Yvonne Theatre at Rider University in Lawrence, Saturday, June 4, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20, $16 seniors, $12 students. For tickets and information, call 732-325-1620 or visit www.menwhosing.org.