Follow Mary’s singing diary and story on her blog – The Curious Singer.
With adrenaline coursing and pulsating through my veins, I stepped out from behind the backstage curtain into a room filled with people cheering and clapping at the barbershop quartet prelims. Their eyes locked on us. My friend confidently led the way before me, and my two other friends were trailing behind. I could feel them around me, and we were as one.
The second May bank holiday weekend in 2023 beckoned me to a seaside retreat. Yet, my destination was far from a traditional beach holiday. My journey was set to the charming town of Bournemouth for the British Association of Barbershop Singers BABS convention.
This Early Spring May Bank Holiday weekend took me to the Ladies Association of Barbershop Singers LABBS Harmony College in Nottingham. This event is held every few years, and it’s a joyous celebration of barbershop singing with hours of education to grow your mind and musical skill set – aimed at anyone interested in Barbershop Harmony, whatever their level of experience.
I love singing in my local barbershop chorus. It’s changed my life for the better and I’m not just a mum anymore, I’m me. I have learned so much, made wonderful friends and feel now that I am living rather than existing. This article is about why I joined and the fear of going to my first rehearsal.
