History
More than 75 Years of Harmony
Somerset Hills Harmony is the Somerset Hills Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. While the current mixed a cappella ensemble is a relatively recent incarnation, the organization’s roots stretch back more than seven decades.
FOUNDING THROUGH THE NEW MILLENIUM
The Somerset Hills Chapter was founded in 1949 as part of what is now the Barbershop Harmony Society, originally known by its legal name, the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. The chapter was formed to bring singers together in the joy of close harmony, both in chorus and quartet settings.
Over the decades, the group performed under names including the Hounds of Harmony and the Somertones, sharing four-part barbershop harmony throughout central and northern New Jersey. Through changing eras, the chapter maintained a strong commitment to ensemble singing and musical fellowship.
JERSEY HARMONY EXPRESS (JHX)
In 2010, the ensemble began expanding beyond traditional barbershop repertoire to embrace a broader a cappella experience. The group adopted the name Jersey Harmony Express and incorporated contemporary, rock, and popular music alongside its barbershop roots.
During this period, the ensemble experienced artistic growth and sustained a dedicated core of performers. Guest collaborations gradually expanded to include female singers and vocal percussion, reflecting a growing interest in mixed-voice a cappella. At the time, however, formal inclusion was limited by the all-male membership structure of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
EVERYONE IN HARMONY - THE EMERGENCE OF SOMERSET HILLS HARMONY
In 2018, the Barbershop Harmony Society opened its membership to all singers, marking a significant shift in the organization’s history. This change enabled chapters like Somerset Hills to align formal membership with evolving musical and cultural realities.
That fall, Somerset Hills Harmony was officially launched as a mixed a cappella chorus. The new ensemble was founded on principles of musical excellence, inclusion, and engaging performance, while retaining strong ties to the barbershop tradition. Somerset Hills Harmony was among the early Barbershop Harmony Society chapters to elect a female performer and executive leader.
In 2019, the organization welcomed The Gold Dynamic, expanding its offerings to include a smaller, auditioned ensemble focused on contemporary a cappella repertoire.
COVID AND CHORAL QUARANTINE
As the ensemble entered 2020, Somerset Hills Harmony was growing and preparing for its first formal convention and contest appearance. The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted in-person singing, forcing choral organizations everywhere to rethink how they functioned.
Somerset Hills Harmony responded with a multi-pronged approach that included online educational and social sessions, the creation of more than two dozen virtual performances, and the development of Hot Rods & Harmony, a driveway-based rehearsal model that allowed singers to perform safely in person. This approach was adopted by ensembles around the world and later documented in the film The Drive to Sing.
A CAPPELLA RE-IMAGINED
Choral music continues to evolve in how it is created, shared, and experienced. Live performance remains central, while recorded and digital formats have become enduring ways for ensembles to reach broader audiences and deepen their impact.
A studio recording and video of The Fields of Athenry has received more than 70,000 views online, reaching an audience far larger than any single live performance. This expanded reach reflects a broader shift in how a cappella ensembles connect with listeners today.
Somerset Hills Harmony has grown from a post-pandemic low of 15 singers to more than 40 members, and we look to the future grounded in our history and focused on musical excellence, education, and innovation. This ongoing evolution is captured in our guiding vision: A Cappella Re-Imagined.
Somerset Hills Harmony is the Somerset Hills Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. While the current mixed a cappella ensemble is a relatively recent incarnation, the organization’s roots stretch back more than seven decades.
FOUNDING THROUGH THE NEW MILLENIUM
The Somerset Hills Chapter was founded in 1949 as part of what is now the Barbershop Harmony Society, originally known by its legal name, the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. The chapter was formed to bring singers together in the joy of close harmony, both in chorus and quartet settings.
Over the decades, the group performed under names including the Hounds of Harmony and the Somertones, sharing four-part barbershop harmony throughout central and northern New Jersey. Through changing eras, the chapter maintained a strong commitment to ensemble singing and musical fellowship.
JERSEY HARMONY EXPRESS (JHX)
In 2010, the ensemble began expanding beyond traditional barbershop repertoire to embrace a broader a cappella experience. The group adopted the name Jersey Harmony Express and incorporated contemporary, rock, and popular music alongside its barbershop roots.
During this period, the ensemble experienced artistic growth and sustained a dedicated core of performers. Guest collaborations gradually expanded to include female singers and vocal percussion, reflecting a growing interest in mixed-voice a cappella. At the time, however, formal inclusion was limited by the all-male membership structure of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
EVERYONE IN HARMONY - THE EMERGENCE OF SOMERSET HILLS HARMONY
In 2018, the Barbershop Harmony Society opened its membership to all singers, marking a significant shift in the organization’s history. This change enabled chapters like Somerset Hills to align formal membership with evolving musical and cultural realities.
That fall, Somerset Hills Harmony was officially launched as a mixed a cappella chorus. The new ensemble was founded on principles of musical excellence, inclusion, and engaging performance, while retaining strong ties to the barbershop tradition. Somerset Hills Harmony was among the early Barbershop Harmony Society chapters to elect a female performer and executive leader.
In 2019, the organization welcomed The Gold Dynamic, expanding its offerings to include a smaller, auditioned ensemble focused on contemporary a cappella repertoire.
COVID AND CHORAL QUARANTINE
As the ensemble entered 2020, Somerset Hills Harmony was growing and preparing for its first formal convention and contest appearance. The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted in-person singing, forcing choral organizations everywhere to rethink how they functioned.
Somerset Hills Harmony responded with a multi-pronged approach that included online educational and social sessions, the creation of more than two dozen virtual performances, and the development of Hot Rods & Harmony, a driveway-based rehearsal model that allowed singers to perform safely in person. This approach was adopted by ensembles around the world and later documented in the film The Drive to Sing.
A CAPPELLA RE-IMAGINED
Choral music continues to evolve in how it is created, shared, and experienced. Live performance remains central, while recorded and digital formats have become enduring ways for ensembles to reach broader audiences and deepen their impact.
A studio recording and video of The Fields of Athenry has received more than 70,000 views online, reaching an audience far larger than any single live performance. This expanded reach reflects a broader shift in how a cappella ensembles connect with listeners today.
Somerset Hills Harmony has grown from a post-pandemic low of 15 singers to more than 40 members, and we look to the future grounded in our history and focused on musical excellence, education, and innovation. This ongoing evolution is captured in our guiding vision: A Cappella Re-Imagined.
