Hundreds of barbershop harmony enthusiasts will return to the shores of the lake on August 15 &16 as part of the 54th Annual Winnipesaukee Music Festival - “Harmony on the Lake.”  This unique singing event was held for 50 years in a joint partnership with the The Barbershop Harmony Society and residents of Alton and much to the delight of barbershop harmony fans, was reintroduced to lakes region with the help of the Alton Centennial Rotary in 2005. The weekend of music and fun will culminate in a series of barbershop harmony shows on both Friday and Saturday night. 

The all new Friday night event will feature barbershop quartets and choruses performing their best 50's Doo-Wop style music for some lighthearted fun.  Curtain is 8 PM.  The traditional Saturday Night show will include a fast-paced parade of the best barbershop quartets and choruses in New England and starts at 7:00 PM.  Both shows will be held at Prospect Mountain High School.

The Harmony on the Lake festival will attract barbershop harmony singers, male and female, from across New England and beyond.  Performers of all ages will gather on the shore at Alton Bay at the Community House and the town docks beginning Friday afternoon.  Four part harmony will be heard as men and women participate in the joy of singing the old songs on every street corner and green space in town. 

They will also likely gather in small groups practicing a tradition known as “woodshedding.”   This stylistic technique is when singers who do not practice together regularly create four part harmonies on the spot to a familiar melody.  It was an early form of the “jam session,” later made popular by jazz bands and rock ‘n rollers.  

Barbershop harmony is a style of singing that is uniquely American.  It became popular through the 1890’s to the 1920’s, before the advent of radio and television, when public singing was more prevalent as a pastime in American culture.  Since the formation of the Barbershop Harmony Society in the late 1930’s, it has flourished and spread around the world.  Barbershop music features four voices, singing a cappella or without instruments, performing close harmonies.

On Saturday, local residents will be able to join in the harmony in several informal and free workshops.  Brave souls can even try singing a song in a quartet or they can participate in a “learn to sing four part harmony” lesson.  There will also be plenty of information about the musical style and how it has enjoyed a “renaissance” in recent American musical culture.

Unfortunately, the Winnipesaukee Belle cruises are unavailable for barbershop cruises this year.  The "Belle" is expected to return to the Music Festival in 2009.

There will be vendors selling many varieties of food, including a spectacular southern BBQ right down at the docks.  Click here for a schedule of events.  An all you can eat Yankee Pot Roast Dinner and Silent Auction is also planned at the school prior to the Saturday Night Show.  The public is invited.

The main event for the weekend is the Saturday Evening Barbershop Harmony Show, which is held at Prospect Mountain High School, off Rt. 28 just 1 mile south of the Alton Rotary. This show will feature barbershop choruses and quartets from around New England singing a variety of songs that celebrate the “golden age” of American songwriting.  Selections will include favorites from each decade of the 20th century.

The featured acts include The Granite Statesmen Barbershop Chorus, the 12-time champions of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada (Northeastern District, Barbershop Harmony Society).  This dynamic, all-male ensemble recently competed in the 2007 Barbershop Harmony Society's International Chorus Championship and was ranked 22nd in the world.  They will be singing songs by Irving Berlin.

Featured quartets include:  To Be Announced

The festival is being coordinated in a joint partnership by the Alton Centennial Rotary Club and The Nashua, NH Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.  Proceeds from the event will fund scholarships and promote music education. 

 

Registration is only $30.00 for the weekend which includes a ticket to both shows and admission to both afterglows (Fri and Sat Evenings).  Single tickets for either the Friday night show or the Saturday night show are only $20.00.  Tickets are available at the new Profile Bank building on Main St. (Rt. 11) in Alton.  They can also be ordered online by completing the Ticket Order Form or by calling 886-SING.