Barbershop is a dynamic style of a cappella (voice-only) musical performance that originated in the United States in the late 1800’s, and has continued to evolve since then. More than just singing, it encompasses the total performance. Its close harmonies are highly pleasing to the ear, which isn’t surprising, since its earliest practitioners were simply singing what sounded the best to them. But beyond the characteristic “ringing chords”, the barbershop style also emphasizes vocal and visual interpretation to bring out the message of each song. Because of this, we prefer songs with simple, heartfelt messages and pleasant melodies. Good barbershop is both beautiful music and a powerful emotional experience for audience members and singers.