Heart of Georgia Barbershop Chorus – Keeping the heart of barbershop quartets alive

Thursday, April 11 was recognized as National Barbershop Quartet Day, and one local group made sure to celebrate the occasion. 

The Heart of Georgia Barbershop Chorus stopped by Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms’ office and performed four different songs: Wild Irish Rose, Goodbye My Coney Island Baby, Hello Mary Lou and Amazing Grace.

Four members of the Heart of Georgia Barbershop Chorus, including president Jim Keels, Don Hall, Dave Reiff, and Don Schall performed on Thursday. Schall said the group has been in Warner Robins since the 1950s.

“I myself have been a member since early 1990s, Dave has been a member for almost 40 years, Don and Jim over 15 years,” Schall said. “This is a fantastic group and we just have so much fun.”

The Heart of Georgia Barbershop Chorus is a nonprofit organization. Schall said the group keeps the tradition of barbershop quartets alive while also raising funds for their designated charity, Heart of Georgia Hospice.

“Barbershop quartet singing has been around since the 1930s,” Schall said. “It’s basically where music is written and arranged for a four part harmony singing a capella, which means singing with no accompaniment of instruments. There are men’s quartets, all women or mixed choruses. “It is rather challenging to keep in tune while singing without instruments, but it’s a lot of fun and we love the sound of it.”

Schall says the songs they performed Thursday were written around the 1900s. Wild Irish Rose was written in 1899, and Goodbye My Coney Island Baby was written in 1948.

The Heart of Georgia Barbershop Chorus has a couple of shows coming up as well. On July 8, the group will be performing at the Perry Arts Center and will be free to the public. Schall said the July show would be dedicated to the senior living communities who aren’t able to get out as much. On Sept 7 is the group’s big concert will take place at Southside Baptist Church in Warner Robins, the additional details have yet to be announced.

“At our September show, we have invited choruses from all over the Southeast so it’s going to be an awesome show,” Schall said. “But again we love to have fun and invited anyone who can sing to come check us out and join our group.”

Schall said they meet every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church on Russell Parkway. If anyone is interested in joining the group or would like to book the group for an event, Schall said the groups contact information can be found on www.HOGchorus.org or call 478-345-SING.