Singing Success for Specs Appeal
Fascinating Rhythm is celebrating the success of one of its in-house quartets, Specs Appeal, at the Bournemouth Music Competitions Festival held at the beginning of October.
Specs Appeal were awarded a distinction and the Peter Carpenter Cup in the ‘Vocal Trio, Quartet or Ensemble’ category for their performance of a four-part arrangement of “Anthem” from the musical Chess and a bespoke arrangement of “Landslide” by Stevie Nicks.
Specs Appeal also competed in the Barbershop category, alongside six other quartets. They were commended on their entertaining performance of “A Dress With Pockets” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”.
“We were delighted to receive fantastic feedback from the adjudicator, as this was our first time in the competition,”
said Hannah, Amy, Becky and Kate.
“We love singing, together and to have our hard work validated just feels fantastic!”
At the beginning of last year, Specs Appeal were rehearsing hard for LABBS Quartet Prelims, but the competition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. During the lockdown, the quartet kept themselves motivated in weekly Zoom rehearsals and learned a special lockdown song, “I Might Just Hold You A Little Too Long”.
Whilst they still aspire to compete at Prelims in the future, Specs Appeal is currently working on some new a cappella close-harmony pieces arranged in a non-barbershop style. The ladies also plan to share a video of themselves singing “Landslide” as part of this year’s Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) ‘Unconventional Convention’.
“We are so proud of Specs Appeal; what an achievement,”
said Jo, Fascinating Rhythm’s Musical Director.
“You will not find a more dedicated quartet who I know work incredibly hard on their art; this is so well deserved. Singing in quartet brings about a great level of confidence in one’s own singing and performance ability, and through their passion and quartet commitment, Fascinating Rhythm gains in every respect. Well done, ladies, amazing job!”
Specs Appeal formed as a quartet in April 2018, having sung together as members of Fascinating Rhythm. Amy (Lead), Becky (Baritone), Hannah (Tenor) and Kate (Bass) love singing a cappella and barbershop arrangements of popular songs. Embracing their stylish eyeglasses and feminist tendencies, they’ll take every opportunity to dress in matching spectacles-themed attire and keep things in their pockets.
Specs Appeal have entertained audiences at Westonbirt Arboretum’s Enchanted Christmas, sung in St Martin’s Church, Knowle with the Great Day Choir, and supported Fascinating Rhythm at a concert to raise funds for Thornbury Area Youth Music.
To find out more about Specs Appeal, you can follow them on Facebook.
If you are interested in forming or joining a barbershop quartet, you can find out more on the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) website