Fun Holiday – Barbershop Quartet Day

The unofficial holiday commemorates the founding of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America in 1938.

Waiting Songs

As the name suggests, barbershop music originated in 19th-century American barbershops, a place where men, usually African-American, came to socialize. While waiting for their turn with the barber, these men sang, harmonized improvised songs and created a genre of music that is now known as barbershop music.

Straw Hats

A barbershop quartet is a group of 4 men, each with their own unique voices - second tenor, first tenor, bass, and baritone - singing songs in the barbershop style.

Barbershop quartets have a signature dressing style that includes bright striped jackets, straw hats, and big mustaches.

How to Celebrate?

• Celebrate the day by getting acquainted with Barbershop music and its history.
• Attend a barbershop quartet show and enjoy their music.

Did You Know…

…that barbershop music is a type of acapella? Acapella is a style of singing without any accompanying instrumental music. The word comes from the Italian word for according to the church.