Nelson Bays Harmony is a group of women who sing for pleasure and perform with passion! The chorus currently has 35 singers of all ages and backgrounds, and we are ready to welcome more!
We sing unaccompanied 4-part harmony, barbershop style. Barbershop music is arranged to produce beautiful ringing chords that are a buzz to sing and to listen to! Our repertoire includes well-known ballads, barbershop classics, modern songs. We also sing numerous Christmas carols!
Read about booking us to sing at your event!
Coming Up:
Sounds Excellent 2018!
Enjoy an evening showcasing some of Nelson’s finest singers and musicians.
Nelson Bays Harmony, directed by Kathy Jamieson, continues to perfect its four-part barbershop sound. Singing traditional barbershop songs as well as contemporary arrangements, its full and vibrant sound reaches to the heart.
Mosaic, under the direction of Shannel Courtney, brings energy and vibrancy to a cappella music from around the world.
Performing contemporary, classical, rock, country and toe tapping tangoes, Nelson youth is represented by NCMA Young Voices Choir, singer-songwriter Brooklyn Scott and from Nelson College for Girls, string trio The Bachelorettes.
Singer-songwriter Bryce Wastney, whose sound has been likened to Neil Finn and Cat Stevens, mixes humour with heart-felt examples from his own life in his smooth acoustic story-telling style.
Whether a cappella harmony, traditional choral or solo, these performers have the passion and dedication that turns talent into excellence.
Details and ticket information here on the Nelson Arts Festival, Sounds Excellent page.
A Cappella Night Classes – Term 4 starts 25th October!
In response to feedback from many of our chorus visitors and those who have attended previous workshops we have decided to offer a series of nightclasses each term. This provides an opportunity for busy working women, those with young children, etc to sing with us and take advantage of the excellent vocal education we offer, without committing to full time membership of the chorus.
Term 3 starts 9th August: Thursday evenings 7-8.30pm (8 weeks)
Venue: Club Waimea, Lower Queen St Richmond (in the hall, entry off main foyer).
- Learn about healthy vocal technique, breath management, blending and tuning.
- Experience the buzz of singing 4 part women’s barbershop harmonies with a group of 40 voices.
- Have a lot of fun and meet new friends along the way!
The only prerequisite for attending the a cappella nightclasses is that you are able to sing in tune. On your first visit you will spend a few minutes one-on-one with a (kind and friendly!) tutor confirming your ability to hold an easy tune – if you’re not sure, come along and try anyway and we’ll let you know! The tutor will also help you discover where your voice will be most comfortable (high or low) in relation to the four options in four-part barbershop harmony singing.
Fee $75 per term. Email Jenny to register your interest – limited spaces!
Please note these classes are only open to women – sorry guys! You might like to try Men In Accord who also rehearse weekly at Club Waimea.
Recent Events:
BOYS AND BAYS – Thurs 31 May 12:30-1.10pm, Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, 148 Nile St
As part of the NCMA opening celebrations Nelson Bays Harmony will be sharing the stage with Nelson male Voice Choir for this lunchtime concert.
Nelson Male Voice Choir under the baton of the effervescent Andrea Hamilton the NMVC can call on a vast repertoire of traditional songs, light classics, show tunes and contemporary favourites. Today the Choir is in great heart with over thirty singing members, and gives concerts for its loyal supporters several times every year. It also leads the singing at civic occasions such as Anzac Day and has given much young, local talent the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience
Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus has been part of the Nelson-Tasman music scene for more than 20 years. The group are ordinary women from all walks of life, bound together by a love for singing. They are affiliated to Sweet Adelines International, a highly respected worldwide organisation of women committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance. This independent, non-profit association is one of the world’s largest singing organisations for women.
Tickets $10 Buy tickets here or at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts
HARMONY FOR HOSPICE – Sat 19 May, 2pm at All Saints Church, Vanguard St
A matinee musical celebration to support Nelson Hospice in fundraising for their new Home for Hospice.
The concert will be hosted by Nelson Bays Harmony with special guests: Singer-songwriter Bryce Wastney; Mosaic world music choir; Uklectics accoustic duo and “4 in Accord” men’s barbershop quartet. See below for more info about each of these talented performers.
Tickets $10 (Gold coin entry for children) – all profits to Nelson Hospice. Afternoon tea available at half time (gold coin donation) and raffles!
Bryce Wastney is one of the regions finest singer/songwriters. He has shared the stage with some of the industry’s biggest names & has performed extensively across NZ & Australia. Inspired by the music of Cat Stevens, Neil Finn & the Beatles, Bryce’s music traverses folk, country, gospel, rock and pop – always soulful whatever the genre. http://
Uklectics, usually a trio, has their own unique take on popular music, reinterpreting an eclectic mix of rock, country, and pop tunes.
Nelson’s oldest world music choir, Mosaic has been bringing a cappella pleasure to audiences for 20 years with their high energy and vibrancy. This 40-strong choir is directed by Shannel Courtney and has been described as one of Nelson hidden treasures. Their repertoire covers most the continents of the world, including songs from the Pacific, with a special focus on African music with its uplifting harmonies and rhythms. The inspiration that drives Mosaic is the sense of community that singing fosters and the privilege of experiencing the diversity of musical cultures through song.
Singing as “4 in Accord” Andy, Brian, Richard and Rob are all of Nelson’s popular men’s barbershop chorus, “Men In Accord” http://
3/4 of this quartet also sing in “The Hemispheres” who won the award for most entertaining quartet at the nationals in 2016.
OPEN NIGHT – Thurs 15 Feb, 2018, 7pm at Club Waimea
Love to sing but not sure where to start?
Want to take your voice to the next level?
Ever thought of lessons to expand your skills?
Come and see what all the buzz is about!
This is a great opportunity to see if singing 4part a cappella harmony with this fun and friendly bunch of women is going to be your new hobby!
We currently have 35 singers, from teenage to 70s and we are ready to welcome more.
We have started the year learning the beautiful Edith Piaf ballad “If You Love Me Really Love Me”. At the free open night we will introduce an a cappella arrangement of Adele’s popular song “Rolling in the Deep” which we will continue to work on over the following weeks, as part of a 4-week singing workshop. The workshop will include vocal education covering basic singing skills as well as an introduction to singing 4-part women’s a capella harmony in the barbershop style.
Thousands of Kiwis across the country enjoy barbershop singing. It’s no wonder – the beautiful melodies, ringing chords, sweet harmonies and dynamic rhythms make this music fun for all! Mix that with the support of a group of like-minded women, we are sure you will become hooked!
Workshop registration will be $40 and there are limited places available. To register or for any other enquiries please feel free to email Jenny at nbharmony@gmail.com.
Naked Harmony Workshop
Saturday 2nd September, 2017, 1-5.00pm, Garin College
This workshop is an opportunity for women singers in the Nelson area to learn from and sing with one of New Zealand’s top a cappella groups, ZEAL Quartet.
See this page for further details.
You can register for the Naked Harmony workshop here.
Register asap to secure your place.
Friends and Family Concert
Tuesday 11th April 2017 – Nelson Musical Theatre
Our dress rehearsal for the Distinctly Dunedin national women’s barbershop competition in Dunedin on 22 April – A chance to see us in all our Sweet Adelines splendour! To showcase barbershop in Nelson, our guest performers are Men in Accord.
Singing Workshop
Four Thursday evenings starting 20 October.
Learn the Beatles song “Can’t Buy Me Love” in exciting a cappella, four part harmony, with a group of 40 women who love singing and performing barbershop style! On 10 November there is a national vocal coach tutoring the chorus. Workshop attendees are welcome to observe and participate in the vocal warm-ups.
Tickets $40. Venue: Club Waimea, 345 Lower Queen St, Richmond.
80’s Party
Wed 28 Sept 2016 – 7:30pm at The Boathouse
Gather your women friends together for a girls’ night out dancing to all the great 80’s hits. Dress for the era. Think flouro, think Jane Fonda, think shoulder pads or ask Mr Google for ideas.
