Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America

The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, now commonly known as the Barbershop Harmony Society, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving barbershop music as an art form. Founded in 1938 by Owen C. Cash and Rupert I. Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the society has grown significantly, fostering a community of musicians across various age groups.

History and Mission

The organization's mission is twofold: to preserve traditional barbershop music and to encourage its development through educational programs and performances. Over the years, it has expanded its reach, initially focusing on men but later allowing women to join as full members starting in June 2018.

Preservation Efforts

One of the society's key initiatives is maintaining the Old Songs Library, which holds over 100,000 song titles, making it one of the largest sheet music collections worldwide. Additionally, the "Barberpole Cat Program" provides members with a set of standard songs, ensuring that barbershoppers can always find common repertoire to sing together.

Structure and Affiliations

The Barbershop Harmony Society, once headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in 2007. It operates with several international affiliates and has a charitable arm, Harmony Foundation International, which supports its programs.

Membership and Activities

As of recent years, the Barbershop Harmony Society has approximately 14,000 members. Members participate in local chapters, performing in various events and community functions. While the organization historically catered to men, it now welcomes both male and female members, allowing chapters to choose their gender composition.

Adaptation to Changing Times

In recent years, the society has made significant steps towards inclusivity, allowing women to become full members and participate in its activities. This shift reflects the organization's commitment to evolving with societal changes while maintaining its core values and musical traditions.

However, the provided EIN 202655520 and the web link gaslightchorus.org do not correspond directly to the information available about the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. It seems that the Gaslight Chorus is a group associated with this type of music rather than the headquarters of the Barbershop Harmony Society itself.