Valentine City Chorus, one of the best barbershop groups in Colorado, will pay tribute to the “Emerald Isle” this Spring with their “A Great Day for the Irish” program. They will perform along the northern Front Range from April 7 to May 17 (when/where below).

“A Great Day for the Irish” show is published by the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS), and offers a collection of Irish classics from over the years. The barbershop style singing will be performed by the Valentine City Chorus, the Loveland Colorado Chapter of BMS. BMS was formed in 1938 by Owen C. Cash to promote and preserve the America art form of barbershop music. Today, just under 25,000 men of all ages in the United States and Canada are members.

Barbershop singing is an A Cappella style of singing that can be traced back to African-American barbershop in the late 19th century. It was popular in the early 20th century but stifled by the wild “Roaring Twenties.” With the efforts of BMH and help of musical theater and motion picture business, that sometimes incorporated the performance style onto stage and screen, barbershop singing made a comeback in the 1940’s.

BHS described the Barbershop harmony: It’s music in a very pure form created with nothing but human voices coming together to create a rich and satisfying texture that is pleasing to the ears and invigorating to the soul. Whether you’re an experienced musician or a brand new musician, barbershop levels the playing field and allows you to find your voice and be a part of creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Valentine City Chorus (VCC), the Loveland Chapter of the BHS, was established in 1982. Their current active membership is 32 men from the northern Colorado area, said member Lyle Thomas, “The youngest guy’s (3) are still students in college (I think UNC). I am 75, but we have some 82 year olds that have been singing for 48 years.”
Throughout the year VCC can be heard at both private and public functions and are available to entertain for special events for families, companies, public groups, government organizations, schools, or anyone else that may be interested. Over Valentine’s Day the chorus breaks down into quartets and make themselves available to deliver personal singing valentines. During the Holidays VCC offer programs featuring Christmas carols and seasonal songs.
They also donate their time for a benefit concerts, including one in May for northern Colorado public radio station KRFC FM 88.9.
VCC also compete in the Regional Barbershop annual competition in Colorado “We have three active quartets within the chorus. At least one of them will be singing as a quartet in the fall competition,” said Lyle. The winner can advance to sing in the Society’s international competition the following summer.

The unique sound of Barbershop harmony is loved and enjoyed by all ages, so gather your friends and family catch the infectious energy of the Valentine City Chorus as they sing traditional Irish songs in “A Great Day for the Irish.” Concert Conductor will be John Rotola, and Master of Ceremonies is David Thomas, international speaker and humorist.

“A Great Day for the Irish” will be performed:
The historic Rialto Theater in Loveland on Sunday April 7, 2013, 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM
$14 – $16 – 970-962-2120 228 E. 4th St., Loveland, CO 80537.

Hensel Phelps Theater in Greeley on Sunday April 21, 2013 at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM,
$16 – $18 – 970-350-9449 701 Tenth Ave., Greeley, CO 80631.
Sugar Valley Estates (retirement) in Loveland on Tuesday May 7, 2013 at 7:00 PM (Free).
Sunset Event Center in Ft. Collins to benefit public radio KRFC FM on Tuesday May 14, 2013, 7:00 PM.
Lincoln Center – Magnolia Theater in Fort Collins , Friday, May 17, 2013 at 7:00 PM.
$17 – $19 – 970-221-6730 – 417 W. Magnolia St., Ft Collins, CO 80521.

For info on VCC go to www.ValentineCityChorus.com or call 970-667-0197.