Organization

The Houston Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society was incorporated in 1946 "for the purposes of music education and the preservation of a unique American art form - the Barbershop quartet." We are an a cappella men's singing organization comprised of quartets and a 90-man performing chorus, the Houston Tidelanders. Next to the Houston Symphony, we are the oldest continually-existing performing arts organization in Houston.

With the exception of our Musical Directors, all our members are non-paid volunteers who enjoy singing and sharing their talents with the community. Primary funding for our programs is provided by ticket sales to our annual shows or public and private paid performances. However, we are an IRS 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, members of the Cultural Arts Council of Houston/Harris County and partially funded by them through the Texas Commission on the Arts. We have also been fortunate to receive other grants and sponsorships from individuals and corporations.

The Tidelanders are a competition chorus with a strong award-winning tradition within the Barbershop Harmony Society. We are recognized by our peers as one of the top choruses in the world. During our 55+ year history, the Tidelanders have won the Society's Southwestern District chorus championship 14 times, more than any other chorus in the District which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. We have been selected as one of the "Top 5" choruses in the world at the Society's International Chorus Competition 8 times.

Houston chapter membership is broad-based, including men from many southeastern Texas towns including Alvin, Bellaire, Bryan, Crosby, Cypress, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galveston, Houston, Huffman, Katy, Kingwood, La Porte, League City, Lufkin, Magnolia, Manvel, Missouri City, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Pasadena, Pearland, Plano, Port Arthur, Spring, Sugar Land, Taylor Lake Village, Texas City, The Woodlands and Tomball. We have members who make 4-hour round-trips to attend weekly rehearsals.

The Tidelanders present summer and Christmas shows at the Wortham Center as well as at least one suburban cabaret-style "Good Time" show each year. We also perform at area churches, schools and hospitals. As part of our community outreach efforts, the chapter conducts various youth music education programs and funds scholarships which provide the opportunity for area young men and their instructors to attend Society classes devoted to 4-part a cappella musical training.

We are very excited about our future and hope to share some of these experiences with you. Plan to join us at one of our upcoming concerts or take the Tidelander sound with you by ordering one of our CD's.

Don't forget that our doors are always open to men who share a love for singing. We meet each Monday evening from 7 to 10 pm at the Bellaire Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of Bellaire Boulevard and Rice Avenue, just West of the 610 Loop. We would love to have you visit us so that you can learn, first-hand, what the Tidelanders are all about.