Singing since the Seventies!
Photo : 2019 Convention - 'Is this any way to fall in love'
Bristol Fashion Chorus was formed in 1977 - one year after the creation of the Ladies Association of Barbershop Singers and the first female chorus in Bristol, the Avonbelles.
The breakaway group of Belles had their first gathering at the Quakers Meeting Hall in the centre of Bristol and those intrepid singers were delighted with the sound they made and Bristol Fashion was formed.
Barbershop is a genre of A Cappella singing – the only instrument used being our voices. It consists of four essential parts, sung together in close harmony:
• Lead, the vocal part which generally carries the tune
• Bass, the part which provides the bass line to the melody
• Tenor, the part which harmonizes above the lead
• Baritone, the part that completes the chord
Barbershop is rooted in African American traditions from the 1800s and was popularised by male quartets - you will notice we still use the names of the male voice parts today.
It is a versatile style of singing and so we have arrangements from modern pop, musical shows, sacred songs as well as traditional barbershop ballads and up-tunes – something for everyone and for all ages.
