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2009
HARMONY IN DERBYSHIRE
Members of Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club were invited to two sing-outs in North Derbyshire in July.
9th July a chorus, assisted by our famous Octet entertained the residents of PILSLEY village near to Chatsworth. We sang a variety of our popular songs on the quiet road OUTSIDE the Devonshire Arms pub. It was a fine, cool evening, and after the 2 25 minute spots neeeded to partake of refreshments INSIDE the hostelry.
We thank Ray Bradshaw the organising Committee for Pilsley Village Fair for inviting us.
15th July a similar chorus performed a concert at Great Longstone in the lovely atmosphere of the 12th century church of St. Giles. Apart from the chorus, we were joined in the programme by 'Peter and Paul' a duo with piano and vocals - featuring the Peter bit (Peter Bryant) the young vocalist and musician from our chorus, and a quartet (Tim, Jim, Glenn and Bob) who are 3/4 of *Band Wagon*).
We thank Suzi Barton of the Great Longstone Village Fair for inviting us and and helping set up the venue.
YOU could be doing this.....look at our singing course: ComeSing
TONY 'BIG T' FOSTER
It is with a heavy heart I place this information of Tony's passing-away on Tuesday 17th March 2009.
'Big T' as he was affectionately known by so many was a founder member of Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club in 1978 and its singing chorus *Hallmark of Harmony*. He was born in Page Hall area of Sheffield in 1942, and spent most of his life as a company representative.
For 30+ years Tony has been one of the drivinging forces of *Hallmark of Harmony*, and helped the chorus win 6 British Assoiciation of Barbershop Singers chorus gold medals, the last one in 2000.
Tony was proud to have helped form one of our first barbershop quartets 'JUNCTION 33' (named after the M1 motorway junction to Sheffield) which went on to great things. Tony was also a founder member and regular singer with two octets.... The renounded *Eight and a Half* ( the half being Ernest Glue ), and more recently the comedy octet *Hosp - 8 - ality* who performed at venues and events throughout the country and in America too.
With *Hallmark of Harmony* Tony visited the United States of America to sing on 4 occasions, and a number of times to International Conventions in a private capacity. Many barbershoppers will remember his bass voice - particularly in songs such as 'Dames'. The stories could be endless, however during the past year when Tony's health deteriorated Tony and Sue had discussed what would happen at his 'Celebration of Life' service which took place on Friday 27th March at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium, Sheffield.
Tony was Chairman of Sheffield B.H.C. on 3 occasions the last time only last year. Over 200 people attended the service including the current Chairman of B.A.B.S. Alan Goldsmith, the last Chairman of B.A.B.S. Bill Harvey and a previous Chairman of B.A.B.S. Chris Tideman such was Tony's status in our national association.
Everything which Tony asked for and planned Sue and his family provided. Tony wanted a celebration - and that is what he got !
*Hallmark of Harmony* set off the event by singing 'Barbara Ann' complete with all the clapping etc. The also sang 'Over the Rainbow' - one of Tony's favourites. Sue and other family members made many moving and some funny stories which Tony would have loved. After *Hallmark of Harmony* sang 'Irish Blessing' Sue led everyone in the congregation in a rousing version of 'Lets Get Together Again' and 'Keep the Whole World Singing'. Emotions covered a wide spectrum.....but it raised the roof.
Donations were forwarded to Amyloidosis Research - one of Tony's serious conditions.
We KNOW Tony would have appreciated all which took place, and we send Sue and the family our very best wishes for the future.
Bill Ward - Chairman - Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club
2008
18/10/2008 - Concert at Hasland, Chesterfield
On Saturday 18th October 2008 a representative chorus from *Hallmark of Harmony* shared an evening concert with Holymoorside Brass Band at Hasland Village Hall, Chesterfield. The concert was organised by Murial Haslam in aid of St. Paul's Church, Hasland.
We always enjoy singing in Chesterfield, and this event was no exception. Our 'small' chorus - Directed by Andy P. - filled the risers on stage, and our programme included many of our popular songs, with - I believe - our first public performance of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' which featured our Tenor Section - Bruce, Peter and Bill.
The audience passed many good comments to me and other members about what a good evening's entertainment it had been, and we added another brass band to our history of shared concerts.
Our next *Hallmark* show is the evening of Saturday 28th November at St. Mark's Church, Mosborough, Sheffield. Contact Bill Ward - 01142 696979 for details how to get tickets. It is our OWN show - so expect surprises.....?
Bill Ward Public Relations Officer
8/4/2008 - Hallmark Welcomes New Members
Tony Foster - Chairman - recently welcomed Keith Rixham and James 'Big Jim' Goldsmith to the chorus and presented them with their certificates from B.A.B.S.
23/2/2008 - Hazel Grove Music Festival
A Great Win for Hallmark of Harmony!
On Saturday 23rd February 2008, Hallmark of Harmony travelled to Hazel Grove, Stockport, Greater Manchester to take part in the Hazel Grove Music Festival (part of the British and International federation of festivals).
Our own Sheffield barbershop quartet, Doghouse, sang first in the barbershop quartet class and entertained us well. Being the only quartet to enter this class, they took first place and the quartet winners trophy. The adjudicator (David King) commented on how well the quartet sang, and particularly on the resonance of the bass sound. He also gave the quartet some good advice about improving their singing for the convention competition in May.
Hallmark entered class 404 (Barbershop group) along with the Crystal Chords ladies Barbershop chorus from Stockport, and the Liberty Belles ladies Barbershop chorus (also from Stockport). All three choruses sang three songs and entertained the (small, but enthusiastic) audience at the Methodist church.
The adjudicator spoke for some time after the contest and praised the choruses on their performance, and again gave advice on improvement. The results were announced, and in third place were the Liberty Belles, in second place were the Crystal Chords, and the winners of the class were Hallmark of Harmony. The marks could not be closer, with only one point separating the three choruses. Hallmark of Harmony scored 87, which put us in the distinction class. Our prize was the Hazel Grove Barbershop Chorus trophy, and a cheque for £100.
2007
7/12/2007 - Harmony Gold
Hallmark of Harmony performed to a sold-out crowd at Harmony Gold, Dronfield.
16/03/2007 - Don Valley Music Festival
Following several recent sucessful joint sing-outs, members of the Sheffield Ladies Chorus and "Hallmark of Harmony" combined to form a mixed voice choir to compete at the Don Valley Music Festival. The venue was in the Linley Suite of the High Melton campus of the Doncaster College.
Joint rehearsals had been previously held to 'polish' the two songs - an 8-part arrangement of "Misty" and a 4-part, SATB arrangement of "The Best Things In Life Are Free".
After our performance to an audience of just seven people, the adjudicator commented that, "so often the best performances at music festivals were in front of the smallest audiences."
As the sole entry in our particular class in the competition, "Sheffield Hallmark of Harmony Choir" was declared the class winner and director, Andy Petch, accepted the trophy!
03/03/2007 - Hazel Grove Music Festival
On Saturday 3rd March a representative number of chorus members travelled to Stockport to compete in the Barbershop Chorus Class of the Hazel Grove Music Festival. Work and other commitments meant that the chorus was not at full strength, but those that did make the trip determined to proudly fly the “Hallmark” flag in this part of Lancashire.
Four choruses competed in the class, with “Harmony Revival” (Stockport men), “Cottontown Chorus” (Bolton men) and “Crystal Chords” (Greater Manchester ladies) taking the stage before “Hallmark of Harmony”. “Hallmark’s” set, under the direction of Andy Petch, comprised “Nice Work If You Can Get It”, “Over The Rainbow” and a rousing “Barbara Ann”.
The adjudicator, Mr. Dave King, placed “Cottontown Chorus” and “Crystal Chords” in joint first place with “Hallmark” taking third place commenting particularly on our “engagement with the audience”, especially in “Barbara Ann”.
The trip was a very worthwhile exercise and gave two of our newer young members, Peter and Simon, their first taste of competitive barbershop singing!
17/2/2007 - "Love 2B In Sheffield" - Saturday
Following on from the Valentine's Day performance by the quartet, "Bless 'Em All", The Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club chorus, "Hallmark of Harmony" gathered again in the Sheffield Winter Gardens on Saturday to add it's contribution to the "Love 2B In Sheffield" musical celebrations. Under the direction of Barry Clinton, the chorus performed a range of repertoire songs in these lovely acoustic surroundings to another large and appreciative audience
Making his debut public performance with the chorus on this occasion was our newest young member, Peter, pictured front row right. Peter joined the chorus following the recent 'Learn To Sing In Four-part Harmony' course held last autumn and passed his chorus audition just a couple of weeks ago. Well done, Peter!
The quartet, "Bless 'Em All" also sang a couple of spots during the 'Hallmark' show.
17/2/2007 - "Love 2B in Sheffield" - St. Valentine's Day
2006 BABS Seniors Champion Quartet, "Bless 'Em All" were pleased to be invited to represent the Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club for a lunchtime performance in the Sheffield Winter Gardens on St. Valentine's Day.
The quartet (Bill Ward - tenor, Tony Landown - Lead, Bruce Turner - Baritone, all from Sheffield BHC and Brian Exley - Bass, from East Midlands BHC) responded to an invitation to be part of the "Love 2B In Sheffield" music celebrations. We had agreed to perform a one hour programme of "love songs" during the lunch time period from 12.30 - 1.30pm.
The quartet had some concerns about such a small group performing in such a large space, but fears were unfounded as many passing shoppers and workers on their lunch breaks stopped to listen and show their appreciation of our efforts. In between songs the quartet handed out single roses to some of the ladies in our audience.
The sounds of a team of riggers erecting a large sound stage in the area immediately adjacent to where we were singing proved something of a distraction. Apparently a popular local group were to perform some time after our performance. However, in true 'showbiz' style and determined not to be 'upstaged', we carried on undaunted. In the end we had added greatly to our experience, had a lot of fun and pleased our audience and the event organiser.