The Barbershop Choir Ladies

By far the only all-women barbershop-style choir in the UAE, Dubai Harmony is quite proud of it.

“This is one place where I can get away from everyday life. I can sing my heart out and have fun with those who share my passion,'' said Jane Dales, a 43-year-old housewife.

Singing is the passion that drove these lovely ladies to join talents and use their raw voices to create a wonderful blend of music and song.

“I loved what I saw when I first came to know about Dubai Harmony,'' said Jane, who is one of the very first members to join the choir.

“I've always wanted to sing and this was a wonderful opportunity for me. I went through an audition and was very excited to know I'd got in.''

Barbershop singing is a style of unaccompanied harmony singing. It uses only the voices of the singers to create both the tune and the accompaniment. Originally it was male territory but now it's the ladies who are having fun with this style of singing.

“Our music is all about blending and attitude,'' she states.

She says the group shows emotions and actions while singing. “We don't just stand still and sing, we're always swinging along with our tunes,'' she adds.

Current director of Dubai Harmony and long-standing member, Gayle Powell, says her first time with the group was about eight years ago.

“I remember seeing an advertisement where the Dubai Harmony ladies were going to perform. Upon discovering this I was really excited and set out to see them. When I finally heard them singing, my mouth dropped open and I thought ‘I have to join','' she said.

According to her, the best thing about the choir is there is no need to have a professional singing background.

“Most choirs give you sheets of music to learn from but we don't do that. I can safely say some of our singers don't know how to read music. We memorise our songs and practise our voices together so we can achieve the sound we all want,'' said Gayle, who works part-time as a music teacher.

She said that with the constant movement of people in and out of Dubai, the group's act has grown and developed with members' contributions.

Nita Brinkhorst, current president of Dubai Harmony who hails from Holland also agrees with Gayle.

“We always have to change and adapt to new voices and we have to work to blend. That is why we ask those interested to come for auditions three weeks before a season begins. This is a constant challenge but it's wonderful how people rise to it,'' she said.

Interaction with the audience and amongst themselves is one of the most important beliefs of the Harmony ladies.

“Dubai is a big melting pot, and at Dubai Harmony we have women from different nationalities and walks of life. We've grown to become one big family. We support each other through thick and thin,'' said Jane.

The choir season is split into two rehearsal seasons – summer (January to May) and autumn (September to November) with performances in June and December.

“In autumn, we sing ‘Christmassy' songs but during summer we move along to non-Christmas music where we put in a mix of upbeat music,'' said Wilma Mendonca, dedicated member and PR for the choir.

The group was recently visited by Ase Hangerman, a member of the Sweet Adelines International (SAI), an organisation of women singers who are committed to enhancing and promoting barbershop singing around the world.

“Dubai Harmony is associated with SAI and Ase gave us some great tips'' said Mendonca.

The group of 44 women is currently rehearsing for their summer (June) concert, Puttin' on the Glitz.

“It's all about the glitz and glamour. We're planning to sing glitzy Broadway songs along with some mellow ballads,'' she said.

Barbershop singing was initially the sole domain of men. It really was sung in barbershops, often with the barber singing the melody and customers or passers-by improvising harmonies. Women took the style up in the 1950s.

Voices creating a perfect harmony

Barbershop harmony is a style of unaccompanied singing where voices are used to create both the tune and the accompaniment.

Barbershop is sung in four parts:

It is a very close harmony style, almost always sung by single voice groups, either all male or all female.

Barbershop shows often include visual elements, enhancing the music with dance and performance, to give a complete entertainment package.

Songstresses' society

Catch the ladies practise: Every Tuesday from 7:30pm till 10pm at the Jumeirah Primary School

Upcoming Event: What: Puttin' on the Glitz
When: June 9

Where: Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Time: Show starts at 7:30pm

Women of all ages can join the group after an audition. However, you must apply three weeks before each season.

Contact Nita Brinkhorst on: 050-685 0694