Barbershop singing is 4 part male a cappella singing where typically the lead sings the melody, the tenor harmonizes above the melody, the bass sings the lowest harmonizing note, and the baritone (“bari”) completes the chord, usually below the lead but sometimes going above the lead in pitch. According to the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS), “Barbershop music features songs with understandable lyrics and easily singable melodies, whose tones clearly define a tonal center and imply major and minor chords and barbershop (dominant and secondary dominant) seventh chords that resolve primarily around the circle of fifths, while making frequent use of other resolutions.”

No!

The defining characteristic of the barbershop style is the ringing chord. This is a name for one specific and well-defined acoustical effect, also referred to as expanded sound, the angel's voice, the fifth voice, or the overtone. Again, don’t worry about understanding the physics of it. You will know it when you hear it. It is what often makes a quartet sound like more than four people are singing and can lead to goose bumps and other such maladies.

The Fairfax Jubil-Aires are members of the Fairfax County Virginia chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, a society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA). SPEBSQSA is the largest all male singing society in the world, with over 750 chapters in the U.S., Canada with affiliate groups in eight other countries. In each chapter, members combine to form a chorus and quartets that entertain for fee or just for fun. Each year, in addition to their annual show, the Jubil-Aires chorus and quartets perform throughout the area at such places as the White House Ellipse, Fairfax City parade and fireworks displays, county and city parks, cable TV, ball parks, senior citizen residences, conventions, banquets, and other social events. The Fairfax chapter consists of approximately 52 members who come from many backgrounds but share a love of singing a cappella close harmony. They meet at 7:30 PM each Tuesday at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 13421 Twin Lakes Dr., Clifton, VA 20124. Their directors are Richard Lewellen and Tom Meier, both dynamic and innovative barbershoppers and leaders. If you enjoy singing, whether or not you have any musical training, this group may be right for you. Visitors are encouraged and always welcomed, whether they come to sing or just to enjoy listening to a musical style that has pleased people for over a hundred years. The Jubil-Aires are more than just an a cappella male chorus. The Jubil-Aires are a family, dedicated to great singing and the wonderful fellowship that comes with it. Wives and sweethearts are actively involved in this family, and we are especially proud of the support we receive from our Jubil-Ladies. If you and your family are looking for an extended family and the chance to sing, JOIN US!

Our rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 13421 Twin Lakes Dr., Clifton, VA 20124.

A schedule is sent to the members ahead of time, so that we all know what is planned for the rehearsal, like what songs we will be rehearsing and whether any special guests or coaches will be there. A typical rehearsal puts us on the risers in formation at 7:30 for warm-ups and other vocal exercises. After that, our director leads us through some songs that we are working on to add to our repertoire or for upcoming performances. Sometimes we work on songs from our repertoire that we haven't sung for a while, too. Halfway through the evening, we have a break, during which time there is usually a fair amount of informal quartet singing. Then we have a short "business" meeting, mostly devoted to announcements, awards, etc. Many times we allot time for what is called "fun-time", where one of the members will present something or have members participate in something funny, instructive or whatever. After that we are back on the risers to rehearse some more, either working on songs or general singing exercises to make sure our tones are matching, we are singing with resonance, in tune, etc. At the end of the evening, the group joins in singing the anthem of the Barbershop Harmony Society, "Keep the Whole World Singing." Beyond the rehearsals, we have varous performances throughout the year, including an annual show, Singing Valentines. and performances at various events and locations in the area. One of the biggest pleasures for the members of the chorus is when we can entertain and bring enjoyment to the people we are singing for. We also have time for parties and other social events, and at least twice a year we participate in contests where we are competing with other choruses. These events are especially enjoyable since it gives us the opportunity to meet and sing with other barbershoppers from other chapters.

Basically, the Jubil-Aires are men of various ages, many of whom are supported in this hobby by their wives and significant others (the Jubil-Ladies) who love to sing and enjoy the company of others who share their passion for barbershop music. Some are retired and some are not. Some are married and some are not. Some are older and some are younger, but we are all young at heart, especially when we sing. Some of our best friends are fellow Jubil-Aires, and many of us never met before joining the chorus. Some have been barbershop society members for many years and some have just joined. The best way to get to know who we are is to join us for a couple rehearsals and see if this is the right group for you.

It might be easier to say what is not required. You do not have to read music. We have other ways for you to learn the music, including learning tracks that you can listen to (over and over again) to memorize the words and notes for your part. The quality of your voice is not as important as your ability to hear a note and duplicate it or match it. Some members have a lot of vocal training, while others just like to sing and can carry a tune. Staying in tune is important, so someone who is tone deaf probably will not enjoy barbershop. We provide a lot of opportunities for our members to improve their vocal skills - breathing properly, forming vowels properly, improving the resonance of their voices, etc. For newly joined members, we even have a group called the FARBS (Fairfax Association of Rookie Barbershoppers) who meet twice a month with a coach to help work on singing techniques for those who want such help

Actually, it doesn't cost you anything to come and see if you like singing with the FJA (Fairfax Jubil-Aires). If you decide to join, then you will need to join the Barbershop Harmony Society, and the dues are $101 a year (less for seniors and youth). Most of this money goes to the Barbershop Harmony Society to pay for their programs with youth and other worthwhile efforts.

Some men know exactly what part they sing, but most don't. Many of our new members are not familiar with what parts there are in a barbershop chorus (or quartet). In most songs, the lead sings the melody (with a range like a second tenor for those more familiar with other types of choruses). The tenor floats above the melody and has a range like a first tenor. Many tenors in barbershop use falsetto to reach the notes they are given to sing. The bass provides the foundation down on the bottom, and the baritone fills in whatever is missing in the chord. Don't worry if you are not sure what part you should sing, because part of our director's job is to help you figure that out.

Harder for some than for others, but some great methods have been developed by the society to help with that. Even when you don't read music, learning tracks are usually available to listen to, and just the repetition of singing along in the car or wherever will make it easy to learn the songs. Every barbershopper in the country is familiar with 12 songs in a book called the Polecat songs. These are standard barbershop songs that you will want to learn as soon as you can, because once you know your part for these songs, you will be able to walk into any chapter meeting in the country and sing along with their members. Beyond that, the Jubil-Aires have a "repertoire" or group of songs that most members know and that can be used for the appropriate performances. It won't take long to learn those songs either, and for most of them, learning tracks are available. Most new members find that after being on the risers and listening to a song for several times (and maybe looking at the music while the chorus is singing), they are soon singing along. There will always be someone else singing your part who will be willing to stand behind you and sing so that you can hear the part, and that helps, too. Most importantly, as the chorus learns new songs, you will be on the same page as everyone else, learning the song right along with the rest of us. Typically, when a new song is introduced, each section goes to a separate area with a recording of the song where their part is predominant (or louder than the other parts). They will listen to the recording for two or three times; then they will say the words as they listen a couple times; then they will just hit the notes (using short "doots" instead of words) a couple times to make sure they are hitting the correct notes right away; and finally they will sing along several times. By the time the chorus reassembles, most people will be able to sing the song with very little reference to the music. This is a proven method for learning new material, and it is good exercise for the brain!!!

You will not only feel welcome, but you will be amazed at how fast you get to know a really great group of guys! You will soon feel like family!