Barbershop chorus strikes local chord Maiden Vermont brings all-female barbershop to area music scene

Author: Nicole Lam

The five women sitting in the car knew what to do.

Their performance was going to start in 10 minutes. After struggling to find a parking spot at the venue, they spotted a police officer. After signalling that they would be receiving a ticket, they jumped out of the car, formed a circle around him and did what they do best: belted a barbershop-style love song.

As members of the all-female a cappella group Maiden Vermont, the women were accustomed to stopping people in their tracks with their vocal talent.

"We eventually got a parking spot, but more incredibly, the officer came back to ask if we could serenenade his wife," said Lindi Bortney, the group's musical director.

The group started four years ago, when Bortney realized that there was no barbershop a cappella group in Middlebury. After advertising in the Addison Independent and spreading the word about the forming group, 13 women met in a hair salon to practice - not as an homage to the barbershop style, but simply because they had no other place to practice.

"Now, four years later, we have 45 women in the group along with a choregraphy and costume committee," Bortney said. Three women affiliated with the College have also joined Maiden Vermont.

This Valentine's Day, the group plans to travel across the county singing Valentine songs to lucky sweethearts. For $25, those loved ones receive two songs, a rose and chocolate. The group's Valentine's day repetoire includes classic songs such as "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," "I Love You Truly" and "My Romance."

Members of the group often recall moments when their serenades managed to touch the lives of others.

"A young man called up asking for us to visit his wife and their newborn baby and surprise them with a song," said Serene Eddy-Moulton, one of the members of the group. "It was such a sweet, touching moment that day in that little, small apartment. When we sang, the wife started to cry. Then the husband started to cry. Everyone cried except the baby."

The group has also seen their fair share of embarassment among the recipients of their serenades. In settings from barns to banks, the group relishes in moments when they can brighten someone's day. One serenade at the National Bank of Middlebury is particularly clear in Eddy-Moulton's mind.

"The coworkers were all taking their cameras out and taking pictures of [the recipient], blushing from head to toe," Eddy-Moulton said. "After the first serenade, he asked us politely if we were done. But he had no idea what was coming for him. His wife had ordered the deluxe package that came with two more songs. So he stood there, turning into a complete pumpkin."

Maiden Vermont also sings at Christmas, New Year's and birthday celebrations. The group tries not to limit their arrangements to traditional barbershop songs, with their repetoire also including jazz, broadway, country, pop and oldies songs. This range allows them opportunities to sing at a broad range of events.

"We once were invited to be part of a naturalization ceremony," said Bortney. "During this ceremony, we sang the Star Spangled Banner in front of a judge and the individual who had just become an American citizen."

In addition, the group is determined to give as many performances as possible to raise money for a $500 scholarship benefiting a graduating high school senior majoring in music or theater in college.

To accommodate the growth of the group - whose members range in age from nine to 74 ­- Maiden Vermont now rehearses each Thursday in the Town Hall Theater.

"If you can match pitches and hold a harmony, everyone is welcome to audition," said Bortney. "After that, any woman can help to spread the joy of singing to the community."