The Hearts of Harmony singers can be thought of as a barbershop quartet group — times seven, and then some.
Instead of sporting the characteristic boater hats and striped vests associated with male barbershop quartets, the 30-plus female members of the Hearts of Harmony focus on the a capella, four-part harmony singing style popularized by barbershop groups.
Part of the appeal of singing harmonies is “you can’t do it alone,” said the group’s director, Cheryl Brook.
She described it as “a team sport. It’s a communal effort that makes you have to work with other people, so that’s always a good thing.”
The Red Deer-based group with members from as far as Carstairs and Stettler will be performing a Heart and Soul concert with guests on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Memorial Centre.
The event will celebrate a decade since the singers became chartered members of the international Sweet Adeline chorus.
A lot of things have changed in 10 years, including the group’s repertoire.
Brook said it used to be that performing four-part harmonies entailed singing songs from the 1920s to ’40s. Now hardly any of the Hearts of Harmony numbers are that old.
“We tend to sing more modern songs,” said Brook, such as Broken Road by Rascal Flats, Elton John’s Can You Feel the Love Tonight, and Broadway show tunes such as Get Me To The Church on Time from the musical My Fair Lady.
The Hearts of Harmony will sing the Elton John song with members of the Annie L. Gaetz Children’s Choir at the Memorial Centre during the Heart and Soul performance. Other guests at the 7 p.m. concert are a men’s barbershop quartet from Calgary, and Central Alberta’s Tune In! quartet.
Tickets are $18 from Ticket Central.
Anyone interesting in auditioning to become a member of Hearts of Harmony, which rehearse weekly at the Davenport Church of Christ, 68 Donlevy Ave., can call Brook at(403-742-4218.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com