“History with Song,” the 53rd annual An-O-Chords men’s barbershop chorus show, kicks off a weekend of harmonious activities, world-class singing and showmanship at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, at Anacortes High School’s Brodniak Hall.
Capping the weekend is the famous An-O-Chords Salmon Barbecue and novice quartet competition, which begins at noon Sunday, July 27 at Sunset Beach in Washington Park.
Show tickets are $12 to $20. Call (360) 679-7473; Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Barbecue tickets are $13 and may be purchased at the event.
The 50-voice An-O-Chords chorus always puts on a lively show, filled with infectious family fun, great songs and stellar performances. And when bass, baritone, tenor and lead hit a chord just right, they trigger a thrilling harmonic phenomenon called the “fifth voice.”
“History with Song” also boasts two all-star guests: the Old School quartet and the Voices of Harmony ensemble. Old School consists of chorus directors who have coached internationally ranked quartets. Together they have won 11 international medals and numerous district championships. This is the foursome’s only Pacific Northwest appearance.
Voices of Harmony is a premium male vocal ensemble from Abbotsford, British Columbia. The group’s West Coast Fusion represents the future sound of international barbershop harmony.
The Sunday barbecue boasts fresh salmon, slow-roasted over an alder fire. Novice barbershop quartets provide the entertainment as they compete for coveted trophies and personal acclaim. Quartets must have two or fewer registered competition singers, but many groups will be entirely new to the event. Any quartet that sings a capella harmony and meets the novice criteria is welcome to compete — just register with the judges before the contest starts, usually at about 1:30 p.m. The professional quartets will also sing again.
The An-O-Chords Barbershop Chorus is one of more than 800 chapters of the Barbershop Harmony Society, formerly known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. For 53 years, the annual An-O-Chords event has been the last full weekend in July.
A nonprofit organization, the An-O-Chords offers quartets who sing on holidays like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, and at weddings, meetings, parties and community events. The An-O-Chords also conduct a youth outreach music education program, Get America Singing Again, designed to encourage vocal music in schools and communities.
The chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Island View Elementary School, 2501 J Ave. New singers and drop-ins are warmly welcomed. Call (360) 848-0441.
