- Come and join us
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Date Posted: Sun, 6 Oct 2024
There were some new faces in the Ocean Harmony line-up when the chorus staged at ‘Come and Sing Day’ in Southampton.
The event was staged at St James’ Methodist Church, Shirley and involved producing a Neil Sedaka favourite, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, in barbershop style, as well as polecat songs.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the male voice A Cappella chorus can come along to Colbury Memorial Hall at Ashurst near Totton on Wednesday evenings (7.30pm start), or drop us an email.
- RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS
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Date Posted: Mon, 9 Sep 2024
Ocean Harmony refused to let rain stop play when the male voice chorus entertained an apprectiative audience on a wet Sunday afternoon in the Hampshire countryside.
A small group of committed barbershop singers had to contend with the sound of rain beating down on a wonderful marquee in the grounds of Audley Stanbridge Earls at Awbridge near Romsey.
However, the rain stopped after a couple of songs and the show carried on (though 'I see skies of bue' lyrics in What a Wonderful World did produce a few smiles!)
The performance was part of the retirement village's week-long Summer Festival which ends with a performance from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra String Quartet.
- PERFECT VENUE FOR 'COME AND SING' DAY
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Date Posted: Thu, 5 Sep 2024
Ocean Harmony was happy to sing to an appreciative audience at St James Road Methodist - while taking the opportunity to sound check the venue.
The barbershop chorus was taking its turn in St James’ Church summer Proms series and produced a varied set list for the occasion - including traditional barbershop songs, more modern numbers in four-part harmony and some wonderful show tunes.
The male voice choir will return to the Shirley Church on October 5 when it stages a ‘Come and Sing Day’ which will give tuition in harmony singing from 11.30am to 5.30pm. The cost is just £5.
Contact md@oceanharmony.co.uk for more information.
OH’s appearance at St James followed hard on the heels of another successful sing-out - this time at Shawford Springs Care Home at Compton near Winchester (pictured).
- OCEAN HARMONY REALLY WAS GIVEN THE EDGE WHEN ONE OF ITS LATEST RECRUITS WALKED THROUGH THE DOOR
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Date Posted: Fri, 28 Jun 2024
Brian Edge has clocked up a staggering 50 years of barbershop singing - celebrating the feat in the same year as the British Association of Barbershop Singers reached its own half century.
Brian, from Shirley, Southampton, first entered the world of close harmony singing in 1973, after moving from Weymouth to Poole.
His first choir was Poole Harbour Masters but he has spent most of his barbershop singing hobby as a lead with Southern Union.
Brian has recently documented his thoughts on the many conventions he has experienced - highlighting BABS’ 25th anniversary event at Blackpool in the late 90s as the most memorable.
The 82-year-old former baker is pictured receiving his 50 year BABS certificate from Ocean Harmony chairman David Wilson, pictured left, at a Wednesday rehearsal evening at Colbury Memorial Hall, Ashurst near Totton.
- OCEAN HARMONY AT BABS 50TH CONVENTION HARROGATE
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Date Posted: Mon, 3 Jun 2024On Bank Holiday Friday 24 May a contingent of our chorus comprising 21 singers and John Masters our MD battled their way Northwards to Harrogate for the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) 50th Convention, where we sang late on Saturday afternoon. An enjoyable event to say the least and great to both catch up with old friends and to see what other choruses are doing.
Many of us accompanied by our other halves enjoyed an Indian banquet in downtown Harrogate, with a customary After Glow much to the delight of our fellow diners.
YouTube Video URL:
- SING OUT AT MAYFLOWER COURT CARE HOME
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Date Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024
There were smiles galore when Ocean Harmony entertained residents at a Southampton care home.The afternoon's first warm-up chord at Mayflower Court Care Home rang out to signal a quality performance from start to finish, in front of an appreciative audience.
Classic barbershop songs and show tunes, directed by Paul Keeping, made up a varied repertoire and the day ended with an invite to return in the future.
Email singoutmanager@oceaharmony.co.uk if you would like to book OH.
- Ocean Harmony Quarterly Award Q1/24
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Date Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024
Ocean Harmony's latest seasonal award went to Clive Brook. The enthusiastic baritone singer has put plenty of time and effort into his section in recent months, as well as to the rest of the chorus. He also has another, maybe even more important role at OH - keeping the rest of us supplied with tea, coffee and biscuits! The presentation was made by vice chairman Frank Henry, left.
- OPEN SIGHT SING OUT OPENED OUR EYES
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Date Posted: Tue, 9 Apr 2024
Ocean Harmony were delighted to be able to entertain members of Open Sight Hampshire at the Totton & Eling Community Centre on Monday 8th April 2024. They showed their appreciation and enjoyment for our close harmony singing and were very enthusiastic at the community singing slot. Terry Smith of Open Sight said “ Music is a great leveller for people with varying levels of visual impairment and this is one of the nicest afternoons we have had”. Good to have tea and cake and a chat with them after our singing.
Contact them on info@opensight.org if you or your loved ones need help sight loss
- CHEQUE OUT OCEAN HARMONY
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Date Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024
Hampshire’s leading mental health charity benefitted from Ocean Harmony’s recent birthday celebrations.
The popular chorus raised £1,233.83 for Solent Mind during its 20th anniversary concert at Hanger Farm Arts Centre, West Totton.
A handful of Ocean Harmony members sang several barbershop classic songs before presenting the charity with a cheque at its New Forest centre,Hythe.
Solent Mind offers advice and support to anyone with a mental health problem.
Ocean Harmony chairman David Wilson is pictured presenting the cheque to New Forest service manager Mai Brillet and colleagues.
- MUSICAL THEATRE GRADUATE JOINS OCEAN HARMONY
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Date Posted: Fri, 16 Feb 2024
Ocean Harmony received a welcome boost during 2023 when Aaron McCullagh turned up on its doorstep.
Aaron, who is now a full member of the British Association of Barbershop Singers, studied Musical Theatre at university and has a wealth of experience, despite his young age.
He sings in our tenor section but is just as comfortable at bass, lead or baritone.
Men who would like to try four-part harmony in barbershop style can join us at Colbury Hall, Ashurst on Wednesday evenings.
Aaron is pictured with chairman David Wilson.
- ANNUAL AWARDS AT OCEAN HARMONY'S 2023 AGM
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Date Posted: Thu, 1 Feb 2024
Ocean Harmony gave out two very special annual awards at last nights AGM.
Popular tenor Robin Revill-Johnson was rewarded for his dedication when he was awarded Ocean Harmony's "Most Improved Singer of the Year" award. Also receiving silverware was hard-working John Yapp, who was voted "Singers' Singer of the Year", for his constant hard work behind the scenes.
Robin is pictured, left, with Musical Director John Masters. John Yapp, also pictured left, received his award from chairman David Wilson.
Our male voice chorus has a busy 2024 planned - come and join us on a Wednesday evening at Colbury Memorial Hall, Ashurst.
- OUR RECENT 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT RAISED £1,200 FOR SOLENT MIND, NEW FOREST WELL-BEING CENTRE
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Date Posted: Sat, 27 Jan 2024
GREAT NEWS - Our recent 20th Anniversary Celebration Concert raised £1,200 for our chosen charity, Solent Mind - New Forest Well-Being Centre.
What a fantastic result and a huge thank you from OCEAN HARMONY to EVERYONE who supported us by coming to see us or by singing with us, including our very special guests - QUEEN BEES - plus mixed octet, Intersection and two quartets Cabin Crew and Southern Gentlemen.
A memorable evening for us all and its great to donate to Solent Mind, such a worthwhile cause.
- OCEAN HARMONY CELEBRATED ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE TO AN APPRECIATIVE, SELL-OUT AUDIENCE
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Date Posted: Sun, 14 Jan 2024
A cappella enthusiasts packed West Totton’s popular Hanger Farm Arts Centre for an evening with the barbershop chorus, which was backed by several top quality support acts.
Musical Director John Masters led his four-part harmony chorus on a journey of barbershop through the ages.
Other choirs performing during the celebratory concert were Southampton’s ladies’ octet Queen Bees, Waterside based mixed octet Intersection and barbershop quartets Cabin Crew and Southern Gentlemen.
OH chairman David Wilson said: “We really wanted to mark this special birthday in style and we certainly achieved that. Hopefully more and more people will get to hear of us and more men will want to come along and join us.”
All performers combined for the final song (pictured), Irish Blessing, along with several former OH members.
Ocean Harmony meets at Colbury Memorial Hall, Ashurst on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm.
- 2023 NEWS ITEMS
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Date Posted: Sun, 31 Dec 2023
BELOW ARE THE 2023 NEWS ITEMS
- CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
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Date Posted: Thu, 21 Dec 2023
We celebrated our Christmas Party this year at the Totton and Eling Community Centre (http://www.taeca.compark.co.uk/centre.html) where we the talented chorus members became solo singers, comedians, quartets, monologues and a big chorus sing. Not forgetting the Fish supper.
Ocean Harmony 4th Quarter 2023 Seasonal Award was presented by our Chairman, David Wilson, to our longest-serving member, Bill Smith, who has attended every one of our rehearsals during 2023 - that's dedication, well done Bill!
