Earlier this month, barbershoppers from all over Ontario gathered for our annual Fall convention. With contests for Senior’s Quartets, Novice quartets, the District championship, and chorus representatives to international, things could not have been hotter on the stage that weekend! The district’s senior’s chorus representatives made a showing, and 2015 district quartet champions Yonge Guns took the stage on Friday night for an evaluation-only performance. Last year’s champs, Supertonic, were busy all weekend with mic testing, hosting duties, their swan song, and of course an unforgettable afterglow. Congratulations to all competitors on a very memorable contest, where 402 people crossed the stage including new faces and old. The growing number of mixed groups is exciting to see, and this convention saw an even bigger Joe and Jane Barbershopper Chorus!
New kids from Ottawa called Quiet, I’m Sleeping brought home the Novice quartet trophy. The young, new quartet also scored high enough to earn the enviable 11th place during the semi-finals. After mic testing, Nick (Tenor), Galen (Lead), Evan (Baritone), and Kephane (Bass) enjoyed the rest of the contest and could be found tagging until well past their bed times.
DoubleDouble will be representing Ontario at the International Senior’s Quartet contest in the midwinter convention, and Nostalgia Express have scored high enough that they might get a wildcard invitation! Good luck, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the Spring!
Your 2018 District Quartet Champions are Playback. When asked for a comment, tenor Michael McKim quickly said in between tags that he is very glad to be sporting a district champion pin, alongside some of his favourite quartets of all time. “Being a quartet champion has been a dream of mine since becoming a barbershopper!” McKim was later found tagging until the wee hours, after which his whereabouts could not be confirmed by the Trillium.
The Toronto Northern Lights are Ontario’s representatives at the International Chorus Contest in Salt Lake City next July. Returning to the contest stage after a year off and Jordan Travis taking the lead as front-line director, the Lights are in good shape for a top spot at the contest! When asked about his feelings following the chorus contest, Travis stated that he “felt really positive about the whole experience”. Good luck at international, and we can’t wait to see what the Lights will do next!
Joining the Mixed Chorus Contest alongside Baldwin Blend were a mixed chorus from Woodstock, Undercover Mix, who won the mixed chorus contest. Does this spell the beginning of a growing number of mixed chorus competitors? I look forward to finding out!