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Everybody, sing along with them

Working in harmony is natural to a quartet.

By LOGAN NEILL
Published November 10, 2006

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Maurice Rivenbark] Gene Schuh, Jerry McPhail, Art Ellingsen and Jay Gettig, left to right, are the Hernando Harmonizers' Pine Chords quartet. Watch video

WEEKI WACHEE - It's the final Monday night rehearsal and the members of the Hernando Harmonizers are running through the repertoire of tunes they'll be singing at their fifth anniversary concert.

Though it's just a run-through, there is joy in the faces of the men as they sway and croon sentimental classics such as Up the Lazy River, Alexander's Ragtime Band and It Had To Be You.

Call it a brotherhood in harmony.

Art Ellingsen, who sings bass, says the sweet sound of four vocal parts blending perfectly has an irresistible charm and magic all its own.

"When you hear that ringing chord, it just grabs you," said the 77-year-old co-founder of the Hernando Harmonizers. "If it looks like we're having fun, it's because we are."

That's pretty much the opinion of everyone in the 20-member chorus with the concert at 2 p.m. Saturday at Nativity Lutheran Church in Weeki Wachee.

Most, like Ellingsen, are long- time barbershop singers who discovered long ago the simple joys of good harmony.

"The nice thing about barbershop singing is that it doesn't require having a great voice" said baritone Jay Gettig. "If you can stay on pitch and are willing to learn the music, that's about all you need."

Although some members also sing in competitive barbershop groups, the Harmonizers consider themselves more a recreational outfit.

That doesn't mean perfection isn't a goal.

"We work hard at it," said Ellingsen. "There's no use going out there if you can't give it the best you've got."

Members meet Monday nights in the Nativity Lutheran Church's activities hall, where they spend three hours under the direction of Doug Parker, who coaches them on how to blend their bass, tenor, lead and baritone voices.

Every nuance from dynamics, enunciation, even when to breathe are drilled into the singers until they know all by heart.

Historians generally trace barbershop singing to African-American minstrel shows of the mid 18th century, where four-part harmonies were put to hymns, folk songs and even popular songs of the day.

By the early 1900s, barbershop quartets began springing up across the nation. Before long, it had become its own culture, with cities sponsoring barbershop contests and conventions.

Key to barbershop singing's popularity has always been its familiarity to singers and audiences alike. Though repertoires may vary from group to group, every singer is versed in what the Barbershop Harmony Society calls "pole cat" songs, which includes tunes such as My Wild Irish Rose, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Down By The Old Mill Stream, and Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie.

"The idea is that you can walk up to any barbershop group anywhere in the world and join in on a song that everyone knows," said Gettig. "That's one of the things that makes it so much fun."

Despite obvious nods to barbershop's nostalgic past, the bulk of the Harmonizer repertoire has a more modern sound.

"What's worked well has been adding a lot more show tunes and standards to our performances, music that people don't often associate with barbershop harmony," said Ellingsen.

"Our hope is that it will somehow help us to attract younger people to the music."

With the majority of members in their 60s and 70s, most in the Harmonizers would welcome some younger blood.

"Sometimes I think it's the image that barbershop has that is a turnoff to younger people," said Chuck Swenson. "You don't really see the straw hats and garters too much anymore. Groups are trying to be a little more sophisticated."

Still, the thrill of singing harmony has a strong appeal to those who just enjoy the informal camaraderie of barbershop culture. It's what brought 65-year-old Daniel Wee to the Harmonizers last year.

"There are a great bunch of guys in this group," said Wee. "They're always willing to perform in nursing homes and community events. It's a wonderful thing to be part of."

Logan Neill can be reached at 848-1435 or lneill@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 10, 2006, 11:17:31]