The DC Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is a lively, fun-loving group of a cappella enthusiasts who have been spreading joy and harmony across the National Capital Region for 80 years! Our members come from diverse backgrounds, but we unite each week with one passion: singing barbershop harmony and sharing it with our community.

Founded in 1945, we were the first chapter in the National Capital Region. In 1949, our chorus performed for President Harry Truman at the first televised Inaugural Gala while 10 million viewers watched.

We made history by winning the Society’s first international chorus competition in 1954 under Lew Sims. Since then, we’ve been entertaining audiences at sporting events, arts festivals, retirement communities, veterans’ organizations, and private functions. We also love a challenge—competing regularly in Society contests to sharpen our skills and deliver unforgettable performances.

Looking for something special? Our chorus and talented quartets are ready to add a touch of harmony to any event. We’re always excited to bring the unique sound of Barbershop Harmony to audiences across the DC area—come sing with us or book a performance today!

Barbershop singing is a four-part a cappella harmony style that began in the late 19th century in African-American communities that blended traditional African rhythms and chords. It gained popularity through African-American vaudeville quartets and was later adopted by white performers, who mixed it with European harmonies. This exchange between communities created today’s distinct barbershop sound.

The Barbershop Harmony Society, originally known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), was founded in 1938 to preserve and promote barbershop quartet singing.

As of the most recent statistics, the Society has approximately 14,000 members and supports around 670 choruses and 850 registered quartets in the United States and Canada with barbershop singers and organizations in more than 30 other countries.

Today, the global population of barbershop singers exceeds 70,000 worldwide, highlighting barbershop harmony’s enduring popularity and international appeal.