Following the publication of the last newsletter (our first contribution for several years) we received a letter from George Walker, a member in the early years.  George appreciated the brief history update and happily recognised several members in the accompanying photograph; sixteen current members share his history of those times.  

In particular he was happy to see that Doris Ward is still active in the chorus.  Doris founded the chorus in 1989 and was our founding MD.  She has been our vocal coach for some years and is currently our Acting MD.  Our long time MD, Dr Brian Johnson, is currently recovering from surgery.  

George also commended our sing-outs in Retirement Villages and Nursing Homes in support of our chosen charity, the Oncology Unit at the Children's Hospital at Westmead and our desire to be a force for good in our local community. 

SSEHC at CCA Concert with Acting MD Doris Ward standing to the left

What is it about that Barbershop Chord? 
The chorus has just participated in a gala concert in support of Christian Community Aid, Eastwood, our chosen songs being: “Can You Feel The Love Tonight" (Lion King); “Hallelujah” (Cohen); “What A Wonderful World" (Armstrong).  From the first tune-up chord the audience was captivated. 








What is it that makes a performance become something more than the sum of its parts and our individual pursuits in this activity more than just a hobby?  Is it the fullness or expansion of sound, the understandable diction and speech-like singing, the natural unmanufactured delivery free of apparent effort rooted in a complete mastery of breath control?  This art or craft, these skills we pursue as amateur barbershoppers, was met with rapturous applause and we were greeted like celebrities when mingling at interval and again at the conclusion of the concert.   

When asked for a post mortem at our following rehearsal, Doris commented on the enthusiastic applause and our beautiful singing.

Yours in harmony,
  
Lionel Eastwood 
Events Coordinator 
SydneySiders Express Harmony Chorus  
www.sydneysiders.org