72 years of excellence in harmony

FAQs for New and Prospective Members

  • No. We will give you learning audio especially created for your voice part.
  • Our illustrious music director will help you decide your best and favourite part so you’ll love singing with us.
  • We accept people of all ages, so don’t worry. You’re never too old or too young to sing barbershop.
  • No, you can take all the time you need. Learn one song every month or two, that’s fine. No rush, although you’ll probably want to learn as many as possible so you can join in the singing!
  • We suggest you start by attending a couple of rehearsals to get an idea as to whether our rehearsals are at a convenient time and location for you and whether you would enjoy being a member.
  • When you are ready, inform the chorus President that you are interested in auditioning.
  • The chorus meets regularly on Monday evenings at Lawrence Park Community Church, 2180 Bayview Ave., North York, Ontario, starting at 7:30 p.m. This includes all holiday Mondays unless indicated on the chorus calendar and an email is sent to the chorus confirming the chorus will not meet on the upcoming Monday.
  • From time to time, the chorus may need to change the practice location, and the alternate location is Harmony Hall at 2 Gower Street, East York. Parking is available at this location.
  • The chorus generally takes a two-week break in late December/early January and a two-week break in early July. All chorus breaks will be confirmed on the web site calendar and in an email from the President.
  • This involves a short one-on-one session with you and Jordan.
  • He’ll sing some notes and have you repeat them and will do this with a few different note patterns.
  • He’ll confirm your voice range matches the part you’ve been trying and may suggest you try a different part if that suits your voice better.
  • If you are successful, he will let the chorus President know.
  • At the next Board meeting, the Dukes of Harmony Board will confirm you are invited to become a chorus member.
  • Once you are confirmed as a member, you will be sent an email by the Webmaster with instructions on setting up your personal account at dukesofharmony.com.
  • This will let you
    • access song scores and learning tracks,
    • view the chorus calendar of events,
    • record your availability for upcoming performances,
    • find contact information for other members, and
    • see the current repertoire list.
  • The website also includes historical information about the chorus and singing in the barbershop style.
  • You are responsible for printing the scores for the songs the chorus is learning and performing.
  • Go to the webpage barbershop.org and click on “Ways to Sing”, then click on “Become a Member”.
  • You can join online and use your credit card for the membership payment, or you can download the application, print, and mail it with your credit card information.
  • If you are joining online, choose “Join Online” and it will show you the New Member Application.
  • Complete the New Member Application and click on Submit.
  • Select Ontario District, Scarborough Chapter
  • Select your preference for a monthly or annual payment for the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) membership cost.
  • When you have completed the form and made the combined payment for membership in the BHS and Ontario District, the system will process the payment.
  • You will receive an email from the Barbershop Harmony Society with your membership number.
  • Send an email with your membership number to info@DukesofHarmony.com so you can be added to the chorus roster.

  • Current BHS Membership Costs are:

    ·       Regular Member (age 26-74) $180 US annual or $20 US monthly

    ·       Youth (age 25 or under) $90 US annual or $10 US monthly

    ·       Senior (age 75+) $135 US annual or $15 US monthly

  • Membership dues are $120 per year, starting January 1st.
  • If you join the chorus mid-year, dues are pro-rated, and you can ask the Treasurer for the amount to pay.
  • Payments can be made by cheque payable to Dukes of Harmony, or in cash. or by
    e-transfer to our Treasurer.
  • Start learning the songs the chorus is singing and be patient with yourself as you learn.
  • The learning tracks allow you to hear your part in one ear and the other three parts in the other ear.
  • A great way to learn and practice is to download your voice part for the song to your phone or computer, and print the score from the Dukes of Harmony website. Listen first and then start singing along. If you have another recording device, record yourself while listening and then check for mistakes. Make sure you are singing the right notes, words, and timing.
  • Use the score in rehearsals and make notes on your copy of changes made to words, notes and timing.
  • Try to be “off paper” as soon as possible. We do not hold sheet music while we are performing.
  • The chorus has performances throughout the calendar year. These may be at Lawrence Park Community Church, where the chorus practices, at community events, and at Retirement Homes and Long-Term Care Homes in Toronto.
  • The chorus has an annual show, which is usually in the Fall.
  • While you are learning the songs, you can join performances and sing the songs you know. Chorus members are expected to have memorized the words and music to each song that they are ready to perform and be able to correctly sing their part.
  • You will need to have a black pair of trousers or a black skirt, and a white long-sleeved collared shirt.
  • Other apparel such as green Dukes Shirts, Green Vests, a Green Bow tie, a grey suit, and a black tuxedo may be supplied by the Chorus. If supplied, they remain the property of the Chorus and must be returned if you cease to be a member.
  • The Dukes of Harmony often attend Conventions and compete in Contests, which are hosted by the Ontario District of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
  • There are two Conventions every year, one in April and another in October. They are usually held in cities outside Toronto. The last two contests have been in Belleville and Woodstock. Both choruses and quartets compete at these Conventions.
  • The Dukes do not choose to compete in every Contest. When we do, it will be your responsibility to register for the Convention and arrange travel and, if necessary, local accommodation.
  • To sing onstage with the chorus, you will need to be a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society and Ontario District and register for the convention. The current cost is $85, or $75 for early bird registrations, and that covers the Friday evening quartet semi-finals, the Saturday morning chorus competition, the Saturday afternoon quartet competition finals and the celebration show.
  • Conventions consist of a Quartet Competition and a Chorus Competition. There are two rounds for Quartets; a preliminary round on Friday evening, and a final round for the top ten quartets on Saturday afternoon. Each competing chorus will sing two songs in the Chorus Competition held on Saturday morning, which starts at 9:30 a.m.
  • The Convention events usually end by 7 p.m. On both Friday and Saturday evening, there are Hospitality Suite parties at the convention hotel.
  • The winners are announced after each Competition. Each chorus that competed in the Chorus Competition then participates in the Judges Evaluation sessions, which are held in the chorus practice room. Judges in the three different scoring categories will spend time with the chorus in 20-minute sessions. The Judges provide input into what was done well and where the chorus can improve.
  • Usually, the chorus goes out for lunch after the Evaluation Sessions to celebrate.
  • You are encouraged to attend both Spring and Fall Ontario Conventions, even if we are not competing. You’ll hear the top-ranked choruses and quartets compete for the right to represent Ontario District in the Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention held the first week of July. The location of the International Convention changes year to year.
  • As well, the Barbershop Harmony Society has a Mid-Winter Convention in January that you can choose to attend. This features Senior Quartets and Choruses plus Youth Choruses.