History

Barbershop is a capella, four-part harmony, and is seldom heard these days on radio or television. It is an American art form which dates back to the late 19th century: to a time when men visited the barbershop everyday for a shave. While they waited their turn, they would sing the popular songs of the day, in harmony. We still perform many of those songs today, along with more modern music.

The chapter was chartered on April 14, 1949, and incorporated on October 2, 1953. Since then, the Seattle Seachordsmen have been bringing the joy of Barbershop harmony to music lovers in the area. As Evergreen District champions for four consecutive years between 1969 and 1972, the Seachordsmen represented the Evergreen District at International conventions held in St. Louis, Atlantic City, Atlanta, and Portland, Oregon. Along with other chapters in the Puget Sound area, the Seattle chapter co-hosted the International convention here in 1983.

The chapter has produced six District champion quartets: Queen City Four, 1949; Puget Sounders, 1951; Varsitones, 1953; Schoolmasters, 1956; Ford-O-Matics, 1957; and University Way, 1979. The Ford-O-Matics represented the District at the International convention. And Seachordsman Bob Mahony is a member of The Close Harmony Tradition, International Senior Quartet champions in 1987. The chapter currently boasts six chapter quartets.

Proud as they are of their contest appearances, Seachordsmen get their greatest enjoyment from public performances. The singing Valentine program was inaugurated over a decade  ago, and last February five quartets delivered more than 85 love-ly messages. The chorus has been a regular performer at the Folklife Festival for several years, and during the Christmas season the chorus participates in the Figgy Pudding songfest in downtown Seattle, where they are past recipients of the People's Choice award. They regularly sing at Winterfest in the Seattle Center, and at the Ballard Locks. The Seachordsmen have appeared at Sonics and Mariner games, made two appearances at the Vashon Island Strawberry Festival, and provide entertainment for various social and business gatherings.