Egalitarianism, Musical Excellence, and Style Preservation in the Barbershop Vocal Contest

Chad Putka

Location

Science Center, A154

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-27-2012 1:30 PM

End Date

4-27-2012 2:30 PM

Abstract

Since the American barbershop revival movement of the 1930s, the growth of the "barbershop contest" has significantly shaped the movement's social and artistic development. My research explores the history of the Barbershop Harmony Society and the effect of its embrace of a culture of competition on group identities and musical repertory. Through historical contextualization and interviews with contemporary experts, this research illuminates how competition engages with a complex matrix of institutional ideals, such as egalitarianism, the drive for musical excellence, and style preservation.

Notes

Session I, Panel 1: Listening in: Case Studies of Musical Form and Historical Change
Moderator: Charles McGuire, Professor of Musicology

Major

Musical Studies

Advisor(s)

Charles McGuire, Musicology

Project Mentor(s)

Paul Cox, Musicology; Percussion

April 2012

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Apr 27th, 1:30 PM Apr 27th, 2:30 PM

Egalitarianism, Musical Excellence, and Style Preservation in the Barbershop Vocal Contest

Science Center, A154

Since the American barbershop revival movement of the 1930s, the growth of the "barbershop contest" has significantly shaped the movement's social and artistic development. My research explores the history of the Barbershop Harmony Society and the effect of its embrace of a culture of competition on group identities and musical repertory. Through historical contextualization and interviews with contemporary experts, this research illuminates how competition engages with a complex matrix of institutional ideals, such as egalitarianism, the drive for musical excellence, and style preservation.