ARE YOU a DIVA?
Do you love to sing in the shower? Do you croon in your car? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to perform on stage? Would you like more fun and excitement in your life? You are about to find it!

What is Almost Heaven Chorus?
Almost Heaven Chorus is a membership organization of female singers, who meet regularly to practice, socialize and have fun. Active members belong to a chorus, and some members create and sing in quartets. Sweet Adelines’ choruses and quartets perform in public and may compete at regional and international levels.

Why would I want to join?
Singing, friendship and good times are the reasons our members join and stay with the organization.

Sweet Adelines sing a combination of upbeat songs and ballads, a refreshing alternative to classical music. If you are, or have been, (or never have been) a member of a choir, Sweet Adelines will be a lively and energetic experience for you.

If you wish, you can get involved with performing and competitions, which add excitement and challenge to your musical experience. Many members find their own personal development a thrill, and their self-confidence grows as they learn singing and skills they may never have known before.

What kind of music do Sweet Adelines sing?
Sweet Adelines choruses and quartets perform four-part a cappella harmony, barbershop style. This style of music lends itself to songs from any era – today’s ballads, popular show tunes, even jazz. Sweet Adelines have performed their unique style of music in a number of popular venues from professional sports stadiums, Olympic ceremonies, with major symphonies, and even on several national television shows. A PBS special featuring Sweet Adelines International recently aired nationally to over 80 million households.

Discover your inner Diva with the Almost Heaven Chorus!
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Singing Barbershop Harmony for Women

In simple terms, barbershop harmony is vocal harmony produced by four parts: lead, tenor, baritone and bass. It is different from any other kind of choral or group singing.
 
Finding the right part for your voice is the initial step. Any woman of average singing ability, with or without vocal training, will find a part that fits her range.
Lead is the melody and is sung in the range between A below middle C, and C above middle C.

Tenor is a harmony part sung consistently above the lead. Although tenor is the highest voice in barbershop harmony, it should not be confused with soprano of conventional singing groups. The tenor should have a light, sweet, pure tone that will compliment but not overpower the lead voice.

Baritone covers approximately the same range as lead. The baritone harmony notes cross the lead notes; sometimes sung below and sometimes above. Baritones must constantly adjust their balance to accommodate their position in the chord.

Bass singers should have a rich, mellow voice and be able to sing the E flat below middle C easily. Basses should not be confused with the alto of conventional groups. Many altos can sing the bass part, but others are much better suited to lead or baritone, depending on range and vocal quality.

Barbershop Criteria

It has four parts - no more, no less.

It has melodies that are easily remembered.

Barbershop harmonic structure is characterized by: a strong bass line melody in an internal part complete chords without any non-chord tones mostly major triads, dominant 7th chords and dominant 9th chords with other chords used in passing as demanded by the implied harmony traditional harmonic movement and resolutions

It has rhythmic interest as an important and vital part of an uptune.

It has clear, recognizable form.

It has lyrics that are clear and understandable.

It is challenging to perform because:
it requires great vocal skill and is usually sung by amateur singers
all chords must be heard with clarity requiring singers to sing precise intervals

Properly tuned barbershop chords are congruent with the physics of sound.

Energy and physical involvement are required from the singer in a degree of intensity not usually found in other choral forms.

The artistic potential is unlimited since we are not bound by the printed page.

It is emotionally satisfying to both the listener and the performer.