By Shaun Gregory, Huron Expositor
Barbershop music–in the 1930s, the tune, shoo doop shooby doo, broadcasted from numerous street corners across North America.
No instruments were needed, just some rhythm and sheer singing power. On April 9, the Seaforth Harmony Kings kept the nearly century-old a cappella style of melody active. They ventured to Scarborough Ont. with one thing on their mind-gold. After losing last year by a nose hair, they knew what was needed to walk away victorious.
They made the necessary changes and the group of 35 men won first place, making them Ontario District Chorus champions. A feat of its own, considering they were up against seven much larger inhabited cities including Scarborough Ont. with a population of more than 600,000 people and our neighbouring city, London Ont. with approximately 350,000 souls to share their land. Then, there is Seaforth with about 2,300 residents.
“Last year we tied for first with Barrie, which led to a singing contest where they outscored us,” said the director of the Harmony Kings, Dave Campbell.
Upon returning they went back to the drawing board. “This year, we kind of blew the doors off everyone.”