Everyone in Harmony: A Legacy the Mount Baker Toppers Proudly Continues
Barbershop harmony began with a simple idea: friends gathering to sing for the joy of it. It was a stormy March night in 1938, when Tulsa tax attorney Owen C. Cash found himself stranded overnight in Kansas City by rainstorms that had closed the airport. OC ran into a fellow stranded Tulsan, investment banker Rupert I. Hall, in the lobby of the Muehlebach Hotel. Striking up a few juicy chords (after tipping a bellman to help them find a few more singers), the men bemoaned the decline of that all-American institution, the barbershop quartet.

On Monday, April 11, 1938, at 6:30 p.m. twenty-six men sparked a musical movement with a meeting and songfest on the roof top garden of the Tulsa Club.  Their numbers swelled rapidly in subsequent meetings. At the third gathering, more than 150 harmonizers raised such a sound that traffic stopped on the street below. A reporter for the Tulsa Daily World chanced to pass by the scene, sensed a good story, and put the story on the national news wires with the lengthy original name, the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, and initials (SPEBSQSA).  From that whimsical start, the Barbershop Harmony Society grew quickly in the post-war years, and for the next 75 years expanded in musical ability, reach, and a rich tradition mixed equally of great music, great fellowship, and a cheery mission to “Keep the Whole World Singing".

The Mount Baker Toppers were officially chartered into the Barbershop Harmony Society on October 21, 1959, joining a growing tradition of choruses dedicated to preserving and advancing barbershop harmony.  For decades, the Society united men through music and fellowship. But as the world evolved, so did barbershop. In 2017, the Society adopted a bold vision—Everyone in Harmony— welcoming all people, regardless of gender, age, race, or background, into the barbershop family. This vision opened the door to mixed-voice ensembles and expanded educational outreach, making barbershop accessible to the next generation of singers, welcoming a new generation of singers.

A Mount Baker Toppers Inclusive Milestone
The Mount Baker Toppers chose to be part of this evolving tradition becoming an All Voices a cappella chorus. In 2023, we officially opened membership to all voice parts, embracing a more inclusive and vibrant future. Today, we carry forward the joy of close harmony, not just as a musical style, but to connect, uplift, and serve our community. We are based in Bellingham, Washington, performing an exciting mix of musical styles—including pop, doo-wop, and barbershop. As a proud chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the Toppers are known for their close harmonies that add vibrant energy and joy to every performance.  From a rooftop in Tulsa to rehearsal halls in Bellingham, barbershop continues to prove one simple truth: when voices unite, harmony happens.

Our Mission
Our mission is both simple and meaningful: to connect people through music while supporting local school vocal music programs. For over 50 years, audiences across northwestern Washington have delighted in the Toppers’ signature sound. We are honored to be featured performers in the annual Musical Salute to Veterans and have even taken our music abroad, with performances in Finland and New Zealand. Throughout the year, the Toppers appear at a wide variety of local events, offering both entertainment and musical enrichment to the community. Our members come from Whatcom and Skagit counties as well as the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, united by a shared passion for creating meaningful musical connections with audiences.

Join Us!
The Toppers are always thrilled to welcome new members! Our rehearsals are open to the public, and singers of all voice parts are encouraged to join us to experience the fun, challenge, and camaraderie of singing in harmony. We rehearse every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 495 E. Bakerview Road (at Deemer) in Bellingham, Washington. As a secular, inclusive group, we welcome all who share our love of music.

We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to learn more about joining the Toppers, booking a performance, or exploring sponsorship opportunities.

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