News
Velvet Harmony wows audience at Bromley's Churchill Theatre
On Sunday 22 April 2012, the chorus performed in the auditorium as theatre goers arrived to see 'Hormonal Housewives'. Audience and staff sang along to old favourites including San Francisco Bay Blues, Choo Choo Ch-Boogie, Sh-Boom and Java Jive, as well as Sway, The Locomotion, Under the Boardwalk and In My Room.
Speaking at the time, Musical Director Stephanie Seeney said: 'Singing at the Churchill Theatre is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the wonderful sound of ladies barbershop and to promote the art to others. There's nothing like 4-part harmony singing; it's fun and incredibly rewarding. We work hard to learn our parts but there's always time for fun and a laugh. It's also a great way to make new friends. It's a fact that there are very few people who can't sing and I'd encourage everyone to give it a try - I can guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised!'
Speaking at the time, Musical Director Stephanie Seeney said: 'Singing at the Churchill Theatre is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the wonderful sound of ladies barbershop and to promote the art to others. There's nothing like 4-part harmony singing; it's fun and incredibly rewarding. We work hard to learn our parts but there's always time for fun and a laugh. It's also a great way to make new friends. It's a fact that there are very few people who can't sing and I'd encourage everyone to give it a try - I can guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised!'
Betty Appleby 1933 - 2012
We regret to announce the death in February of chorus member, Betty Appleby.
Betty sang barbershop for more than 30 years. She was one of a keen “barbershopping” family and a much-loved member of three choruses and two quartets. All these groups joined her family and partner Frank at her funeral and were pleased to be together to celebrate her life.
Betty joined Velvet Harmony as a bass in 1980 and her two daughters, Callie and Jan, also sang with the chorus. Betty later moved to Contrast where she also sang in the quartet Reflections. When this chorus merged with April Showers to become New Dimension, Betty continued as a staunch member of the bass section and Callie became the MD. Betty sang in the quartet Galaxy until shortly before the chorus closed in 2000. She thought this would be the end of her barbershop career but she missed it so much that she soon joined several New Dimension members back at her old chorus, Velvet Harmony.
Betty served her choruses in many ways including as chairman and membership secretary. Her main value, however, was in being what every chorus needs - a friendly and entertaining lady who knew her music thoroughly, sang it well and participated in everything the chorus did. She had a mischievous sense of humour – sometimes a look was all it took to convey exactly what she was thinking! At social gatherings and Harmony College she entertained everyone by reciting Pam Ayres’ poems from memory.
Betty will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her.
Betty sang barbershop for more than 30 years. She was one of a keen “barbershopping” family and a much-loved member of three choruses and two quartets. All these groups joined her family and partner Frank at her funeral and were pleased to be together to celebrate her life.
Betty joined Velvet Harmony as a bass in 1980 and her two daughters, Callie and Jan, also sang with the chorus. Betty later moved to Contrast where she also sang in the quartet Reflections. When this chorus merged with April Showers to become New Dimension, Betty continued as a staunch member of the bass section and Callie became the MD. Betty sang in the quartet Galaxy until shortly before the chorus closed in 2000. She thought this would be the end of her barbershop career but she missed it so much that she soon joined several New Dimension members back at her old chorus, Velvet Harmony.
Betty served her choruses in many ways including as chairman and membership secretary. Her main value, however, was in being what every chorus needs - a friendly and entertaining lady who knew her music thoroughly, sang it well and participated in everything the chorus did. She had a mischievous sense of humour – sometimes a look was all it took to convey exactly what she was thinking! At social gatherings and Harmony College she entertained everyone by reciting Pam Ayres’ poems from memory.
Betty will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her.
Help Us to Fundraise (at no cost to you!)
Shop Online and Raise Money!
Have you heard about easyfundraising yet? It’s the easiest way to help raise money for Velvet Harmony! If you already shop online with retailers such as Amazon, M&S, Argos, John Lewis, Comet, Vodafone, eBay, Boden and Play.com, then we need you to sign up to raise money while you shop and it's free!
So how does it work?
You shop directly with the retailer as you would normally, but when you sign up to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/velvetharmony and use the links on the easyfundraising site to take you to the retailer, then a percentage of whatever you spend comes directly to us at no extra cost to you.
How much can you raise?
Spend £100 with M&S online or Amazon and you raise £2.50 for us. £100 with WH Smith puts £2.00 in our pocket and so on. There's over 2,000 retailers on their site, and some of the donations can be as much as 15% of your purchase.
Save money too!
easyfundraising is FREE to use plus you'll get access to hundreds of exclusive discounts and voucher codes, so not only will you be helping us, you’ll be saving money yourself.
We've raised over £50 with easyfundraising so far but we need your help to keep donations coming in. Sign
up at http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/velvetharmony and start making a difference...simply by shopping.
Thanks!
Have you heard about easyfundraising yet? It’s the easiest way to help raise money for Velvet Harmony! If you already shop online with retailers such as Amazon, M&S, Argos, John Lewis, Comet, Vodafone, eBay, Boden and Play.com, then we need you to sign up to raise money while you shop and it's free!
So how does it work?
You shop directly with the retailer as you would normally, but when you sign up to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/velvetharmony and use the links on the easyfundraising site to take you to the retailer, then a percentage of whatever you spend comes directly to us at no extra cost to you.
How much can you raise?
Spend £100 with M&S online or Amazon and you raise £2.50 for us. £100 with WH Smith puts £2.00 in our pocket and so on. There's over 2,000 retailers on their site, and some of the donations can be as much as 15% of your purchase.
Save money too!
easyfundraising is FREE to use plus you'll get access to hundreds of exclusive discounts and voucher codes, so not only will you be helping us, you’ll be saving money yourself.
We've raised over £50 with easyfundraising so far but we need your help to keep donations coming in. Sign
up at http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/velvetharmony and start making a difference...simply by shopping.
Thanks!
Recruitment Sing Out at Tesco
On Sunday 3rd July 2011, Velvet Harmony sang to unsuspecting shoppers at Tesco in Orpington. Taking up residence in the large foyer, we sang while handing out information to those interested in joining us. It was a great opportunity, and we even managed our first performance of new song 'Sh'Boom'.
Velvet Harmony Octet sings at the Croft Tea Rooms
On Saturday 21st May 2011, an octet of singers sang at the Croft Tea Rooms in St Mary Cray. Whilst diners enjoyed a lovely looking 3 course meal, they were entertained with songs such as In My Room, I Will Follow Him, Anything Goes and San Francisco Bay Blues.
Everyone had a good time - and the octet gave a great performance. We look forward to a repeat performance!
Everyone had a good time - and the octet gave a great performance. We look forward to a repeat performance!
Velvet Harmony win at Bromley Festival
On 11th March 2011, Velvet Harmony got back into the swing of competing. Dolled up, and looking fabulously glamorous in red and black, we competed in the Bromley Festival of Music and Speech, held at Bromley High School.
In order to win the Silver Salver, we needed to receive 85 marks out of 100 - no mean feat - but we did it!
With several mentions of Velvet Harmony already engraved on the salver from its previous incarnation, we were proud to engrave the name again - next to 2011 - and we're ready to compete for it again next year!
In order to win the Silver Salver, we needed to receive 85 marks out of 100 - no mean feat - but we did it!
With several mentions of Velvet Harmony already engraved on the salver from its previous incarnation, we were proud to engrave the name again - next to 2011 - and we're ready to compete for it again next year!
