Clubwise: August 17, 2002

Every week, we bring you the latest on the UAE's clubs, associations and groups. We choose one each time and profile it, highlighting its purpose and activities. We also bring you bits of news from other such groups. So that you know what is happening when, where and why.

This week: Dubai Harmony Chorus

Dubai Harmony Chorus (DHC) is a group of multi-national women who sing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. They share a common bond - the love of music and the challenge of striving for excellence.

It is being part of a harmonious blending of voices, in a variety of music arranged in four-part harmony.

As the singers need no musical accompaniments, no sound systems or any other sophisticated instruments, the group is quite flexible and can perform almost anywhere - as long as there is a place to stand.

The DHC provides its members an opportunity to make new friends who look forward to weekly rehearsals all the year round.

During the two-and-half-hour rehearsal, the director of the chorus gets down to the serious business of teaching and training its members to sing in "barbershop style" and ultimately to give public and private performances.

What is barbershop harmony? Phyllis Holmqvist, the founding musical director of DHC since 1993, explains: "In simple terms, it is unaccompanied vocal harmony produced by four voices called lead, tenor, baritone and bass. It is like taking any song and rewriting it to remove the instrumental accompaniments and add accompanying voices to it.

"Let's say a song has an accompanying bass guitarist. We take the bass guitarist out and fit in a bass singer who will accompany the lead singer to the give the song the same tonal quality. It is different from any other kind of choral or group singing."

The group has performed a number of times all around Dubai at Christmas and at other private and public occasions.

Talking about the group that is constantly changing and evolving, Holmqvist added that they are continually striving to be more modern with a strong melody line.

Kathy Young, the president of the group feels that besides singing, it is the flexibility of the group that makes it so special.

"In May 1993, when Lyn Jacquemot posted flyers around town and wanted to do something with her 23-year experience in singing, four women turned up at the DIAC to sing. Today, we are a 45 member harmony chorus with women from 15 different nationalities.

"With members joining and leaving, we have had a turnover of about 180 members. Our oldest member once was an 82- year old and our youngest member has been a 15-year old. While we have no age preferences for joining members, a mature voice and commitment is what we really look for."

Anyone who loves to sing is qualified to join. One needs to pass a simple audition where your voice is tested by the director. Previous choral experience is an asset but not a requirement. The ability to read music is an advantage, but not a necessity.

Once you join, practice tapes and sheet music will be provided. New members are accepted during the beginning of the spring and autumn session.

There is a joining fee that includes the costume and other initial costs. There is also a season's sub that covers the cost of hiring venues and other regular costs.