Chorus offers free singing lessons

 

Bellevue-based Northwest Sound is offering singing lessons for a song. The free program, by Donny Rose, a professional musician, teaches people to sing a cappella harmony in six easy weeks.

The "Sing, Sing, Sing" program is the chorus’ annual community outreach program.

"It's part of our charter," explained the group's president Bob Thomas. "We invite men of all ages to experience the joy we know as barbershop singers."

The free program culminates ahead of the chorus' annual holiday show, scheduled this year for December 1. Rose and vocal professional Nikki Blackmer teach three holiday songs and people will perform them on stage with the barbershop veterans.

"I came for the free singing lessons," says Joe Hage, who joined the barbershop chorus last year. "I've always loved to sing but never had any vocal training. I came for the free lessons and quickly got addicted to 'locking chords' in harmony."

Northwest Sound recently hosted three nearly sold-out audiences and their fan base continues to swell.

"It sets us up nicely for our annual ‘Singing Valentine's’ where a Northwest Sound quartet shows up at your sweetheart’s door," said John Ludeman, the group's vice president of music.

The chorus recently placed third in the Evergreen District, which encompasses Washington, Alaska, Western Canada, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.

The singing lessons are offered Wednesdays at First United Methodist Church in Bellevue at 1934 108th Ave NE.

For more information or to register, visit nwsound.org/sss.html.

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