Founding

First meeting: April 11, 1938 at the Roof Garden of the Tulsa Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Official name is Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., Inc.)

Barbershop Harmony Defined

Four-part, unaccompanied, close-harmony singing, with melody in the second voice, called the “lead.” Tenor (counter-tenor voice) harmonizes above the lead singer; bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes, and the baritone provides in-between notes, to form consonant, pleasing chords. Barbershop is a “melting pot” product of African-American musical devices, European hymn-singing culture, and an American tradition of recreational music. Melodies are in the vocal and skill range of the average singer, with lyrical emphasis on simple, heartfelt emotions.

A Brief History of the Dixie District

The Dixie District was organized in Birmingham, Alabama in February 23, 1948. It was comprised of nine southeastern states, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The District at that time had a total membership of 424 from the 10 chapters.

Today, The Dixie District is one of the 16 geographical districts of the Barbershop Harmony Society, formerly known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Incorporated (SPEBSQSA, Inc) throughout the United States and Canada. The Dixie District supports barbershop chapters and quartets in the southeastern states of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

We meet every Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
at the Athens Bible School in Athens, AL.

We are the Southern Splendor Chorus.  We are an all-male a capella chorus and are a part of the Barbershop Harmony Society.  In our short eleven year existence we have managed to win TWO "Most Improved Chorus" awards and TWO "3rd Place Small Chorus" awards from our own Dixie District. We are presently under the very capable direction of Tommy Mitchell.  Come help us grow and continue improving our ability to entertain in the North Alabama area.

Are you looking for a new and rewarding hobby? Can you sing? Do you want to sing? If you live in or near the North Alabama area, stop in and let us introduce you to the rewards of 4-part harmony. We presently have members driving from as far East as Grant, as far West as Florence, as far North as North Nashville, TN and as far South as Cullman. Come find out why they think it is worth the drive.

Check out our Barbershop Links to find out more about this wonderful hobby. Check out our calendar of events to learn where you can see and hear us in action.

Please rummage through our pages, then stop in at one of our Chapter Meetings and hear what we're all about!