Ready to Start a Men's A Cappella Group? Friday, February 05, 2010
Involve the guys in your choir (and recruit some more to join!) by starting a barbershop or a cappella men's ensemble at your school. Starting with a group of just 3 or 4 interested young men, you can re-invigorate your music program, get your students performing out in the community, and generate interest in your choirs with other young singers! Find a style that fits your group and start singing!
The traditional four-part barbershop harmony style has been standard in men's a cappella music for decades. Coney Island Baby/We All Fall is one of the most popular choices in this established style, and is a perfect starting point for groups new to the approach. Another great option is I'm Sitting On Top of the World, full of laid-back swing and cheerful, feel-good lyrics. Other nostalgic favorites like Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight, In My Room (originally recorded by The Beach Boys) and the doo-wop classic Silhouettes are also sure to resonate with your audience.
You can also try some more contemporary pop tunes in a close-harmony, barbershop style. The Queen hit Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a great “bridge†between traditional barbershop and a more contemporary musical language. Billy Joel's The Longest Time and Happy Together from 1967 are also good transitional choices.
If you're looking for the more recent contemporary or collegiate a cappella style, try some of the selections by master arranger Deke Sharon. Breakfast at Tiffany's has become a perennial favorite of student a cappella groups, and is great for all kinds of performance occasions. Other choices include Brown Eyed Girl (by Van Morrison), Lonely No More (by Rob Thomas), Fragile (by Sting), and Jet Airliner (by the Steve Miller Band).
For more information on barbershop and other a cappella styles, check out the Barbershop Harmony Society (formerly SPEBSQSA) and the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA), or contact us for more great repertoire suggestions for your men's ensembles!