Over 100 people enjoyed barbershop music on Saturday, July 21 at the Dent United Methodist Church.
Twenty members of the combined choruses of Detroit Lakes and Fergus Falls entertained and inspired the audience with songs including western, patriotic, Disney, sweetheart, and religious offerings. The church was filled with classic barbershop melody and harmony when audience members joined in on God Bless America.
The combined choruses have performed at 13 churches in the last two weeks.
The two clubs maintain their separate identities yet come together for shows, with Carol Harshbarger of Battle Lake directing. Carol has been involved with barbershop since 1962 and sang with the Otter Belles in Battle Lake until that group disbanded. When the two groups lost their directors, Carol took over those duties. She says she just directs the men; they are in total control. Barbershopper Daryl Haarstick of Vergas jokes that being a retired 5th grade teacher, Carol is the perfect person to keep the singers on track.
The youngest chorus members are 12-year old twins John and Jeff Gregory of Frazee. They've been harmonizing with the older guys for about one year. They were invited to join the Detroit Lakes group after members heard them perform a patriotic duet in Vergas.
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An invitation isn't needed to join either of the choruses - just a desire to sing. Practices are at 7 every Tuesday in Pelican Rapids.
For more information contact Mike Bohn at 863-1082 or Don Garber at 758-2121.
