A Joyful Noise

When you think of "barbershop music," it's likely you immediately picture four men in striped suits and straw boater hats bouncing out classic tunes. If you do, you're not wrong, but there's also a lot more to the barbershop style of music than men's quartets -- like the Dazzling Diamonds Chorus, for instance. The nonprofit chorus includes more than 20 women, from their 20s to their 70s, sharing their love of music and barbershop a cappella style with the community.

"Schools are forming contemporary a cappella groups now, but once you get away from [high school or college], I think people have a difficult time finding opportunities for performing," says Charlotte Creech, group member and Christmas show co-chairman. "It's the most challenging thing I've ever done musically, but it's also the most rewarding."

"Barbershop" simply refers to a style of a cappella singing that uses four-part harmony -- bass, baritone, lead and tenor for an all-woman ensemble. The Northwest Arkansas group is a chartered member of Sweet Adelines International, an organization that furthers the opportunities of its members through education, competition and performance.

"We're an auditioned group [because] the Sweet Adelines require a certain standard to represent the barbershop style [with their organization]. I don't consider this a hobby -- it's a lifestyle," says the other co-chairman, Rhonda Evans. "But what stands out to me about this group of women is their heart to serve the community. Using their gift of music really does touch people."

That spirit of giving continues this year with the Dazzling Diamonds' second annual Christmas program on Dec. 3. The ladies will explore this year's theme of "Christmas, Where Are You?" with song, light choreography and costume changes and will be joined by the only collegiate a cappella group in the state of Arkansas -- The Fayettetones --from the University of Arkansas, among other performers. All ages are welcome at the joyful show.

NAN What's Up on 11/25/2016