About Us

The Rochester Chapter was chartered by the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA) in 1975. We have been an integral part of the Greater Rochester Area community ever since. Its parent organization is now known as simply the Barbershop Harmony Society.

The Chapter’s mission is stated in three-fold manner:

  • To our Members; we will provide an ongoing, fulfilling, weekly opportunity for harmonization and fellowship
  • To our Community; we will provide the finest men’s, a cappella singing at events and venues around the Greater Rochester Area
  • To our Society; we will remain true to the barbershop style and do all we can to perpetuate the continuation of this art form by sharing our love of it; we will maintain the chapter structure as outlined by the Society and participate in Society sponsored activities

The Heart of the Hills Chorus is the performing group within the Rochester Chapter. They perform in area nursing homes, hospitals, shopping malls and for many community events, including: Memorial Day services at Mt. Avon Cemetery and Veterans Pointe Memorial, the Rochester Downtown Development Authority’s “Lagniappe Night” and the Paint Creek Center for the Arts “Art & Apples Festival” Each February, members of the chorus share harmonious, heart-felt messages of love in the form of singing valentines delivered by tuxedoed quartets.