In 1993, SPEBSQSA (now the Barbershop Harmony Society) descended on Calgary where the legendary The Gas House Gang Quartet would earn their gold. They weren’t the only legends to take home gold that year, though. Masters of Harmony, under the direction of Dr. Greg Lyne, won their second consecutive gold in the chorus contest after winning in Los Angeles in 1990.
Hear the whole chorus finals from 1993 tonight on Friday Night Live – only on Acaville!
Can’t tune in tonight? Hear the rebroadcast on Sunday at 8 am/pm Pacific or look for it in our Member Only content after the broadcasts!
In two very hotly contested finals, Harmony, Incorporated now has a new champion chorus and four new Harmony Queens.
On Friday, New England Voices in Harmony of Nashua, New Hampshire topped the field with a 79.7%. The group performed a special Disney themed set in a risky director-less set, but proving that Director Renee Tramack had prepared them well, they sang “That’s How You Know” from Enchanted and “I See the Light” from Tangled in gorgeous jewel-tone gowns.
New England Voices in Harmony – 2018 Gold Medal Chorus
The Village Vocal Chords, under the direction of the legendary Jeanne O’Connor, took second place for the second time with a score of 78.9%. Jordan Travis and A Cappella Showcase from Milton, Ontario finished in third with 78.4%. Limestone City Voices and Sounds of the Seacoast round out the medals in fourth and fifth, respectively.
The contests came to a close on Saturday afternoon with the Quartet Finals that ended with Aged To Perfection winning the crown. This team of two mothers and daughters scored an incredible 80.7%, edging out T4 who finished with an 80.0%.
Aged To Perfection – 2018 Harmony Queens
Alexa Beal, Gaye LaCasce, Kathy Pomer, and Ellie Pomer are now a long distance quartet and all first time queens. Scoring 1441 in the Semi-Final round with a phenomenal rendition of “Blues in the Night” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?,” Aged To Perfection raised the bar in the Finals with a total score of 1463 singing a solemn “Cry Me A River” and a lively, and genuinely adorable uptune in “Together, Wherever We Go.”
Rounding out the medals were Area 3’s Lip Service finishing third with 76.0%, Area 2’s Balancing Act in fourth with 75.2%, and Tonic! in fifth with 73.8%. Tonic! was also honored with the Image in Harmony Award and the Accord Award.
The IC&C closed out with a Showcase of Champions to a room full of Harmony Sisters (and a T-Rex), marking the end of Christina Lewellen’s two-year term as International President. The gavel was turned over to Donna McKay, who will push forward with the new initiative, “Harmony. Stronger.”
The festivities of the Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition are well underway, with the Harmony Classic kicking off nearly a week of barbershop harmonies in St. Louis last night. It was truly an international affair with groups from across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Harmony Classic features the top 10 small and mid-sized choruses in a 12-15 minute performance package.
Sirens of Gotham topped the field in Division A, as well as the overall Harmony Classic Title, with a colorful presentation and a score of 1232. The group is directed by Mira Taferner and Kari Francis.
It was a great night overall – here are the other Division A scores:
In Division AA, it was Wellington City Chorus of New Zealand who took home First Place with a score of 1229. The group is directed by David Brooks and Henrietta Hunkin.
