The National Barbershop Youth Chorus have had a busy few months, singing first at the LABBS convention in Cheltenham, then at the Manchester Choral Competition where some new singers from the University joined us and swelled our numbers.
Bass section coaching
Many of these lads were back with us at the latest rehearsal, a weekend retreat held in Lincoln and smoothly organised by Harmony Lincs., using a Lottery grant. The weekend offered approx. 40 lads (and Rob) an absolutely focused and fun weekend with coaching from Martin Ford in conjunction with Pete Kennedy, Ian James and Duncan Whinyates. Monkey Magic quartet arrived a little later as they had to see Simon Cowell earlier in the day! Also present and having their own coaching from Nicky Salt was the girls’ youth chorus, the Ivy League.
In complete contrast to the previous years’ retreat everyone was put up in a hotel and plenty of food was laid on. (Certain helpers were heard to remark that it made a pleasant change from frying 30 eggs in 2 frying pans on Saturday morning!) Many of the lads came great distances to be part of the fun and the weekend saw much tagging and teaching of polecats to newer members plus a very successful bowling evening.
Chorus doing moves
Sunday saw the presentation of chorus awards (Rolls of Honour) including ‘Most Improved Afro’ (Alec),’Most Improved Singer’(Jake aged 8), ‘Quote of the Seek’ (David aged 9), ‘Most Improved Coach’, (Martin!) and ‘Most Improved Presentation’(……….). The weekend finished with a mini-show featuring “Saltwater”, “I have Dreamed” and the popular, ”Don’t stop me now”, featuring some radical new choreography!
We have noticed that we are running out of official NBYC t-shirts and feel that this is an extremely healthy sign!
