Gem Connection Ladies Barbershop Chorus  
 

News & Events

Forthcoming events:

2011

  • 1 October
    Biddulph Music Festival
     

  • 11 October
    Open Rehearsal at Harrington School Long Eaton will start at 8pm.
    This is our dress rehearsal for the national convention in Harrogate, and is open to anyone wishing to see us in action rehearsing for competition.
    Harrington Junior School, Derby Road, Long Eaton, NG10 4BQ.  location map
     

  • 21 - 23 October
    Convention, Harrogate International Centre.
     

  • 26 November
    Selston Music Festival.

February 2011,  Torquay 'Battle of the Choirs'

Gem Connection sang a varied programme, opening with our version of Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’ and closing with two of our competition songs.
We came third overall in a very varied choral competition.
More photos can be found in the Gallery.

May 2011, Derby Arts Festival

The competition was very close this year between us and another ladies chorus in both the Barbershop and Concert Class.

We were awarded the Miriam Harding Memorial Rose Bowl for our Concert class performance, once again rated in the Outstanding category, which means ‘An exceptional performance, technically and artistically’.

 

The judge wrote the following comments:

  • A wonderful choir! In every item you sang the beauty of your sound was never in doubt. Truly beautiful tone quality, totally assured preparation, fully committed singing from you all and wonderfully energetic direction from conductor.

  • It was such a pleasure to hear and see you in action and thank you for such an expert display of skill.

Barbershop class – Outstanding Category again
…every voice contributed so wonderfully.
…It was so persuasive all the way
 

November 2010, Selston Music Festival

GEM Connection won the singing/choral competition, getting a Distinction mark in this category.

The judge’s comments included the following:

  • "Excellent blend."

  • "Very good dynamic range."

  • "Bright costuming and faces – full of enjoyment of the song."

  • "Some exquisite quiet singing. Everything’s there – cascades, slides and excellent tag. Well done."

January 2010, Gem Connection’s “Love To Sing” Course

Last year, Gem Connection decided to try a new way of raising the chorus profile, whilst reaching out to the local community. The Music Team wanted a real community project that would promote harmony singing, whilst remaining fun and upbeat. Most importantly, this was to be a “no-strings-attached” project, completely open to anyone who would like the opportunity to try singing in a large group, but who may never have had the opportunity or confidence to do so. Thus, the six week “Love To Sing Course” was born!
Read more about the love to sing courses.

November 2009, Selston Music Festival
Gem Connection won the Barbershop class and were the overall winners of the festival, gaining 90marks out of 100 and the following comments from the judge:

  • “Exceptional presentation – every singer was fully involved and ‘living’ the music.”
    “A very polished performance with real pizzazz!”

  • “Very clean chording throughout, and again, lots of attention to detail. good use of dynamics.”

  • “Overall: a very accomplished choir, with terrific blend, balance and flair.

  • 90 Outstanding (adjudicator has only given this level of mark twice in the last 5 years)

  • Outstanding = An exceptional performance, both technically and artistically

October/November 2009, Cheltenham – Convention

See and hear our best performance ever and see action photos of our performance and party afterwards! in the Gallery.

September 2009
Our member, Kim’s, wedding. See the picture in the Gallery.

May 2009 Derby Arts Festival
Gem had a successful day’s competition, winning the Ladies Barbershop section and coming joint first in the Concert Class along with the Dale Divas

March 2009 Holland, European Convention
Our eventful trip started with the bus breaking down at 2 in the morning on the motorway and a 2 hour wait for a replacement! The ferry ride took place in a gale and our hotel was situated miles from the competition venue. But nothing deterred us from smiling and singing all the way there and back! It was a terrific trip. See the pictures in the Gallery.

November 2008 GEM Connection win Silver medal at national competition
Gem Connection members were thrilled and VERY proud to be awarded the Silver Medal for their performance of Happy Feet and If I Give My Heart To You at the LABBS Convention in Harrogate on November 1st 2008.

Proud Chorus Director, Rachael and Musical Director, Lisa, hold our silver medal trophy and a bag of silver medals, one for each chorus member. The photo was taken at our celebratory dinner on the evening after the contest.

Listen to our performance
Happy feet
If I give my heart to you

Gem Connection also shared the Phoenix prize for the best small chorus, together  with two other choruses – Silver Lining and the Abbey Belles. Three choruses joined together for this photos.


Three happy choruses
More photos can be found in the Gallery.

To see more News and Events, visit our News and Events Archive.

  
 

To see more News and Events, visit our
News and Events Archive.

 

 




























































































































































































































 
       
 

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