Meet the
Blue Ridge Harmeneers
Harmony Along the Blue Ridge
For more than three decades, the Blue Ridge Harmeneers have brought men together through the unmistakable sound of four-part harmony. Rooted in the barbershop tradition, we are a community chorus where singers of different ages, backgrounds, and levels of musical experience come together to make good music, build lasting friendships, and enjoy the simple fun of singing together.
Based in Bedford and drawing singers from communities throughout the Blue Ridge, including Smith Mountain Lake and Lynchburg, the Harmeneers are just as at home singing for our neighbors as we are on the concert stage. Harmony may be what brings us together, but fellowship, growth, fun, and service are what have made this chorus a community.
Since 1993
What Guides Us
Our Mission
Our Mission is to sing four-part barbershop harmony that our members and audiences enjoy; to promote quartet singing and fellowship within our chapter; to encourage participation by others; and to charitably benefit our community at-large.
Those words continue to guide the Harmeneers today, but the story behind them stretches back more than three decades, to a group of men gathered around Smith Mountain Lake and a shared love of singing.
The Beginning
From Smith Mountain Lake to the Blue Ridge
Before there were the Blue Ridge Harmeneers, there were the Smith Mountain Lake Harmeneers. The chorus began with men from the communities surrounding Smith Mountain Lake who shared a love of four-part harmony and the fellowship that comes from singing it together.
From those early years, the Harmeneers grew into something larger than a weekly gathering. Concerts became traditions. Quartets stepped out from the chorus. Guest musicians joined us onstage. Patriotic music, old favorites, laughter, and the unmistakable sound of a ringing barbershop chord became part of who we were.
As the chorus grew, so did the community it represented. What began around Smith Mountain Lake came to draw singers and audiences from Bedford, Lynchburg, and communities throughout the region. The name Blue Ridge Harmeneers reflects that broader home, while the chorus’s character remains rooted in what brought those first singers together: harmony, fellowship, fun, growth, and service.
Looking for a women’s chorus? Learn more about the Blue Ridge Belles.
What We Believe
What Keeps Us Singing
Harmony
There’s nothing quite like a ringing chord.
Four-part barbershop harmony is at the heart of what we do. We work together to create the blend, balance, and unmistakable sound that happens when four parts become something greater than any one voice.
Whether we’re learning a new song, revisiting an old favorite, or sharing the stage with an audience, we believe good harmony is worth working for.
Fellowship
The music brings us together. The fellowship brings us back.
The Harmeneers have always been about more than rehearsal and performance. Friendships grow in the conversations before rehearsal, the laughter between songs, the quartets that form, and the years spent singing beside one another.
We value being a place where men can belong, contribute, and enjoy making music together.
Fun
We sing because it’s fun.
We take our music seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. There’s room here for laughter, a little silliness, songs that make an audience smile, and the sheer enjoyment of singing with a group of friends.
Making good music should be rewarding, but we think it ought to be a good time, too.
Growth
There’s always another chord to ring a little better.
Every singer comes to the Harmeneers with a different musical background, and every singer has room to grow. Through rehearsal, coaching, listening, and singing alongside one another, we work to become stronger individual musicians and a better ensemble.
You don’t have to arrive as an accomplished barbershopper. You just need a willingness to learn.
Service
Harmony is meant to be shared.
For more than three decades, the Harmeneers have used music to serve the communities we call home. From community gatherings and patriotic observances to concerts and charitable efforts, we believe singing gives us an opportunity to bring people together and give something back.
Our stage extends throughout Bedford, Smith Mountain Lake, Lynchburg, and the surrounding Blue Ridge.
What is Barbershop Harmony?
Many people have heard the term “barbershop” but have never experienced it in person.
Barbershop harmony is an a cappella style of four-part singing known for its rich chords, ringing harmonies, and expressive storytelling. While the style has deep historical roots, today’s barbershop includes music from many genres, from classic standards to contemporary songs, folk music, Broadway, country, and more.
Every singer has an important role:
Tenor
Adds the highest harmony above the melody.
Lead
Usually sings the melody.
Baritone
Completes the chord by filling in the middle harmony, which could be above or below the melody.
Bass
Provides the rich foundation of the chord.
The result is a sound that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Looking Ahead
Our Story is Still Being Written
The Harmeneers are proud of the tradition that brought us here, and excited about where harmony can take us next. We’re continuing to grow musically, welcome new singers, explore repertoire both old and new, and find meaningful ways to share music throughout the Blue Ridge.
The sound may evolve and new voices will join in the harmony, but the heart of the Harmeneers remains the same: harmony, fellowship, fun, growth, and service.
Your Part Starts Here
Come Sing with Us
Whether you’ve been singing for years or haven’t sung since high school, there’s a place for you in the Harmeneers. Come make some music, meet a great group of guys, and experience four-part harmony for yourself.
Pull up a chair, find your part, and come ring a chord with us.
