Barbershop Harmony Society history

Before the first Convention-Contest in Tulsa, June 1939, he solemnly informed news reporters that Herbert Hoover, Alfred Landon, “Al” Smith, and James Farley, top names in the news of the day, would be “invited to Tulsa” to sing in a quartet.

At New Year, 1942, many Society members received a certificate from Cash raising them to the status of “Ex-Okies” since they had “harmonized successfully . . . with the famous Okie Four—World’s foremost exponents of barbershop harmony” with which quartet he sang an enthusiastic baritone.

The Harmonizer of December, 1943 was dedicated to O. C. Cash by a foreword which said in part:

A similar organization for women, Sweet Adelines (now Sweet Adelines International), was founded on July 13, 1945, also in Tulsa.

By Deac Martin, as featured in The Harmonizer, September 1953

Doctor Ray Danley joined the society in 1957.

Another women’s organization, Harmony, Inc., split from the Sweet Adelines in 1959 over racial discrimination and other political matters.

The Four Renegades quartet, International Champions of 1965, consisted of Warren “Buzz” Haeger, tenor, Ben Williams, lead, Jim Foley, baritone, and Tom Felgen, bass.

Doctor Drayton Justus Lead in Gentlemen’s Agreement, 1971 International Champion.

He joined the Society in 1975 at the age of 11 as a member of the Daniel Boone Chorus, which later changed its name to the Ambassadors of Harmony.

A society member since 1978, Kevin’s contributions have been in the areas of Arranging, Quartet and Chorus Competition, Coaching, and Contest & Judging.

Member of Grandma’s Boys, 1979 International Champion.

Boston Common 1980 International Champion, Kent Martin, Rich Knapp, Larry Tully and Terry Clarke.

The son of a Society member and a Sweet Adeline, Alan Lamson joined the Barbershop Harmony Society in 1981 and immediately began to make a difference in the Manchester, CT chapter.

Since 1990, the Society has developed and promoted a major focus on bringing the joy of singing to youth in America.

He became the director of the Ambassadors in 1991 and went on to lead the chorus to 15 medals including 4 gold medals.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee since 2007, our nonprofit organization provides active programs and resources in music education, publishing, performance, and community outreach.

Members of the High Point Harmonizers perform as the talented quartet,​​ Fourcast​​​, singing "Chordbusters March" at the Branchville Methodist Church's Strawberry Festival, June 16, 2012.