A Truly American Artform, Barbershop Harmony is Music
Founded in 1938 as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA), the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) preserves and extends the reach of a uniquely American close harmony musical art form whose roots lie in African-American improvisation and European harmony traditions. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee since 2007, our nonprofit organization provides active programs and resources in music education, publishing, performance, and community outreach.
Mission, Vision, and Values
Bringing people together in harmony and fellowship to enrich lives through singing
The Barbershop Harmony Society understands and embraces the transformative power of harmony. More than a treasure for our own enjoyment, barbershop harmony is a force for direct impact on society. Learn more about the benefits of singing, view our most recent annual reports, and more.
Bringing Everyone in Harmony: A Global Reach
With 22,000 members across North America and affiliated men’s and women’s organizations in more than a dozen countries, the total number of active singers with BHS reaches more than 80,000 worldwide.