Harmony singing pays off for Vocal FX
Horowhenua community development advisor Josh Wharton loves to sing.
Not just anything. He’s immersed himself in barbershop singing. He drives to Wellington every week for three-hour rehearsals with New Zealand’s best male barbershop chorus Vocal FX.
The chorus has qualified for the World Championships time and time again.
“If we could we would go to America every year, but it is expensive, so we try to go every other year,” said Josh. Vocal FX was the highest scoring nonAmerican chorus and it earned them a ninth placing overall.
“The competition at the World Championships is really tough,” said Josh, who was attending his first international competition.
In New Zealand Vocal FX has no trouble staying in the top spot year after year, but competing with American choruses on their home turf was a different matter, he said.
“Our 50-strong chorus was one of the smallest. Many American groups had 100 or 150 members.”
The Kiwi chorus performed Vincent, also known as Starry, Starry Night as well as a Jackson Five medley.
“We also did some alternative pieces, such as a song from the movie Moana and Pacific Island sounds, which went down really well.” Josh enjoyed himself but said he soon missed the friendliness and sense of community that for him marks Horowhenua.
“We are also a group of young people, 25 and younger. Many American choruses are in the over 50 age groups.” Thirty eight of the choruses competing were from the USA.
“To qualify for this is a big deal.”
Josh has been singing barbershop for the past 10 years. The chorus is now practicing for the national championships.
“We love to show people what barbershop can be. There will be a lot of American scouts at our Nationals.”
Getting to the world champs requires regional, national and Oceania championships.
“We were the only Oceania chorus to qualify for the World Championships,” said Josh. “Singing on stage is really cool. As a barbershop chorus we also dance while we sing. What we bring is a fully choreographed artistic presentation.” The harmonies have Josh hooked on barbershop.
“It has a blend of notes that makes me smile,” said Josh, who sings the lead part in Vocal FX, the part which carries the melody.”