International A Cappella Organization Brings Barbershop Harmony To Rhode Island

Harmony, Incorporated, an international organization of female a cappella singers specializing in the barbershop harmony style, returns to its roots this year as it hosts its annual International Convention and Contests (IC&C) in Providence, the same city in which it held its first convention 57 years ago. The event, which will be held November 2-6 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, will draw approximately 1500 performers from the United States and Canada. It is the organization’s premier event of the year and features multiple contests, non-competition performances, and extensive educational offerings.

Each year one chorus and one quartet rise to the top after a series of competitions that celebrate and preserve the barbershop harmony genre. Harmony, Inc. crowns these international champions from women representing a wide range of musical backgrounds; novice to trained professionals. These women have earned the right to cross the international stage through their regional contests and will be judged in several categories evaluating their choice in music, the vocal quality in which it is performed, and its ability to resonate with the audience. In total, more than 40 quartets and 21 choruses will cross the stage in their pursuit of championship trophies.

“Barbershop harmony is a truly unique form of a cappella singing as it celebrates the heritage of the genre and at the same time it brings a contemporary flair to today’s audiences,” says Christina Lewellen, Harmony, Inc.’s president. “We have novice singers standing shoulder-to-shoulder with experienced musicians and, together, we are work to bring musical excellence to the four-part harmony we sing and to celebrate the barbershop harmony genre.”

“Women’s barbershop harmony is a stunning display of compelling music and entertaining performances,” Lewellen notes. “Whether you’re familiar with the structure of a barbershop harmony contest or not, you’ll find that these performances will demonstrate the absolute best of what this style of music has to offer.”

Barbershop harmony, with its roots in the adolescence of American history, has experienced a resurgence of popularity in recent years thanks to contemporary a cappella platforms such as “The Sing-Off” television series and the “Pitch Perfect” movies.

In addition to several categories of competition, the convention will feature several showcase performances, including a parade of past champions and a combined International Chorus consisting of representatives from each chapter in the organization. The public is welcome to attend any of the performances and tickets will be available in advance or at the door. Schedule details and ticket information can be found on HarmonyInc.org.

About Harmony, Incorporated:

Harmony, Inc. is an international, non-profit organization whose purpose is to empower all women through education, friendship and a cappella singing in the barbershop style. Since 1959, the organization has expanded from its Eastern roots to include more than 60 chapters in the United States and Canada, from California to Newfoundland, and from Manitoba to Florida. For more information, visit HarmonyInc.org.