About Us
Originally formed as the Westminster Community Singers in 1966, the name was changed to the Bob Locklin Singers in 1967. In 1969 the first Don Brockett Musical Comedy Review was produced. The name was changed to the Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh in 1976, and since that time the spring show has become an annual event.
As a lead to the annual spring show, numerous performances and concerts are given throughout the holiday season. Most of these performances take place at senior residential homes and retirement/life care communities and culminate in a final Christmas concert.
The Harmony Singers range in age from early 20’s to mid 70’s, both men and women, who enjoy singing, dancing, and doing comedy. The members are teachers, engineers, nurses, counselors, bus drivers, bank/city executives, interior designers, housing managers, salespeople, and retired persons.
Past performances have included shows, both small and large, at retirement communities, church group functions, and local schools, in addition to occasionally performing the national anthem at Riverhounds soccer and Pirates baseball games. The spring show features a different collection each year of musical numbers ranging from Broadway and big band to classic and contemporary popular music.
The Harmony Singers are available to perform for your civic, social, church or business group. Also, new members are always welcome to join and share in the fun!
Cynthia G. Pratt
Music Director
Cynthia is proud to continue, for the 21st season, as the Director of The Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh, after being a previous singer/dancer with the group. Besides directing our Christmas and Spring shows, she has prepared the chorus for their 2008, 2011 and 2016 Carnegie Hall performances in joint concerts with other choirs from around the United States. Additionally, she instructed The Harmony Singers in the music sung by the 2000-voice choir for the Pittsburgh Symphony’s “Singing City” project held on April 20, 2013 as part of their Music for the Spirit Festival.
Ms. Pratt earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in Wheaton, Ill., where she was appointed student conductor of her college choir and also took some summer courses in Show Choir at Penn State. After teaching public school music for a short time, she received a Masters of Music degree in Voice Performance from Duquesne University.
Having been under contract with the Pittsburgh Opera Chorus since 1980, she was most recently seen on the stage at the Benedum Center in the Opera’s production of “Turandot.” She has also appeared in the chorus of CLO’s production of “The Student Prince.” As an original member of the professional core of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Cynthia has performed frequently as a soloist with the choir and has toured Europe with the Robert Page Festival Singers. Her favorite performance was in the PSO’s semi-staged production of “The Music Man” with Shirley Jones, conducted by Marvin Hamlish. In addition, Cynthia is the Director of the Mt. Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, where she directs a 60+ voice Community Choir with full orchestra in their annual summer music concert and Christmas cantata programs
Deborah Bigenho
Accompanist
Deborah was an active Clarinetist and active member of Charleston’s Local 136 Musicians Union. She attended West Virginia Institute of Technology and The University of Charleston, where she was also on faculty. She played clarinet with the WV Symphony, The WV Opera Theatre, The Light Opera Guild, Connoisseur Concerts, Local 136 Band, and Lilliput Orchestra. Each year she played for the Messiah presentation at the Charleston Civic Center.
Deborah played for First Baptist Church in South Charleston WV. Also teaching clarinet and piano at the University of Charleston in the prep department. She was asked to be the pianist for Mt. Washington Baptist church and later was hired by Pittsburgh Public Schools to teach for their Musically Talented Program at CAPA.
She also played Clarinet for Pittsburgh, Savoyards Gilbert and Sullivan productions for 10 years while moving on to be the accompanist for Calvary United Methodists choir on the Northside. She subbed at First Bethel United Methodist Church, and started teaching at Brighton Music.
Deb is very happy to be a part of this great group. She met Cynthia while playing clarinet for her Cantatas at MLEPC for 12 years.
My hobbies are gardening, crochet and my joy is my family.
Accessibility
We strive to ensure that our facilities and programs are accessible to people with disabilities. The facilities in which we hold events are wheel chair accessible (including general access and restrooms).
Diversity Statement
The Harmony Singers are committed to equal opportunity for any person, group, or business and will not discriminate against staff, members, audiences or business on the basis of veteran status, marital status, physical or mental disability, race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy, creed or ancestry.