Singing Champs Are Coming to Town!
Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus is excited to announce their concert at the Restaurante Asturias in Punta Prima on Friday, 19 September at 8.30 pm. This two times champion chorus is based in Los Alcázares, but several members live in and around Torrevieja and the chorus decided that it was time for friends and families of those members to enjoy a concert closer to home. Spangles won their first gold medal in San Pedro del Pinatar in 2011 at the Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers (SABS) convention and again in Benalmádena in 2013. Champions cannot compete the year after their win, so the chorus is now looking forward to competing for gold again in April 2015. Their repertoire offers something for everyone, from rock, to pop, to jazz.
The concert is part of a fundraising drive to help with their costs of representing Spain at the Ladies’ Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) convention in Harrogate this coming October. “We have been invited by LABBS to open the LABBS national chorus contest, which is a great honour” commented Spangles’ Musical Director, Gail Grainger. “Flights and hotel costs for a chorus of 40+ ladies are quite daunting, but we have been fundraising to make it happen and we’re all very excited about the trip.”
Spangles is delighted to have as their special guests the current SABS champions, The Hanfris Quartet, from Barcelona. The Hanfris Quartet is an all-male barbershop quartet formed in 2009. Barbershop, is an a cappella style of singing. Although this originated in the United States, it is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and has a notable following in Britain, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. The Hanfris Quartet is the first SABS quartet to qualify for the Barbershop Harmony Society’s international championships and they will be competing in Pittsburgh, USA in 2015.
The Hanfris Quartet includes Jordi Forcadell (tenor), Gener Salicrú (lead), Juan Bertrand (baritone), and Adrià Sivilla (bass). Vocal skill is an indispensable requirement for this style as it requires a great deal of resistance, flexibility and impeccable intonation.
The pieces performed by The Hanfris Quartet are arrangements of popular songs for male quartets, ranging from jazz standards, pop and rock themes, to movie and musical soundtracks. Barbershop originals are performed as well, along with arrangements in close-harmony and doo-wop.
Show tickets are now on sale for just 8€ each at the Restaurante Asturias in Punta Prima or you can call 650 745 711 or 968 334 527. Early booking is recommended.