Sydney Harmony Chorus Opens Its Doors
Sydney Harmony Chorus is opening its doors – and its membership – ahead of the climax to its musical year: the Holiday Voices concerts at the Independent Theatre on 5 December.
The all-male a cappella (unaccompanied) choir will hold an open rehearsal on Monday night 26 October where prospective new singers can ‘take a peek’. This will be followed by a series of free rehearsals where they can join the choir and immerse themselves in the repertoire before performing just 5 weeks later at the two Saturday concerts in the famous North Sydney venue.
Sydney Harmony is in its 16th year and the unique ‘barbershop’ style 4-part a cappella harmony is its stock–in-trade. Currently 35-strong, the chorus performs regularly and competes nationally – even internationally – as part of a huge (and growing in both numbers and quality) network of singers all over Australia and the world.
In 2013 a quartet from Sydney Harmony performed live on the Channel 9 Today show – helping raise awareness of men’s health issues on national TV as part of Movember – and assisting the chorus in raising over $6000 for this worthy cause!
Based in North Sydney but with members from all over Sydney, the group’s singers are amateurs with good voices – men who enjoy singing and who are willing to listen and learn. You need not be a strong sight-reader to join but must have a keen ear, and choral experience would be an advantage. Under the guidance of their inspirational musical director Vicki Dwyer, Sydney Harmony have achieved impressive results including being judged small chorus champions at the 2014 Wellington, NZ Pan-Pacific contest and once again becoming chorus champions at this year’s Barbershop Harmony Australia’s (BHA) Eastern Region (NSW/ACT) contest.
Aside from its own special pieces (which, as always include some entertaining choreography!) Sydney Harmony will be joined by the all-women’s group Circular Keys – and combine for a 90+ massed chorus performance. An added treat is the appearance of award-winning young Queensland quartet Blindside. This 20-something foursome are just back from the Barbershop Harmony Society’s (BHS) International Convention in Pittsburgh where they claimed a 2015 International Collegiate Quartet Bronze Medal.
SYDNEY HARMONY – rehearsals at Ron Dyer Centre, behind St Mary’s Church, 264 Miller St Nth Sydney
‘Open rehearsal’ Mon 26 Oct 7.30pm; then Mon 16, 23 and 30 Nov 7.30pm
Plus all day Sun 29 Nov including a 3pm concert.
Holiday Voices @ The Independent Sat 5 December 2pm and 8pm
The Independent Theatre 269 Miller Street North Sydney
Tickets $30 | students $15 Bookings (from 1 October) call Rob Walley on 9438 2106 or online www.theindependent.org.au
