The WestcoastChordsmen welcome men to join our Floreat based Perth Acapella
chorus/choir. If you are not familiar with barbershop style singing why
not visit us on rehearsal night to discover for yourself. We have more
than 25 members and on most rehearsal nights we will have about 20 attending.
It’s not just about the singing, one of the things our new members
(and old) remark on is the welcoming and friendly atmosphere at our rehearsals.
We also have regular social evenings, where wives, partners and guests
join us for food, drink and merriment.
If you are a beginner, we would love to help you learn. It is great fun
to harmonise without instrument support. Many of our members had never
sung in a choir or chorus before they joined us. We have a simple audition
in which you learn to harmonise two simple songs. Most pass the audition
within a few short weeks. You can also participate in quartets.
You do not need to be able to read music or to have had a background
in singing to succeed, because we supply you with learning CD’s
and accompanying sheet music once you pass your audition and in the meantime
we provide you as a visitor, with a file of music so that you can follow
the proceedings on the evening.You will learn to gain confidence to perform
in front of people as a chorus member and even in a quartet if you so
desire. With increasing experience you will gain a deeper sense of appreciation
and enjoyment for all forms of music.
There are
very real health benefits in singing especially Acapella, creating harmony
with others. You learn in due course to sing our repertoire without reference
to the sheet music(memory training) We engage in warm-up exercises, learn
breath control and in singing, adopt a “singers stance” (posture)
It is no coincidence that men can actively engage in this very enjoyable
pastime well into their 80’s
Barbershop is an international movement, the best choruses and quartets
travel to the USA to compete for international honours and here in Australiathere
is an annual Barbershop Convention and Harmony College which rotates
from State to State.