Variety in the barbershop

The Wall Street Journal published an article about trends in SPEBSQSA (or "Barbershop Harmony Society", as they're now called), which apparently liberalized their competitions' rules a few years back to allow more contemporary songs and arrangements, a move intended to attract younger singers and shed their grayhair image.

That hits a sour note with the society's traditionalists, or "kibbers," which stands for "keep it barbershop." "They're screwing it up!" snaps purist Marty Mendro, 93 years old and a barbershop legend.

Mr. Mendro, of Twisp, Wash., sang lead in the Mid-States Four, the champion quartet of 1949. Many consider the group one of the greatest of all time. Tom Neal, 73, who made a fortune in hot tubs, has set up a separate organization that allows only old-time barbershop. "A lot of guys really hold a grudge against the society for what they've done," Mr. Neal says.

Yet the modernization effort seems to be working. Quartets of guys in their 20s, once rare in the society's championship, now regularly vie for the title, and won in 2002 and 2006. At this year's contest, set to open Wednesday in Denver, the Westminster Chorus, a group of 63 men, almost all under 30, is favored to win the barbershop chorus championship. It was featured on the NBC television series "America's Got Talent" last month.