Convention News #1

Melbourne, the place to be! ‘Well that will certainly be true in September 2015 for barbershop singers and the lovers of Harmony singing’. From Wednesday 16 September to Sunday 20 September, the 13th Biennial National Convention will be held in Melbourne. The competition venue will be the recently refurbished magnificent Melbourne Concert Hall, known as Hamer Hall, located on the Yarra River at the edge of the city. The catered events will be held at Etihad Stadium in the Docklands. The Convention Committee from The Melbournaires has been hard at work since December 2013 to make this the biggest and best Convention yet. What can you expect?

Wednesday evening: The “John Little Show” which was launched in Perth is in memory of Western Australian John Little, President of Barbershop Harmony Australia from 1985—1991 who passed away in 2001. This event is a non competition opportunity for quartets to sing in a first class venue.

Thursday afternoon: Chorus Corral is another new initiative from the last Convention in Perth, where all choruses get the opportunity to entertain their peers in a non-competitive environment. This time we anticipate sharing this afternoon event with the delegates and members of the general public.

A Welcome Dinner and Farewell Lunch in the Victory Room at Etihad Stadium overlooking the magnificent playing area at this famous multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility a short tram ride away, in the Docklands precinct of Melbourne.

Competing against choruses from all around Australia, singing in the world famous Hamer Hall which many would say, is one of, if not the best, concert hall in Australia, which plays host to a range of performances across all music styles.

Being part of a massed barbershop sing in Federation Square. Fed Square, as it is affectionately known, is a mixed-use development covering an area of 3.2 hectares and centred around two major public spaces: open squares (St. Paul's Court and The Square) and one covered (The Atrium), built on top of a concrete deck above busy railway lines. It is located at the intersection of Flinders Street and Swanston Street/St Kilda Road in Melbourne's Central Business District, adjacent to Melbourne's busiest railway station

and more. So why wouldn’t you be here? John Howell, Convention Chairman

August 2014

INFORMATION FOR CHORUSES

Each Chorus is asked to appoint a Chorus Convention Coordinator. This person will keep his Chorus up to date with the Convention and will communicate with the Convention Committee over the next year or so. We’ll be in touch shortly. We encourage all delegates to plan to be in Melbourne by Wednesday afternoon 16 September ready to get involved and make the most of the Convention.

First time in Melbourne? There is so much to see. Melbourne was established in 1835, by founders John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner, and its boundaries are defined by the Government of Victoria's Melbourne Planning Scheme. Today it comprises the two oldest areas of Melbourne; the Hoddle Grid and Queen Victoria Market, as well as sections of the redeveloped areas of Docklands and Southbank/Wharf. There are plenty of old interesting buildings; fantastic shopping precincts; art at numerous galleries; magnificent Botanic Gardens; being the coffee capital of Australia there are cafes everywhere; great restaurants; craft & art markets. Melbourne’s city is relatively flat and easy to get around, especially using the new Myki system, so make sure you have bought a Myki card prior to getting here. Get an app for your iPhone - see http://www.visitvictoria.com/Information/Smartphone-apps/Smartphone-apps-Mel for a wide selection or http://www.vic.gov.au/social-media/mobile-apps/melbourne-official-visitor-guide.html

The Melbournaires look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne

YOUTH EDUCATION SESSIONS & COMPETITIONS

On Wednesday and Thursday morning, the focus will be on youth with workshops and competitions.

HARMONY COLLEGE 20—23 September at Campaspe Downs Country Retreat, Kyneton. Located on the outskirts of the Macedon Ranges and an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Retreat is set amid 160 acres of natural bushland. Harmony College should be on every barbershopper’s “bucket list”. Every level of experience is catered for—whether you have been a barbershopper for two days or two decades! Learn about everything barbershop, from the best instructors in the world. Rub elbows with your barbershop mates, heroes and icons. Become inspired to soar to higher heights. Sing as much as you want! Meet tons of new, lifelong friends.

More information Over the coming months information will be added to our website www.barbershopconvention.com.au/ and there will be further newsletters.

Guest Quartet will be “Vocal Spectrum”. Tim, Eric, Chris & Jonny have been singing together since 2003 and all graduated from the Lindenwood University in St Charles, Missouri. In 2006 they won the coveted International Barbershop Quartet Contest. (see our website for more information)