Singing is a wholesome activity, which brings a lifetime of enjoyment. Music elevates our spirit and expresses our emotions.  

Singing together with others builds character in diplomacy, diligence, and interdependence.  Performing for others builds social skills, develops poise, assurance, and self-confidence. 

Singing is fabulous exercise for the respiratory system, and music students are proven to excel in mathematics and other academics.  

Singing can start young people in a lifetime hobby that will give them and others more than they could ever imagine.

A major charitable focus of the Barbershop Harmony Society is to partner with music educators and other community musicians to ensure that the enrichment of singing continues forever.  Through fun and educational events, youth can learn and perform the challenging but extremely rewarding close harmonies of singing in a barbershop quartet or chorus.                            

We believe the world becomes a better place if everyone sings or is touched by music - it comes from the heart and speaks to the heart. 

As a men’s singing organization, we know the challenges that young men face in their formative years. Voices change, and our culture promotes “toughness” and repressed emotions. Four-part harmony allows boys to sing where their voices are comfortable, and singing in a quartet is masculine. It shows strength, is considered “cool”, and allows a man to get in touch with his emotions, all of which girls admire (a big motivation for the guys!). 

Youth need to be good at “good” things; otherwise they will become good at “bad” things. 

Singing with other males results in healthy bonding that men need…but seldom experience. The Barbershop Harmony Society provides an opportunity for boys to begin this life-enriching practice for a whole lifetime.

Getting Boys Involved

 Step 1 “DenverBarberFest”

Boys Barbershop Festival (Fall) 

Area high school boys sign up for our Barbershop Festival receiving at NO cost:

 Ø        sheet music and learning CD’s for

Ø       self-study or classroom preparation 

On the day of  “DenverBarberFest”,  the Barbershop Harmony Society provides a one-day workshop for the boys to: 

Ø       polish performance techniques unique to the barbershop style.

Ø       meet new friends from neighbor schools

Ø       learn songs suitable for school concerts

Ø       prepare to form quartets for the Spring Contest 

After dinner together, the boys chorus performs on stage as part of the evening Benefit Concert presented by the sponsoring adult barbershop groups. 

In 2003, 172 boys from 14 Denver area high schools participated in  DenverBarberFest.  Our goal is 200 boys at Barbershop Festival each year.

 Funds raised from the Festival Concert are used for introducing young men to the harmonies of singing throughout the year.

Step 2 Quartet Contest (Spring)

 The Barbershop Harmony Society and Sweet Adelines co-host a high school Quartet Contest with separate divisions for boys and girls each spring.

 Ø       competition is friendly and fun

Ø       cash awards to all school music depts

Ø       medals for top 3 quartets

Ø       traveling trophy and permanent plaque to 1^stplace  quartet

 Many music educators use the cash award to pay the nominal registration fee for students to attend Harmony Camp.

 Step 3 Harmony Camp (Summer)

 The Barbershop Harmony Society and Sweet Adelines co-host a weekend Harmony Camp in Estes Park for 50 boys and 50 girls each summer.

 Harmony Camp is the ultimate learning experience for the serious music student; therefore, Quartet Contest participants are admitted first. 

Ø       Students pay $100 registration as a gesture of sincere desire to attend

Ø       Sheet music, learning CD’s, housing and food are provided at no cost.

Ø       In addition to fun and recreation, students attend intense rehearsals and learn top-notch performing skills from top-notch clinicians.

Ø       Camp ends with a show presented through the YMCA Summer Concert Series.

Getting Teachers Involved

 The Barbershop Harmony Society also offers music educators an opportunity to attend Harmony College, a one-week intensive training in vocal harmony held at Missouri Western State College.  Our program qualifies as full college credit toward satisfying Continuing Education credit requirements.

 Harmony College is effective. We have found Harmony College makes a significant difference in developing successful school programs that produce enthusiastic singers among young men (and young women).

 Our goal is to send 5 teachers per year to Harmony College, building an “army” of teachers across the Front Range skilled in the art of teaching close vocal harmony to their students.

 Getting You Involved

 With your generous tax-deductible gift to the Barbershop Harmony Society, you can do so much! 

Attend Barbershop Festival concert

$15 general admission

$25 premium seating

 Sponsor Barbershop Festival seats!

$150 sponsors 10 seats

$300 sponsors 20 seats

$600 sponsors 40 seats 

Provide Harmony College scholarship!

$800 per scholarship

Support Youth Outreach Programs!

$1,000

$5,000

$10,000

 Two bonus premium seating tickets and a 1/8 page program ad are included with each $150 Barbershop Festival sponsor gift. Sponsored seats are used for family members of boys participating in the Barbershop Festival Concert who would not otherwise attend.  

Individuals, groups or corporations donating a gift are named as Benefactors of the Barbershop Harmony Society.  Benefactors are listed in “DenverBarberFest” program, and the Quartet Contest and Summer Harmony Camp programs.

 The Barbershop Harmony Society will place an “Ad of Appreciation” in the appropriate high school music programs the following year. The ad will honor any Benefactor who provides a scholarship to Harmony College for a music teacher.

 These are among the very best returns on an investment in our youth.

To make a donation, or get more information, please contact:

 Dr. Tony Pranaitis

Denver MountainAires

Young Men in Harmony Vice President

303-233-6234