National Contest For Ealing's Barbershop Singers
Capital Chorus hoping to wow at the annual Barbershop convention
A men's singing group based in Ealing is hoping for national recognition in The National Barbershop Chorus Competition taking place this month.
Capital Chorus began in 1983 and are a group of West London men aged from 20s to 70 who practice in Northfields.
Last year the group achieved their highest ever position at the national singing contest placed 11th out of almost 40 choruses. This year they're aiming higher and have commissioned special arrangements of two Disney songs which will be premiered to an audience of around 2000 people at the convention in Harrogate, which takes place over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
John Beesley from the group says: ''We're very proud that one of our new songs was arranged by our own musical director, Pippa Goodall, the other by an up-and-coming young arranger named Sam Hubbard. All our rehearsals are open to the public which means anyone who'd like a sneak-preview of our contest set will be able to drop in and see our dress-rehearsal on Saturday 19 May. It's at Kingsdown Methodist Church, Northfield Avenue W13 9PR around 2.30pm'.
Meanwhile the group's always on the lookout for new members and any man who would like to learn harmony can join a new six-week course which starts on Monday 4 June.
The course will involve learning three songs, useful tips and practice for voice warm-ups, physical alignment, breath control, technique and projection.
The final week will include a short concert for family and friends of the participants.
To spread the word there will be barbershop "pop-up" performing around West London, along with larger groups who'll be singing and leafleting in Ealing, Acton and Chiswick.
The six-week course costs £15 which includes sheet music and audio learning tracks for each of the four voice-parts, Tenor, Lead, Baritone and Bass. The course will be held each Monday at Kingsdown Methodist Church, beginning at 7;45pm.
Find out more here.
9 May 2018