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Harambee decided to embark on a “Friendship Tour” after their experience on Channel 7’s “Battle of the Choirs” in 2008. It really was a very inspiring experience for all the members of Harambee, and every member of the choir believes that they grew and developed as performers. New friendship were formed with other choirs and bonds strengthened within the choir. The TV show was also influential in the musical direction that Harambee has decided to take. Since appearing on the show, the members of Harambee have focussed on performing and arranging music in a more popular style and our performances are filled with original arrangements of many of our favourite songs. We hope we get to meet you in Shepparton, Wagga Wagga, Sydney, Newcastle or Canberra!!! See Upcoming Events on the left for all concert details. Everyone in Harambee is eagerly anticipating the arrival in Melbourne of contemporary a cappella expert DEKE SHARON (USA). Harambee is lucky enough to be having workshops with Deke for two weekends. Some of the music that Harambee sings that was arranged by Deke is: Little Red Riding Hood, Blue Moon, Dancing Queen, Drive My Car, I'll Be There.... You can see the results of some of our work with Deke at an a cappella showcase concert on Saturday, 21st March at the Camberwell Centre. (See Upcoming Events, on the left.) Hope to see you there! Following our success on Battle of the Choirs, Harambee will be releasing a new CD this year. The EXTENDED versions of Venus, Ironic and MmmBop will all be featured, as well as other favourite pop arrangements such as "Fields of Gold", "Zombie" and "Dancing Queen". We have our first recording sessions in March, so it won't be too long before you can get yourselves a copy of this exciting new CD! Watch this space for more details!! Email sarah@harambee.com.au if you would like to be informed when the CDs are available for purchase! On Friday, 22nd August, Harambee and Suara competed as a combined choir in the Waverley Eisteddfod A Cappella Choirs section. We performed "Fugue" by Sue Johnson, and "Tjak!" by Stephen Hatfield. We were thrilled to be placed 1st in the competition, as well as winning the Australian Song prize. The Australian Song prize is awarded to the choir (across all of the choral sections) who gives the best performance of a song by an Australian. Congratulations to Blackburn High (2nd) and Brothers in Harmony (Honourable Mention) - it was a great night of choral singing!!   Well, the Battle of the Choirs journey is over for the the Harambabes and blokes, who were thrilled to make it all the way to the Grand Final and come 3rd! It was an amazing experience, and one that saw us bond as a group closer than ever. It was fantastic to hear and be inspired by so many great choirs, and to make connections with singers all over Australia. We are really thankful for all the messages of support and congratulations we have received, and hope that your interest in Harambee continues well into the future! If you missed the series, or want a recap, here's one now! HEAT (Sunday, 6th July): Harambee wowed the judges with "VENUS" (Solo: Sarah "Miss" Patterson, Arranger: Jane "Fhotstick" Patterson, Choreographer: Georgie "Venus" Parker). Judges' comments included: - "Yeah baby, you've GOT IT!" Charli Delaney - "I think that was fantastic!" - Iva Davies - "Just beautiful work, great attention to detail." - Jonathon Welch - "A great performance - really, very fine work" - George Torbay Harambee performed well under pressure in the medley (Angel of Harlem), but towards the end of the song we had a bit of difficulty remembering how this song went!! Most of us had never heard the song 2 hours before filming! Anyway, it appeared that Venus was hot enough to get us STRAIGHT THROUGH to the Quarter Final... QUARTER FINAL (Sunday, 20th July): Harambee continued their impressive streak with a heartfelt performance of "IRONIC". (Solo: Jane "Fhotstick" Patterson, Aranger: Andrew "F(l)anders" Ryan, Choreography: Jess "Visionary" Connolly) Judges' comments included: - "You did spectacularly well" - Iva Davies - "I don't know what it is, but you come out and you sing and I feel yes, yes, that's it, that's it! And that's it." - George Torbay - "As soon as you stop singing, I want to hear you again." - Charli Delaney - "Another wonderful example of an arrangement that shows all your strengths. And the solo in the front - just sensational." - Jonathon Welch This time in the medley (Stevie Wonder's Superstition), there were no problems with remembering the song! We did our own choreography, and performed it with flair! Once again, STRAIGHT THROUGH to the Semi Final! Hip Hip Harambee! SEMI FINAL (Sunday, 27th July): Harambee got their emotional juices flowing in their rendition of "I'LL BE THERE". (Arranger: Deke Sharon, Choreography: Georgie "Venus" Parker) Judges' comments included: - "A beautiful, crisp, clean sound... A delicious sound" - George Torbay - "A beautiful performance... You have the most beautiful listening in your ensemble internally as to how you work together. It was beautiful." - Jonathon Welch - "I think you look so glamourous and beautiful... I love what you do" - Charli Delaney - "I've always had confidence in this choir. Always. Right from the beginning. And you didn't let me down." - Iva Davies Our performance this time was not enough to see us straight through, though, so we gave it everything in our battle tune "PROUD MARY". (Solo: Claire "Be My" Ballantyne, Arranger: Sarah "Miss" Patterson and George Torbay, Choreography: Georgie "Venus" Parker). The stakes were high, and the air was thick with tension and suspense. But we got through to the grand final!! The Grand Final had a real party atmosphere, and the Harambabes and blokes were dressed in possibly their most outrageous ever pink-and-black outfits! We were ready to hit the stage with "MmmBop", and got the show off to a really fun, energetic performance. Judges' comments will be loaded soon...  Harambee has had a great start to 2008! We recently spent a weekend up in the Licola Wildnerness Village. It was a very productive weekend, and a great chance for all of us to bond, and work together in "the spirit of togetherness". We are currently preparing songs to perform at our Winter Cabaret Concerts, which are guaranteed to be entertainment and fun packed. Watch this space for more information and booking details. We have "bonded" at a variety of social events so far this year. Recently, we all dined at the Ethiopian restaurant "Harambe" in Footscray. The food was delicious and the owners were so friendly. We would recommend you go and check it out if you ever can! We were as busy as the elves at the north pole preparing for our Chrismas Concert! Many new members, exciting new music and a spruced-up hall helped to create a wonderful Christmas Spectacular last weekend!! If you missed it, don't worry!!! The Christmas Spectacular will be back, bigger and better than ever in 2008! Watch this space... Our Winter Cabaret in August was a complete success and fans will be happy to know that some videos from opening night are now available on Youtube! Check them out at http://www.youtube.com/user/harambeechoir. Here is a taste of what you will find there! Through the second half of the year, Harambee also performed at the Waverley Eisteddfod and with the Australian Youth Band at their Southern Stars Concert. Please visit Harambee's Myspace page at www.myspace.com/harambeechoir We'd love to add you as a friend! ALSO, look up Harambee on facebook, and become a fan! |
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PH: 0430 073 888 EMAIL: sarah@harambee.com.au POST: PO Box 253, Balwyn, 3103 |
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