Barb Paul said she was tired of singing just at church and needed another outlet. She was lucky she found the .
Paul has been a member of the all-women’s barbershop group since 2005, but the chorus has been a Denver staple since 1962.
Barbershop may make people think of small groups, but Skyline has about 130 members. However, Paul said, the group is still relatively unknown.
“We’ve been around for 50 years and no one knows who we are,” she said.
The group sings a wide variety of tunes, from pop to gospel to old favorites in four-part harmony, which is what makes its style barbershop. Skyline has regular shows throughout the year and at times breaks off into smaller groups. One group of about 30, called the Skyliners, gives performances at places such as retirement homes.
Skyline is under the umbrella of Sweet Adelines, an organization of women singers with groups all over the globe. Every other year, the chorus competes in an international competition, and placed fourth in the world in 2012 when the competition was in Denver.
Paul said the women are accountable for their own parts and coming to rehearsal prepared is essential.
“Personal responsibility is something we take pride in as an organization,” she said.
The group is under the direction of Vickie Maybury, who has been the program director for 29 years. In that time, she has seen the group grow from 30 members to as many as 150. She also teaches private lessons to several of the members.
“Music is just healthy. It’s not just good for the heart and the soul, but for the body,” Maybury said.
The next show for the Skyline Chorus is Aug. 24 at Boettcher Concert Hall, where it will perform “Vic’s Diner,” incorporating male actors for the first time.
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com
