History

Pre-history 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2022 2023

Adelaide Vocal Union was born one night by our first president, Cameron DuRieu and first vice president, Matthew Stringer after both being away from chorus singing for some time. The pair wanted a committed, focused, working age and above chorus to focus on producing the best Barbershop and A Cappella music possible. After discussing the idea for many months, the boys finally sat down and formulated their plan...

2015

In May of 2015. Less than 5 days later, the first Adelaide Vocal Union rehearsal took place with just 7 members. Two weeks later, a second rehearsal took place where the group grew to 13 members.

With rehearsals at Spicer Uniting Church established, the first goals for the chorus were to make it to the 2015 Barbershop Harmony Australia (BHA) Chorus Contest in Melbourne set the structure for the group to last well into the future. Their first goal was not only achieved, but the result took everyone by storm! On the 19th of September 2015, Adelaide Vocal Union hit the stage with 15 members we achieved a 5th place finish, with a score of 72.3% *what is believed to be the highest score by a chorus in their first contest* The Adelaide singers also took home the ‘Small Chorus Award’ given to the highest scoring group with less than 17 singers on stage.

After the contest, the number of singers was on the rise again and the chorus set their sights on their second goal - Establishing themselves for a prosperous future with a well drafted and planned structure behind the group. On the 12th of November, the leadership team at Adelaide Vocal Union was formed, a constitution passed and all the supporting documents finalised and agreed to by the members.

Men of the year 2015 Andrew Bradley & David Murphy

To wrap up the end of 2015, all the singers and partners and families went out for a group dinner to celebrate a highly successful year and award the ‘Adelaide Vocal Union Man of the Year Trophy’ for the first time this year awarded jointly to Andrew Bradley & David Murphy.

2016

Adelaide Vocal Union performed in the BHA Central Region's Showcase "Our Hearts in Harmony" on Valentines Day Feb 14th. We Gained second place in the BHA Central Region Chorus contest with a score of 72.3% in April, with 5 new members.

With sights set on success in the next BHA national convention in Newcastle (NSW) we went on to claim third place at BHA National Contest with 69.6% a good result with a total of 18 members on stage and quarter of the chorus members being new and at their first national competition.

In November we Co-hosted a show Called Double Blend ant the Odean Theater Norwood

To wrap up the end of 2016 our end of year celebration was a chance to award our Man of the year trophy to Nick Munday.

2017

We started the year off by performing in the BHA Central Region Showcase "A Night With The Stars" In Noarlunga to rave reviews.

In April we won the Central Region Chorus contest with a record score of 75% and 19 on stage.
In June We moved our rehearsal venue to Glenside into a less friendly acoustic to challenge our singers and improve listening and performing skills. We then went on to win A Silver Medal and the Medium Chorus Trophy in the BHA open chorus competition at the Pan Pacific Convention in Sydney with a chorus best score of 78.5% with 24 members onstage.

In December we had a recruitment drive and got 4 new visitors to rehearsals also added a bunch of new entertainment songs to increase our repertoire for sing-outs.

Our End Of Year Dinner was held at The Earl of Leicester at which the Man Of the Year was awarded to Christopher Meegan.

2018

We had a big year as hosts of the Barbershop National Convention in Adelaide for the First time.

2019

We took part in the BHA Central region contest in Marion in May.

Held A really nice Friends and family concert in St. Saviors Church in prep for our trip to Hobart.

We travelled to Hobart to Compete in the BHA National Convention.

End of Year Dinner was in The Almer Hotel Board Room in Norwood

The Man Of The Year Award went to Harvey Lewis

2020 2021

COVID! The chorus went into lock-down all rehearsals comps and shows were cancelled, we got together on Zoom and kept the fires burning as best we could, slowly recovering as restrictions were eventually lifted.