The special thing about the a cappella four part harmony music we sing is the unique style of barbershop arrangements.

Barbershop music is typically built on simple melodies and is relatively easy to sing. In fact, you don’t even need to read music as we learn by ear using pre-recorded tracks for each of the four parts.

However, it is the a cappella style and the ear training necessary for independent part singing that makes it one of the most challenging and rewarding styles for a vocal ensemble. When the music is sung accurately with good breath support and vocal techniques, barbershop harmony produces overtone vibrations that create a resonant ring unique to this form of music. It really is such a thrill to experience barbershop’s chords that lock and ring!

The special thing about the a cappella four part harmony music we sing is the unique style of barbershop arrangements.

Of the four parts, the LEAD voice generally sings the melody and is unusual as it is below the high tenor harmony; the TENOR part sings the highest note in the chord but is not to be confused with the vocal style of conventional soprano choral singing; the BARITONE part fills in the all-important missing note in a chord that may be above or below the melody; and the BASS part supplies the foundation of the chord. So, whatever range of voice you have, there will be a part for you!

Vocal Dimension are working on a wide ranging repertoire including a mixture of classic barbershop arrangements, swing, West End Show songs and pop. The presentation of barbershop music is critical in order to engage the listener, so we use various musical and visual performance methods to convey the theme of the song and provide the audience with an emotionally satisfying and entertaining experience. There’s no standing still in barbershop!

Here are some of the songs in our repertoire:

  • Treat People with Kindness – Harry Styles
  • Something - The Beatles
  • For Good – Wicked, the musical
  • Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics
  • Jerusalem - traditional hymn
  • What’s Inside – Waitress, the musical
  • Valerie – Amy Winehouse/The Zutons
  • Engel - Rammstein

It’s all about making music together and having fun doing it!