Capital Chorus

Capital Chorus scoop "Most Entertaining" prize at top UK contest

Capital Chorus scoop "Most Entertaining" prize at top UK contest
Type of post: Chorus news item
Sub-type: No sub-type
Posted By: John Beesley
Status: Current
Date Posted: Tue, 29 May 2018

The members of Capital Chorus are delighted to have returned from this year's British Association of Barbershop Singers' Convention in Harrogate having scooped one of the top awards. We were judged most entertaining chorus in the annual nationwide contest in which 36 choruses took part from all over Britain. 

We're especially pleased because the song which won us the title was arranged by our own multi-talented musical director Pippa Goodall, and was choreographed by chorus member Tom Fitch, who sings tenor.  Taken from the film "Beauty and the Beast", "Gaston" is a rather tongue-in-cheek paean of praise to the movie's comically arrogant and macho character of the same name, and between them Pippa and Tom came up with plenty of comedic touches including bodybuilding moves, mock fights and even a spitting contest, which brought the audience to their feet. 

We should also thank Kirsty Williams for a weekend of inspirational coaching earlier this spring. Kirsty is a leading Barbershop and drama coach who had us all, by turn, laughing and crying as she helped us delve into the emotions and find the humour in the songs we'd chosen to sing. 

The "most entertaining" prize is awarded each year by judges from the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers, who wanted to encourage their male colleagues to impart more excitement and fun in their performances.  The UK has separate Barbershop organisations for male and female singers. 

Capital Chorus was also placed as runner-up in the Small Chorus category, for groups with 25 singers or less. Altogether a weekend to remember. 


You can watch our two performace songs by following the links below. 

I see the Light

Gaston