Big Apple Chorus Weekly Rehearsal

A Manhattan chapter in an evolving tradition

Established in 1983, Big Apple Chorus is the Manhattan chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The Society was an all-male organization until it became co-ed in 2020; the chorus says it made the same transition. That history helps explain how the group pairs a barbershop foundation with an explicit welcome to singers of all genders.

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A director with a music-education background

The chorus names Maurice Debar as its director. His biography lists a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music education, 33 years teaching instrumental music in public schools and four decades of singing four-part harmony. He is also certified as a barbershop director by the Society.

Further reading: About | bigapplechorus ↗

Visiting and joining are different steps

Anyone considering membership can first attend a few rehearsals. The chorus describes the later step as singing a simple song in a quartet for the director, and says it will help prospective members prepare.

After a first visit, the chorus shares an audition song and guide tracks through Google Drive. To protect its music library, it gives guests that audition material only until they officially join. This preparation belongs to the membership process, not the first visit.

Further reading: Sing With Us | bigapplechorus ↗ · About | bigapplechorus ↗