A note from Ripple Effect:
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It has been almost a month and we still can’t believe the experience we had at BinG! Munich is such an incredible city, but when we arrived at the Gasteig Performance Hall and saw the big convention banner it suddenly became real. When we walked in to get our registrations as a quartet and saw our name displayed on a large banner, along with all the other performers, we got the feeling that we are about to be a part of something great. And boy were we!
We went in thinking we were just an unknown quartet from Canada, but never once felt like that again from the moment we stepped foot in the door. Before coming we were told that there is just “something different about BinG!” The hospitality and feeling of inclusion would be unmatched. We were told the afterglows would be crazy, and the beer would never stop flowing, and we were elated that every part of what we were told was true.
The one experience that will live in us forever was when we were backstage, hearing the audience chanting and clapping just before the doors opened. The emcee announced “Representing Canada…Ripple Effect!”, and from that moment I am not sure our feet ever hit the ground again. Seeing the section of our brothers and sisters in Baldwin Blend already on their feet filled us with so much pride. As we walked into the bright lights of center stage it hit us: this is a dream coming true.
We sang our two songs (which felt like only 30 seconds) then looked out to see people standing and applauding, and that’s when it hits you: they were standing for us. Words can’t really express how that feels. It is something we hope everyone gets to experience at least once in their life. We are humbled that our performance earned us, and Canada, the bronze medal.
After celebrating until the wee hours, we awoke the next morning ready to cheer on our friends in Baldwin Blend with the same energy they had given us the day before. Watching a Canadian chorus take the World Mixed competition stage for the first time in history was inspiring, and I had tears in my eyes seeing their love for both of the music they sang and for each other. We were so happy for them in achieving their fourth place finish, and we loved getting to celebrate with them that night.
The reality is we would never have had this experience without the support of so many. We share this medal with all them:
- The Mixed Barbershop Harmony Association
- The Ontario District of the BHS
- “That Choir” & The Toronto Northern Lights
- The London Men of Accord, Resolution Quartet, Imagine That, Skyfall, The After Party, P.A.G.E. 4, & Supertonic
- Our Coaches; Colin Frotten, David McEachern, and Dr. Jeff Taylor
- Our families and loved ones
Without the generous support of Sing Canada Harmony this could not have been possible. And last but certainly not least; the reason we even had this experience in the first place, Barry and Sharon Towner. Thank you for making mixed barbershop the success that it has become in the Ontario District. We owe so much to you and the work you do to make this such a great hobby. As a quartet we want to do shows and continue to compete, but mostly we want to make great music.
With all the love in our hearts, Thank you!
– Erin, Jessie, Jonah & Robert – Ripple Effect