What a great time we had in Hobart! The 2019 Barbershop Harmony Festival was a resounding success for us in many ways. After taking a year off by choosing not to compete at the 2018 Adelaide Convention, it was a real thrill for the chorus to take to the contest stage at Wrest Point as the first competitor of the day and present our “Fool” package to such a welcoming audience. We are absolutely delighted with our 4^th Placing and extremely appreciative of the glowing feedback we received from so many of our fellow barbershoppers after our performance.  

In their national quartet contest debut, our guys The Steamed Hams performed exceptionally well, earning 11^th place in a highly competitive field and securing the coveted “mic test” spot for the Finals on Friday night. Well done Steamers! And congratulations to our Assistant Musical Director, Gareth Hearne, for his quartet Helix’s 7^th Place in the quartet Final.

We had quite a large contingent from the chorus attend Harmony Academy this year, including our MD Vicki Dwyer and key members of our Music Team, taking advantage of the excellent education on offer from the expert faculty. Our quartet Roaming grabbed the opportunity and enrolled in the Quartet stream, getting valuable one-on-one coaching from visiting International Quartet champs Signature among others. Great education and a good time was had by all!

Immediately following Harmony Academy, Signature quartet came and spent a few days as tourists in our beautiful city. Admittedly with very little notice but with the unique chance to present a performance opportunity featuring the current BHS International Quartet Champion, our team sprung into action and organised an impromptu concert for the Saturday night at Sydney Harmony’s rehearsal venue in North Sydney. About 130 of Sydney’s barbershop community turned out to hear a blistering set performed by Signature on their final night in Australia. Local groups Circular Keys Chorus, Vox Canvas, Alouette quartet, Bardic Post, Accelerando and Sydney Harmony warmed up the audience before the superlative Signature wowed the room with their undeniable talent.

The afterglow rolled on for hours with traditional barbershop camaraderie, copious refreshments and tags a plenty. It will be a night long remembered. Our heartfelt thanks extends to the guys of Signature for their friendship and unbound generosity in leaving their Sydney fans such a gift. Till next time!

Tony Sykes
VP MUSIC | SYDNEY HARMONY
 

The Steamed Hams - Hobart 2019

Signature - Sydney Afterglow

Sydney Harmony at Hobart

Signature at Taroonga Zoo

Signature in Sydney - Performance