For the second show of the season, the Merrick Arts Council invited the Lincoln Continentals and Lincolnaires to the Performing Arts Center to treat the community to a showcase of Barbershop Harmony. The event took place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The performance began with the Lincolnaires, who opened with the song “Come Right In, Sit Right Down.” The group, dressed in all black with bold red flowers pinned to their shirts, captivated the audience with their performance. Other songs they sang included “Happy Together,” “True Colors,” and “Heart of My Heart.” The conductor of the Lincolnaires was Karen Randall, who has been directing the chorus for 15 years. One member of the choir, Terri Hensley, who was formerly from Central City, entertained the audience between songs with jokes and stories from her time in Central City.

Between the performances of the two main choirs, the quartet of the Continentals, called ‘What 4,’ performed a couple of songs. After the quartet’s set, the full Continental choir took the stage, starting with “O Hi, Neighbor.” They continued with a selection of songs, including “Ride the Chariot,” “Mam’selle,” and “Bye Bye Blues.” The Continentals were conducted by Logan Langholdt and Dr. Mary Young. For the final song of the performance, the Lincolnaires joined the Continentals on stage for a rendition of “O Lida Rose” from The Music Man.

Terri Hensley, who joined the Lincolnaires in 1999, just a few years after moving to Lincoln in 1996, shared her personal experience with the group. “I was always a very musical person, singing a lot in high school and college. I had a friend who believed I would benefit from joining. There were 80 women when I joined. We got to travel all over the United States. It was all so amazing,” she said. Hensley moved to Central City after marrying her husband, Dwayne Hensley. During her time in Central City, they raised a family while she taught special education at the high school before moving to the elementary school to teach third grade.

Barbershop music has been a prominent part of American culture for a long time, with its origins dating back to the late 1800s. It has made appearances everywhere over the years, from movies to cartoons, often with performers wearing the stereotypical striped shirts and skimmer hats. Even if you’ve never attended a concert, you’ve likely encountered Barbershop Harmony in one form or another. The Continentals, who have been performing since the 1940s, and the Lincolnaires, chartered in 1972, have continued to put on shows and compete in contests for decades, helping to keep Barbershop Harmony alive in Nebraska. Karen Randall added, “Several years ago, the Lincolnaires made a point to go out into the community once a month, visiting retirement villages or nursing homes to sing for residents.”

With the second show of the season now completed, there are a few more performances to look forward to in the 2024-2025 season. The next show will feature The Shucks Brothers, performing on November 10th. In 2025, we can also anticipate performances by La Dolce Vita Duo and the Flatwater Jazz Orchestra.