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].