Barbershop bands are a type of musical ensemble that originated in the United States in the late 19th century. They typically consist of four or more singers, with one lead vocalist and three or more harmony singers. The lead vocalist sings the melody while the other singers provide the accompaniment. The term 'barbershop' comes from the fact that these bands often performed in barbershops. The STROPS, which is a 6-letter solution to the crossword, is an acronym for the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, an organization that was founded in 1938 to promote and preserve the barbershop style of singing.