By: Kenneth Pastushyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The Heart of Essex Chorus provided a one-hour introductory barbershop quartet lesson as part of the Town of LaSalle’s Senior Active Living Program at the Vollmer Recreation Centre on Tuesday, December 9.
Like all Sweet Adelines, the Heart of Essex Chorus’ motto is to “Harmonize the World.” This international group of women promotes barbershop choruses and A cappella singing groups alongside their male counterparts, the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Musical director Lori Depatie introduced the award-winning chorus, which competes in the Sweet Adelines International Border Region. The group of 18-20 women placed second in the small chorus division and fifth overall in the region’s latest competition.
Depatie explained the singing parts of a typical barbershop quartet. “People think of barbershop as four-part harmony, but it’s really a melody with three harmony parts,” said Depatie, who is from Belle River.
The lead “holds the pitch” and guides the rest of the chorus. When each part sings its note accurately and clearly, listeners hear an ‘overtone’—a fifth note not sung by any part but distinctly audible, said Karen Dancey from Woodslee. “It’s what barbershop choruses are famous for.”
The bass provides the “bottom line” or foundation of the barbershop pyramid. “Bass is best,” said Connie Tatomir, an Essex resident.
Tenors sing the high notes. “We’re almost always above the lead,” said Celia Klassen of Harrow, who is also a tenor for Escapade, which represents the Heart of Essex in Sweet Adeline competitions and is one of Region Two’s award-winning quartets.
Klassen and Rose Purdy have both been singing for over 40 years. Purdy began singing baritone when she was nine years old. “For me, it’s above the bass and below the lead,” said Purdy from Kingsville. “After you sing baritone for a while, you have a nice blend to the song.”
Depatie described the baritone part as “having the notes no one else wants to sing. When you hear the baritone part alone, it often doesn’t make much sense, but when you add it to the bass and tenor, it creates the perfect space for the melody to shine.”
The chorus demonstrated with The Secret of Christmas, sung in the E-flat note first by the lead and followed by the rest of the chorus.
After singing White Christmas several times, director Depatie encouraged attendees to stand and sing the part they thought they’d fit—whether lead, bass, tenor or baritone. The chorus added verses from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Winter Wonderland and Jingle Bells in a sing-along.
“Now, how would you like to sing A Christmas Hallelujah?” asked Depatie. She noted that Leonard Cohen’s original 1984 version had little commercial success until John Cale’s 1991 version appeared in the 2001 animated film Shrek, making the song iconic.
When everyone sang Hallelujah, Depatie emphasized “you need all four parts to make beautiful music.” The chorus sang Rudolph, Jingle Bells and Winter Wonderland before finishing the one-hour lesson.
Depatie mentioned the benefits of A cappella choruses and barbershop quartets, including feeling better physically and mentally along with a sense of accomplishment. “At first it’s very challenging,” said Depatie. “But after a while, you can learn it” within a couple of lessons.
Rehearsals are open to the public on Wednesday evenings at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Maidstone. Rehearsals for the Essex Vocal Express men’s barbershop quartet and chorus take place Monday nights at the Essex Christian Reform Church in Essex.
“Within these three hours, you’re not going to think about the problems at home,” said Tatomir. “You’ll walk away with a smile on your face.”
Interested in learning more about LaSalle Senior Active Living programs designed to help older adults stay healthy, learn new things, and connect with others? Call 519-969-7771 or visit LaSalle Active Registration’s website.
