A local group of singers have broken a ‘barbershop record’ by becoming the first female chorus in England to make the women’s barbershop world finals, earning a ninth place medal.
72 women from Lace City Chorus, travelled to Kansas City in America to represent the UK and Netherlands at the Sweet Adelines women’s barbershop competition, which is held annually to judge the most elite a cappella barbershop singers.
Lace City Chorus, which was formed by a group of teachers at Arnold Hill school in 1992, have travelled to America seven times to compete in the world championships, after seven gold medal wins at the UK contest.
Ellie Blackeby, from West Bridgford, has been a member of the chorus for 24 years and in 2020 she became the chorus’ director. Reflecting on the ninth-place medal she said: “It is really hard putting this into context for someone outside of the barbershop world, but it is like a tiny country making the knockout stages of the world cup. We have worked so hard, and this is so well deserved, but also a little bit magical.
“Making the international top ten has been a personal dream of mine for many years, and something that the chorus has been working towards for at least 15 years. I am so proud of everyone, it takes a whole team effort to prepare for such a big competition, and to arrange a trip 4254 miles away from Nottingham.”
After flying to America, the chorus competed in the semi-finals and then after qualifying performed again in the finals, before receiving their ninth-place medals.
Ellie added: “We were all sat in the competition area listening to the list of competitors who had made the final and hearing ‘Lace City’ took my breath away. Being able to stand there alongside directors who I have admired for so long was an honour and to share that magical moment with my chorus members has made me proud beyond belief.”
The chorus are not professional musicians, members are everyday people who meet on a Wednesday evening at Frank Seely School in Calverton, to share their love of music and performing. All members have now landed back home in the UK and have started to return to their normal lives as NHS workers, teachers, students, scientists and accountants – but now with a shiny medal around their necks.
Jess caught the ‘barbershop bug’ after joining a rehearsal to see the performers in action. She decided to join the chorus as they were preparing for the international competition and competed for the first time in the semi-finals. She said: “Before meeting this amazing group of women I never in a million years imagined I would be standing on an international stage, doing a performance that would be streamed live across the world to achieve a record-breaking score. It feels like such a surreal thing to happen in the midst of a normal life, but something that I am so very proud of.”
Members of the chorus are already preparing for their next competition in May where they will perform two songs, to a panel of judges, in an attempt to win gold again.
Throughout January the group will be holding open rehearsals for anyone who is interested in experiencing the magic of a cappella singing, and the power of women supporting each other in this supportive, friendly environment.
You can go and watch or join in and have a go at learning two songs in four-part a cappella harmony. For more information visit www.lacecitychorus.org.