Latest News

Please use the link below to see and hear all the ensembles at this year's convention:

www.singondemand.co.uk



  • THREE SPIRES HARMONY, COVENTRY, ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR
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  •  Date Posted: Sun, 5 Jun 2022
    THREE SPIRES HARMONY, COVENTRY, ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR

    We are a male barbershop chorus who sing in 4 part acapella harmony. We are based in Coventry but also recruit members from the whole of Warwickshire.
    We enjoy performing at local community events and raising money for charity and have been doing this for the last 40 years.
    We are a friendly and enthusiastic group of some 20 active members that now needs a new Chorus Director.
    You will be responsible for the musical development of the chorus to ensure that we get the best out of our members whilst also having fun.
    As well as weekly Tuesday evening rehearsals, you will also be required to lead us at performances and special events.
    This would be an ideal opportunity for someone who is an assistant MD, or even a section leader who would like to step up.
    Barbershop experience is preferable, but not essential.

    Remuneration for this post will be negotiated with the successful candidate according to experience and scale of activities agreed.

    For further information please contact our Chairman Carlo Giudici at 07484645423 or chairman@threespiresharmony.co.uk
     
  • SINGING AT THE JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN kENILWORTH
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 3 Jun 2022
    As well as market stalls, the crowds enjoyed live music and entertainment in the sunshine, which added the amazing atmosphere.
  • Bob's Concert For Myton Hospice
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  •  Date Posted: Sun, 28 Nov 2021
    Bob's Concert For Myton Hospice
    We enjoyed our sing-out on Friday evening the 26th November. 

    We were one of many supporting acts in a fund raising concert organised by Bob Hodgkiss and Bianco in aid of Myton Hospice. 

    Bob has been raising funds for the hospice for a long time now and this will culminate in his South American expedition next year, when he will be climbing Inca Trail Trek to Macu Picchu.

    Bob says that the concert has so far raised over £1700 with some money still to come in.

    I am sure it took a lot of organising but was  a fantastic effort by Bob!
    Attachment:
    Attachment
  • OUR LET IT SNOW VIDEO
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  •  Date Posted: Sun, 27 Dec 2020
    YouTube Video URL:
  • Are you singing the right notes to "Keep The Whole World Singing"? Are you sure??
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 27 Nov 2020
    Despite singing the official BHS song for decades, do you actually know all the notes? Gold medal director Jim Henry and Forefront will help you sort out the mysteries in this segment from the first Barbershop Live @ Home virtual event.

    This is a great 20 minute video, as Jim Henry from The Ambassadors of Harmony takes us through the song part by part. You may be suprised when you hear the real notes, as sung by Forefront! Jim has also added an "Oh Yeah!" onto the end of the song

    As a bonus you have a song from the Gold Medal quartet at the end  "There may never be another night like this" with a brilliant middle section of skatting!


     
    YouTube Video URL:
  • NEW Video Series Announced On The History of Judging Barbershop Singing
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 9 Nov 2020

    I expect a lot of you die hard barbershoppers are aware of the weekly newsletter from the US called Livewire. I hadn't heard of it until Tony forwarded a copy to me last week. Follow the link above if you want more information.
    I am sharing this because of a new series of videos on Youtube from Kevin Keller. He will be tracing the changes in judging singing which in turn led to changes in the way that people sang. It starts in the 1930s so you may want to start in a few weeks when he gets nearer to the present day.
    I have put a link to his introductory video which is only 4 minutes long!
    Dave


    NEW Video Series Announced

    Join Kevin Keller on a journey through BHS contest and judging history! Each episode of this 11-part video series is approximately one hour long, with new episodes releasing every few weeks over the coming months.

    Kevin writes:
    This series is a labor of love for me. As a result, these videos and materials will be free. I don't want anyone to not have access to this valuable historic information. If you have more to add to what I’ve shared, please contribute all along the way. This study is not exhaustive and the earlier years definitely have gaps in our knowledge. Below is a link to the first video about the early years. I hope you’ll join me along this journey. Enjoy!

     

    YouTube Video URL:
    For more information, see: https:www.barbershop.org/news/livewire-weekly-newsletter
  • Start date Start time Title My Availability Fri, 16 Oct 2020 6:00pm MYTON HOSPICE CHARITY CONCERT
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 5 Oct 2020
    As you will probably have guessed this fundraiser concert has been cancelled because of the present restrictions on live concerts. You will also probably know that Bob was due to be hiking up very high mountains in Peru to raise money for the hospice- a cause close to his heart. We may not be able to sing with and for him but we can still donate to the hospice. Like all charities they are finding this a very tough time as most of their normal fund raising activities have had to be cancelled.
  • WHAT A DAY FOR A DAYDREAM
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  •  Date Posted: Sun, 30 Aug 2020
    WE FINALLY MANAGED TO MAKE A VIDEO, FOLLOWING ALL OUR ZOOM SESSIONS, OF ONE OF OUR PREVIOUS CONVENTION SONGS-"WHAT A DAY FOR A DAYDREAM". 
    IT CAME OUT MUCH BETTER THAN WE HOPED,
    BUT THAT WAS DOWN TO ALL THE HARD WORK IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THE CAMERA
    (AND IN THE EDITING SUITE) BY SHANNA.
    A BIG THANKS TO HER FOR FORCING US OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE.
    WE HOPE YOU ENJOY WATCHING IT!
    YouTube Video URL:
  • COVENTRY MOVES CITY OF CULTURE 2021
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 4 Aug 2020
    JUST TO KEEP YOU UP TO DATE WITH THE COVENTRY CITY OF CULTURE NEWS. IT HAS BEEN PUT BACK A YEAR TO 2021 BECAUSE OF COVID 19. THE IDEA HAS BEEN REBRANDED TO "COVENTRY MOVES"
    DAVE
    COVENTRY MOVES
    Today, we're launching a film to tell the world that Coventry is the city where movement began. From our history in watchmaking, bicycles and cars; to being a welcoming city for workers, political reformers, and refugees, we have moved people for centuries.
    YouTube Video URL:
    For more information, see: coventry2021.co.uk/
  • MAKING MUSIC OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT SIGNED BY BABS AND LABBS
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  •  Date Posted: Sat, 27 Jun 2020


    Open letter: Singing Network UK to the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport
    An open letter to Oliver Dowden MP, outlining the concerns of the 27 organisations in the Singing Network UK about the return to singing for the 40,000 choirs and their 2.2m participants in the UK
    Dear Secretary of State
    I am writing to you as Chair of Singing Network UK, a network of 27 organisations involved in singing in choirs. Between us, we represent most of the 40,000 choirs in the UK.
    The demographics of choirs cover all kinds of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, all ages (mother and toddler groups, schoolchildren, adults up to their 90s) and include many with mental or physical health problems, and some of society’s most vulnerable and marginalised.
    We would like to impress on you that a clear plan of how to resume singing is now urgently needed to support the mental well-being of the 2.2 million people who sing regularly in choirs and that of the nation, including audiences, congregations and families.
    There is also a significant economic impact on the livelihoods of musicians, venues, music publishers and other suppliers, which is currently jeopardised by the lack of group singing; and on the income of charities, for which choirs usually fundraise millions a year.
    We wanted to let you know, from our combined vast experience with choirs and singers, what we believe is now needed, so that singing in groups can safely resume as soon as possible:
    1. a UK-wide coordinated approach (working with devolved administrations)
    2. clear guidance which can be practically implemented in a variety of circumstances (one-to-one/group teaching, church choirs, community choirs, choral societies, youth groups), in schools, professional, amateur and community settings
    3. a differentiated approach to rehearsals, teaching and public performances
    4. research to establish more conclusively the aerosol transmission risks (and therefore possible mitigations) for Covid-19 when groups sing in enclosed spaces
    5. support for venues and spaces, from schools to community halls, churches to arts centres, so that they are able to open again
    6. support (especially financial) for professional musicians (conductors, accompanists, music creators, teachers etc.) crucial to the return (and flourishing) of singing
    7. an underpinning need has also become apparent: that of broadband and digital training for all, so there is no-one left behind in a world which will remain at least partially online for a while.
    Of course we understand safety must come first, but we also know that the nation’s mental health is fragile as a consequence of the pandemic, and that group singing can powerfully mitigate loneliness, anxiety and lack of social connection, for people of all ages.

    We would therefore ask you to give this matter urgent consideration and help the nation regain a happy state of mind, as well as a healthy body and wallet.

    Signed,
    Barbara Eifler, Chair, Singing Network UK and Chief Executive, Making Music
    Marie Benton, Chief Executive, The Choir With No Name
    Caroline Bithell, Chair, Natural Voice Network
    Leslie East OBE, Chair, Association of British Choral Directors
    Manvinder Rattan, CEO, Sing For Pleasure
    Ben Parry, Artistic Director, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain
    Derrick Rowlands, Executive Member, Welsh Association Male Voice Choirs
    Jennifer Coleman-Peers, Interim Chief Executive, The Voices Foundation
    Clare Edwards, Director of Learning and Events, Young Voices
    John Croft, Chairman, National Association of Choirs
    Heidi Pegler, Chair, Association of Teachers of Singing
    Phillip Tolley, British Choirs on the Net
    Neil Chippington, Chair, Choir Schools’ Association
    Tessa Marchington, Managing Director, Music in Offices
    Martin Baglow, Chairman, British Association of Barbershop Singers
    Hugh Morris, Director, Royal School of Church Music
    Nancy Philbin, Chair, Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers
    Margaret Oliver, Chair of Trustees, British Kodály Academy
    Sir Andrew Parmley, Chief Executive, Royal College of Organists


     
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  • What Is The Government Doing About Choirs and Musicians?
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 5 Jun 2020
    Will no one in government stand up for British choirs?
    Richard Morrison
    Thursday June 04 2020, 5.00pm, The Times
    Until 12 weeks ago Britain was a choral powerhouse. Two million people sang in 70,000 choirs. Some were highly professional and world-famous. Think of the Sixteen and the Monteverdi Choir, or the magnificent opera choruses of London, Cardiff and Leeds, or the incredible eight-shows-a-week ensembles sustaining West End musicals. That’s thousands of highly trained singers now facing financial ruin. Then think of the millions who sang for fun. True, those people haven’t lost their livelihoods, but for many the weekly choir rehearsal was what kept them ticking along — culturally, spiritually, physically and socially.
    Few singers dispute that choirs needed to stop temporarily because of coronavirus. What is starting to irritate, however, is the lack of official guidance as to when and how they might safely resume. Instead of scientific research, anecdotal horror stories swirl around, instilling a fear that choral singing is so dangerous it might be permanently banned.
    Let’s deal first with those horror stories. In early March, before social distancing was a thing, people became infected with the virus after singing with a handful of choirs across the world. Sensational headlines created the illusion that all choirs were death traps. In fact, thousands of choirs were still rehearsing without any precautions in March. Only five reported illnesses afterwards. The affected choirs rehearsed in tightly packed rooms. They greeted each other with hugs. They shared refreshments. Yes, the singing might have transmitted coronavirus, but equally the socialising might have done. We need proper research before jumping to conclusions.

    Choristers at St Paul's Cathedral, London
    DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

    That’s the problem. Little research has been done, and none in Britain. However, two fluid-mechanics scientists at Bundeswehr University Munich conducted experiments to see how far singers project emissions. Their findings are encouraging. Although the World Health Organisation’s guidelines (echoed by Public Health England) say that Covid-19 is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and contact routes rather than aerosols (airborne transmission, which carries farther), the Munich scientists tested for both. They found that “at a distance of around 0.5m [from the singer], almost no air movement can be detected, regardless of how loud the sound was and what pitch was sung”.
    Therefore, they concluded that it is “unlikely that the virus could spread beyond this limit via the air flow created during singing”. Add an extra metre to minimise risk even more, and it seems that — if the Munich findings are accurate — choirs might operate reasonably safely with singers placed 1.5m apart and configured in one big semi-circle.
    That’s good and bad news. It’s good for smallish groups who stay in one place while they sing. Cathedral choirs clearly won’t be able to use their traditional double-ranked, inward-facing choirstalls, but given their buildings’ size, they could easily spread out in a semi-circle (as German choirs are doing). For big choral societies, that formation isn’t practical. They may have to break into smaller units. The real challenge, however, would be getting the choruses for operas and musicals safely back in business in productions where they need to move around the stage.
    Other factors hinder progress. One is the ultra-cautious approach of the Church of England, which controls (the word is not too strong) the vast majority of England’s sacred choirs. Its bishops seem so spooked by those early horror stories that they appear reluctant to allow any singing at all, even when services resume. That hugely endangers a cathedral tradition that relies on boy and girl choristers maintaining extraordinary musical skills through daily training and performance. An enforced break of a year, coinciding with cash-strapped cathedrals closing their choir schools (as York Minster is doing), would be the biggest catastrophe for church music since Oliver Cromwell.
    How to overturn the negativity? One piece of German research, however convincing, won’t be enough. Britain’s singers need clear British guidelines, but the government’s response is (surprise, surprise) lamentable. Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, has set up a task force to “help reopen cultural life”, but it seems to have no musicians or scientists sitting on it. The same is true of a separate task force set up by the Ministry of Housing to get churches reopened. And although Public Health England could muster the requisite scientific expertise, nobody seems to have asked it to advise on how to restart choirs.
    Singing in a choir will never be entirely risk-free, but neither will shopping. In Germany and Scandinavia guidelines have been agreed and choirs are confidently reopening. Here, it’s just muddle. Our choirs deserve better. Is there not a single minister in Boris Johnson’s cabinet who cares enough about Britain’s glorious choral tradition to fight for its survival?

     
  • SATURDAY AT 8PM IS BARBERSHOP NIGHT.
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 22 May 2020
    Hi All,
    You should have received several emails from BABS and Shanna about the Big BABS EVENT tomorrow night. I have included the list of performers and as you can see our very own Bianco will be making an appearance. You can watch it on Youtube and i have included a weblink to the BABS Youtube page. These are all performances that were recorded before the lockdown. As you may be aware this should have been Convention weekend so as we cant be there sit back and enjoy some excellent singing.
    James has offered to host a zoom meeting so watch out for emails from him.
    Dave
    • Instant Classic
    • Forefront
    • Sound Hypothesis
    • Hallmark of Harmony
    • A Kind of Magic
    • The White Rosettes
    • Finest Hour
    • The Cottontown Chorus
    • Amersham A Cappella
    • Meantime Chorus
    • The Great Western Chorus
    • Limelight
    • The Grand Central Chorus
    • One Foot In The Stave
    • Bagatelle
    • Apollo II
    • Fusion
    • San Nova Beach Club 4
    • Ben Hawker's Baritone One Takes
    • QM
    • Vocal Fusion
    • Bristol A Cappella
    • Sharrow Vale Blues
    • Met44
    • Fourtissimo
    • Bianco
    • Work in Progress
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    For more information, see: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ2FuRq5qEL6aPbGH_MgY4w
  • The History Of Barbershop Singing
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 30 Apr 2020
    I have just received this video from Wilf. It talks about the origins of barbershop singing. 
    It is only 7 minutes long so I think you might have the time to watch it at the moment.
    There will be a test next week!
    Dave
    YouTube Video URL:
  • THE ZOOM CHORUS
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 29 Apr 2020
    Just as we appointed our new Director, the UK shut down!
    We had a new song to rehearse, appropriately called "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin, but our Social     Club was forced to close and so our regular Tuesday night routine had  to be abandoned.
    What to do?
    Luckily Shanna is a media expert and soon we were all dragged into the modern world to learn about something called "Zoom".
    We are now getting to grips with this and about 20 of us are now having a virtual rehearsal at 7.30pm every Tuesday, including a physical and vocal warm up, before going to our breakout rooms in the various voice parts.
    We hope that all members will eventually join us for a chat and a sing, if you are not sure what to do please email me for some help.
    I have attached a photo of us all in action.
    See you next week 
    Dave
    Attachment:
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  • Sing at Home With Gareth Malone
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 18 Mar 2020
    I have just come across this initiative by Gareth Malone of BBC fame.
    if you click on the link above it will take you to a registration site where you can join in his Sing at home sessions. That is all I know. Apparently someone saw him on tv this morning talking about it. I presume it is free.
    there is also another group called the sofa singers.
     link is https:// www.thesofasingers.net 
    they are next "meeting" at 7.30 on Friday evening. You will need to download zoom to join in. 
    I am not taking commission from any of these sites. But will see if I can log in and then report back on my experience. 
    Dave
    ps our old friend Seb is running his choir online but is also offering free lessons in using Sibelius which helps you arrange and compose music. The link can be found on our Facebook page if you are interested.
    For more information, see: decca.com/greatbritishhomechorus/
  • NO REHEARSALS AT THE MOMENT
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 17 Mar 2020
    There are no rehearsals at the moment following the Government's advice regarding the spread of the virus. I think that just about every other chorus/choir in the UK has followed suit. For us it is a hobby, but for all the professional musicians it is a nightmare and we hope that the musical world will recover once the virus has passed.
    For those of you going to Convention, BABS has not yet decided whether this will take place. They have daily bulletins on their website but I am sure all members will get an email if they have to cancel/postpone Convention.
    Several choruses are holding "virtual rehearsals" and this is something that we might investigate in the future. In the meantime we all have access to our teachtracks and music, so maybe it is time to learn the words to that song that you were never really 100% sure of!!!!!
    Look after yourselves and stay safe.
    Dave  
  • THREE SPIRES ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW NEW CHORUS DIRECTOR
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 17 Jan 2020
    Attachment:
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  • Christmas fair at Pattison's Academy Friday 29th November
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 20 Nov 2019
    We have been invited to sing at a Christmas Fair being held at Pattison's Academy. We have the 8pm slot so you can do some early Chritmas shopping and hear us sing at the same time!
    What more could you want? (You don't need to answer that question.)
  • Barbershop in Boots at the Belgrade Theatre 21 Dec 2019
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 20 Nov 2019
    Barbershop in Boots?
    Well not quite. Puss in Boots is the panto at the Belgrade this year, and we are entertaining the audience before they go into see the actual show.
    "Oh no you're not!"
    "Oh yes we are!" 
    Sorry about that, I was just getting into the spirit of the event. If you happen to be at the theatre on that evening have a listen out for our selection of carols and Christmas songs sung in the barbershop style from 6.30 pm onwards. we will then adjourn to the pizza restaurant opposite for our well deserved Christmas meal.  

     
  • VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS FAIR 28 TH NOVEMBER 2019 5.30pm
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 15 Oct 2019
    THE BUSKERS ARE BACK!
    By popular demand we wooed and wowed the residents of Warwick and district with our own interpretations of festive Christmas songs and carols. 
  • SINGING FOR GUIDE DOGS
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 18 Jul 2019
    We have been invited back to the Charlecote Pheasant for the 5th year in a row for what has now become our annual afternoon tea concert!
    Attachment:
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  • Convention 2019
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 11 Jun 2019
    Convention 2019

    At long last, after a two year absence, Three Spires Harmony made it onto the Bournemouth stage. For a lot of the chorus it was their first time competing, so with a mark of 61.1% and a qualification for Division Two of the Barbershop Choruses we were very pleased with ourselves!
    A lot of credit must go to our new Directors Lucy and April, and for April this was her first time directing a chorus in competition. If she had any nerves she hid them very well and we all had every confidence in her.  Roll on Harrogate 2020!


     
  • Pre-Convention Show 11th May at 2.30
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 9 May 2019
    This coming Saturday friends and family will have the opportunity to see us in performance mode as we run through our two Convention songs. Following our morning rehearsal we should hopefully be finely "tuned"!
    We will also be performing several other songs from our repertoire. This is a full dress rehearsal so if you haven't seen our new outfit this is another reason to come along to the Leofric Suite at Willenhall Social Club, Robin Hood Rd, CV3 3BB.
  • Inspired Harmony Show 13 April at 7pm
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 15 Mar 2019

    INSPIRED HARMONY SHOW

    This will take place at our normal rehearsal venue in the Leofric Suite at The Willenhall Social Club, Robin Hood Road, Coventry, CV3 3BB.
    The show will be headlined by the Grand Central Chorus and featuring ourselves, The Belles of Three Spires and The Electic Quartet as special guests.
    Tickets are on sale on the door or in advance from www.grandcentralchorus.com priced at only £10 for adults and £6 for U18s.
    This promises to be a great show and we look forward to seeing you!
  • Christmas Singing with Three Spires
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 6 Dec 2018

    This coming Saturday 8th December we can be found entertaining shoppers in the vicinity of the Herbert Art Gallery with a variety of Christmas songs arranged in the barbershop style. We have two slots , one in the morning and one at lunchtime.
    we will be following this up by guesting at the Belles Christmas concert which takes p[ace at the United Reform Church in Coventry from 2.30-4.00pm.

  • THREE SPIRES HARMONY AT COVENTRY UNIVERSITY STUDENT HUB
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 16 Nov 2018
    On Monday 19th November Three Spires Harmony will be singing at Coventry University from 10am until midday. This is an invitation from the Head of the Mental Health Department at the University who would like us to perform a barbershop programme for the students. The event is to mark International Men's Day and the aim is to encourage students to take up singing as one way of combating stress and depression.
  • CHRISTMAS A CAPELLA
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 9 Nov 2018
    Our Christmas A Capella learn to sing course is now underway.
    This is a 5 week course covering all the basics needed to help you improve your singing and also introduce you to the voice parts and harmonies that makes barbershop so special.
    If you missed the first session, there is still time to catch up, so come and join us, as the course runs until the 4th December.
     
  • CITY SLEEP OUT 2018
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 7 Nov 2018
    SATURDAY OCTOBER 27TH
    Three Spires provided the entertainment at this event organised by Coventry Round Table. The aim of the event was to raise money for Emmaus who provide a home and meaningful work to 18 formerly homeless adults in the local area.
    Our chorus provided the entertainment for  those planning to sleep out overnight (on waht turned out to be one of the coldest October nights for several years!) They were also treated to two comic songs from our very own Bob Hodgkiss.
  • BABS REGIONAL BIG SING
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 5 Nov 2018
    On Saturday 13th October 2018 Three Spires Harmony hosted the latest Regional singing day. 135 barbershop singers from 14 different clubs attended the day, which was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all the participants.
     The day was brilliantly lead by Zac Booles and the Locksmiths, who also performed several of their songs in the bar at the afterglow.

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