On April 11, 1938 the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America was founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, marking the official celebration of Barbershop Quartet Day. The image of four wearing straw hats singing together with complex harmonies could be considered a cultural cornerstone of the 1940s.
However, Barbershop Quartet is by no means an American invention; the popularity of barbershops in England amongst men during the time of Shakespeare extended as far as in-house entertainment, often taking the form of a lutist providing a melody to which the queing patrons could harmonise with. This idea and practice became popular in America in the West during the late 1800s, though a banjo was often used instead of a lute.




Back when I was in a barbershop quartet in Skokie, Illinois.... #namethatmovie
@peterkchudyba You're in a professional barbershop quartet and you want us to reassure you that you're not old?
The 2nd mvt of Prokofiev's 7th sonata always makes me think of a barbershop quartet. I think it's the chromaticism in the melody.

@mockingbreebird is singlehandedly singing barbershop quartet. And cracking herself up about it. I'm more than a little frightened.

RT @Joel2Joey: Bragging to my brother about our barbershop quartet! >

Bragging to my brother about our barbershop quartet! >

if this barbershop quartet bears any relation to the NATO protesters, #chicago may have made a fuss over nothing. #streeterville

Hologram of Jackie Gleason and a barbershop quartet. #kathy
I've always wanted to be in a barbershop quartet...
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