Milner Garden's last concert in its Music in the Garden series is happening this Sunday with a group of 50+ male singers entertaining barbershop style.
The Tidesmen Barbershop Chorus from Nanaimo has 65 active members ranging in age from 18 up to 80s. The group has been entertaining in the area since 1973 in their a cappella style and currently perform 10-12 public concerts a year.
Singer with the group Mike Patterson, also vice president of marketing, said the chorus sings a mix of old and new songs, often changed up to suit the group's style.
"One of the ones we're going to do (at Milner Gardens) is Java Jive, it's an old bluesy number that has been around since the '30s or '40s but we've updated and done it in barbershop style," he said.
There are a number of quartets within the group as well, who will be performing on Sunday, as well as a group called Shine, a popular a cappella trio of women from Nanaimo who sing three part harmony.
Patterson said the Tidesmen have had wonderful reviews after many public performances, and he personally finds singing the music therapeutic.
"The music itself is therapeutic, to be inside a group of 60 or 65 guys all facing in the same direction singing the same piece of music in four parts, it's very exhilarating."
The concert takes place this Sunday, August 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m at Milner Gardens and Woodland in Qualicum Beach. Tickets are $20, $15 for members available from Coastal Community Credit Union Branches and Milner Gardens. For more information call 250-752-6153 or visit www.milnergardens.org.