Weekly Rehearsal

A barbershop chapter that welcomes all genders

Big Apple Chorus is the Manhattan chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The chorus says the society was all-male until 2020, when it opened to all genders; the chorus became co-ed as well. That history gives context to the group’s barbershop roots and its present-day invitation to singers of different genders.

The chorus describes its music as four-part a cappella harmony. Meetup welcomes singers of all ages, genders, voices and styles, and says visitors should be comfortable carrying a tune.

Further reading: Weekly Rehearsal, Mon, Nov 2, 2026, 7:00 PM | MeetupBending Spoons ↗ · About | bigapplechorus ↗

Trying a rehearsal is separate from joining

No audition is required to visit. After a first visit, the chorus says it shares one audition song and guide tracks through Google Drive. Guests receive that song, not access to the full music library, before they officially join.

People considering membership can visit for a few rehearsals before singing a simple song in a quartet for the director. The chorus says it will help them prepare, so a newcomer can first take part without arriving with the membership song already learned.

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

Led by music educator Maurice Debar

The chorus lists Maurice Debar as its director. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education, spent 33 years teaching instrumental music in public schools, and has sung four-part harmony for four decades. That background connects formal music education with long experience in the style at the center of the chorus’s work.

Further reading: About | bigapplechorus ↗