"This is the dumbest thing I ever heard," Holcombe said after being dragged to a barbershop rehearsal.

"Do these guys sing any Beatles tunes?" she wondered, listening to those distinctive, four-part male harmonies.

That was more than three decades ago.

These days, a very vocal Holcombe sings a different tune.

The Newtown Square resident and about 40 other women will perform a holiday concert next Sunday at the Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley.

And get this: Holcombe's a capella troupe, the Valley Forge Chorus of Sweet Adelines International, will belt out those familiar tunes in the traditional four-part barbershop style.

"People hear about [barbershop] and think it's square," said Dottie Keefer, 54, of Levittown, a 12-year member of the chorus. "People just aren't aware that we sing wonderful music - not just the old-fashioned, square stuff like 'Wild Irish Rose.' "

Historically performed by men, barbershop harmonies became a female preoccupation with the founding of the Sweet Adelines in 1945 by Edna Maw Anderson of Tulsa, Okla. Anderson invited into her home a group of women interested in singing those four-part harmonies.

From that meeting grew the nucleus of what became Sweet Adelines International. Today, it is one of the world's largest singing organizations for women. It has a membership of nearly 30,000 women, including choruses and quartets in most of the 50 states as well as a dozen countries.

"The camaraderie is amazing," Holcombe said. "That's the greatest thing about Sweet Adelines."

Holcombe, 73, has been with the chorus for 38 years. She's the second-oldest member of the group and serves on its music committee.

"I didn't have any musical talent in the least," Holcombe said. "You learn to sing the barbershop style.

"People who come into Sweet Adelines are just like me," she added.

This year, the Valley Forge chapter celebrated its 45th anniversary. At its zenith, the troupe garnered local and international awards. In 1983, the Valley Forge chapter was named International Chorus Champions. Its membership swelled to more than 100 members.

Today, membership hovers around 40 or 50, all of whom pay dues.

"Sweet Adelines suffers from what many arts organizations do today: from people being overextended with work and family," said Donna Dougherty, resident choreographer and vice president of the Valley Forge chapter. "It's hard to attract people because everybody's lives are so busy."

Also, barbershop music doesn't always resonate with young people today.

"Most younger people probably haven't heard barbershop groups, or they just don't know about them," said Lisa Berton, who is the newest chorus member, having joined three months ago.

At 23, Amber Poplaski, a senior at Eastern University, is the youngest Valley Forge member.

"It's a very unique sound," Poplaski said. "I was always drawn to how you could make a chord ring with just the sound of your voices."

There will be a variety of chords ringing at the chorus' holiday show at Hedgerow. In addition to a secular holiday bill, the singers will perform some of their repertoire, featuring such songs as Gershwin's "Swanee" and the disco hit "It's Raining Men."

"You wouldn't think there was much theatricality standing on risers, but there is," Dougherty said.

"The atmosphere at the theater - on the set of Dickens' A Christmas Carol - is really going to enhance the performance," Keefer said.

Valley Forge Chorus

The Valley Forge Chorus will perform its holiday concert at 4:30 p.m. next Sunday at the Hedgerow Theater. Tickets are $12, and $10 for youth and seniors. Hedgerow Theatre is at 64 Rose Valley Rd., Rose Valley. For more information, call 610-565-4211 or visit www.valleyforgechorus.com.

The chorus also will hold a holiday show at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 100 Media Line Rd., in Newtown Square.

Those interested in joining the Valley Forge Chorus are invited to attend a rehearsal - held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Gauntlett Center, 30 Media Line Rd., Newtown Square.