ATTENTIVE Davenham residents may wonder whether they have been transported to Harvard University on Thursday evenings thanks to a new and exciting community music venture.
Salt Town Singers, Northwich’s new barbershop chorus, has set up shop in the village's Methodist church hall, offering men of all singing experience and none a chance to experience the benefits of quality communal music making.
Barbershop singing developed in America in the early twentieth century, characterised by arrangements of popular songs for four different unaccompanied male voices, singing in close harmony.
The genre enjoyed a boom in popularity in the UK in the 1970s, and it is the son of one of these early British pioneers now responsible for bringing the music to Northwich.
Jon Dawson, a quantity surveyor from Hartford, started performing barbershop music when he was just six years old, and has performed with a wealth of award-winning quartets and choruses over the years.
The 57-year-old has also been coaching and directing barbershop groups for the last 10 years, and in launching Salt Town Singers, hopes to bring some of the pleasure, health benefits, and musical camaraderie to the men of Northwich.
“This genre of music is very much in my blood,” he said.
The choir meets between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on Thursday evenings, and the gents often nip over to the pub for a few pints and a natter after their rehearsal.
Jon is keen to stress everyone is welcome to join in regardless of their singing or musical ability.
“It’s all very low pressure and low stress,” the dad-of-two added.
All the music can be learned by ear with the help of recorded ‘teach tracks’, provided by Jon, which break the tight harmonies down into the bass, baritone, lead, and tenor lines, but sheet music is also provided for those who know how to read it.
Jon says it ‘feels amazing to hear your part blend in harmony with the other parts’, adding: “I’m absolutely over the moon with the number of singers we have already and the way the word is spreading around.
“Most of the guys are brand new to barbershop, and within the six or seven weeks we’ve been going, the improvement is absolutely fantastic.
“I couldn’t have wished for a better group of guys.
“Barbershop appeals to me because it is designed for untrained singers to be able to get involved easily and sing great harmonies.
“You don’t need to know how to read music, or to have sung before, to get involved.
“The arrangements are done in a way everyday guys off the street could harmonise with.
“Traditionally, people would already know the melodies to these popular songs, and they would just improve harmonies.
“We are always looking for new members, and absolutely everyone is welcome.
“The main thrust of the evening is to have fun, and to enjoy the friendship of other guys.
“We’re a very social group. A few of us go down to the pub after rehearsal and have a natter.
“It's like having a gang of instant new mates straight away.”
Jon, a veteran of national barbershop singing competitions, has big plans for the chorus going forward, though he says he will be taking things slowly.
“The British Association of Barbershop Singers has a big contest every year, either in Harrogate or Bournemouth.
“Competing there might be a few years down the road, but this is the ultimate goal.
“In the meantime, we’d just like to do some good in the community.
“This year I’d like to see us perform at village fetes, old folks homes, the Christmas lights switch-on, places like that.”
If you would like to join the choir, or just drop in for a visit to see what it is all about, Jon can be contacted via Salt Town Singers website, or on 07939 833 343.
Share