Our History

On a stormy July evening in 1998, 7 women gathered in the leaky basement of a Hamden, CT church in answer to a call for women interested in forming the first Connecticut chapter of Harmony, Inc., a women’s barbershop organization. Under the direction of Charley Verba, this founding nucleus of dedicated singers soon added others to their ranks and adopted the name Silk’n Sounds. The chorus attended its first Area 2 Convention and Contest in April, 1999, chartering as a chapter of Harmony, Incorporated with 16 members. Shortly afterwards, Charley relocated to Florida, and Christine Hayes, a founding and charter member, became director.

With a new rehearsal location, the addition of risers, costumes and a two-year music plan, Silk’n Sounds took the next step on its journey towards musical excellence. Community performances and newspaper coverage brought a steady stream of new members. Fundraising activities and full-length concerts ensured our financial stability. Continued participation in Harmony, Incorporated educational programs and contests as well as coaching weekends with guest directors and faculty, raised the chorus’s level of artistry. As our contest scores rose year to year, our dream of qualifying for Harmony, Incorporated’s International Contest seemed ever more possible.

With a membership standing at approximately 40, Silk’n Sounds has now come of age. In 2009, Silk ‘n Sounds received the Area 2 Rising Star Award for the most improved chorus, ranking 5th overall, finally qualifying for the International Contest stage! At the International Contest in November 2009, Silk'n Sounds received its highest contest score to date and won the G. Ruth Geils award for highest-scoring non-medalist "novice" chorus. In 2010 and 2011, Silk'n Sounds once again qualified for Harmony, Inc.'s International Contest. During this period, the chorus has gained local visibility as a dynamic performing group, entertaining audiences throughout Connecticut. In 2011, Christine Hayes returned to singing on the risers and Scott Colman took the helm as Silk'n Sounds director.

Over the course of a decade, more than 100 women have enjoyed membership in Silk’n Sounds for some period of time and we hope many more will experience the special joy of Silk’n Sounds in our second decade.