NORTHBOROUGH – A longtime Hudson-based a cappella choir has relocated to Northborough. Now, Women of Note is planning a guest night to take place on Monday, Jan. 10, to run from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at its new rehearsal space at the Baptist Convention Center of New England in town.
Women of Note had previously rehearsed in Hudson for 20 years. Choir Manager Julie Schwingbeck recently told the Community Advocate, though, that the group had to stop rehearsing there because they were not able to open up to the public when they had wanted to resume singing.
Now, Women of Note is rehearsing on Monday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. Schwingbeck said she hopes that this guest night will bring some new members to the choir.
“We’ll have a whole evening devoted to singing with and for our guests and introducing them to us,” Schwingbeck said. “Hopefully they will be inspired to join us.”
Women of Note sings four-part a cappella music in the unique barbershop style.
“It’s an a cappella style that generates a lot of overtones, so that the sound sounds bigger than the individual parts because the way the parts are singing together, they generate a lot of other notes,” Schwingbeck said. “It’s really very compelling to be singing in it. You get goosebumps.”
Musically, Schwingbeck said that the choir performs songs from different musical backgrounds, including show tunes and songs from musicals like “Aladdin” and “The Sound of Music.”
Schwingbeck said that Women of Note has members with different levels of musical experience and backgrounds. Some, like Schwinbeck, have been singing in the barbershop style for decades. Others join without any experience.
“We have people who don’t know how to read music, and we have people who know how to teach reading music and can sight read,” Schwingbeck said. “We are open to many different levels.
“What we need is a desire to sing and a willingness to learn your music and come to rehearsal,” she said.
Women of Note offers pre-recorded renditions of parts for songs. This is to help those who do not know how to read music perform in the choir.
Outside of this upcoming event next month, Women of Note will also participate in a regional contest at the Westborough DoubleTree Hotel on April 23 alongside 12 choirs from New England and Montreal.
If Women of Note earns a high enough score, it will qualify to compete in an international competition in Verona, New York in November.
Over the last three decades, Schwingbeck said she has made many friendships through Women of Note. She said she has also learned a lot about music and singing through the choir.
“I love to make music, and it’s very rewarding when you are able to make the music come alive,” Schwingbeck said.
RELATED CONTENT
Northborough Area Community Chorus to host milestone holiday concert
Marlborough student finds her voice with international Jewish choir
New choral director sings choir’s praises
