The Idea Of North Changes Its Line-Up

ARIA award-winning a capella vocal quartet The Idea of North has announced a change in line-up as soprano Sally Cameron and co-founder and bass Andrew Piper have decided to leave the ensemble to pursue other goals and interests. Sally Cameron has been with the group for 10 years and Andrew Piper co-founded the group as its bass and percussion singer 24 years ago.

Tenor Nick Begbie and alto Naomi Crellin have announced that a new bass has already joined their ranks. However, auditions for the soprano role will be held in March and April. Singers interested in auditioning for this position should send expressions of interest to auditions@idea.com.au.http://auditions@idea.com.au.

In a farewell message Andrew Piper writes “Ignited by four music students hanging out together, singing was just one of many things we’d do for fun…..Singing together was magical and we just couldn’t stop. I have so many fond memories of rehearsing together and performing for family and friends. The encouragement we received grew and so did our concerts from lounge rooms to clubs, to festivals and concert halls around the world.

Not being one to seek the limelight, I found my place in the group as a writer/arranger and performer of the supportive type, providing a solid foundation as the vocal rhythm section for my colleagues to shine above. Singing bass and percussion for TION has been an incredible honour and I will always cherish the role I was custodian of for 24 years. My heartfelt love and thanks go out to my colleagues, past and present: Meg, Trish, Nick, Naomi, Sally, Joy, Ed, Tod, Dave and Ross. It’s been an amazing ride.

There has been a lot of passion and hard work in growing the group but the true success of TION has only been possible through the love and support we have received from you, our wonderful friends and fans over all these years. Thank you for everything. I will miss all the fun times we had together.

I will be leaving the group soon to pursue another one of my passions in the world of film and video production. Feel free to keep in touch with what I’m up to on my website.

I wish the next generaTION every success and hope to see you at another gig sometime soon, only this time I might be sitting next to you!”

Sally Cameron writes “For the last decade I have been singing around the world with my a cappella mates Nick, Nay & Andy, and having a ball. The people I have met, the countries I’ve visited, the venues I’ve sung in, and the friendships I’ve made have been nothing short of delicious!

Most importantly though, it’s YOU, the supporters of TION, who have made this epic journey the most enjoyable time of my life so far and I can’t thank you enough for your love and support throughout all of these beautiful years – I’ve taken it personally, so thank you. I look forward to keeping in touch with you and sharing my music with such an enthusiastic and loyal audience. It’s been a great ten years of vocal harmony and now I’m in need of a musical change, so I am excited to pursue my musical interests that have been on hold during my commitment to TION.

Best of luck to the new soprano whomever she may be (maybe it’s you) and here are my top tips: pack up in the interval, always let Naomi choose the wine, Nick choose the food and do whatever is necessary to get as close to the front of the plane as possible.

To keep up with my musical adventures, please join me on Facebook and my website.”