Chuck Cyprien started playing drums in grade school, taught himself guitar in high school and has done stints singing in rock bands, but he says there’s nothing like harmonizing with his friends on Tuesday nights.
When the Anaheim resident joined the Orange Empire Chorus eight years ago he quickly learned barbershop quartet singing is not like lead vocals for the band, he said.
“I’ve always been a singer and played guitar and bass and drums and harmonica,” the tenor told City News Service, adding he doesn’t consider himself a musician, preferring “musical person” as a nod to performers with greater skill.
“It’s much more technical singing because in four-part harmony it’s written down and this is my note, my track and I stay in my lane,” Cyprien said. “If someone goes off track or does something weird it screws the whole thing up.”
When the group properly harmonizes it’s called “ringing a chord,” he said.
“You realize why you’re there and why this is so beautiful and kind of addictive,” Cyprien said.
That focus on harmony goes beyond just the performance. The Orange Empire Chorus, which is the Fullerton chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, pledges to avoid politics.
“In this topsy-turvy political world there’s no politics, no nothing,” Cyprien said. “It’s a rule … This is to get men to come together and sing four-part harmony.”
Barbershop quartet singing started as an American art form, Cyprien said.
“It’s like jazz, it was 100% invented in America,” he said, adding it has spread all over the world in popularity.
It is also known for its nostalgic feel.
“It’s such an outdated Americana thing, but in this turbulent time maybe that’s what we need,” he said. “Some G-rated music because it sounds good.”
The group, which performs Wednesday at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton, is hoping to draw more members, especially younger singers, Cyprien said.
“We’re looking for guys,” he said. “We’re having a hard time, especially since post-COVID.”
The chorus competes, and won first place in chorus contests the past couple of years, he said. But the focus is more on enjoyment.
“We like to say we’re the number fun chorus,” he said. “Yes, we compete, but we’re there for fun.”
Most people can learn how to harmonize, he said.
“Most people think they can’t sing because they don’t sing,” he said.
Although the chorus performs many traditional tunes, they also do four-part harmonies of more contemporary songs, such as “Sweet Caroline” and “I Get Around.”
One of the surprising benefits of performing with the group, Cyprien learned, was its positive effect on his health, because singing improves breathing.
“If you breathe more you oxygenate and it’s better for your health. It’s that simple,” he said. “If you breathe more your blood flows better, and you have to take deep breaths to sing.”