Huntley – If the Sun City musical group the Sun-Tones doesn’t ring a bell, their voices certainly do. The a cappella ensemble has been entertaining audiences at small events and local venues for nearly ten years, bringing barbershop back in vogue.
Although the Sun-Tones are affiliated with the Prairie Singers of Sun City, they are a separate group. As a founding member and business manager of the Sun-Tones, Dennis Quinn explains that the group’s sole focus is barbershop music.
Sun Tones gather in a semi-circle at a recent rehearsal and pipe out smooth music from the heart. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
“We identify ourselves as a barbershop ensemble, and right now we have about 10 members, both men and women,” said Quinn, who sings bass. “On average, we do about seven performances each year.”
Dick Allen, another member of the group, who also sings bass, explained that these performances range from Sun City neighborhood parties to nearby nursing home events.
In order to prepare for their gigs, the group agrees to weekly rehearsals and rotating duties; each member has the chance to run a rehearsal and there is no main director, according to Quinn.
Allen feels that the unique quality of the Sun-Tones’ performances stems from their entirely barbershop repertoire; the songs are strictly a cappella (without accompaniment) and based on harmonies that have a different sound than most choral music.
“In barbershop, you have close chords that ring. They are clean and they connect and that’s what makes it really great,” he said.
The 35-song collection that the Sun-Tones choose from includes patriotic tunes, holiday songs, traditional barbershop pieces, and some surprise arrangements. The group is particularly eager to debut their latest project, “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” according to Quinn.
Allen, however, feels that the group’s greatest excitement comes from the audience’s reaction.
“It’s when we sing a song really well and the audience loves it. That’s a real high,” he said.
But these moments don’t only happen at performances. Sometimes the singers impress themselves in rehearsal when they achieve a certain blend of sounds.
“Sometimes we look at each other and say ‘that was cool,’” Allen said.
However, the singers feel that music is better when shared. Quinn notes that the Sun Tones currently have ten members but aspire to have a cast of sixteen members who are easily divided into four quartets. Anyone in Sun City is welcome to pursue membership.
Allen can attest to the perks of being a Sun-Tone.
“You make a difference in your life and the lives of others. It’s fun,” he said. “I’m hooked on barbershop.”
