Denver MountainAires
Barbershop Chorus
Who we are
The Denver MountainAires is a local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
(local being Denver, Colorado, USA)
We are 45 or so men who sing
"barbershop quartet" music,
both in a chorus and in quartets, for the fun of it. Amateur singers.
The chorus is called, of all things, The Denver MountainAires Barbershop Chorus.
What we do
We meet most Tuesday evenings for "chapter meeting"/"chorus rehearsal"
(see *Rehearsals* below), during which we:
start with warm-ups, physical as well as vocal stretching. Maybe some "craft",
technical instruction on singing or reading music.
learn / practice / rehearse / polish old and new songs.
"quartet", by getting with three others during the 15 minute coffee/punch break, deciding on
a song everyone knows or can read or can make up a part for, and then presenting it to the
others at the end of the meeting. Participation is not required, but is lots of fun.
enjoy each other's company (socialize, fellowship, camaraderie, )
We put on an annual show of barbershop music, chorus and quartets, and usually an out-of-town
guest quartet, and maybe a featured group such as a high school chorus, a Sweet Adeline
(women) barbershop quartet, a bluegrass or Dixieland ensemble, kid tap dancers, ...
We present three or so "Showcase"s a year, which is a small mini-show featuring the chorus and one
of the chapter quartets, with an audience sing-along and rootbeer floats at the intermission.
We sing out ...
... at retirement &/or nursing home functions.
... as a substitute choir at various churches, and at the VA hospital chapel.
... for the Westminster (Colorado) Elk's annual memorial service in early December.
... at various festivals.
We support the barbershop Young Men In Harmony program,
along with the Mile High chapter and local Sweet Adelines, by
making presentations to local high schools, with film and demonstration quartets.
supporting local high school music teachers with music, instruction, ...
hosting Summer Harmony Camp, with instructors.
holding a youth quartet competition. (boys, girls, and mixed quartets).
holding Denver Barberfest, a full day of learning, craft, evening concert.
We attend Society/district events, either as individuals or as a chorus.
Two district conventions. May be in Denver area, Cheyenne, Albuquerque, or Salt Lake City area.
Chautauqua, a music festival in nearby Boulder, Colo., one Saturday devoted to barbershop.
Rocky Mountain Harmony College, a weekend at YMCA camp in Estes Park,
fantastic coaching and instruction for individuals and quartets.
An International convention. In a U.S. or Canadian city. Competion of the top quartets
and choruses from each district and from overseas.
A mid-winter convention. At a southern-ish city.
Harmony University, a week of intensive study of all things barbershop (music),
in St. Jo. Missouri. Can earn valid college credits.
We deliver Singing Valentines: a silk rose, a small box of chocolates, a card, and two
barbershop love songs delivered to your sweetie by a genuine barbershop quartet.
We gather at a local bar, some of us, Tuesday evenings after the meeting,
for more informal singing, et cetera.
(The one thing we don't do, as a chorus, is enter competition. This has to do with our beginnings
as an alternative to the big "always standing on the risers working on the two contest songs"
chorus back in 1975. We have sung on the contest stage "for evaluation only" by knowledgeable
judges. If you're looking for competition, check out Sound Of The Rockies
(link below). They've come in 3rd place in the Barbershop Society International Contest,
and just might win the gold medal one of these days (years). We have some dual members.)
Rehearsals
Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings, 7:30pm - 10:00pm, at
Edgewater Community Church, 2497 Fenton St., Edgewater, Colorado.
(western suburbs of Denver, Colorado, USA)
[ Map ]
Visitors welcome any time. Sit and listen. Sing. Enjoy.
Links
Definition(s) of barbershop harmony
Chorus Calendar
.
Official MountainAires website
Repertoire, plus
Songs we have ever sung, or attempted
Jerry's Rules for Barbershop Singing
Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS),
official web site (a.k.a.
SPEBSQSA)
Barbershop Wiki
Rocky Mountain District (sub-unit of the BHS)
52eighty "men's youth a cappella chorus"
Mile High chapter / Sound of the Rockies
Chorus, the large chorus in Denver.
Boulder chapter / Timberliners Chorus
Longmont chapter / Longs Peak Chorus
High Country Chorus, Sweet Adelines
Skyline Chorus, Sweet Adelines
Sweet Adelines International
(Youth) Summer Harmony Camp
Barbershop
Quartet Preservation Association (BQPA)
Grace Notes barbershop quartet
Joyful Noise barbershop quartet
McPhly barbershop quartet
Ignition barbershop quartet
Tags (song endings)
Tags, links to tag sites.
Lesson: Singing On The Black Keys