Barbershop chorus to offer free singing lessons starting Feb. 8

The Nautical Sounds Barbershop Chorus recently received permission from The Harmony Society in Nashville, Tenn., to change the chapter’s charter and name from The Nautical Sounds Barbershop Chorus, Ocean View chapter, to The Nautical Sounds Barbershop Chorus, South Coastal chapter. With this change, the chorus name more truly reflects the area it serves, including Sussex County and Ocean City, Md.

In celebration of this long-awaited change and as a service to the community, the chapter will offer free singing lessons to any interested man, every other week beginning Monday, Feb. 8, in Lewes. The lessons are open to males of any age and will cover vocal techniques applicable for use with any choral ensemble.

The chorus has previously done this in the Ocean View area, helping men who wish to learn about singing or improve their technique.

Herman Rotsch, the director of the area barbershop chorus, will lead the classes.

Rotsch is a graduate of Harmony University in St. Joseph, Mo., and sings locally in three groups in addition to directing the chorus.

The Nautical Sounds Barbershop Chorus is a nonprofit organization composed of local men of all levels of expertise and experience. The group meets weekly on Monday evenings in the South Coastal Library. In February, the chorus will begin rehearsing every other week at the Lewes Presbyterian Church on Kings Highway in Lewes. The chorus performs locally and has an annual show at Cape Henlopen High School; this year’s show will be held Saturday, June 19.

For more information, call Rotsch at 302-644-1321.