"Well I've been to Harmony College". Those were my opening lines to The Garden Isle Harmony Chorus on Thursday 2nd September 2004, "and it was quite amazing, but why keep it a secret?"

Let me go a little way back in time, to help you understand my position. I am a trained singer (of some 25 years) and a voice coach working on the Isle of Wight and in that capacity was invited to attend a meeting with the officers of the above chorus on Monday 19th July 2004, following which, I was appointed as voice coach to the chorus. Almost with the same breath it was suggested that I attend Harmony College. What! I had never heard of it, even though I had guested as a soloist with Barbershop singers in my native West Country.

So quickly did this all happen, I had no time to consider what to expect, but nevertheless was a little apprehensive. As a singer one usually has an accompaniment of some sort during performance whether from piano, band, orchestra or even organ, and although I have sung unaccompanied Hebredian Songs, this was a whole new ball game. Competent in the conventional SATB, Barbershop harmonies seemed like an art form from a mysterious planet!

And so I arrived at Harmony College. The two Johns and Phil made me feel very welcome and after unpacking I went into the dining hall. There started a chain reaction in my mind that is still buzzing days later.

So many people peered at my badge, introduced themselves to me and chatted; this simple little action continued the whole time I was at Harmony College, in the breakfast queue, at lunch, in class, in fact anywhere and everywhere.

Fantastic classes: Roger Chantrelle on Just Intonation and Expanded Sound (which made sense as soon as I abandoned the piano) Mark Grindall coaching the coaches, Neil Watkins applying emotion to the song, Bob Walker in the woodshed! and a few others I dipped in and out of.

Then there was Rick Spencer……………..with vocal exercises immediately after breakfast! Well, you know it works, with the right man at the helm. Rick had complete command of the huge groups that assembled each morning and they responded immediately to his direction producing lovely tones on just exercises! But for me the most staggering surprise and greatest impact of all was the video Rick showed of young people singing in harmony in America and their level of energy and standard of achievement. All I could think of is --- why is that not happening here, why have I not known about this? Lots of slightly angry and yet exciting thoughts around those sorts of issues. But also, how good it would be for our young people to be able to explore this thing - Harmony Singing Barbershop Style - and how it would help them understand and sing better in all sorts of music making situations.

So the big question is why? After much thought, I think it maybe one of image and the perceived image by the greater public at large of 'Barbershop Singing'. I will admit to thinking it was all starched white aprons and towels over the arm, stiffly standing to attention and singing - very starchy in fact!. An image that has never turned me on emotionally, for it is the emotional impact that draws me to music and excites me. Maybe the image of Barbershop Singing or Harmony singing could be examined and look at ways we can let the general public know, excite our young people and draw them in giving them something for their future.

More importantly though, having run a music department in a Further Education College in Cornwall, I believe I see a way of introducing harmony singing to our teenagers as part of an FE study course and will be writing a separate report to Mike Lofthouse on that subject.

Finally I want to say to you all - why keep it a secret? It is not an 'old man's hobby'. I think the way you learn through teach tapes is a great idea and this of course will make learning easy for any one wanting to have a go. What you do is very special and unique and when it comes together and is right the resulting sound can be amazing and therefore your feel good factor (High Self-Esteem) and confidence soars. Tell everyone the process of how you learn and practice; tell them what you are trying to achieve; tell them how you feel when you get it right; excite people. You have to get beyond peoples perceived idea, if this unique form of making music for groups of people, large or small, has a future.

One last idea for those that know to ponder on, imagine Roger Chantrelle giving a Christmas Lecture on the BBC TV, with a group of Barbershop Singers to assist him, on 'Just Intonation'! Thank you for sharing your music with me, and my, don't those singing circles get cosy!

Alison Eade