North Augusta Today

Once a week a small group of men meet at the North Augusta Church of Christ to harmonize together.

They form the Garden City Chorus, a group that formed in 1963 in Augusta that is part of the Barbershop Harmony Society. About 40 men are part of the chorus, which belongs to the Southeast Dixie District.

Guests are invited to attend the Tuesday rehearsals, and Director John Phillips of North Augusta said the only requirement to join is "just to be able to carry a tune."

The chorus is a non-religious organization, Phillips said, and they sing songs from the 1860s to the 1890s as well as current popular songs.

Phillips became the director in 2002 after joining the chorus 16 years ago.

"I've always loved to sing," he said.

He grew up singing in the church choir, and said he didn't know there was a Barbershop Harmony Society until he bought a CD in 1992.

"A week later I was at my very first rehearsal and I have hardly missed one since," Phillips said.

Phillips, a baritone, said he loves being able to take his voice and blend it with three others.

"(It makes) it sound like much more," he said.

The singing style is a capella and Phillips said that some members form quartets within the group.

Jim Fernstrom, of North Augusta, is a part of the Acoemeti quartet. He joined the Garden City Chorus in 2000 after retiring as vice president from Thermal Ceramics in Augusta.

"I got invited to sing with them for their Christmas show in 2000 and it ended up I liked it," Fernstrom said. "I took voice lessons four years."

He wanted to take lessons, but they aren't required, Fernstrom said. Newcomers are given learning tapes that include all four singing parts.

"It's a wonderful hobby," Fernstrom said, of singing. "Singing adds like 12 years to your life and singing music is just really good for your mind. Everything we do we memorize."

Out of 58 chapters covering six states that belong to the Dixie District, Phillips said, the Garden City Chorus is ranked anywhere from 12th to 18th.

"We have bragging rights," he said. "We have been in the top 10."

The Dixie District is ranked seventh in the world, he said, and two of the chapters will go to an international competition.

The Garden City Chorus has won the small chorus championship and most improved, Phillips said. They compete twice a year.

"Our fans love us here," he said.

They recently finished their 46th annual show held at the beginning of May each year at Augusta State University.

Now they are getting ready for the biggest barbershop show to hit the Augusta area, he said.

On Sept. 26, they will perform at the Westobou Festival, which will feature other local groups and two choruses in the top 10 internationally from Atlanta.

Phillips said they are looking for bass, leads, tenors and baritones to join their group, and that reading music is not required.

"I encourage anybody that thinks they can sing to come out to a rehearsal," Fernstrom said. "If you can carry a tune you can learn how to sing."

Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.

GARDEN CITY CHORUS
When : 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays
Where : North Augusta Church of Christ, 600 W. Martintown Road
What : Barbershop chorus; member of the Dixie District of the Barbershop Harmony Society
Dues : About $130 per year, includes membership to Barbershop Harmony Society
Web site : gardencitychorus.org
Telephone : Director John Phillips, (803) 279-4198