Join us! Hallmark of Harmony are always open to new members.
Who are Hallmark of Harmony?
Hallmark of Harmony are a Sheffield-based barbershop chorus with a mission to entertain and delight audiences. Formed in 1978, we are the six-time UK chorus champions of the British Association of Barbershop Singers, and are known for our close-harmony singing, high musical standard, and inclusive atmosphere. We perform all over the country in concerts, festivals, and competitions. We are an amateur choir, full of ordinary men from all walks of life, who love to sing in harmony. We don’t take ourselves too seriously and rehearsals are always social and fun before anything else!
Check out some videos of us singing here.
Who can join?
Anyone who likes to sing! Our members range from classically trained musicians with years of singing experience right through to people who had previously only ever sung in the shower. Whatever your experience, if you love to sing in harmony, are curious about barbershop / a cappella music, or have been meaning to join a choir but never quite found the time, we’d love you visit a rehearsal.
Please note that Hallmark of Harmony is a male-voice chorus, so we’re only looking for singers who identify as, or are happy to be identified as, male. There are two fantastic female barbershop choruses in Sheffield: see Sheffield Harmony and Steel City Voices.
When and where do we rehearse?
We rehearse on Tuesday nights, 19:30-22:00, at Wesley Hall, Crookes, Sheffield, S10 1UD.
Our rehearsals are always open to prospective members and you’re welcome to visit a rehearsal.
Let us know when you’re planning to come so we can expect you!
How much does it cost to join?
Please see our Membership Costs page.
Do I have to audition?
Please see our Audition page.
Do I need to read sheet music?
No, many of our members don’t read sheet music. We use learning tracks, audio recordings of each harmony part, to learn the music by ear. Note that Hallmark only uses sheet music for learning; we typically perform without sheet music.
What happens during a typical rehearsal?
Each rehearsal starts with a short physical warm up, then a vocal warm up led by our music team. Then we’ll practice our songs, sometimes by splitting into our respective parts to go over the music, and then bringing it all together to sing as a chorus. As we work on a song our music team will coach the chorus on vocal production, musical detail, performance, and lots more. There’s a short break halfway through for a cup of tea and a chat, and afterwards we’ll head to a local pub for a drink (optional, of course).
What is barbershop?
Barbershop is a style of four-part, close-harmony, a cappella singing. Originating in America, you may think of barbershop quartets in pin-striped suits: the Dapper Dans or The Be-Sharps from the Simpsons. A barbershop chorus is basically one giant barbershop quartet, with lots of people singing each part!
What parts are there in a barbershop chorus?
There are four harmony parts in a barbershop arrangement: Tenor, Lead, Baritone, and Bass. The Lead sings the melody line, with the three other parts harmonising around it. For those who’ve sung in traditional choirs, this is a good translation:
- Tenor = Alto or Countertenor
- Lead = Tenor 1 or Tenor 2
- Baritone = Tenor 2 or Baritone or Bass 1
- Bass = Bass 2 or Bass 1
How do I know what part I should sing?
Don’t worry! During your first visit, we’ll do some simple voice tests as a group to help you identify which part best suits your voice. Then, you’ll be given access to some music and learning tracksso you can try singing along to each part. Our music team is there to guide you, and you’re welcome to try out several parts before deciding to audition.
