Athlone A Cappella enjoys 'The Spring Sing' workshop
Athlone A Cappella did not have to travel far to attend the recent Barbershop Singers’ workshop organised by IABS (Irish Association of Barber Shop singers) which took place in Our Lady’s Bower in Athlone!
Athlone A Cappella (AAC) had been very busy over the festive season – participating at The Samaritans concert and the Festive Flashmob in Athlone Town Centre as well as singing Christmas carols in Golden Island – raising €513 for Cancer Care West in the process.
Consequently, the IABS weekend workshop was a much-needed chance for the busy ladies of AAC to recharge their batteries for 2026, to avail of some extremely valuable coaching and to relax with like-minded barber shop singers who love their craft!
The Spring Sing is an annual event which is held in various locations around Ireland. This is the second year that Athlone A Cappella was fortunate enough to host the event in Athlone and to welcome the other choruses to the Midlands. The weekend was attended by many other Irish choruses from Dublin, Cork, Sligo and Wicklow.
It was a great opportunity for AAC to meet up with other Barber shop choruses, to sing together and reconnect with old friends. All the choruses gathered together at the end of the day and sang Elton John’s “I’m still Standing”, which was sung with gusto in four-part harmony by all 180 participants.
AAC thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and appreciated the opportunity to receive training from prestigious voice coaches from Germany, the UK and the USA. The coaches themselves are indeed part of very successful choruses and quartets in their own countries and who were, in many cases, International Barbershop Judges!
The coaching varied from the relevance of posture and breathing, effective rehearsal skills as well as looking at the importance of successful conducting. All participants found the coaching to be hugely beneficial.
AAC is taking part in the International Women’s Day event on March 7 in The Sheraton Hotel, Athlone. This very worthy event raises funds for Esker House and should be an exciting occasion with presentations and performances from many prominent women.
AAC is certain that the coaching and advice gained at “The Spring Sing” will help build confidence and performance levels for the next IABS Annual Convention, which takes place in October in Killarney.
More information on Athlone A Cappella can be found on Athlone A Cappella Facebook page.
If you would like Athlone A Cappella to perform at an event, please email athloneacappella@outlook.com or send a message directly on the Facebook page.