2011 got under way with rehearsal for out Annual Convention in Llandudno which took place over the late May bank holiday weekend. The chorus enjoyed the competition and improved on last year’s result, and had a great weekend singing with fellow barbershoppers from across the country. It was also the first outing for the new uniform with bright yellow waistcoats which looked tremendous on stage.

At the same time the chorus was enjoying the results of a successful recruitment campaign with half a dozen new members learning the repertoire and getting ready to perform. During the year we were asked once again to sing at Beamish Museum – this time in the Wesleyan Chapel, having previously sung in the Masonic Hall. Both are wonderful places to sing, and each time we had a receptive audience, and the opportunity to sing on the tram which transported us through the Museum.

We were invited by the Mayor of Gateshead to sing in a wonderful building, Saltwell Towers, at a civic reception and dinner being held for the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, the Mayors of all the local boroughs and their consorts. Our guest artists were Stardust, an a cappella show chorus of twelve ladies. After the delights of Beamish Museum, which is a magnificent open-air museum in County Durham, we were asked to sing in the 18th century palladian Gibside Chapel during the National Trusts’ heritage weekend which was another super location.

September saw the occasion of the Peers of Harmony’ first major show, held at the Pier Pavilion Theatre, South Shields. Special guests for the evening were A Touch of TLC, Tyneside’s own ladies a cappella chorus who gave a sparkling performance that had the audience shouting for more. Also guesting again were Stardust, who received a warm welcome and great appreciation for their own brand of close harmony. Our final number “And So to Sleep Again”, sung by the three choruses on stage together, was a fitting close to a wonderful and very successful evening – followed by an afterglow and buffet in the Green Room of this lovely theatre.

The Peers have gone from strength to strength since the chorus was formed four years ago by a nucleus of eight singers, five of whom are still singing with the chorus and have been leading and encouraging new members, many of whom have never sung before or have not sung in a cappella, close harmony style which is becoming increasingly popular.

We hope to attract more people who love to sing at our Learn to Sing Day on 16th October, details are on the homepage of our website. There are currently over 6000 people singing our style of music in the UK today, and this number is growing. Popular songs with great harmonies, ringing chords – all possible, all achievable by anyone who wants to sing. In a very short space of time new members can be up there on the risers, entertaining audiences, having a great time and making new friends. Our Musical Director, Susan Jones, encourages members of the chorus to form quartets and small groups, and along with Peter Jones, Eddie Evans and Tom Laws, she sings in our quartet “The Music Team”. She is also a member of A Touch of TLC and Stardust, and also Spellbound which is a ladies’ quartet, and very recently with the Blue Moon Trio who are big fans of the Andrews Sisters. Some of our newer members are being encouraged to try quartet singing, so watch this space for further developments!

Details of future events are posted on our Diary page. Anyone is welcome to come along to our Tuesday rehearsal evening and listen to the chorus.