- News of our latest win - in the Gold Coast Bulletin
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Date Posted: Fri, 4 Oct 2019
The 22-man, the Helensvale-based team took on 17 groups from across the country before serenading the judges with their barbershop renditions of Dean Martin’s Ain’t That a Kick in the Head and Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley.Article: Courtesy of Gold Coast Bulletin - 3rd Oct 2019.
IT is hard not to fall in love with the four-part harmonies of this Gold Coast a cappella chorus group.
L-R Andrew Howson, Trevor Bruger, Greyson Vaughn, Ryan Reid, Jakob Reid, Jerry Sadlowski and Edward Sarroff members of an all-men a capella group from the Gold Coast.
Pic Mike Batterham
The judges at the 17th Barbershop Harmony Australia National Convention, held in Hobart, certainly could not resist Sound Connection’s talent, giving the all-mens group the top gong for best chorus.
Vice president Jerry Sadlowski said the group was thrilled it had won for the third time.
“You can only compete every second year once you’ve won,” Mr Sadlowski explained, meaning the group had scored top spot each time it performed.And in 2021 it hopes to win for the fourth time, this time on home soil when the national titles came to the Gold Coast.
Sound Connection features about 30 members, ranging in age from 15 to 71.
It is even a family affair for some members, with a grandfather, father and son trio in the group
“We’re a bit strict,” Mr Sadlowski admitted.
“We have section heads (for tenor, lead, baritone and bass). People who want to join send the tape of themselves singing and the section heads decide.
“A lot of it is hard work. Generally speaking most people can sing, it’s just putting the work in. It’s rare to find people that are tone deaf.”
Sound Connection train once a week, as well as extra dates for upcoming events.
The group will hold an open night on October 14.
For details - https://www.soundconnection.com.au/dbpage.php?pg=view&dbase=events&id=86332
FOR SOUND CONNECTION’S WINNING RENDITIONS, JUMP TO 2:39YouTube Video URL: For more information, see: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/entertainment/sound-connection-a-capella-group-from-helensvale-take-out-national-titles-in-hobart/news-story/c3d5bffce3dca0a07d478a9e4a138608?fbclid=IwAR05
- Sound Connection wins National Gold Medal for 3rd time
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Date Posted: Sun, 22 Sep 2019
The Gold Coast’s premier men’s a cappella chorus, Sound Connection, won the gold medal for best chorus, at the 17th Barbershop Harmony Australia (BHA) Harmony Festival in Hobart. Sound Connection sang two well-known hits, Can’t Help Falling in Love made famous by Elvis Presley and Ain’t That a Kick in the Head which was originally recorded by Dean Martin. This was Sound Connection’s 3rd Australian gold medal.
- Be Our Guest Show in Nerang
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Date Posted: Sat, 24 Aug 2019
Sound Connection and our sister organisation, Vocalescence, performed to a packed auditorium for both an afternoon and an evening show on Saturday at the Nerang Bicentennial Centre. Sound Connection sang songs from our 60’s repertoire including Can’t Help Falling in Love, Happy Together, Aquarius, King of the Road and Sloop John B. We, along with Vocalescence, brought the house down for the finale with our combined rendition of Be Our Guest which was the overall theme of the show. A fun night for guests and performers alike.
- Sound Connection wins our 2nd National Gold Medal in Sydney
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Date Posted: Thu, 28 Sep 2017
Sound Connection was awarded the gold medal in the hotly contested Australian open barbershop chorus competition held in Sydney, NSW. Competing against other choruses from around Australia. Sound Connection was proud to come away as the highest scoring chorus.
- Our 1st Gold Medal at National Competition - Melbourne Sep 2015
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Date Posted: Sun, 20 Sep 2015
Finally it arrived, the week they had been preparing for. Competition day dawned bright, cool and crisp. They were ready. At the now traditional, pre-competition breakfast, the members were joined by family and loved ones to support them on this big day.
With a dazzling performance, which appeared to have the judges mesmerised, they delivered their best performance ever.
Then the announcements for the winners started and with much breath-holding and quiet anticipation, they were finally confirmed as the winners! – What a fantastic achievement after only 3½ years as a chorus.
In the words of Director, Andrew Howson: "Very humbled to be able to say Sound Connection is the 2015 BHA Chorus Champions. We are honoured to join those choruses who have inspired us on our journey. We hope to be the best ambassadors we can be for BHA."
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- Sunshine Region (Qld state) Contest Fri 12 – Sun 14 June 2015
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Date Posted: Fri, 12 Jun 2015
What an exciting weekend of singing for the chorus. The quartet competition, held in the morning was won by The Establishment. The six quartets representing Sound Connection were all placed in the top 10. The open chorus competition was won by Sound Connection with a solid score of 79.2.
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- Bronze medal at Pan Pacific competition in NZ
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Date Posted: Wed, 20 Aug 2014
.jpg "Bronze medal at Pan Pacific competition in NZ")
Wellington, NZ, August 16, 2014
Local all-male cappella chorus ‘Sound Connection’ was awarded the bronze medal in the hotly contested Pan Pacific open barbershop chorus competition held last weekend in Wellington NZ.
Competing against 22 other international, local and regional choruses, including some from the Gold Coast, Redlands, Toowoomba and Brisbane, Sound Connection was proud to come away as the highest scoring Australian chorus.
With the Australian bronze medal already under their belt, Sound Connection strutted their stuff to the judges and an appreciative audience and are now well on the way to their goal of representing Australia at international competition.
Formed just over two years ago, Sound Connection is made up of members from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with some even travelling from northern NSW to the midway rehearsal venue at the Ormeau Woods Performing Arts Complex.
Sound Connection music director Andrew Howson says: “We went in to this competition with the goal of bettering our score. We had no expectations of gaining a place. New Zealand has a fantastic barbershop a cappella community and we knew there were many really great choruses. To come away with a bronze is a huge boost for the guys.”
With the popularity of a cappella on the rise, Sound Connection is inviting all males who love to sing to visit a rehearsal to see what they do. Details are on the website soundconnection.com.au
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- Broadwater Rotary Traditional Christmas Markets - 21st December 2013
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Date Posted: Wed, 25 Dec 2013
.jpg "Broadwater Rotary Traditional Christmas Markets - 21st December 2013")
From Sanctuary Cove to the new Broadwater Parklands where the traditional Christmas Markets were just starting. With crowds gathering to spend the evening in the parklands, the chorus wandered through the markets spreading Christmas cheer to all. It was especially rewarding to sing for the appreciative audience, particularly the children.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our friends and families…
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- BHA 12th National Convention - 10-12th October 2013
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Date Posted: Sat, 19 Oct 2013
With a successful farewell concert under their belts the chorus converged on Perth full of anticipation. This was to be their first national competition and all hoped they had done enough. They were hoping for a great score – and a medal would just top it off.
After the results of the youth chorus competition, (on the Thursday) speculation was running high as to the final results for the national chorus competition coming up on the Saturday. The quartet competition was on the Friday with Sound Connection being represented by three quartets, Adrenaline, Connect 4 and Front Page news – as well as two members of Benchmark.
With Adrenaline being in the finals it was going to be a late night, as the chorus rehearsal was scheduled for 11:00pm (after the Quartet finals). Adrenaline was placed a very close fourth and pleased with their performance. The final chorus rehearsal was short and sweet – to allow everyone to have a good night’s sleep.
The pre-convention breakfast was at 7:30am and all assembled ready to catch the chartered bus. The atmosphere was one of excitement and nervous tension; for some this was their first national completion, and for others this was their most important competition.
After the formalities of the breakfast, they were presented with a memento – a gold and diamante star - their unreachable star. This looked perfect on their new black suits and aqua ties and pocket hankies.
Now it was into the loop and then on to the stage for eight minutes of beautiful singing; had they done enough? The results clearly said ‘yes’ as they were placed a creditable third behind Vocal Evolution Chorus from Perth and Festival Statesmen Chorus from Adelaide.
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- 3rd Place at Gold Coast Eisteddfod
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Date Posted: Wed, 14 Aug 2013
Sound Connection took to the stage at the prestigious Gold Coast Eisteddfod on August 13 2013 as part of their lead up to national competition. They entered into the Open Age Vocal Ensemble section and were the 'most senior' compeitiors against 10 other groups from well known Gold Coast schools. The only competitors to present a barbershop set, the chorus impressed the adjudicator with their "clean and well-tuned sound", being awarded a creditible third place. The performers congratulate all of the competitors in their section and look forward to seeing them next year. Attachment:
- Great result in Sunshine Region Competition
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Date Posted: Wed, 1 May 2013
After many weeks of focused singing and choreography practise, the Sound Connection chorus were absolutely delighted with their first place result at the Barbershop Harmony Australia (BHA) Sunshine Region competition at Toowoomba on the weekend of 27th and 28th April 2013.
After braving the one hour plus delays on the Toowoomba range on the Friday night the chorus joined with other BHA choruses from the region early on Saturday morning, in a massed sing at Alford Place in the city centre. (site of the 2011 flash flooding through the centre of Toowoomba).
The delegates then gathered at Downlands College to compete in the annual Sunshine Region(Qld) BHA competition. They were hoping to make it two in a row after winning in 2012 after just three months of singing together as a chorus.
The chorus would like to congratulate all of the competitors and thank the organisers for such a successful weekend of singing, friendship and camaraderie.Attachment:
- Trivia Night FUN-draiser... lots of FUN
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Date Posted: Fri, 15 Mar 2013
Sound Connection joined our sister chorus Vocalescence, for a night of fun and trivia on Saturday 9th March 2013 at the Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre. With the rivalry running high between the choruses it was a tightly fought competition between the 'Barbie Braniacs' and the M & M’s, with the Barbies winning out in the end.
Other teams included the B Sharps, Fast and Furious, Notable, and Pitch Pirates. Most teams got into the spirit and dressed up for the occasion with the Pitch Pirates taking the prize for best dressed.
The night was a great success with the funds raised being split between the choruses. There was some impromptu chorus singing and tags which added to the fun and entertainment.
This is set to become an annual event so if you didn't make it this year - keep a look out on the calendar of events for next year’s competition.
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- Christmas Concert at Sanctuary Cove with Vocalescence Chorus
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Date Posted: Sun, 25 Nov 2012
We were ecstatic to present our first joint show with Vocalescence Chorus, held at the Village Theatre, Sanctuary Cove. Enjoyed by almost 300 audience members, the highlight was undoubtedly the opening act of Tiny Tenors singing 'Christmas is Coming' sung as a 'round'. And there were very few dry eyes after the finale of 'Let There be Peace on Earth', sung by the entire cast (along with their loved ones) as they surrounded the audience. Attachment:
