The Akron Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society was founded in 1945, roughly seven years after the creation of the, "Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America" (aka - S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.), which was founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 12th, 1938. The name was chosen as a wry commentary, on many governmental organizations at the time, which were in th
e habit of using acronyms as names (WAC – Women’s Army Corps; FDIC – Federal Deposit Corp.; etc). The first meeting of the Akron Chapter, was on the evening of February 6, 1945, at the Mayflower Hotel on South Main St. downtown, where ten men, all friends and all interested in singing, got together to relax. They decided that they should meet regularly, (twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays) to forget the trials and tribulations of business and indulge in some good old-fashioned barbershop harmony. Barbershop harmony and the preservation of this truly American art form for future generations, is the primary focus of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Over the years, the Society has grown, and our love for close a cappella harmony is as strong as ever. We sing, and share with audiences of all stripes, the arrangements both old school - from years gone by, and new contemporary tunes that are familiar to our audiences, which have been rendered into classic “Barbershop”. And we are continually seeking new blood, to carry on our crusade to preserve this musical style. It is a fun and engaging hobby, and we invite anyone (whether you believe you can sing or not), to come join us ‘of a Tuesday evening, and enjoy the music.
