New chorus champ Toronto Northern Lights is featured in Maclean's magazine, along with other Ontario-area champs.
The simplicity of a cappella— singing without instrumental accompaniment—is in the midst of a revival, spurred on in part by reality shows that celebrate unadorned vocals. And the added attention has helped inject energy into an unlikely candidate: the traditional unaccompanied harmonies of barbershop. “With shows like Glee and The Voice, the focus is that singing is cool,” said Steve Armstrong, musical director of Toronto Northern Lights chorus. “Shows like the Sing Off, which is a cappella, has been great to develop interest in barbershop.”