On Tues April 26, Nelson Bays Harmony chorus and Offbeat quartet will be performing at Club Waimea in preparation for the National Barbershop competitions.
There are hundreds of women of all ages having the time of their lives learning the musical art form of barbershop harmony. They are in choruses and quartets across the country – singing, learning, laughing, socialising, getting fit and growing in confidence. And right now they are in competition mode, preparing to meet and compete at the Regional Convention to be held in the Wellington Town Hall at the end of this month.
Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus will be competing again this year. After winning the Most Improved award for two years in a row they are going for the hat-trick! It is a sought after award, given to the chorus who has raised their points the most since they last competed.
The women’s barbershop competitions are hosted by Sweet Adelines International and have a judging system that is consistent across the world and from year to year. Chorus and quartet performances are scored in four categories: Sound, Music, Showmanship, and Expression .The Champion chorus and Quartet are eligible to compete at the International Convention, held in the United States in October the following year.
This year Nelson also has a competing quartet. Offbeat quartet was formed last year and Sarah Churchman (lead), Gabrielle Ponsford (bass), Ann Nicholson (baritone) and Kathy Jamieson (tenor) have spent many hours singing together, working out choreographed moves and having vocal coaching sessions. They will be among 18 quartets and 9 choruses to take the stage over the two day contest.
Nelson Bays Harmony chorus and Offbeat quartet can be seen at a dress rehearsal performance in the hall at Club Waimea, Tues 26th April, 7.30pm. Entry by gold coin donation. This short concert is an opportunity for the public, and friends and family of the singers, to see a full dress rehearsal of the competition songs and to wish them well as they represent Nelson in the National Women’s Barbershop Competition, 2011.
