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 (SPEBSQSA), also known as "the Barbershop Harmony Society", was the first of several organizations to promote and preserve Barbershop music as an art form. Founded in 1938, the organization quickly grew, promoting barbershop harmony among men of all ages. At the dawn of the 21st century, more than 30,000 men in the United States and Canada are members of this organization, which they often simply call "the Society".It didn't take long for the women to join in the fun. Sweet Adelines International was founded in 1945, with a second women's barbershop-harmony organization, Harmony Incorporated, joining the fray in 1959. Several international affiliate organizations, in countries from Scandinavia to Japan, add their own flavor to the signature sound of barbershop harmony.
The official name of the organization spells barber shop as two words, whereas barbershop is generally used elsewhere.
The society can be contacted via their website, listed below, or by telephoning (800) 876-SING.
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