Chorus set for Cymru

Published 13 Jul 2010 10:00

TWO members of a 1950s style barbershop chorus are gearing up to prove it is a cut above the rest when it opens a national competition in Wales.

Members of Tartan Harmony are preparing for a special trip to Llandudno in October when they will open the inaugural Ladies Association of British Barber Shops convention.

Bonhill chorus members and friends Margaret Sakulina, 59 and Eileen Cruger, 52, cannot wait to show the UK what they and their fellow singers can do.

Grandmother Margaret, who has been a member of the chorus since it formed last July, told the Reporter: "I had been looking for a chorus or something that I'm physically able to do as I hurt my back badly.

"I sing in tenor which I've never done before.

"It's quite high but I'm enjoying it.

"Singing is my love.

"Other choruses are nothing like this.

"This is totally different as it's more relaxing."

The group, which has more than a dozen singers and rehearses in Helensburgh's St Michael's Church hall every Monday evening, was formed by Julie Erskine who had previously worked with barbershop singers in London for 10 years.

Celebrating its first birthday on July 3, the chorus marked the occasion by holding an American-themed day of fun with proceeds going towards their trip in October.

Margaret's friend Eileen said she was wary about joining the chorus at first but said it has been fantastic.

She told the Reporter: "Margaret and I started looking around for a choir but we didn't really find anything.

"Then last August Margaret phoned and said that she had been along to this barber shop chorus. I went along and it just went from there. It was really fun."

Tartan Harmony is currently looking for singing ladies who want to join the group.

Rehearsals are every Monday at 7.45pm at St Michael's Church hall, Helensburgh.

For more information phone Margaret on 07954 419688 or 01389 602452.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 13 Jul 10

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