News & Events
STOP PRESS
New Quartet
Four of our members have recently formed a new
quartet. They are to be known as HelterSkelter.
Convention 2007
At the end of
October Gem were thrilled and proud to become the 4th placed
chorus out of 32 choruses at our annual LABBS competition in Bournemouth.
This was our highest placing ever and with positive and encouraging comments from the judging panel we are determined to work hard during the coming year to try to improve our scores in 2008. We have two weekends of coaching booked for the start of the year and plans for more to follow.
Listen to
our performance
Love Eyes Medley
If I Give my Heart to You
More convention photos can be found in the Gallery.
May 2007, Derby Arts
Festival
A polished performance by GEM Connection
On May 12th this year Gem were the proud
winners of no less than four cups at the Derby Arts Festival.
In the Barbershop class we were awarded
the Watkins Harmony Cup and given a distinction by the judge, Julia Dewhurst,
who was impressed by our “impact in energy and the smooth roundness of our
velvety sound”, She commented that “not only did our vocal performance
glitter but the stunning costumes too.”
In the Ladies Choir section we won the May Selby Memorial Cup and were
commended for our “professionalism and our sense of total artistic abandon
and platform poise from start to finish”.
We were awarded the Miriam Harding Memorial Rose Bowl for our Concert class performance, where we gained 88 marks, putting us once again in the Distinction category. And finally, the Joyce Wardle Memorial Trophy was awarded to us for our ‘outstanding’ category mark of 90, the highest of the day. The judge, who had a good understanding of Barbershop performance, said that we demonstrated “visually and orally impeccable work…and an infectious sense of communication.”
Two of our newest members performed with
us for the first time at the festival and were awarded their sparkling GEM
brooches, as is our custom. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding day
for us all. We look forward to next year, when the festival will be
celebrating it’s 100th year!
see more pictures
If you belong to a choir and would like to
enter the competition next year you can contact the organiser, Mrs Betty
Pyle, on 01332 559482 for further information. She would be delighted to
hear from you.
2007 Race for Life
Two GEM Members, Oranna and Helen, entered the
Race for Life in Darley Abbey, Derby this year to raise money for Cancer
Research. Needless to say, they were keenly sponsored by all their fellow
GEM Connection members.
When collecting the sponsor money they
enthusiastically recounted the events and wonderful atmosphere of the day
and had the brilliant idea of the chorus doing this event together to raise
even more money next year. Members are very keen to run/walk (and sing, of
course!) around the course, whilst raising funds for a cause which touches
so many people’s lives. Watch this space for some good pics next year….!
To find out more about Race for Life events in your area follow this link:
http://www.raceforlife.org/
Forthcoming Events for 2008
-
January 5th and 6th – Coaching weekend
-
Feb 8th – Chorus meal
-
March 1st and 2nd – Coaching weekend
-
March 14th – Sing Out, Burton on Trent Rotary Club (closed event)
-
April 27th – LABBS Prelims competition, Long Eaton
-
May 5th – GEM’s 10th birthday celebration
-
May 17th – Derby Arts Festival Competition, Derby Cathedral
-
July 19th – Gem’s 10th birthday show, Trent College, Long Eaton
- October 31st – Nov 1st – LABBS Convention, Harrogate
For details or enquiries about any of the above please contact a member of the committee.
2006
Gem Connection placed 6th at
National Barbershop Convention
GEM Connection competed in the annual Barbershop Convention in Harrogate on
November 11th this year and were proud to be placed 6th out of 21 choruses,
receiving their highest scores ever. Listen to our
performance.
During 2006 we also:
-
performed at a range of sing outs and have more planned
-
starred in our own very successful show, entitled Feel the Love
-
received some high quality coaching from an American Barbershop Chorus Director … and are working hard to achieve a good placing at our Convention in Harrogate in November.
-
2006 has also seen the re-launch and updating of our website.
2005
In 2005 we recorded our first CD , competed and came
second in our category, at the
International Eistedfodd in Llangollen and had our amazing singing trip
to Buffalo, New York .
Gem Connection
sweep the board at Selston music festival
On Saturday 27th November 2004, Gem won first place in the choir challenge
as the most outstanding choir. We then went on to compete against the most
outstanding pianist, instrumentalist, soloist or duetist and were awarded
the Frank Whatton Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding competitor.
Gem
come fifth at LABBS convention
2004
Gem competed against 38 other LABBS choruses in Harrogate on Saturday 13th
November 2004 and were placed fifth best chorus in Britain.
Triple triumph
at Derby arts festival for second consecutive year!
Gem Connection competed in the Derby Arts Festival on Saturday 22nd May 2004
and came away with a handful of trophies for the second year running!
Gem collected the "Watkins Harmony Cup" for Barbershop Class; the "Miriam
Harding Memorial Cup", for the Concert Class; and the "Joyce Wardle Memorial
Trophy", for the choir gaining the highest total mark of any class in the
Adult Choir section. Despite a slightly depleted audience due to the FA Cup
Final, a great day was had by all, and congratulations all round.
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