Memphis is known for nurturing myriad musical forms, but barbershop harmonies may not be the first to pop into people’s heads. That’s a shame, because Memphis is home to a prominent chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the only chapter in West Tennessee.
The society has been in the barbershop-harmony preservation business since 1946, arguably a purer time for the genre than the past several decades of post-Beatles concerns. Headed in Memphis by Jim Warner, Memphis’ chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society will be entertaining audiences with two performances of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” this Saturday at Briarcrest Christian School. This is the chapter’s second annual Christmas concert, and both the 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows will feature the 2004 and 2007 Dixie District champion Cotton Boll Chorus (pictured) and backing quartets. Around 50 singers will harmonize over the course of each performance, covering a wide range of styles, including patriotic, religious, Broadway show tunes, and contemporary songs.
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Briarcrest Christian School, Saturday, December 1st, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $12, $15 at the door. For more information, go to cottonbollchorus.org.