Chordsmen 'ringing' in Lansing

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Every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., a group of men gather in the dining room of Great Lakes Christian Homes, 2050 S. Washington Road in Holt. They sit together not to argue, discuss or plan, although that sometimes plays a part. They’ve come to make art they enjoy, and perform it well. They’ve come to harmonize.

The Capitol City Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus has been bringing barbershop music to the Lansing area since 1940. With members ranging in experience from a few months to 60 years, the Chordsmen are home to a wide variety of male musical talent. Singing completely acapella with only their voices to carry the tune, “barbershopping” could be described as one of the most difficult musical specialities to master, director Lynn Webster said.

“It’s a unique sound and style,” Webster said. “I’ve had to relearn the style of directing and conducting.”

While Webster might be new to the style, the fundamentals of barbershop singing rely on teamwork between the singers to maintain pitch and create chords, Larry Parker, secretary-treasurer of the Chordsmen, said.

Parker said the goal of singing good barbershop chords is to produce an effect called “ringing” the chord. When a group “rings” a chord, all four parts of the harmony sing pure notes, and the combination creates an overtone, he said. Overtones are higher notes created by the blending of the harmony, Webster said.

Chasing the perfect chord and the camaraderie of the group keeps Chordsmen tenor Kaleb Lenneman coming back to rehearsal week after week, he said. Lenneman is a sophomore at Pewamo-Westphalia High School and has sung in the choir since he was 12 years old. He is currently the youngest member of the Chordsmen.

“The goal, right now, is to keep fresh blood in the group,” Webster said. “Attracting new members is so important and continually part of the process.”

Part of the appeal of barbershop is its traditional showmanship and style. Lenneman is a second-generation barbershopper and said his dad’s love for the style first got him interested in performing.“

I enjoy it more than modern music,” Lenneman said. “It takes more talent, and barbershop performers develop their talents.”

Devon Powers, a drama freshman at Lansing Community College, joined the group two months ago. He said the theatricality and experience of the group drew him to the Capitol City Chordsmen. With so many singers of different ages, Powers said he felt he had a lot to learn from the more experienced members of the group.

“It’s important to learn different aspects and perspectives when performing,” Powers said.

The Chordsmen are competitive members of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. In October, the group will compete at the district competition for the right to perform at the International Barbershop Quartet Contest, Parker said. Although the Capitol City Chordsmen haven’t qualified yet, they have finished second several times, he said.

The Chordsmen are planning a busy summer of performing. They will perform at 7 p.m. July 31 at the Lake Lansing Community Bandshell. They will also be featured at the 25th Annual St. Johns Mint Festival on the weekend of Aug. 14-16. The Chordsmen are always looking for men interested in singing and will be holding a membership drive Aug. 18 to attract new members to the chorus.

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