The decision to invite women to join their men’s barbershop group has paid off for the Nelson acapella chorus, Tasmonics.
The group took home the silver medal from the choruses with less than 25 singers category at this year’s Barbershop Harmony New Zealand convention in Palmerston North at the end of September.
Tasmonics member John West says it was great to be able to compete after a lack of members and Covid-19 hampered their ability during past five years.
“We work pretty hard and we performed as well as we could,” he says.
“Sometimes you get on stage and you come off disappointed but we did our best, that’s all you can expect, we didn’t leave anything in the park so speak.”
Tasmonics competed with entertaining versions of the 1950’s doo-wop classic “Goodnight Sweetheart” followed by the ballad “Once Upon A Time” from the musical “All American”.
They scored more points than they had in any previous contests benefitting from the years of experience of their musical director, Phillipa Beckman, learning their songs early to give time to rehearse the polish and performance to “sell” each song.
Wellingtons Pacific Connection won the overall prize.
Barbershop singing is four-part harmony sung without musical accompaniment and performed from memory.
Tasmonics meet every Tuesday at 7.19pm at Club Waimea in Lower Queen St Richmond. New members are welcome.
