Sisterhood of song: Women's a cappella group going strong in Snohomish

Linda Meyer calls Voices Northwest not just a singing group, but a sisterhood.

She joined eight years ago but wished it had been 30. Still, Meyer has sung in Tennessee and Nashville, on cruises to Jamaica and Mexico, and toured Ireland two summers ago.

"It's a community," said Meyer, 60, of Snohomish. "I don't have any sisters and no daughters so it's really nice to have a bunch of women who have become my sisters."

Voices Northwest is the female version of the barbershop art form of singing. They are an a cappella group of 33 women who range in age from 13 to 75. And they want to grow bigger.

Voices Northwest is seeking new members. Its "Ready, Set, Grow" membership drive kicks off Monday at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Snohomish, where any female who can carry a tune can sign up for six weeks of free lessons.

Any woman who joins can expect to learn a lot about posture, resonance of the soft pallet, and the artistry and style of barbershop, which involves singing in the male ranges of tenor, baritone and bass. Also, new members will get to sing with Voices Northwest during their Dec. 8 Christmas show. Beyond that, there's so much potential for developing your singing voice and singing competitively that "the sky's the limit," director Sue Beck said.

Beck, a Boeing employee who lives in Everett, has been singing female barbershop for 36 years. She's been on the international stage many times and has friends around the world.

"You can make it what you want," Beck, 60, said. It's been a godsend for me."

Beck started the Snohomish County chapter of Voices Northwest about two years ago. Just this past April, the group went to Spokane for a regional competition and took first place in the small chorus division.

"It borders on professional sometimes," Beck said. "It's just amazing how talented and creative they are."

Beck says the group is learning the song "Naturally" by Huey Lewis and The News, has done Gloria Estefan and the whole "Phantom of the Opera" thing.

"It's not your grandfathers' barbershop these days, thank God," Beck said.

"The art form has changed and the education has changed and the contests have changed," Beck said. "We expect a lot more from our hobbies these days."



Theresa Goffredo 425-339-3424 goffredo@heraldnet.com