06/04/2026
June is here, and with it comes so much to celebrate as we look ahead to one of the most exciting times of the year: the Barbershop Harmony Society’s premier annual event, the International Convention in St. Louis, now just about a month away.
At its heart, barbershop harmony is about storytelling. Since the very beginning of our Society, we have shared stories through song — stories of joy, resilience, friendship, hope, love, and belonging. Over the past 88 years, generations of barbershoppers have added their voices to this living tradition, shaping an art form that continues to grow richer through every new person and every new experience brought into harmony.
June is Pride Month, and we are proud to celebrate and affirm our LGBTQIA+ members and the countless ways their stories told through song help strengthen and enrich our entire community of barbershoppers. The Barbershop Harmony Society remains unwavering in its belief that barbershop harmony is for everyone... people of every background, identity, age, race, gender, and life experience. Your voice matters. Your story matters. And together, those stories create the vibrant, evolving harmony that together with our entire history of barbershop defines who we are. Being a harmonious home where all people feel welcomed, valued, and connected through song is indeed the highest calling of our Society. We wish a happy Pride Month to our LGBTQIA+ members and allies!
June also includes the observance of Juneteenth on June 19, a Federal Holiday that commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States while honoring freedom, resilience, and African American culture and achievement. It is a reminder of the enduring power of community, perseverance, and voices raised together in hope and celebration — themes deeply woven into the music we sing and the stories we share. If you missed our recent enlightening Black History Month panel discussions, we encourage you to learn more about our past and what we're doing to explore how the Barbershop Harmony Society can transform learning into sustained action and build a more welcoming future for everyone in harmony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67xUjx0ndlU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfGy-DTsFsk
And June is also Men's Mental Health Awareness Month which focuses on increasing awareness of the mental health challenges that affect men and encouraging open conversations, support, and access to care. A few weeks ago we shared an interesting article by Psychology Today on "What Every Man Could Learn From A Barbershop Quartet", its key point being "Male intimacy is built through shared activity and vulnerability, not words".
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-other-side-of-relationships/202604/what-every-man-could-learn-from-a-barbershop-quartet
As we move through this month together, may we continue lifting one another up, celebrating the many voices that make our community so special, and sharing the music and stories that connect us all. Let's have a wonderful June and then let's ring some chords together in St. Louis!
