History
Lea Baker, Master Director, founded the Endeavour Harmony Chorus in August 1996 with 25 singers.
Since then, we have refined the art form of 4 part a cappella (unaccompanied) harmony in the modern barbershop style. We are constantly learning and extending our skills through an ongoing education process.
Our chorus, now in its 14th year and with more than 85 members, performs a variety of musical styles. Our repertoire includes modern ballads, old jazz standards, musical hits, 60’s favourites, gospel, traditional, swing, blues and comedy.
Barbershop had its humble beginnings in the deep south of America, but has been transformed into a modern and exciting art form of singing and entertaining, characterised by close harmonies delivered with precision and passion.
The women who make up Endeavour Harmony come from all age groups and walks of life – teachers, nurses, secretaries, managers, scientists and mums. Their common bond is a love of singing. “A good ear, the ability to hold their part in tune and a willingness to learn are the main requirements, the rest comes from practice and rehearsals,” says Lea.
Endeavour Harmony is a member of Sweet Adelines International , a worldwide organisation whose mission is to advance the art form of 4 part a cappella harmony through education, performance and competition. There are 25,000 members worldwide. Download the chorus bio.
Awards
2012
Endeavour Harmony competed once again at the Regional (National) Sweet Adeline Competition held in Canberra. The chorus came in 1st place with a score of 638 points. 90 singers were on stage.
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EHC on stage in Canberra, 2012
2010
In October 2010, the Endeavour Harmony Chorus represented Australian in the International Sweet Adelines Competition, held in Seattle, Washington. The chorus achieved an overall placeing of 15th world wide with the highest score ever achieved by an Australian chorus in this international contest.
2009
Ann Gooch award presented to the Musical Director of Endeavour Harmony Chorus, Lea Baker in October 2009 by the International Board of Directors of Sweet Adelines Internationa.l
The Australian National Eisteddfod - August 2009, Canberra:
2nd place - Open Contempory Choral
3rd place - Open Popular Music
3rd place - Australian Open Choir Championships
Region 34 (Australia) Sweet Adelines competition - May 2009, Hobart
1st Place Chorus (72 on stage) - score of 652.
This is the highest score ever achieved in Australia and puts the chorus into the "Excellent" category of A-.
2008
City of Sydney Eisteddfod
1st Place Open Show Choir
Finalist - Open Choral section
2007
McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge
1st place in the John Lamble Australasian Championship for Community Choirs held at Sydney Town Hall.
Sweet Adelines International Competition, Calgary Canada
Representing Australia internationally, we gained the highest score on debut for an Australian chorus appearing at international.
2006
Finalist, ABC Classic FM Choir of The Year - August 2006
Region 34 (Australia) Sweet Adelines Competition, May 2006, Brisbane
1st place chorus (64 on stage). Score of 613.
2005
McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge
1st place in the John Lamble Australasian Championship for Community Choirs.
Sutherland Shire Council
The chorus was a finalist for 'Community Group of the Year'.
2004
Region 34 (Australia) Sweet Adelines Competition, June 2004, Adelaide
2nd Place in AA Mid Sized Chorus Division (40 - 65 singers on stage)
3rd Place Overall
McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge
1st place in the "Show Choir" section
2nd place in the "Open Community Choir" section
2003
McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge
"Highly Commended" in the Open Choral section.
2002
McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge
Endeavour Harmony Chorus takes 1st place in the Barbershop Chorus
section
and 3rd place Australian Choral Work section. Finalists in the GIO
Awards Open Chorus section June 2002.
Region 34 (Australia) Sweet Adelines Competition, June 2002, Wollongong
2nd place in the AA chorus
competition (40 - 65 singers on stage)
3rd place overall
2001
McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge, August 2001
We achieved 1st in the Barbershop/Sweet Adelines Chorus Award, 2nd
in the Open Choral Award and 2nd in the Australian Choral Award
2000
In Perth 2000 Australian national competition in Perth, achieved the following awards:
Most improved chorus (152 points) 1st place Division A (39 singers or less on stage) chorus award. Our high score ranks us the 7th highest scoring Division A Sweet Adelines chorus in the world.
Previous Performances
Some of the choruses other performances include:
- McGrath Foundation Gala Dinner
- Endeavour Harmony Chorus in Concert - Sutherland Entertainment Centre
- Bankstown City Council Carols in the Park
- Wiley Park Carols by Candlelight
- 'Great Hymns at the proms' event held by the Randwick Proms Chorus
- 'Harmony and Brass spectacular' with Waringah Concert Brass
- Australia Day Celebrations, Carss Park (Kogarah Council)
- Westfield Carols By Candlelight, Caringbah
- Recording backing vocals for 'Happy Feet' movie at Fox Studios, Sydney
- 'Happy and Glorious 2', With Sutherland Shire Brass at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre
- ABC Classic FM Choir of the year - NSW state finals, Sydney Recital Hall
- Lidcombe Catholic Club
- Carols by Candlelight, Hazelhurst Cottage
- McDonalds City of Sydney Performing Arts Challenge
- Sutherland Hospital Charity Opening
- Kogarah Council Citizenship Ceremonies
