Performance Objectives

"Successful Performance for the Quartet and Chorus," available from Harmony Marketplace, Stock #4055, $10.00, is a wonderful resource for craft articles. This volume was edited by Ev Nau with help from Larry Ajer, Bob Lally, Dee Paris, Lloyd Steinkamp, Doc Cohen, Bill Rashleigh, Bub Thomas, Dick Treptow, and about a dozen other well known barbershoppers.

The Chapter, "Performance Objectives," in five parts, was published in five consecutive issues of the Big D Bulletin, Grant Carson, Editor.

1. The performance should entertain in the barbershop style.

Remember that the chapter or quartet has a lot of competition in the entertainment market. The audience expects variety in the performance. Variety should mean the ability to perform barbershop music in a number of settings or themes. It does not mean that we should substitute other styles for barbershop music or, worse yet, abandon the style altogether. An audience that sits in front of a barbershop chorus or quartet expects barbershop music. If they wanted blues, jazz, rock 'n roll, or classical music, they would have chosen another show. A well-planned program must make entertainment of the audience in the barbershop style its priority.

To measure your entertainment value, listen to the audience response. Count the number of jobs that you book as a result of your performance.

2. The performance should satisfy the chorus or quartet member.

Each performance creates an opportunity for you to display your skills. More importantly, the performance allows you an opportunity to be rewarded for your skills through applause and compliments. Your individual esteem is important. When it is raised, your involvement is also raised. No one likes to hear comments such as, "You guys aren't bad," when statements such as, "Wow! That was terrific!" can be induced with a well-planned performance.

To measure your satisfaction, see how many of the other performers are smiling. Watch for signs of increased camraderie among the members. Observe the eagerness among the members when the next performance is announced.

3. The performance should generate interest among potential members.

Each performance can create a desire, in men who like to sing, to learn more about barbershop music. Even if the audience is all women, you can be sure that, if the performance was good, their husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, nephews, or male co-workers will hear about it. Conversely, no one wants to join an organization that is willing to accept sub-standard performances as a matter of course. A well planned performance is one of the best public relations devices that we possess. Membership is always an acceptable objective. Increased membership will allow a chapter to continue to provide even better performances.

To measure the membership objective, count the number of men who ask about the possibility of joining a barbershop group. And do not forget to count the number of members who renew their memberships each year.

4. The performance should leave the audience wanting more.

One of the biggest complaints about barbershop performances is that they are too long. Both choruses and quartets should be selective in their presentations. You should not try to show an audience everything that you have learned from 1938 to the present. In a contest, the time simply flies by when a competitor is on stage. Both you and the audience should have that same feeling at every performance.

To measure this objective, be aware of the audience members who request the dates for your next appearance. Some may even ask about any recordings you have for sale.

5. The performance should enhance the barbershop image in the community.

In many cases, the public does not really have an adequate perception of barbershopping. They need to see a continual flow of quality barbershop performances. These performances should convince them to take barbershop entertainment as a serious alternative. Choruses and quartets need to show the public that the performance is fun for the performer, too.

Every time a chorus or quartet performs, the potential exists, either to be asked back to perform again, or to be asked to perform for someone else. The barbershop image is thus enhanced as the performer's reputation for quality grows. This type of public relations is probably the most satisfying of all. It can lead to choruses' and quartets' having to choose which performance to accept. Yet, this objective can seldom be reached without a solid plan.

To measure this objective, be aware of requests for more information about barbershopping in general. You may even frame answers to those questions to inform the public about the Youth Outreach program, the Senior Outreach program, Heartspring or the community services that you perform through some of your performances.

HR

back to Craft
back to Aids to Bulletin Editors page