Of course everyone will ask this of any organization or offer. And it is reasonable to do so.

First, we have music.  We have sheet music for you to follow along with whether you're a visitor or a prospective chorus member.  We have learning tracks to accompany our sheet music.  Our learning tracks deliver your voice part (tenor, lead, baritone, or bass) in one ear and the other three parts in your other ear.  This allows you to listen to your part only, your part louder than the others. your part balanced with the other three parts, or the other three only - should you be practicing singing without the support of your part.  You learn at your pace.

You don't need to be able to read music.  About half of our singers don't read music.  With the learning tracks you can sing along and pick up the words and notes.  Also, you will sing next to someone of your voice part.  You will be helped with the reinforcement of notes, note duration, entries, and dynamics.

You'll be among friends.  We all started singing Barbershop pretty much the same way.  We know what you'll be going through and what it requires.  And we understand this.  From your first day onward, we understand and will help.

If you're not happy singing in your current voice range, you can change to a different voice part.  We want you to sing where your voice is comfortable and not stressed.

We won't place you in front of any audience until you feel comfortable with this.  We are certain you'll be comfortable with our songs before you are asked to join us in any sing out.

Whether you're a beginner singer or experienced, we have a place for you.  You can progress at your pace and develop your singing at the rate that suits you.  Naturally you'll feel better the sooner you're singing complete songs with us.  If you are looking for some extra singing or more singing, we offer a place for this.

It doesn't take much to become accustomed to a cappella (unaccompanied by musical interument) singing.  In fact, it should improve your listening abilities as you match and fit your part in with the other three.

You do not have to wait for a Guest Night.  You can show up any Tuesday we are rehearsing

We give you holiday time off.  We are not slave drivers or singing extremists.  We too enjoy taking time off for holidays to be with our families.  If you're away for vacation, we don't mind that either.  It's after these times when we find we love returning to singing and appreciate it even more.

You have the opportunity to sing Christmas carols and songs in the Byward Market in December.  We typically strive for singing two Saturday afternoons in December.  For the past several years we have entertained shoppers and visitors to the Byward Market.  We accept donations from passers by and people who stop and listen to our songs and give a portion of them to one of the charities we support.

Whether you are looking for one, some, or all of these needs, we are here for you to join us and enjoy singing.

If you're adventuresome, you could even consider singing with three other guys in quartet formation.  If you like it, we're certain you could formalize a quartet more and derive more enjoyment from singing.

Join us any Tuesday and see what it is like.  There's no pressure and you can sing with us for four weeks in order to make an informed decision.  That should be plenty of time for you to discover a cappella singing, barbershop style music, that we're friendly and approachable.  And we're not limited to only barbershop music from the 1890s through the 1940s.  We have more recent songs written in the barbershop style that are fun and regarding to sing.

If you have any concerns or questions, we'd be happy to answer any of them. Use the Contact Us page and send us a message.

If we haven't yet convinced you, perhaps the following summary will give you a sense of value of your membership:
- licensed sheet music access,
- licensed sound tracks for learning,
- insurance for when we meet, practice, and sing out,
- voice instruction in good singing techniques and exercises,
- periodic coaching sessions with a recognized singer or director,
- access to the complete resources of the Barbershop Harmony Society. This includes a large catalogue of four part music, free sheet music, discounted rate at Harmony University, resources both human and printed at the Society and district level, and much more.