This is not your grandmother's barbershop chorus.
And I personally never knew any barbershop choruses in my own grandmother's era. But, for the past several years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know some of the members of the locally based Rhythm of New Hampshire Show Chorus and I can only say these vibrant women really know how to sing and get their personalities out there.
Singers are often asked by their conductors, "Why do you sing?" And as easy a question as that may seem, it's often difficult to put into words all the reasons we do what we do.
For this group, however, I think I can tell why they sing. It's shown all over their faces.
And now it's time to celebrate the chorus' recent honor at the Sweet Adelines International Region One Competition, held earlier this month at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Mass.
The Rhythm of New Hampshire Show Chorus arrived back in Derry wearing a second-place medal for their performance. The a cappella show chorus performed two songs for the four-panel judging panel and brought home their second-place award in Division A, plus an eighth-place overall honor from among 18 choruses competing in the event.
For chorus director Jessie Samuel, it was a great effort to compete and bring home the awards.
"Each member gave our contest performance her greatest effort," Samuel said. "The competition was fierce. The fact that we placed in the top three again this year shows that we're constantly working to improve our sound and musicality to create top-notch performances."
The chorus has always celebrated the group's diversity since it began here in Derry a few years ago. Now the members evoke joy and energy with its repertoire of songs from blues, to jazz, to Broadway, to contemporary favorites. In addition, the group promotes harmony in many other ways, including friendship and respect among its members.
"We're not your grandmother's Sweet Adelines chorus," Samuel said. "We have taken all the wonderful attributes of barbershop singing and combined them in back-beating rhythms, interesting music, and a high level of entertainment."
And new members are always welcome, Samuel said — any women who love to sing and wants to express themselves through creativity and performance.
The Rhythm of New Hampshire Show Chorus invites women to a Summer Sing-sation program from July 10 through Aug. 14 at the Marion Gerrish Community Center in Derry. Women interested in trying their vocal skills can call 800-696-7351 to find out more. Rehearsals will be held Thursday evenings from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. A Friends and Family Night performance will be held on Aug. 14 to celebrate the program's "graduates."
Sweet Adelines International has a membership of more than 27,000 women around the world and is dedicated to educating its members in the art of singing four-part harmony, barbershop style. Visit the Rhythm of New Hampshire Show Chorus online at www.RNHchorus.org.
Julie Huss is a staff writer for the Derry News. Her column focusing on the local arts scene appears every Wednesday. To contact her, call 421-3847 or send an e-mail to jhuss@derrynews.com.
