At West Oak High School’s spring chorus concert took the stage for a uniquely ensembled performance.
Everything about it was wonderfully at odds.
First off, the presented themselves as a “quartet”- all 5 of them, later to become 7. They also refer to themselves as a “barbershop” group and the “West Oak HS Men”.
The only thing is, 2 of them are very much girls and, while they sound amazing, Barbershop also has specific vocal rules that make it barbershop.
No such rules were being followed. The fact that everything about the show is a bit off from what one might expect infuses it with some good old-fashioned humor.
And they picked thee perfect song for it, too. They sang “For the Longest Time” by Billy Joel with vocal harmony and a spirited delivery.
Their performance, though unconventional, presented a fresh take on a beloved classic.
While they may not be up to date on their definition of things, there is no question these kids are packing talent.
The concert drew an enthusiastic crowd of peers and family members. The giggles and whispers of an anticipating audience is nearly contagious.
Opting for a barbershop quartet style with a twist, the ensemble expanded on the traditional four-part harmony.
This deviation from standard barbershop didn’t diminish their charm or harmonic precision.
Instead, it offered a unique rendition that embraced the essence of barbershop’s rich, textural harmony, while presenting it in a way that was vibrant and accessible to a younger audience.
Individual talents shone throughout the performance, particularly during solos by students named Jayden and Miranda.
Such a pre-performance atmosphere often sets the tone for the engagement level throughout the event, and this was no exception.
While the ensemble’s style wasn’t strictly barbershop due to its larger size and mixed composition, their performance was nonetheless impressive.
Their adaptation managed to uphold the entertaining, technically demanding aspects of the genre.
Though it bent traditional conventions, their show was fun and admirably executed.