
Society For Preservation & Encouragement Of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America
We are a barbershop style mixed a cappella chorus, singing for our community at community events, annual shows, and annual competition. We operate as a non-profit membership organization. We meet regularly to practice, perform, socialize, and have fun. The mission of the Harmony Express chorus is to generate Fun through Excellence as we perpetuate and celebrate harmony in the barbershop style, promote fellowship and friendship among members, enhance the lives of others in the community through performance, and participate in Barbershop Harmony Society events and competitions. We are the Germantown, MD chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, also known as the Society For The Preservation And Encouragement Of Barbershop Quartet Singing In America, whose motto is “Everyone in Harmony.”

Society for Preservation & Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America
The Society for Preservation & Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, Inc., commonly referred to by the acronym SPEBSQSA, is officially known as the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) today. This organization was founded in 1938 by Owen Clifton Cash and Rupert I. Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with the goal of preserving and promoting barbershop music as an art form[1][2].
History
SPEBSQSA was established on April 11, 1938, with the first meeting held at the Roof Garden of the Tulsa Club. Initially, the organization did not have formal dues, rules, or officers but quickly grew, with eight chapters by the end of the first year. The first national quartet contest was held in June 1939 to select "The World's Champion Barber Shop Quartet"[4].
Mission
The Society's mission is to bring people together through harmony and fellowship, enriching lives through singing. It focuses on preserving and extending the reach of barbershop harmony, a uniquely American close harmony musical art form with roots in African-American improvisation and European harmony traditions[1].
Activities and Impact
- Education and Resources: The organization provides active programs in music education, publishing, performance, and community outreach. It maintains the Old Songs Library, which holds over 100,000 titles, making it one of the largest sheet music collections globally[2][3].
- Contests: BHS annually hosts international and district-level contests for choruses and quartets, promoting excellence in barbershop singing[2].
- Membership: As of recent data, the Barbershop Harmony Society has around 14,000 members in the United States but supports a broader community of over 80,000 singers worldwide through affiliated organizations[1][3].
Governance and Structure
The Society is governed by an elected board of directors and employs a professional staff. It operates under the Carver Policy Governance Model and is organized into 17 geographical districts across North America[2][3].
Evolution and Inclusion
Historically, SPEBSQSA was a male-dominated organization, but in June 2018, the Barbershop Harmony Society began allowing women to join as full members, marking a significant step towards inclusivity[3]. Prior to this, women could participate as associates from 2009[3].
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Harmony Express | Fun Through Excellence
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