The North Carolina Harmony Brigade will perform its 15th consecutive, annual concert at the Owens Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 20.

The NCHB, a barbershop-style a cappella chorus, will be on stage at 7 p.m. to entertain the audience with tunes that are both old and new.

This group of 140 members and their guests congregate each January in Southern Pines to participate in what has been described as "extreme quartet singing."

The members and guests are charged each year with memorizing 12 arrangements of songs that have been performed in international competition. These arrangements are generally very complex and require a wide vocal range of octaves to master.

Beginning Friday afternoon, they pair up at random to have their own competition in a very lighthearted way and to enjoy ringing those beautiful barbershop chords.

The event climaxes with the competitors all joining to perform for the public as a chorus on Saturday evening.

The headliner quartet for the evening performance this year is "Keep 'Em Guessing."

"KEG," as the group is more commonly known, is the 2005 Cardinal District Champions and three-time international quartet finalist.

While careful not to lose their traditional barbershop roots, KEG also performs "cutting edge" a cappella from such artists as The Gatlin Brothers, Harry Connick Jr. and the Byrds.

Tickets can be purchased for $12 at the following locations: Arts Council of Moore County at the Campbell House, the Days Inn, U.S. 1, Southern Pines, or from members, Bob Tweed at 295-3199 or Bob Boone at 715-1458.