The Barberettes is a lively and entertaining a cappella choir that sings in the barbershop style, meaning the melody (or tune) is in the middle of the arrangement. We were founded in 1976 and are led by our highly talented musical director, Emma Lelliott. We rehearse weekly in Earley, near Reading, and perform regularly throughout Berkshire and beyond. Our repertoire spans 100 years of popular music and is constantly evolving.

The Barberettes began singing as women Barbershoppers. Barbershop singing is four-part harmony singing without accompaniment, with three voices harmonizing with the melody. Its unique sound is created by the predominance of specific chords in the arrangements, which are typically popular songs from the 20th century. Barbershop singing is one of the most delicate yet rewarding achievements of a vocal ensemble—you sing a song as the lead with three other sections harmonizing, and when each section reaches the perfect pitch, the audience hears a wonderful harmonic vibration—a ringing resonance creating a sound different from any tone sung by any individual singer! Although the vocal parts in women’s barbershop harmony have different names and functions from other SATB or SSAA vocal styles, the foundation is the same: beautiful music, amazing chords, and the passion to create a moving piece of music.