Endeavour Harmony Chorus finds a new home at Jannali

Endeavour Harmony Chorus is a 75 strong female a cappella chorus performing regularly around Sydney.

When musical director, Lea Baker, began her own a cappella journey at the age of 26, she was one of the youngest members in the only Sweet Adelines chorus in Sydney.

At that time there were just four choruses in Australia.

Baker recalled that the average age of members was a bit off-putting at that time but so much has changed since those days.

‘‘Today our youngest member is 17 and many young women are taking up the challenge to sing this dynamic group singing,’’ Baker said.

“More Australian high school students are singing a cappella these days.

“The surge in numbers has been inspired, in part, by the rise in popularity of the Pitch Perfect movies. Students sing a cappella in high school, but where do these girls sing once they finish school?’’

Women over 16 years of age are welcome to try out for the chorus. Those who can sing in the alto range or lower are needed.

“Many of our members have not been musically trained but the basic requirements for joining are the ability to sing in tune, hold a harmony part and don’t mind a challenge,” Baker said.

“We sing many modern songs, we incorporate fun choreography. Entertaining audiences is our goal.

“The chorus has a strong emphasis on education, teamwork, aiming for excellence and fun at weekly Tuesday night rehearsals.”

The group is travelling to Perth in May this year to compete at the national championships where they hope to qualify for the 2018 internationals championships to be held in St Louis, USA.

When the chorus last competed on the international stage in Las Vegas (2015) the group gained 10th place, achieving the highest ever placing for an Australian chorus.

A new member information night will be held on Tuesday, February 21 from 7pm. All welcome.