NBYC – The National Barbershop Youth Chorus

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NBYC hijack the Shannon Express

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

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NBYC go European!

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Reeeeeeetreat!!!

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

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

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!

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Some piccies from the weekend

Piccies from the nbyc Retreat weekend 2010 in Lincon

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