In search of a transcendent ring
Local members of the Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus: Ruth Townsend, Philippa Beckman, Julie Page, Hilary Clifton, Emily McCall, Kay Woolf and Charmaine Boocock. Photo: Supplied.
What do barbershop quartets, hobbits and fiancés have in common? They are all seeking a certain perfect ring.
While the latter two are more sidetracked with the sort of ring that can be worn on one’s finger, the quartet is striving to capture that perfect chord that rises in resonance above each of their four parts in perfect melodic harmony.
“We’re aiming for a total blend of sound when the chord hits,” explains Māpua’s Hilary Clifton.
Hilary is part of the Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus, a 44-member barbershop chorus that is working hard to prepare for the upcoming Sweet Adelines New Zealand regional contest, held in Dunedin on Friday, 24 May.
The group has been training hard to get themselves competition-ready, and Hilary reckons that they are a competitive chorus who is feeling pretty good about their sound.
Barbershop music hails from America in the late 19th century, and describes a four-part acapella – or unaccompanied - harmony. Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus is a female group, but the four parts still take on the names of their male counterparts – bass, baritone, lead and tenor.
“I love it because it’s precise. It’s either right or wrong,” says Hilary, who sings bass.
“I love the sound we make when we get it right. We sound absolutely outstanding.”
Alex Charlton, who co-directs the group with Eileen Smith, has found her own resounding success by snagging two American-based scholarships to attend educational and professional development seminars in July. She will be bringing this knowledge and enthusiasm back with her and intends to share it, not just with her chorus but with others throughout the country, she says.
Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus would love to encourage new members to come along and join, especially younger women, to lower the bell curve a little. As long as you can hit a note, the group will guide you through the rest, Hilary says.
Not quite yet though – they would happily see new members after the Sweet Adelines competition in May. Right now, they are too busy perfecting their ring.