WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

The Auckland City of Sails Barbershop Chorus is a group of around 100 like-minded, music-loving men from a great variety of backgrounds who meet on a weekly basis to practice, and then later sing a broad repertoire of traditional and contemporary Barbershop music in cathedrals, theatres, conventions and shows. Over the last 22 years, the Chorus has earned a great reputation throughout New Zealand, and has competed in Australia, around the Pacific Rim and in the United States of America.
 

WHAT'S BARBERSHOP?

Barbershoppers are split into four singing groups ¡V Tenor, Lead, Bass and Baritone voices. The rich, distinctive sound they produce - in quartets or as a chorus - requires no musical accompaniment, yet is complete in itself. The Chorus is a member of the New Zealand Association of Barbershop Singers (NZABS), which in turn is an affiliate of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America Inc. (SPEBSQSA).

With the benefit of strong musical leadership over many years from Gary Taylor and Phil Skaggs, the Chorus has grown from a few dedicated men to almost 100 members. As Musical Director, Gary Taylor continues to ensure the Auckland City of Sails Barbershop Chorus maintains its high musical standards. Deputy Musical Director Phil Skaggs has spent many years as a Barbershopper in the USA, before bringing his undoubted skills to New Zealand.
 

YOU'RE WELCOME

We're always pleased to see interested visitors at our rehearsals and meetings. We meet each Monday between 7.45-10.30pm at the Carlton Bowling Club, 13 Alpers Avenue, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand.
 

SUCCESSFUL CHAMPIONSHIPS

For most of its 22 years, the Chorus has been an active ambassador for Auckland City, promoting the city at the numerous performances around the country, as they compete for the annual championship title. Over the last 11 years, the Auckland City of Sails Barbershop Chorus has been the champion chorus nine times, and is the current champion chorus.
 

CITY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chorus is devoted to serving Auckland City, and has in recent years willingly performed at many venues including the America's Cup Village, Aotea Centre, the official Town Hall re-opening, The Auckland City Mission, the Anglican Cathedral and Music in the Parks.

Numerous overseas Barbershop Choruses have responded to invitations from the Chorus to visit New Zealand. In just the last two years Choruses from Southern California, Stockholm, and Cincinnati have delighted groups at their performances.
 

FUTURE PLANS

This year, the Chorus members will be promoting Auckland again when they compete in Melbourne for the prestigious Pan Pacific Champion title, against other choruses from New Zealand, Hawaii, California and Australia.

Plans are well underway for a large number of Chorus members to undertake a worldwide tour in 2002, which will include competing in Sweden, England and America.

1st Love - Our Unique Gary's Jokes!!
2nd Love - Our Competition Cups!!
3rd Love - Our Members' Nationality Diversity!!
4th Love - Our Members' Wide Age Range!!
5th Love - The Club Bar, Which Opens Until Nearly Mid-night Every Monday!!
6th Love - Dave's Hair & His Surfing Boards!!
7th Love - Our Specially Made Hawiian Shirts!!
8th Love - Our Shows, Which Always Help Us Gain Experiences & Funds!!
9th Love - Tony's Extremely Low Bass Voice!!
10th Love - Our Large Risers, Which Are half Owned By The Greater Auckland Women's Chorus!!