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Barbershop chorus is longtime Canton tradition
You might think a barbershop group, with its old-timey singing style, would attract a distinctly older demographic. But the Goldenaires' singers range in age from 28 to 78.
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"It's a national/international organization, people all over the world. It started in Oklahoma back in the 1930s, depression days, or just after that, and been growing ever since, mostly growing…we're the northernmost chapter—there's one in Cornwall [Ontario]."
The Goldenaires' theme song is sung to a tune that some might recognize as the Kellerman's theme song from the movie Dirty Dancing—the group's members laugh when I point this out, and tell me it's "everyone's theme song."
At 28, member Chris Riordan may be too young to remember Dirty Dancing. He's been singing with the Goldenaires about eight years ago. A teacher at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center's Children and Youth Services, he says he's been the youngest most of the time since he joined.
What does he like about barbershop? "The harmony, the chords, the camaraderie…it's just a lot of fun."
The Canton Goldenaires will be holding their annual holiday benefit concert Monday, December 10, at 7pm at the Presbyterian Church in Canton.
