Raising their voices in harmony

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “Life without music would be a mistake.” Seeming to share his sentiments, the Divas of RiversEdge, a recently formed 23-member women’s chorus, dedicate their time and talents to perfecting the art of barbershop.

RiversEdge sings four-part a cappella harmony barbershop style. Uniquely an American folk art, the four-part barbershop harmony is different from other musical styles.

“It becomes a part of you,” said Beth Garske, team coordinator, about the member’s personal passion for singing. “People say, ‘Oh I just forgot how much I loved it,’ if they come in and haven’t been singing for a long time.”

Lead, tenor, bass and baritone make up the four voice parts.

Incorporating these four parts, the group strives to sing as one voice, or locking chords.

“You have to match all your parts, including vowels,” said Mary Ann Milette, publicity coordinator. “If you can achieve that, you’ve got it.”

Locking chords is achieved when overall vocal technique, pitch accuracy and a good musical arrangement are performed at their peak.

“When you hear it, you want it,” said Garske. “Our ultimate goal is to lock and ring.”

A cappella is harmony without instrumental accompaniment. The group begins as a member of the chorus blows a keynote on a pitch pipe. The entire chorus joins in, knowing the song just by that first chord. “I was so blown away the first time I saw someone blow the keynote and everyone started singing,” said Milette.

Besides joining the chorus, members are encouraged to sing in a quartet. The group has two. “Quartets work on their own to become better singers, which in turn makes your chorus better,” Milette said.

Barbershop lends itself to a variety of musical arrangements. The RiversEdge repertoire includes ballads, jazz, Western and Broadway show tunes. RiversEdge performs locally for anyone who wants the chorus to sing.

RiversEdge is working on becoming a charter member of Sweet Adelines International, a nonprofit worldwide female singer organization with more than 35,000 members. One benefit of joining the international organization is regional and international competition. The 600 chapters are divided into regions.

This year’s regional competition was held in Spokane last month at the INB Performing Arts Center. RiversEdge didn’t compete this year but looks forward to competing next year after becoming a charter member of Sweet Adelines.

Garske and 19 other women started RiversEdge in July 2006. Before forming the new group, they belonged to another area Sweet Adelines group. The first Spokane Sweet Adelines chorus started in 1957.

Members, once bitten by the barbershop bug, tend to stick with it. Collectively the group has more than 643 years of experience singing barbershop, including Garske with 38 and Milette with 16. A passion for singing is only one element for the longevity of its members.

“The friendships are the most important, after the music,” said Garske. “You share something you all enjoy, and that’s awesome.”

Garske also attributes membership in the group as an opportunity for women to gain self-confidence as they learn a skill they may have never known they possess. Members also learn choreography, stage production, costuming and makeup.

The group rehearses Tuesdays from 6:45 to 9:30 p.m. at Alpine College, 10102 E. Knox Ave., in Spokane Valley.

New members are welcome. Anyone interested in joining is required to attend six out of eight weeks of weekly rehearsals.