Bridge Town Sound - a Portland Men's Chorus
Who Are We?
Bridge Town Sound is the performing chorus of the Portland Metro Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The Portland Metro chapter was founded in September of 2001 at the initiative of Jim Taylor and Dan Whedon. The intent was that it be the premiere barbershop chapter in the Portland area,that it host high-quality shows featuring the best performers in the country, and that it sponsor a top-notch chorus and numerous quartets.
That vision is still active as we complete our tenth year of operation. In that time the Bridge Town Sound chorus has won the Division IV chorus contest in the Evergreen District five times, and one of our chapter quartets, The Dean's List, won the Evergreen District quartet contest in 2006. In addition, we have developed a pioneering music education program called BTS University, and initiated an annual event for singers known as Power Quartetting weekend. Also, on three occasions one of our members has won the Lou Perry contest, a Society-wide contest for unpublished arrangers.
We typically compete in both spring and fall contests that are sponsored by the Evergreen District. In addition, we host an annual show or two in which we bring in outstanding talent to share the stage with us. Typically we also put on a holiday show in December as well. We also sing regularly at other community events.
One of the things that sets Bridge Town Sound apart from many other choruses is the fact that each singer who performs in public as part of Bridge Town Sound has previously demonstrated the ability to sing each song accurately in regard to the notes, words, and breathing plan, without looking at the music. Singers recording themselves in order to qualify on a song has become part of the culture of BTS, and we take pride in putting on the stage only those who have proven that they have what it takes to be Bridge Town Sound performers.