National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day
July 13
About National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day
National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day is a celebration of barbershop harmony, the close four part a cappella singing style performed by quartets and choruses around the world. It is observed every year on 13 July, and in 2026 falls on Monday 13 July, honouring a much loved musical tradition and the singers who keep it alive.
The Story Behind National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day
The day was founded in 2005 by Sweet Adelines International to mark the organisation’s sixtieth anniversary. The date was chosen because it was on 13 July 1945 that Edna Mae Anderson founded Sweet Adelines in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a women’s counterpart to the all male barbershop society then known as SPEBSQSA. What began as a small group of women who simply loved to sing together has grown into an international organisation connecting more than 20,000 vocalists across the globe.
Barbershop music itself reaches back much further. Its roots lie in the improvisational singing of African American communities in the 1800s, where folk songs and hymns sung in four parts gradually developed into the rich, ringing harmonies now associated with the style. By the early twentieth century the sound had become a popular form of close harmony singing in the United States.
The style is defined by its distinctive structure. The melody is carried by the lead, the tenor harmonises above, the bass anchors the chord at the bottom, and the baritone fills in the remaining notes to complete the four part harmony. When the chord is tuned just right, listeners often hear an extra ringing tone that singers prize, the hallmark of well sung barbershop.
When and Where is National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day Celebrated?
National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day takes place on Monday 13 July 2026. The date is fixed each year. While it began in the United States, barbershop singing is now enjoyed internationally, with quartets and choruses performing across North America, the United Kingdom, and beyond.
Traditions and Customs
The day is marked by singing, performance, and appreciation of the art form:
- Quartet and chorus performances – Groups give public concerts and pop up performances to share the sound with new audiences.
- Singalongs – Informal gatherings invite people to try the four parts and experience the harmony first hand.
- Recruitment events – Choruses often use the day to welcome newcomers curious about joining.
- Sharing recordings – Fans post and stream favourite barbershop performances online.
- Workshops – Some groups run taster sessions teaching the basics of barbershop tuning and blend.
Ways to Celebrate National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day
Whether you are a seasoned singer or simply curious, there are plenty of ways to take part:
- Listen to barbershop music – Seek out classic quartets and modern champions to hear the range of the style.
- Attend a performance – Find a local chorus and go along to a concert or open rehearsal.
- Try singing a part – Gather three friends and have a go at a simple four part arrangement.
- Join a chorus – If the day inspires you, many groups welcome beginners with no audition required.
- Learn the history – Read about the origins of barbershop harmony and the organisations that preserve it.
- Share the sound – Introduce someone new to barbershop by sharing a favourite recording.
Facts and Figures
- The day was founded in 2005 by Sweet Adelines International for its sixtieth anniversary.
- Sweet Adelines was founded by Edna Mae Anderson on 13 July 1945 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- The organisation now connects more than 20,000 singers worldwide.
- Barbershop harmony has its roots in African American improvisational singing of the 1800s.
- A barbershop quartet features four parts: lead, tenor, baritone, and bass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day?
It is an annual day celebrating barbershop harmony, the four part a cappella singing style, and the quartets and choruses that perform it.
When is National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day in 2026?
It falls on Monday 13 July 2026, and is observed on 13 July every year.
Why is barbershop singing called barbershop?
The name reflects the informal close harmony singing once associated with social gatherings, and the style grew from the four part folk and improvisational singing traditions of the 1800s.
Spread the Word
Share National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day with your community using #BarbershopMusicDay and #BarbershopMusicDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion by listening, singing, or joining a chorus, every bit of awareness helps keep this harmony tradition alive.
Related Awareness Days
- National Disco Day – Another day celebrating a much loved musical style and its place in popular culture.
- National Writing Day – A creative day for those who love words and self expression.
- National Poetry Day – A celebration of another performance based art form built on rhythm and sound.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
