How the Pacific Barbershop Summit Came to be

Inspired by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander's book and video, "Leadership: The Art of Possibility" (click here for a video excerpt), two long-time barbershoppers (Kevin and Kendall) saw a new opportunity to unite
efforts regarding their favorite musical hobby, barbershop singing. They’d noticed that for many years,
there had been duplicated efforts, mis-communicated information and conflicting weekend events between
the men's and women's organizations. The Pacific Barbershop Summit emerged as a new possibility – bringing men and women barbershoppers together to work together on building their art form.

In 2005, leaders of the three Sweet Adelines International regions and of the Evergreen District of the Barbershop Harmony Society met in Bellevue, WA. The fifteen Summit Directors (two from each Region,
six from the District, and three more appointed positions) meet together twice a year. Their goal: to build harmony through cooperative sharing of knowledge, skills and resources to supplement the programs and activities of the Evergreen District of the Barbershop Harmony Society and Regions 13, 24, and 26 of the Sweet Adelines International and other a cappella organizations within the identified area.

While the Regions and the District remain independent entities, the Summit provides a forum for
collaboration, communication and coordination.

It is an exciting time to be a singer – especially of barbershop harmony.