A week or so ago the barbershop quartet 'Four' performed at Takapuna
Grammar on the evening of the 9th August. They were the headline
quartet in a very lively and lengthly show which also included the
City of Sails Chorus, womens Greater Auckland Chorus, Takapuna and Mt
Roskill high school choruses and quartets just to name a few. The
concert was a fundraiser for a brilliant choir called the Graduate
Choir who blew the socks off all who listened. Anyways, Four did 3
sets at different times in the night and completely stole the show in
my opinion with their great charisma and humour. I believe i heard
sometime in the show that they would not be competing this year in
our 2005 NZabs convention, which is a bit of a shame because they
looked a sure medal prospect again. So, what does this mean for
other quartets in the country going to compete in September. It
means that as long as Checkpoint and Phoenix Rising have not lost
their touch since last year they are in the medals again each with a
top three placing. Cannot put a third placing in though coz MIB won
last year, thus cant compete this year. Maybe Gary Taylors quartet
will medal again. Also Voicemail, last years 5th place NZabs quartet
placers at Christchurch, are no longer a quartet coz David Pees left
the chorus. Although i could be wrong altogether that they broke up
as a quartet.
My theory is that Four are going to compete in the big conventions,
say Pan Pac years and Auckland conventions (home advantage). Long
may they continue to get better.

My view on quartets in the country however, there are simply not
enough quality ones. I can count on a hand the number of quartets
with some level of class in this country. Oh well i better walk the
talk and start one up myself sometime.

Food for thought

Borrie. D