Singers strike chord
Aotea and Tawa colleges have again proved their perfect pitch, taking out most top placings in last month’s national barbershop singing competition in Hamilton.
At times just one point separated the two schools, as in the girls’ chorus category, where Maiden Tawa pipped all-comers chorus Aotea’s ACBC for first place.
Aotea’s girls quartet The Rookies won their category, and were followed in third place by Aotea’s year 11 quartet MarvelUs.
Tawa’s boys’ quartet Pitch Hikers took first place, with Aotea’s AC Times third.
In the boys’ chorus category, Aotea’s Acafellas were second and their all- comers chorus Aotearoar third.
Aotea’s results were an improvement on last year, music and drama teacher Laura Loach said.
Ms Loach was hugely proud of the school’s musical talent, she said.
‘‘We’re thrilled with the result. It was a really good year for them.’’
The Rookies had been working towards their victory for three years, Ms Loach said.
Especially pleasing was the third placing for boys’ quartet AC Times, who had only started singing together this year, Ms Loach said.
Girls’ quartet MarvelUs were also impressive, gaining third place despite being only year 11.
Coach David Brooks was particularly proud of girls’ chorus ACBC and boys’ chorus Aotearoar, which do not require an audition for singers to take part.
‘‘ They’re fantastic mers,’’ he said.
Aotea’s talent was turning heads, Mr Brooks said. The Rookies and MarvelUs sang at Government House for a women’s suffrage dinner, and The Rookies sang for US ambassador David Huebner on US Independence Day, Mr Brooks said.
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