Hereward Harmony chorus from Peterborough welcomed the National Barbershop Youth Chorus  to their  annual ‘Sing for Spring’ event on April 2^nd. Hereward  always have a packed diary of singouts, yet find time annually to organise a workshop day for both sexes with a mixed musical concert in the evening.
On this occasion some of the local schools were prepared to welcome singers in the week leading up to the event to give a flavour of the day. The NBYC were delighted to be able to supply ‘Mach 4’ for this exciting task with Tom Knight of ‘Cadence’ as substitute bass.  The quartet had a great time singing and leading sectional sessions with the students and felt that it had been a really positive experience.
On the day, a good-sized group of youngsters joined with the NBYC for the workshop to learn about singing and to rehearse ‘Full time job’ for the evening concert.  The girls were coached seperately by the hugely competent Ellie Mills along with Singchronicity chorus.
Joe White, our MD, showed remarkable maturity whilst directing some of the livelier attendees whilst the section leaders really worked hard to help teach the lads about singing techniques. 
There was time for fun too with a game of Super Chicken and our own rehearsal time before the concert .
‘Steel’ were headlining and greatly added to the merriment of the afterglow with a queue of people wanting to sing with them. Several ex-NBYC members were also with us during the day for support as well as our man with the regalia, Mr. Derek Parmenter .
The lads were hosted overnight organised by (chairman) Les Ashton and Hereward also generously provided a village hall venue for a full day’s rehearsal on the Sunday.  This extra day gave everyone a chance to relax and enjoy time to prepare for the Sunday afternoon convention show, play some games and have a tag competition.  Joe really hit his stride in this atmosphere and a superb rehearsal ensued.  The NBYC are proud of their contribution to this day and delighted to have been asked.

The chorus are singing next at the Annual Barbershop Convention in Llandudno 27th May weekend-onstage Sunday afternoon and rehearsal in the morning. Songs: Jeannie, Full-time job and Star (featuring David, the owner of the fastest feet in the chorus). Registration for the Sunday is free if you are performing onstage. Many singers choose to get b& b accommodation so that they can sing in the evening at the afterglows.

Later we have a Youth Chorus day at harmony college held at Nottingham Uni – food included!-Saturday 27th August.

Moe details?  Contact our PRO AshleyB@lbm.co.uk

NBYC have a rehearsal in Sheffield on Sunday Jan 9th 10-4.

Message from your director Joe White:

Howdy folks,
The next rehearsal date has been set as the 9th January in Sheffield. (10-4)
It will be held in the rehearsal venue of Hallmark of Harmony - Holt House School, Bannerdale Rd, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S7 2EW
On the 8th there is a directors symposium in Birmingham. Anyone wanting a lift up to Sheffield could probably meet Andy Allen or Myself there and kip the night in our Bachelor pads, same goes for anyone wishing to be there on time and get a train the night before.
Be there or be so very square

I have just uploaded teach tracks and sheet music to the members website: www.members.nb-yc.co.uk for the new song, STAR MEDLEY.
The files can be downloaded from the “Learning Materials” section of the above website. I am currently working on tidying up the file section. The best way to find the file you want is to use the limits above the file window i.e. limit to “baritone” mix (do not attempt to limit by song), submit and the correct track should appear and be simple to download.
We shall be working on this song next weekend and I apologise for the late notice (due to people being on holiday and out of office in america) although I will be allowing note bashing sessions and music on risers but this is not an excuse to not learn the song and expect to be able to learn the notes on the risers.
Antoine Kaiserman produced the teach tracks in a 24hour time frame, quite an achievement I think you will agree! Give him a pat on the back on sunday.
Happy learning! Any problems, do not hesitate to contact me.

Joe White

Holt House School Bannerdale Road Sheffield S7 2EW  1
You can be collected from the station if you ring mum or any committee member.

Lunch for £1-50.

We’ve been touring the country! This July, we descended upon East Anglia’s very own Shannon Express for our next rehearsal.

The day was an unusual one to start, most members arrived early from their 3 hour trips… So we kicked straight off into one of our very own NBYC tags, written by Monkey magic and the USA’s Gotham chorus, our voices were gently rung into warm. Then through-out the day, after the bass section finally arrived from his 5 hour trip, we continued working hard on our ballad from the King and I, really working on our vocal quality and expression. Then in the afternoon we practiced the Liar Medley, paying attention to clear vocal wording and adding more expression through the medium of silly shaking faces.

After being worked hard by our coach, Martin Ford, we then sang a few songs with our gracious cake bearing hosts, Shannon Express and wound down the day down to a myriad of quartets and mini sing-alongs.

Big thanks to Martin Ford who coached. He took us through the day with the same expert skills he’s been giving to the Great Western Chorus, Capital, Cheshire, Fascinating Rhythm and… Dubai harmony. He’s the man when it comes to working on vocal quality, clear techniques and expression.

This was also the first official rehearsal for Joe White to take up the leash from Rob Barber, our spectacular Director of 5 years. Joe is from the Spirit of Harmony and when you see him around, give him a Yorkshire pat on the back and say, “Well done lad”.

Finally big thanks Shannon and everyone who helped host the chorus, we hope to see you again soon. And mainly, thanks for complying with our request to supply us with ample cake as sustenance.

NBYC out

written by Dan Course and Roz Johnston