Taranaki Harmony Chorus chartered with Sweet Adelines International in 1998, however it was in October 1994 that the first gathering of ladies, interested in women's barbershop, was held at the home of Fauna McNair. Fauna had moved to New Plymouth with her husband and missed her involvement in Sweet Adelines, having been a founding member of the Wairoa Chorus-the first Sweet Adeline chorus in New Zealand. Ten women attended that night and six of them resolved to meet on a Monday evening to sing; two are still members of the chorus today.
Fauna arranged for a workshop to be held in May of 1995 to recruit more singers, with the quartet 'Copyrite' from the King Country Chorus demonstrating the craft and leading the group in simple tags.
Fauna arranged for a workshop to be held in May of 1995 to recruit more singers, with the quartet 'Copyrite' from the King Country Chorus demonstrating the craft and leading the group in simple tags.
One brave man, Ted Easter, also attended the workshop- he had sung in barbershop for years- and offered to help the group with some directing. They decided to meet on a Monday night and pay the sum of $2.00 per week to cover expenses, and agreed to go by the name of "Soundz Easy"
The development of this fledgling chorus continued through 1995, a management team was formed and by the end of June, the group received prospective status from Sweet Adelines international (SAI). In February 1996, the group officially became 'Energy City Prospective Chorus' and members were regular and enthusiastic participants at national training events. Full membership status of SAI was gained two years later, and in 1999, the Chorus travelled to Wellington to compete in their first National Competition.
On the morning of the competition however, the Musical Director Ted was taken seriously ill and rushed to hospital. Team Leader Ruth O'Neill and Fauna McNair agreed it was right for the Chorus to continue with plans to compete. Fauna stepped in as Director, and the team stepped on to the stage and performed the best they could for Ted. Sadly he passed away the next day. The Chorus sang at his funeral and missed him greatly.
Pat Greene took on the role of Musical Director and the Chorus continued to make progress.
Jack Bourke, a local tenor, also came along each Monday night and helped with vocal production. The Chorus won an international prize that year for membership retention- a major boost to both morale and the bank balance.
In 2000 Gill Holmes , a keen participant in the original workshop in 1995, was appointed Director, and the Chorus has gone from strength to strength under her leadership. The chorus name was changed in 2004 to reflect membership that is drawn from areas of Taranaki outside the city of New Plymouth.
In 2008 they won their first Regional ribbon, placing third in the Small Chorus category in Hamilton.
Later, in Christchurch 2012, they won the coveted Most Improved Chorus in the Region, and another third place ribbon. Two years later, 2014, in Manukau, Auckland, they gained second place in the Small Chorus category, and fifth overall, with honorable mention.
Pat Greene took on the role of Musical Director and the Chorus continued to make progress.
Jack Bourke, a local tenor, also came along each Monday night and helped with vocal production. The Chorus won an international prize that year for membership retention- a major boost to both morale and the bank balance.
In 2000 Gill Holmes , a keen participant in the original workshop in 1995, was appointed Director, and the Chorus has gone from strength to strength under her leadership. The chorus name was changed in 2004 to reflect membership that is drawn from areas of Taranaki outside the city of New Plymouth.
In 2008 they won their first Regional ribbon, placing third in the Small Chorus category in Hamilton.
Later, in Christchurch 2012, they won the coveted Most Improved Chorus in the Region, and another third place ribbon. Two years later, 2014, in Manukau, Auckland, they gained second place in the Small Chorus category, and fifth overall, with honorable mention.
