"I actually did, so I responded to the ad which was an invitation to join a local group of female barbershop singers. The first time I heard them tune-up, I thought, 'that's for me'."

In March 1990, Jenny launched the Surrey Harmony Women's Barbershop Chorus. Much to her surprise, just four years later it beat all other choruses taking part in the UK championships organised by US-based Sweet Adelines International.

Since then, Surrey Harmony has gone from strength to strength. Under Jenny's skilful directorship, it has been described as 'a breath of fresh air', grown in size from 14 to 76 members, ranging in age from 12 to 72, and won the Sweet Adelines UK championship not just once but five times and been runners-up three times.

What's more, the chorus has also represented the UK on several occasions in the Sweet Adelines world championships and will do so again in October of this year in Las Vegas, Nevada, as reigning UK Sweet Adelines champions.

'Barbershop' is a type of unaccompanied four-part harmony singing that originated in America at the turn of the 20th century. Once a male-only form of singing, barbershop is now enjoyed by tens of thousands of men and women all over the world.

"Barbershop used to be regarded as a somewhat lowly, almost poor man's, type of music," explained Jenny. "Now, however, it is highly regarded internationally. Even members of formal choirs tend to take their hats off to barbershop singers. Formal choirs sing one way and barbershop choruses sing another. There is mutual respect."

In 1992 Surrey Harmony joined Sweet Adelines — a non-profit making organisation with a global membership of more than 30,000 individuals in 600 choruses in 11 countries.

There is also a separate organisation called the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) that is not affiliated to Sweet Adelines.

Surrey Harmony draws its members from all over the county, as well as from Sussex, Kent and London. "Anyone can join as long as they can sing and are prepared to devote the necessary time and energy," said publicity officer Sheena Kaighin, who lives in Knaphill.

Surrey Harmony director Jenny Lawson (at the piano) with publicity officer Sheena Kaighin (middle) and assistant director Judith Hunt

"Most people probably think you need to be able to read music to join any sort of choral organisation. That's not the case, however, with barbershop singing. As a result, many women who previously thought they couldn't join a choir are joining barbershop choruses instead. It's brilliant." Any girl or woman with a good, tuneful voice can join Surrey Harmony. After attending a rehearsal to see what barbershop singing entails, a prospective new member is given a pack of information and invited to attend an audition before Jenny the following week.

If the person's voice is good enough, she is invited to join. "At present, we have a dire shortage of good bass singers, because not a lot of women can sing as low as is required by barbershop choruses," said assistant director and bass section leader Judith Hunt of Hooley.

"Some women who do have deep voices may well think they wouldn't fit in," said Sheena. But they would. If there are any female bass singers reading this article, we would love to hear from them."

"We would love more people in their 20s to join us. Globally, barbershop is a very young, sexy sort of thing!"

Surrey Harmony is keen to dispel the myth that barbershop singing is primarily for middle-aged or elderly people. "We cater for people of all ages and social classes. Most of our members are probably in their 40s, although we have some singers who are much younger and some who are much older. "Some choruses have a lot of young women and that's fantastic."

One Surrey Harmony member was determined not to miss a single rehearsal, despite being heavily pregnant. "The following Wednesday she turned up with her new-born baby in her arms!" said Jenny.

Barbershop involves a lot more than just singing. Participants move their arms, walk about on stage and sometimes wave pom-poms and flags in cheer-leader fashion. Everything is carefully choreographed by Jackie Driscoll. "She is absolutely superb," said Sheena.

Sheena says that barbershop singing is good for relieving stress. "After a busy day at work, especially in mid-winter, often the last thing I want to do is to attend a rehearsal. But by ten o'clock, I am absolutely buzzing and have forgotten all the day's problems. I'm sure many members feel that way. "In any large organisation, you are going to have people with various problems - health, financial and such like. Singing helps you forget such problems for a little while. It's a great stress-buster." Surrey Harmony is currently hard at work perfecting the songs and routines it will perform at the Sweet Adelines world championships in Las Vegas. The chorus that wins the UK championships automatically represents the country at the world championships the following year. We will be competing against more than 30 other choruses from all over the world.

"At the UK Sweet Adelines championships in May 2005, we not only won first place for the fifth time but also a separate competition for best choreography, and that was all down to Jackie. She comes up with some amazing routines."

Our aim is simply to represent the UK to the best of our ability and to do better, in terms of placing and points, than we did when we last competed in the world championships, in 2003.

Surrey Harmony will perform two numbers together lasting six minutes. One is a ballad and the other is more a more upbeat number with lots of choreography," Sheena revealed.

The judges award points for music, sound, expression and showmanship.

"We are already practicing very hard. We've been drawn very late in the order of appearance, so by the time we get on stage there will be almost 10,000 people in the audience. It will be an incredible experience. I am tingling now just at the thought of it. You go all that way for just six minutes, but it's certainly worth it." Also performing with Surrey Harmony in Las Vegas will be eight singers from other UK choruses known as 'ooters' (out of towners).

 "Inviting a small number of people from other choruses is well-established practice in the USA, but it's the first time it's been done by a UK chorus, so we are breaking new ground."

"Many UK choruses have some excellent singers within their ranks who will never get the chance to compete in the world championships. Hopefully these eight singers, who've had to undergo a rigorous audition, will return to the UK to enthuse members of their own choruses. It's our way of giving something back to the UK."

Surrey Harmony boasts an extensive repertoire of songs from the 20s to the present day – timeless standards from musicals to chart-topping classics like the theme from the Titanic movie.

One song in particular is very dear to members' hearts, for it was penned and arranged by Jenny herself. Entitled A Quartet of Nations, it's the official song for the UK - Region 31 in Sweet Adelines parlance.

"The quartet refers to the four nations comprising the UK," said Sheena. "We sing it every year at the UK championships, after which there is much hugging!"

Performing in the presence of HRH Princess Anne at St James' Palace.

Surrey Harmony can be booked to perform for all kinds of functions, including weddings, anniversary parties and charitable events and entertainment evenings. One of its most recent high profile engagements was singing at a pre-Christmas show for The 'Not Forgotten' Association at St James' Palace in the presence of HRH Princess Anne. "Because we have quartets within the chorus, we can do small, intimate events as well as large, concert-hall type ones," said Sheena.

Surrey Harmony, which has raised thousands for charity, is currently seeking sponsorship to help defray its travelling and other costs.

"I'm sure we have a lot to offer the right company, given our high profile as current UK champions," she added.

Said Jenny: "I could never have imagined that Surrey Harmony would develop into such a good chorus from such small beginnings 16 years ago. That's not just down to me but also as a result of the hard work and commitment of all members, both past and present. But we can and will improve further. Who knows, perhaps one day we will be good enough to be the best and become world champions?"

This article originally appeared in the February 2006 edition of the Surrey Monocle.

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