Barbershop Quartet Day

The story goes that an ordinary American whiling away time in a barbershop, waiting in line for a haircut, liked listening to a certain type of music and singing along. They did it so well that on April 11, a special holiday — Barbershop Quartet Day — was established in their honor. Special teams now compete for the right to be called the best in this genre.

History

The musical tradition inherent in barbershops, where men’s haircuts were made, dates back to the 19th century and has African-American roots. The manner of improvising, singing songs, and composing while waiting for the barber’s chair to be free turned into a real tradition and became a separate genre. During the Great Depression, the popularity of this music declined. However, a quartet festival was organized in Oklahoma by activists in 1938, which became a tradition. Women began participating in these events in 1945, and quartets became mixed, giving the music a new sound.

Fun Facts

A notable feature of quartet performance is singing without musical accompaniment, a cappella, with a simple text and rhythmic melody that is easy to remember.

1. Barbers existed back in Ancient Egypt, as confirmed by rock carvings depicting barber tools.
2. In ancient times, barbers were considered people endowed with a special ability to protect from evil spirits by making special haircuts and styling hair in a unique way. This was believed to prevent demons from invading a person’s soul.
3. In the Middle Ages, barbers not only did haircuts and shaved beards but also treated teeth and performed simple surgical operations.

Listen to a special barbershop quartet. This is guaranteed to lift your spirits, charge you with energy, and provide inspiration. You can also sing along, record a video, and share it. Alternatively, attend a concert by professional performers and experience the modern sound that combines old traditions with innovations.

When is Barbershop Quartet Day in 2025?

Barbershop Quartet Day is observed on April 11 each year.

Observations