Press Release - 25th February 2010
Malcolm Carlise - Public/Press Office
Tel: 07985 755155
Email: bc52mjc@googlemail.com
From the moment the chorus members of 'The Ivy League' and the NBYC arrived in Lincoln on the Friday evening, to the time they departed homeward bound on the Sunday, the sound of 100+ voices raised in harmony filled the air.
After the disappointment of having to cancel 'Harmony Camp' last year, 'Harmony Lincs', Lincoln's own chorus were left holding a grant received from the National Lottery via 'Awards For All'. After negotiations with Awards For All, an agreement was reached where we were allowed to hang on to the money as long as we used it for a similar event.
With this in mind we decided to offer the two national barbershop youth choruses a funded weekend here in Lincoln in the form of a Workshop / Retreat.
Two nights B&B accommodation was arranged at a local hotel and rehearsal facilities along with all other meals on the Saturday and Sunday at the Bishop Grosseteste University College in Lincoln.
If that wasn't enough, we also arranged a ten pin bowling competition at a local bowling alley on the Saturday evening.
Bus and coach transport was used on the Saturday to move the attendees between the various venues.
To say the singers enjoyed themselves would be an understatement. The joy in their faces and the excellence of their singing proved this.
Both choruses invited potential new members to attend the weeked and they all put a tremendous amount of effort into the various sessions.
Andy Allen from the NBYC, along with Mel Lane & Sara Jackson from the Ivy League had done a great job in getting their teams together which made my job a whole lot easier. Come the day, top level coaching was provided by the two choruses on all aspects of our craft, and a handful of members from Harmony Lincs were always on hand to ensure the smooth running of the event.
On the Sunday afternoon a short showcase of what they had been working on was presented to an audience of parents and members of 'Harmony Lincs' and 'Lincoln Sounds' (Lincoln's ladies chorus)
A large number of photographs taken over the weekend are available to view via the Harmony Lincs website: www.harmonylincs.org
From the comments received from those present, they want to do it again.
If they are up to it, so are we.
Tony Chapman
Event Organiser
Here are a couple of comments received from Sara Jackson (Ivy League) & Rob Barber (NBYC)
From Sara:
Overall the weekend was marvellous - to have such a great opportunity given to us was immense. Without the organisation, enthusiasm and support of the Lincoln club this would not have been possible. Tony Chapman has been elevated to legend status (If he wasn't there already!). All members of the Ivy League had a wonderful time. we were elighted to welcome new singers onto the risers for the weekend and they have all gone away with most wonderful first barbershop experience anyone could ask for.
From Rob (MD - NBYC)
As Musical Director of the NBYC and one of those who started it off back in 2005, the Lincoln retreat certainly was an amazing experience. The weekend hosted and organised by Harmony Lincs and the respective committees from the Ivy League and the NBYC really was the highlight of my barbershop year. The weekend was also the birth of a new era for youth in barbershop.
The venue itself allowed both groups to socialise, which is a huge part of their enjoyment and excel in their own performance. Speaking for the lads, they had plenty of room with extra rooms fro breakout sessions, either presentation or sectional. The mix of the organisation, venue and fun made them want to perform to the very best they had ever done and with nearly half the guys as brand new singers to the chorus and barbershop in general, the feedback was that they all 'loved it'.
The coaches we used were all highly qualified in their field, and more importantly they understood the age range of who they were coaching. From 8 to 26 they really explained what they wanted and even the short attention span of a couple of the youngest hardly got tested. Shirley Course our residential, social and organisational MUM looked after the youngest in a little pod, so they were in excellent hands.
Our coaches were agog with some of the things we do as a group of lads, from learning little ditties to amuse ourselves and extraordinarily intricate tags to how we get energised before a performance. Our amazing committee who had the foresight to get the extra 200 lads in, from whom knows where have done a fantastic job. My personal thanks to them. I've always said if someone can get the new-bees in, we'll create the environment to keep them.
From walking onto the university campus to sadly but emotionally drained sitting in my car to set off home....it was a pleasure.
Thanks Harmony Lincs!!!
Harmony Lincs are currently placed 11th on the UK performance ladder. We are on our way up (hopefully) and we are really serious about publicising the benefits of singing. As part of this ethos we also do everything we can to promote singing to youngsters (both male and female), With this in mind we are running the largest Barbershop Youth Singing Workshop ever held in the UK with over 100 attendees from the UK's Youth Choruses. The event encompasses training, performance, entertainment and all accommodation, food and transport over the weekend. The 100 plus visitors will be taken Ten Pin Bowling on the Saturday evening after their fist day which includes 6 hours of training.
It is a massive undertaking and has cost in the region of £8000 to set up. We feel that this is a very newsworthy event and invite you to provide coverage if at all possible. This type of A Capella singing really has the Wow factor and will provide you with a very interesting report.
We are including a short 30 minute showcase of the attendees talents and this may be of particular interest to you. The showcase begins at 2:30pm on the Sunday. Please let us know if/when you would like to come along.
Full web based details of the weekend may be found at: http://www.harmonylincs.org/youthretreat.htm, and if you would like more information we would be pleased to provide it.
For extra detailed information please contact the event organiser - Tony Chapman - on 01522 791015 or Email me at this office and I will make sure your questions receive a prompt reply.
Thankyou in advance.
Malcolm Carlisle
Harmony Lincs Barbershop Chorus (PRO Office)
Phone: 07985 755155
Email: publicity@harmonylincs.org
(December 2009)
The sponsorship deal means that printing and advertising material for the next 12 months will be supplied free of charge. The package is worth up to £400 and the new sponsor joins the list of impressive and dedicated supporters including the Lincoln Cooperative Group, D.P. Wilkinson Building & Roofing Ltd and Forum Computers.
Lincoln Print & Copy have a sister company in Grimsby and they were pleased to be included with the Lincoln Branch, particularly when they heard that Harmony Linc have been invited to compete in the forthcoming music festival at Cottingham which is close to their premises. The Grimsby branch are providing a pair of collapsible stage wings for use when the chorus perform at their numerous 'singouts' throughout the region.
'Our efforts to get into the top ten will be boosted by this new and valuable support' said the club's PRO. 'We still need money to provide performance wear for the national competition next May, so if a company would like to become a major sponsor please ask them to contact us'.
Harmony Lincs are presenting their Christmas programme with several repeating performances inside at Doddington Hall this Sunday (6th December) from 2pm to 4pm. If you have ever wondered why there is massive growth in barbershop style A Capella singing then come along and find out.
Harmony Lincs will be running a FREE 6 week 'Learn To Sing' course in early 2010 and you can get details and will also be able to sign up at this event. 'These courses have proved very popular in the past and many of our current members joined the chorus by this route. Members who number around 45, range in age from 18 to 80.
Malcolm Carlisle - Harmony Lincs PRO
publicity@harmonylincs.org
Forum Computers Sponsorship
South Hykeham - Lincoln
(November 2009)
Harmony Lincs have received several 'bytes' of the cherry this week after Forum Computers of South Hykeham presented them with sponsorship to the tune of £400. Already known for helping computer users, the company's sponsorship will help the club members who number more than 45, to buy hardware more appropriate for singing than Emailing, or the 'World Wide Web'.
'As an A Cappella chorus we perform without instrumental accompaniment and the high quality of our presentations relies on us having special equipment including, the risers we stand on, uniforms and lots of other paraphenalia'. The sponsorship from Forum Computers is specifically for such equipment.
The Lincoln based chorus is currently fancied as one of the next top ten choruses in the UK but will need to prove worthy of that accolade by competing in the annual competitions to be staged in Harrogate next May.
'This support will enable us to continue our meteoric rise from our current 11th place in the country. Harmony Lincs Barbershop Chorus came 1st in the A cappella category at the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival this year, beating some very stiff competition.
If you are male, and fancy being part of this popular fun hobby or wish to sponsor them towards Harrogate next year, you can contact Harmony Lincs from their website at www.harmonylincs.org for more information
Malcolm Carlisle - Press & Public Relations Officer
01522 681838
Harmony Lincs Barbershop Chorus
Back From New York
Flushed with success, Harmony Lincs Barbershop Chorus have returned from New York. They had been invited to put on a whirlwind performance after being heard by a visitor previously.
As promised they have sent us a trip report which is printed here........
As you may imagine, the preparations for a trip of this nature can be quite complicated but with everyone's help we made it on time. No one was left behind or had the wrong type of paperwork and everyone got a seat.
When we arrived in New York after our long trip, things went really well with everything ready for our performance and our complete set of performance gear arrived at the same time.
Members of the chorus were received very well by the New Yorkers and they were treated to a thrilling and polished performance which included several previous competition pieces and well known Barbershop favourites. One chorus members was heard to say that although the preparation for the event had been quite rigorous, the response the chorus received had made it all worth while
Whilst on the way home plans were being hatched for a possible return to the area as many of us would have liked more time for sight seeing.
The whole thing seemed like a dream and it was only a short while after leaving the concert when we saw the end of the runway at Connigsby and were soon home in time for supper. Remarkably, it also seems that no one needed a VISA.
Oh! and just in case you were wondering - We went to New York in Lincolnshire - Where did you think we meant?
Perhaps we'll go to Boston next time.
Malcolm Carlisle - Press & PRO
01522 681838
mandbsemail@tiscali.co.uk
Harmony Lincs Barbershop Chorus
are off to New York!
Press Release - 6th October 2009
I'd love to be able to tell you about our success in being chosen for a special performance in New York, but we are far too busy getting everything organised.
The request came to us quite late after someone from New York saw us perform so the pressure is on. However, with everyone pulling together as is usual in our vibrant club we have got transport, music, practice CD's, walk-out gear and performance uniforms organised in the nick of time.
The cost of getting to New York is no small sum but by splitting the members into small groups travelling separately we have been able to cut our transport costs dramatically. Luckily we had a performance uniform from a recent competition in Lincoln at which we gained first place and also at least one member knows New York so we are looking forward to a great trip. We will be publishing a full report and photographs for publication in the next edition of Harmony Express - Watch this space!
Malcolm Carlisle - Harmony Lincs PRO
Tel: 01522 681838
Email: mandbsemail@tiscali.co.uk
---------------------------------------------------------------
Press Release -
Rowston Singout was a 'Piece Of Cake'
Members of Harmony Lincs Barbershop Chorus were treated to something special themselves on Saturday (26th Sept) when they appeared at Rowston Church. The village had put on a superb buffet and even baked a cake for the occasion.
The show was put on to raise money for the church window repair fund and although the village of Rowston is quite isolated, competition from 'Strictly' and 'X Factor' on television didn't impede a sellout event. 'The church is a wonderful venue to sing as the acoustics are almost perfect' said a chorus spokesman. 'I don't think anyone has baked a cake for a performance and iced it specially for us before.'
Richard Curtis (Chorus Director) cutting the cake
The sellout crowd and the enthusiasm exhibited for this a cappella chorus is indicative of the impressive 45 member club's popularity. 'It's true' said a member of the audience 'Real men sing Barbershop - what a impressive performance.'
For details of their next appearance, log onto their equally impressive website at:
MacMillan Cancer Support
September 2009
A recent 'Singout' by Harmony Lincs Barbershop Chorus in Lincoln's Waterside centre resulted in the cancer patient's support organisation receiving a welcome boost to their funds. Gemma Dixon, representing the MacMillan charity was a guest at Harmony Lincs regular Tuesday night rehearsal this week (22nd Sept 2009), and the club's Chairman Richard Marriott is shown presenting her with a cheque for £200.
The 'Singout was part of a Barbershop awareness week's busy schedule where shoppers and club members all had a great deal of fun. 'The event was made all the better thanks to the generosity of local shoppers who stopped to enjoy our demonstration of four part harmony which was repeated several times throughout Saturday 12th September' said a member of the club.
Press Release - September 2009
Harmony Lincs having recently risen to 1st place in the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival 'Barbershop Harmony' category are pleased to announce a new sponsor for 2009/10. D.P. Wilkinson Roofing & Building Ltd here in Lincoln have sponsored us to the tune of £400. This is provided specifically to increase the public profile of the club and our specific style of close harmony. Barbershop singing is in the style of a capella which means 'without the aid of musical instruments'.
'I have been pleased to engage this company for my own recent building work and can confirm that they re quite able to sing whilst on the job without the aid of instruments. Perhaps we will see some of their guys on the risers when they are not on the roof' said Malcolm Carlisle who is the Press & Public Relations chap at the club.
Click the advert to visit their website
It is gratifying to be offered sponsorship at any time and this latest support will help us gain new members and continue our massive improvement nationally. The chorus is now 11th in the country, up rom 17th in 2008.
'We have got our sights firmly set on maintaining and improving our position'. If any other company would like to be part of our rise towards the top, now is a good time to become an additional sponsor and we will be pleased to supply full details. 'We endeavour to get our sponsors in the public eye whenever possible so everyone benefits'.
Please contact Malcolm on 01522 681838
Home