The North Shore Harmonizers
A Women’s Barbershop Chorus
We are a women’s chorus dedicated to the art of singing four-part a cappella harmony. Our members include Chicagoland women from all walks of life with a variety of musical backgrounds. We are a community chorus dedicated to spreading the joy of singing and music to our family, friends and neighbors. Established in 1952, we’ve been singing ever since, with new members, of course!
Some of our community activities include
A major show featuring our chorus and small ensembles that is open to the public
- Performances for senior citizens and other community groups throughout the year
Programs and caroling during the holiday season
Community farmers’ markets during the summer
History
The North Shore Harmonizers is one of the longest standing traditions of the North Shore. Founded at the Wilmette Women’s Club over 60 years ago by Evelyn Frisby, the Harmonizers have, over the years, been affiliated with the Wilmette Park District and are now an independent Women’s a cappella Barbershop Chorus. We sing for fun, civic functions and for charity.
In the same year as our founding in 1952, the Harmonizers were invited by the Wilmette Park District to host a Barbershop Harmony Festival Night at the Wilmette Bowl’s Starlight Theatre, and we continued to be a part of this tradition for 50 years.
In addition to producing our own shows, highlights of the Harmonizers include being featured at the Chicago Civic Opera House; performing at Chicago World Garden Shows; appearing at Ravinia; performing at the State of Illinois Building downtown Chicago; appearing several times a year at various historic and civic festivals in Long Grove, Illinois; caroling at Christmas time; and performing at many nursing and retirement homes throughout the years.
We love to sing and to bring joy to other people through our songs. Barbershop harmony has now evolved to the point that more contemporary songs are regularly included in the barbershop repertoire, and the Harmonizers make a point of singing old standards along with contemporary music to please our audiences.
Our current director, Paul Langford, has been with us since March 1, 2023. Prior to that, Alice Lane was our leader and inspiration since 1991. Before 1991 our directors included: Bob Haeger, Earl Baumgarten, Dick Savane, Tom McCracken, Dan Ryan, Dick Gallagher and Frank Fabian.
In addition to producing our own shows, highlights of the Harmonizers include being featured at the Chicago Civic Opera House; performing at Chicago World Garden Shows; appearing at Ravinia; performing at the State of Illinois Building downtown Chicago; appearing several times a year at various historic and civic festivals in Long Grove, Illinois; caroling at Christmas time; and performing at many nursing and retirement homes throughout the years.
We love to sing and to bring joy to other people through our songs. Barbershop harmony has now evolved to the point that more contemporary songs are regularly included in the barbershop repertoire, and the Harmonizers make a point of singing old standards along with contemporary music to please our audiences.
Our current director, Paul Langford, has been with us since March 1, 2023. Prior to that, Alice Lane was our leader and inspiration since 1991. Before 1991 our directors included: Bob Haeger, Earl Baumgarten, Dick Savane, Tom McCracken, Dan Ryan, Dick Gallagher and Frank Fabian.
About the Director
A Chicago singer, composer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor, and keyboard player, Paul Langford has been creating a more musical world for over 30 years. His published works, arrangements and orchestrations (Hal Leonard, Shawnee Press, Oxford University Press, Alfred Music) have been performed by symphonies all over the U.S. and Canada, by Voices of Liberty (Epcot Center), multiple Disney theme parks, and by choirs all over the world.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, China, Paul has been a vocal and piano guest artist in studio and live performance with headline and Grammy Award-winning artists David Foster, Yolanda Adams, Kenny Rogers, Heather Headley, Abraham Laboriel, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Celine Dion, and he’s been honored to perform for Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush, and First Lady Michelle Obama.
In the Chicagoland area, Paul works as a conductor with the Sounds Good Choir and Chicago a cappella, and as owner and creative director of Paul Langford Studios, a state-of the-art recording facility. Paul produces, engineers, composes, and plays for a variety of leading artists, corporate clients, and television/film projects. On the road, he is an in-demand music educator, guest conductor, respected band and vocal ensemble leader, and invited singer with orchestras and a cappella groups across America and around the globe. Learn more about Paul at: https://www.paullangfordmusic.com/