The Dapper Dans of Harmony is a men’s a cappella chorus based in West Caldwell. Originally chartered as the Montclair Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, the chapter has been singing and entertaining audiences in New Jersey and around the nation for more than 60 years.
Although the Dapper Dans sing predominantly four part harmony in the Barbershop style, its repertoire also includes many modern songs arranged in four part harmony. The chorus normally does two formal shows each year but can be found singing in the local area throughout the year as part of their community outreach.
This summer, the Dans have sung in Verona Park, at Yogi Berra Stadium, at the Grover Cleveland birthplace on National Night Out; at two Sept.11 memorial services in Caldwell and most recently, at the Kessler Foundation Stroll and Roll in Verona Park. It will be featured artists at the Caldwell Street Fair in October. The chapter is very active in the Youth in Harmony movement which encourages young people to become involved in choral music and have sponsored a youth chorus to the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Youth Chorus Festival.
It provides scholarships to several local high schools, aid in Harmony Explosion camps and offer free singing lessons to any man who wants to learn to sing better through the Ready, Set Sing program. Students are taught proper technique, breathing and performance by the members of Gimme Four, an Internationally ranked quartet and members of the Montclair Chapter.
The Dapper Dans are currently preparing for its annual dinner show “Macaroni and Music,” which will be held Nov. 12 at the North Caldwell Fireman’s Center. The highlight of the chorus’s year is the many Christmas Caroling performances they do throughout the area. The members volunteer their time to sing for hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living centers.
The chorus is always looking to expand and new members are always welcome. Current members range in age from late teens to early 90’s and come from every walk of life. There are five father/son combinations in the chorus.
The Dapper Dans meet every Tues. at 7 p.m. in the West Caldwell Civic Center.
For more information, go to www.dapperdansofharmony.org or email Dapperdansreadysetsing@gmail.com.