Wollongong Harmony Chorus is heading to the nationals. Photo: Corey Potter.
Wollongong Harmony Chorus is tuning up for a major stage, sending 34 voices to the Sweet Adelines Australia National Convention in Hobart this week and hoping to add another title to its legacy.
Led for the first time by musical co-directors Sam White and Alison Charlton, the group competes in the national competition every two years and in previous years has secured first and second places.
Sam and Alison recognise the significance of the group’s 26-year history and the diversity of its members, who range in age from 19 to 99.
“We still actually have one of the founding members, who is turning 99 this year,” Sam said.
“She’s no longer able to stand and sing on the risers with us, but she comes along every week and comes to a lot of our performances to support us and she’s incredible.”
Also remarkable, Sam said, was the choir’s resilience through the COVID-19 pandemic, which dramatically reduced choir memberships across the world.
In preparation for the competition from 15-18 May, the group wowed a crowd of 100 enthusiastic supporters at its Family and Friends Concert this month.
During that concert, the singers showcased their two competition pieces: A Dream is a Wish from Cinderella and Bye Bye Blackbird, representing their diverse musical repertoire.
Sam said to tailor to the group’s varying tastes and ages, its setlist often took in everything from Queen and The Beatles to traditional barbershop songs and contemporary folk.
“We do a mix and sing four-part and sometimes three-part a cappella songs. It’s not all barbershop,” she said.
“We do quite a bit by Deke Sharon, who’s the guy who did all the arrangements for the music in the Pitch Perfect movies.”
Alison said it was always nice to perform in front of friends, previous choristers and interested members of the public before a competition as a way to prepare.
“We’re really happy with how we’re going at the moment,” she said.
Sam said there was a “buzz” around the concert, which “just all came together beautifully”.
“We’re really excited for competition this year,” she said.
“If we put what we did at the Friends and Family Concert on stage, then we will be absolutely thrilled.”
She said while they felt well prepared, they were unsure how they would go this year.
“It’s going to be tough competition this year,” Sam said.
“Because of COVID, they’ve just readjusted everything because all our choruses are a lot smaller.
“So in 2009 for my first competition, we had over 60 on stage and then later in Newcastle we had 72, which was the biggest I think we’ve been.
“But since COVID, choruses worldwide have shrunk and they’ve resized the division … so we’re regarded as mid-size now.”
Sam said they regularly performed at community events throughout Wollongong, including hospitals and senior citizens’ clubs, and were particularly busy during the Christmas period.
Wollongong Harmony Chorus is part of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organisation of women committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance.
The national convention has previously been hosted by Wollongong.
Wollongong Harmony Chorus rehearsals are at the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre every Thursday evening from 7:30.
The Sweet Adelines Australia National Convention will be held in Hobart from 15-18 May, with some sections to be livestreamed.
