“When all the voices are in harmony together, sometimes we experience what we call ‘the moment’ – that’s when you get chills running up and down your spine. And that’s really why we sing,” explains Liz Melzer, the leader of Voices of Harmony – Abu Dhabi’s all-female a cappella singing group who perform barbershop-style with four-part chords for every melody.
The group are hosted at the home of their coordinator Laura Roberts, who entices newcomers with freshly baked brownies and lemon cake. Roberts is pleased to have an impressive turnout tonight: “When singing a cappella it’s a huge benefit when there’s more than 25 in the group, so it’s great to have 30 people here today. We are always looking for those amazing singers to come out of the woodwork.”
Barbershop music originated in the United States, which is where Roberts and Melzer are both from, but other members are a cross-section of nationalities.
The former lawyer Nina Ghosh, who joined Voices of Harmony four years ago, used to sing in a rock band back in India. “The group’s become a family to me and I get a lot of joy from singing,” she says.
Ann Liska is the group’s baritone section leader and has been with them for four years. “When you can sing, it helps you to meet new people. Some of us belong to several different singing groups, so it keeps us busy in the evenings.”
The group also enjoy performing at local hotel events, fundraisers and dinner parties, most recently singing carols at the Hilton Grand Hotel.
Melzer believes barbershop singing is making a comeback.
“For a while, it had fallen by the wayside as it was perceived as being for older people. But now they’re making barbershop arrangements of popular songs, so it’s coming back into fashion.”
It certainly feels that way tonight, as several new young ladies have turned up to give it a try. All us newbies are given a “voice test” by Melzer to place us in the right section and I find it daunting to sing to a group of strangers, but Melzer is no Simon Cowell and nobody is ever turned away from the group. Melzer tells me I sing with “cute” British pronunciation and my voice suits the baritone (lower) section.
When it’s time for us to sing together, I’m concerned that I haven’t read music for the past 20 years. Others confide that they, too, find music-reading a struggle. The trick, I realise, is to stand next to someone who belts out the tunes in perfect pitch, in my case Sherri Favors (her roots are in gospel singing) and I follow her lead.
“Having the courage to jump into a song when you don’t know what’s going on makes you listen to music better,” she assures me.
As I join in their renditions of My Guy and I will Follow You, I experience a few spine-tingling moments of my own. Along with the luscious cake and companionship, it warms my soul on a cold, rainy Abu Dhabi evening.
Voices of Harmony meet on Sundays at 7pm. Contactvoicesofharmonyad@gmail.com
Other groups
• Blue Fever, an a cappella jazz ensemble, perform tunes from big band jazz to modern love songs, all in four- to eight-part harmonies. They are auditioning tenors at this time and are happy to meet other potential new members. Blue Fever meet on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. Email bluefeverjazz@gmail.com
• Abu Dhabi Choral Group (ADCG) produce at least two shows per year, one of which is the musical Curtains, a comedy whodunnit to be performed in May. ADCG sing in SATB (four-part harmony), with accompaniment. Rehearsals are held on Mondays from 7pm to 9.30pm and most weekends. Email abudhabichoralgroup@gmail.com or call 050 641 8351
• Dubai Singers have been entertaining audiences in Dubai for more than 30 years. At present, they perform classical choral music often accompanied by an orchestra, most recently Handel's Messiah. They are currently rehearsing the Glorias by Poulenc, Rutter and Vivaldi. Rehearsals are on Mondays from 8pm to 10pm at Kindermusik, Umm Suqeim. Visit dubaisingers.info
• Dubai City Sound (formerly Dubai Harmony) are a non-profit, all-female chorus who sing a cappella music specialising in four-part barbershop-style singing. Facebook.com/DubaiCitySound