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SydneySiders Express Harmony Chorus began as a men’s chorus in Carlingford in 1989 and having changed and moved base several times we are now firmly set here at Top Ryde in a wonderful facility. We are now a mixed chorus and welcome anyone who can sing reasonably accurately. We are members of Barbershop Harmony Australia (BHA) which is in turn associated with the USA Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS). Our chorus has three main aims:
- To share the enjoyment of harmony singing in an environment of fun and friendship.
- To entertain audiences at sing-outs and concerts, and in so doing, raise funds for our chosen charity – The Oncology Unit at the Children’s Hospital Westmead. Over many years we have donated more than $193,000.
- To share our craft with other singers and improve our skills with internal and external educators and workshops and where possible at competitions and conventions.
The Tom McManus Trophy Awards
The trophy is to be awarded annually to a member of the Chorus who has shown;
. Extraordinary improvement in singing performance
. Outstanding commitment to the Chorus in a broad range of activities
. Inspiration and encouragement to other members
The Award is made generally on the last night of the effective year or at the AGM usually in February of the following year. (missing years due to Covid)
| 2000 | James Mears | 2011 | Ben Eagleton | 2026 | |
| 2001 | Peter Dustin | 2012 | John Hayes | ||
| 2002 | Colin Goddard | 2013 | Jim Bradshaw | ||
| 2003 | Clark McRae | 2014 | George Nade | ||
| 2004 | Bryan Dickerson | 2015 | John Hayes | ||
| 2005 | Ken McLaren | 2016 | John Unsworth | ||
| 2006 | Bill Collins | 2017 | Peter Rogers | ||
| 2007 | John Unsworth | 2018 | Lionel Eastwood | ||
| 2008 | Bruce Page | 2019 | Brian Chung | ||
| 2009 | Bob Mackenzie | 2024 | Dougal Patey | ||
| 2010 | Frank Marks | 2025 |
This history is being updated and the missing years to be added. Anything you would like to share that can be added in any year - please contact John Unsworth email barbershopjohn@outlook.com mobile 0414995130 Many thanks
2025
We were not able to fulfil our usual February singout at Ryde Library and so promised to provide a variety concert later in the year.
Our AGM was held 24th February and the elected officers were;
President-George Nade : Secretary-Dougal Patey : Treasurer-John Unsworth : VP Music John Hayes
Musical Direction continues to be by the Music Team.
The Committee comprises the above elected officers and includes Hilda Kwan, Bob Mackenzie and Colin Goddard.
We have been learning a new song 'All Creatures have a Place in the Choir' which is going well so we took a public domain song and made our own arrangement to 'Zing Goes the Strings of My Heart' and introduced it in February.
Ryde Library took us up on our offer of a variety concert and asked us to provide the entertainment for their Cancer Council Australia's Biggest Morning Tea fund raiser in May.
Hilda Kwan John Hayes
Doris Ward Bob Mackenzie Denis Moore
Our MC Dougal Patey.
Ryde Library thanked us, and afterwards advised us that they were able to raise a considerable funds for the Cancer Council.
We were pleased to receive many complements from the audience on our performance.
2024
The past year has been good for SSE with our skills and attendance. Our numbers have dwindled a little over the past few years, but we have also added a few new members during the past year. They are progressing nicely and add a good mix to the chorus.
As well as our regular rehearsals evenings, during this year we have had a few of sing outs at Lindfield Gardens, Constitution Hill RV, and held meetings of the executive and communicated between the teams via email and Zoom and Teams.
Our recruitment efforts this year were the Ryde Library Singout and our Open Night and Harmony Course. Our Harmony Course was conducted by our Chorus Coach Doris Ward and we had a few attendees, but we did see four stay on with us to join and two have joined and became members, Marnie Power and Dean Croft
We competed in the Ryde Eisteddfod and got highly commended remarks and comments some of which were useful. All members singing enjoyed the experience.
We had planned and had an approved Bunning Sausage Sizzle to increase our donation funds, but Bunnings HO cancelled it a week before, in favour of a Fire Service promotion. The alternative date given to us was not suitable. This meant that we were only able to make a nominal donation to Oncology at The Children’s Hospital in Dec of $2,000 made up from savings. Still, this brings our total since we started donating to them, to over $193,000. In Dec we attended in the afternoon and sang in the general areas and in a couple of the wards especially the Camperdown ward which is where the oncology treatment takes place. It is lovey to see this crew of nurses and patients year on year, and they do enjoy our visit during the festive season.
Health issues for seve
ral members have continued and come up during the year. We look forward to the recovery of these members.Bev Johnson (Brian’s wife) passed away during the year so shortly after Brian himself died in Oct 2023. We miss them, think of them dearly, and thank them both for all the work and efforts they contributed to the chorus over many years.
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
The President (John Unsworth) mentioned that he was proud to by President for the past two years. Special thanks to the MD Brian Johnson, the Executive, administrative and concert teams.
A tribute was made to Russell Read who passed away suddenly - a wonderful friend to all and supporter of the chorus. Our thoughts and prayers for several members facing difficult situations.
We changed our venue this year from Eastwood, thanks to Bill Collins for his great assistance, to his church - St Anne's Anglican Centre, Church/Gowrie Streets, Ryde.
Highlights of our chorus: strong camaraderie, a lack of ill feelings or hidden agendas. Great work by all this year.
Music VP (John Hayes) Great progress of the chorus during 2006 highlighted by the concert at Abbotsleigh. Many have contributed to this success. Vocal Coaching program continued with a financial contribution from recipients.
Membership VP (Ken McLaren) There has been growth in our Thursday Practice sessions from mid 30's to early 40's by Dec 2006. Average attendance at rehearsals was 36 and at singouts 24 this year.
The following members were duly elected to the following positions for 2007:- President Jim Bradshaw Secretary John Donnelly Treasurer Peter Dustin Vice President Music John Hayes Vice President Repertoire & Choreography John Unsworth Vice President Marketing Wayne Davies Vice President Marketing/Recruitment Bob Mackenzie Member-At-Large Brian Matthews.
2005
The President (John Unsworth) commented on a busy year and thanks to all for the great effort put in especially our MD Brian Johnson. With Chloe's coaching we have improved our singing and the Gold Coast Convention and Harmony College were highlights. In 2006 we are going to look closer at our Sponsorship funding. Finally our thoughts and prayers go out to all members suffering ill health.
The Music VP (John Hayes) Tapes and the Learning CD added to our music resources. Music Committee has selected the repertoire for 2006. Vocal Coaching will continue into 2006 with Chloe's help for this improving work. Two full day quartet workshop were enjoyed by all plus the 'Foghorn Segment' and the Quartet Competitiion of 1 Dec 2005. Thanks to many people the year has been a great success. Location of the chorus was The Eastwood Uniting Church, Lakeside Avenue, Eastwood.
The following members were duly elected to the following positions for 2006:- President John Unsworth Secretary John Donnelly Treasurer Russell Read Vice President Music John Hayes Vice President Membership Ken McLaren Vice President Marketing/Recruitment Bob McKenzie Member-at-Large Brian Matthews
2004
The President (Frank Marks) spoke of the chorus achievements over the last year Successful singout program in 2004. especially with the Anglican Retirement Villages The advantage of the voice coaching by Jane Hennessey. This to continue in 2005 with Chloe Charody.
Our concert was a success and the total donation to Westmead Childrens Hospital was $16,000. The Learning CD will be ready for 2005. The purchase of the digital piano which will be in use for the Christmas Concert of 16 December 2004.
The President thanked specifically Brian Johnson, John Unsworth , Dave Rumsey and Peter Dustin and generally thanked members of the executive, and the background people who all worked to make sure that all things got done. Location of the chorus was The Eastwood Uniting Church, Lakeside Avenue, Eastwood.
2003 Brian Johnson our Music Director and our Assistant Music Directors Reg Hill and John Unsworth attended NZ workshops held by Dr Greg Lyne - Music Director of the great 'Masters of Harmony'. This was a great help to the chorus as many techniques from that workshop were adopted.
Voice coaching by Margi de Ferranti, and Jane Hennessy started in 2003 and continue to present but now by Chloe Charody with assistance from Eleanor Lyons.
We have had some outside help over the years with Choreography but currently it is developed by an inhouse team run by our member Tony Brown. Some years we've been fortunate to have US educators in the Barbershop craft and in 2003 Bob Brock made a visit.
To assist learning we purchased a second hand 4-track recorder, mikes etc, OHP and screen.
Col Goddard manufactured the necessary gantry to hold all mikes and his expertise in recording has proved extremely useful.
We held and attended several workshops this year for chorus blending and tuning, then the Eastern Region of our Australian Association's workshop at Amaroo. Education in barbershop technique was enhanced with the visit of Don Kahl for USA.
Our concert this year was the most successful so far in terms of funds raised and we able in December to give a large donation of $13,000. In the past our donations have ranged between $3,000 and $7,000.
This year we extended our costumes and introduced a black shirt with a long tie from our 'multi-coloured' material we use for the main costume.
This year Tom McManus Trophy was awarded to Colin Goddard.
Anglicare Retirement Villages continue to ask us back each year and we are grateful to them for the assistance it gives our fund raising for our hobby and our charity. Other singouts help our fund raising and consist of private and commercial events. We prefer to entertain at events where the audience can really pay attention and listen to our harmony rather than be background music. Fortunately, we now choose our singouts carefully.
Also continuing each year are our Quartet Workshops and Annual Handicapped Quartet Competition and both continue to be extremely popular.
2002
It saw us doing many quite different singouts such as Bridge Climb, Beethoven Society, G&S, Sydney Town Hall with Tommy Ticho, Royal Easter Show, Sing for the Danielle Wymark appeal and Hornsby Hospital.
The Tom McManus Trophy was awarded to Colin Goddard.
We performed another great concert.
2001 Onwards
Chorus Enhancement and Enrichment
It was another busy year with singouts including QVB, Normanhurst Uniting Church, Ryde Eastwood Leagues, Wisteria Festival,
In memory of a great SydneySiders member, the Late Tom McManus, a perpetual trophy was created, to be awarded annually to a member of the chorus who has shown:
1. Extraordinary improvement in singing performance,
2. Outstanding commitment to the chorus in a broad range of activities
3. Inspiration and encouragement to other members
We were pleased that this year's award went to Peter Dustin.
For the first time since conventions started in Australia in 1991, we had to withdraw from the Melbourne Convention this year due to chorus imbalance. This was a very difficult decision as for most of us the convention is a big highlight. Many members still went to give support to other barbershoppers and to enjoy the get together and great camaraderie that exists in this great hobby.
Dave Rumsey outlined a new award for the Most Improved Quartet to be given next year
2000
We held discussions with two other choruses with the view of amalgamation. Harmony Express and SydneySiders were able to come to an agreement and later that year the amalgamation between these two choruses took place. A midway location was selected for rehearsal - Eastwood. The name chosen for the new chorus was derived from both original chorus names, and so SydneySiders Express was born.
That year we also held a successful biennial concert at Abbotsleigh with the assistance of The Circular Keys Sweet Adelines (ladies’ barbershop) chorus. Again, we had many sing outs, which included QVB, Garrison retirement Village, St Ives Shopping Centre, QVB, Wahroonga Fair. McDonalds Challenge.
Bob Swan proposed the "Chorus Member of the year" James Mears, be awarded a trophy being Tom McManus's microphone.
1999 convention Harmony Express won the small chorus award!
From left -
4th row, Dick Costin, Govin Patten, Sid Cave, Jim Gordon, Ronny Cook
3rd, Fred Miel, Mario Belizzi, John Unsworth, Warwick Plumridge, Alan Moore
2nd, Luke Luk, Jim Aurelius, Glenn Denny, Mark Velayuthen
1st, Brian Johnson, Barry Lovegrove, Brian Dickerson
1998
Brian Johnson was confirmed as Music Director of Sydneysiders Men's Barbershop Chorus and Ron Quarmby Assistant Music Director.
Again another busy year with the annual Weekend Workshop held at Bathurst in May. A Harmony College held in September with US educators and quartet "Accoustix".
Our show "Old Time Music Variety Show" in November was a hit from all points of view.
The "dog's breakfast" costume was in short supply and we had to commission and English manufacturer to copy our pattern and produce a 'bolt' of it for us. All research and credit go to Bruce Page our costume manager.
Oct 1997 - Harmony Express born
Harmony Express grew quickly to about 22 men - pic below is at the 1997 convention. 
They attended the Harmony College several successful singouts and conducted a concert in November at the Cumberland Hospital Hall, Parramatta. They had been working hard on all of the songs for the concert, a substantial list of 14 songs.
1997 - Hosting the Convention - and Chorus Reorganisation
Over the last few years different philosophies were being formed within the chorus which eventually resulted in a split in 1997. A group led by Ian Miller and Doug Moran formed a much more competitive driven chorus called Broadway, later called Sydney Harmony after merging with Harbour City Harmony.
The SydneySiders Chorus owes much to Ian Miller, who as Music Director over many years was pivotal in our development of our barbershop singing. After Dale Jergensen returned to USA, Ian worked tirelessly from Dec 1990 to 1996 when he left to form Broadway.
Brian Johnson was requested to take on the position of Acting Music Director whilst we looked for a replacement for Ian Millar.
1996
The President's Report comments on the big changes, which took place such as the extremely successful recruitment drive led by VP Membership Ross Smith where the chorus grew to its largest size. For a short time there were approximately 70 members, however at the end of the year several of the longer serving members left for various reasons. Rob Strickland and Rob Dyer left to start a new chorus in Annandale, called Harbour City Harmony.
1995
We visited the hospital in December to sing in the wards and present our cheque. A very special time.
Here is from the left Raymond Jamieson, Bruce ?, Gary Hardy, patient, Eric Phillips and patient in front, all in Camperdown Ward (Oncology Ward).
This is our Convention photo dressed in our famous multi-coloured gear with our MD Ian Miller.
One of our concert outfits from our 1995 Concert
1994
1993
Not only did we see Tom Gentry in action at the Canberra workshop but he came to SydneySiders a fortnight later. We were privileged to be able to learn and train with this barbershop expert.
In March we attended and sang on-air at Manly Radio
This year was our first major concert in September we called Brass Harmony and held at Chatswood. Several of our quartets performed as did Doris Ward's Sydney Town Chorus.
1992
Second Row: B Magnusson, D Enoch, M Stevens, M Suthers, I Miller, G Dunn, C Felthan, T Phillips, R Smith
Front Row: T Tinworth, J Rabe, G Blundell, R Furguson, W Collins, P Dean, S Taylor, J Harrison
In June 1991 Dr Michael Stevens joined us. He is a special Dr at the Oncology Unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. This connection with the hospital and the particular section influenced us in 1992 to make them our permanent chosen charity where we would make donations at the end of every year.
1991
Truly 1991 was an historic year in barbershopping in Australia as it marked the first Australian Barbershop Convention in July, which was held at the Gold Coast. The SydneySiders quickly decided they were going to participate and Ian set to work to get us up to speed on a couple of songs - 'There'll Always be an Ireland' was one of them, and the other
was 'Paddlin 'Madeline Home' the first song for which we developed choreography as we canoed our way down the river with Madeline. The judging quartet was The Ritz who had won the International Championship in 1990 and after the convention The Ritz toured Australia coaching choruses. They made many friends whilst in Australia.Although we didn't do too well at this our first convention we really did enjoy the experience.
Then the massed sing at Fishermans Wharf was fantastic sound with all the choruses singing your hair really did stand on end
Also this year our Annual Concerts became more formal affairs held at increasingly larger venues with the intention of attracting an increasingly larger audience and thereby hopefully attracting more members to our group. Some of the venues we used were Knox Grammar School Hall - possibly twice - and the Mosman Town Hall, before starting our long association with Abbotsleigh, although initially we used the smaller concert chamber there, not the big hall which later became our regular venue.
Quartet photos like the one below began to appear in local newspapers to advertise our New Members Night. This proved to be a successful way of attracting new members to the chorus. The photo features from left to right; James Meares (Lead), Col Goddard (Baritone), Steven Rorke (Bass) and Barry Lovegrove (Tenor).
At a March Committee meeting we decided our first charity to recommend to members to which we would donate was the Hornsby Shire Sporting Trust's scheme to provide a boat for handicapped children.
Here we are at a r
etirement village singout with Ian Miller as Musical Director.
In December we took part in the Wahroonga Village Fair1990
March the Annual General Meeting elected the following main positions
President: Phil Dean Secretary: Tony Phillips
Treasurer: Stuart Taylor Musical Director: Dale Jorgensen
Assistant Musical Directors: Bill Collins and Ian Miller
Our first public performance was for the Roseville Musical Society at Lindfield Community Hall.
During 1990 we had a visit from Bruce Okley who had started the Perth Chorus "Men in Harmony" some years earlier and was by then regarded as one of the maestros in Australian barbershop. That chorus was instrumental in the formation of the Association of Men's Barbershop Society to become the main Australian body for Australian choruses who pay subscription and obtain help and insurance from. We rang many chords under Bruce's coaching.
It was also during 1990 that the Central Coast Chorus invited us to participate in two of their concerts. In the second concert they had invited Link Abbott down from the Gold Coast to MC it and conduct a grand chorus with several local choruses which included us plus Gold Medal USA champions, Interstate Rivals. This showed us how much we had to learn.
In November we held an evening concert of Barbershop Music at St John's Church Hall and included our first quartet The Fortunaires, Ian Carroll (lead), Stuart Taylor (Tenor), Wes Taylor (Baritone) and Bill Collins (Bass).
Here is a photo of the sing-out at a Rotary event, under the direction of Dale Jergensen (in front bottom right). Dale had to return to USA and at an Extra-ordinary General Meeting in December Ian Miller(back row extreme left) was chosen as our Musical Director.The Formation of SydneySiders Men's Barbershop Chorus
1989
Many barbershop things happened in 1989 in NSW, some of the dates are able to be identified others not so.
Through various contacts Doris had made between 1988 and 1989 she arranged for 7 interested men, mainly from Wahroonga Rotary and her husband Max to a meeting at her house at Carlingford in March 1989, to discuss the formation of a men’s barbershop chorus. Below are those who attended the inaugral meeting.
The Northern District Times was contacted, and an article attracted more interested singers. This
is the first flyer we created.The group name became"Sydneysiders Men's Barbershop Chorus" and met at St John's in Wahroonga.
The inaugural committee were Doris Ward Musical Director, President Phil Dean, Secretary Rob Ferguson and Stuart Taylor Treasurer.
Doris wrote to Bruce Okely, Secretary of AAMBS (Australian Association of Men Barbershop Singers Inc.) in April with some fee payments and commenting that we'd be going to the Bathurst Chorus's second seminar in May. Bruce answered soon afterwards congratulating us on forming the chorus in Australia's largest city.
Rehearsals continued at which Doris acted as Musical Director for about six months until an American working in Australia, Dale Jergensen from the Chicago Chapter, came along and was persuaded to take over this role. Practices moved to Wahroonga at the home of Phil Dean. In March 1990 we held our first Annual General Meeting of the Chorus where Phil Dean was elected President, and Dale Jergensen confirmed as Musical Director. At this time the annual subscriptions were $20.00 of which $7.50 was forwarded to AAMBS.
In May 1989 the Bathurst Barbershop Chorus organised a Celebration of Barbershop (Harmony College Weekend) at the Karingal Conference Centre, Mt Panorama, Bathurst. The two main educators were Link Abbott from The Banana Blenders and Joe Liles from SPESQA, USA. The weekend was enjoyed by all who attended.
In Dec 1989 The Blue Mountains Orchestra organised a music night from different genres. Among the artists were barbershoppers; The Blue Mountainaires, Bathurst City Chorus, Penrith Riverside Ramblers and Sydneysiders.
At the end of Dec 1989 the members of Sydneysiders Men's Barbershop Chorus were; Phil Dean, Rob Ferguson, Stuart Taylor, Bill Collins, Eric Riddle, Max Ward, Mike Nelmes, Dale Jorgensen, Bill Harper, Ian Carroll, Tony Phillips, Bob Burrows, Phill Ostle.
1988
Ian Miller, a Rotarian, from Rotarian District 968 (from the Harbour to Central Coast), organised a district wide Barbershop Competition.
Bob Quodling, Phil Dean, Phil Ostle, Ian Davidson, and Rob Ferguson of the Rotary Club of Wahroonga entered the competi
tion as the Wahroonga Warblers (WW), with Phil Dean on the piano, not realising that this style of singing was a cappella.
The finals were held before a packed house of 1200 people at the Central Coast Leagues Club. The WW sang two songs, an old standard and a political satirical one they had written themselves.
In making his adjudication the judge Ian Miller declared that all quartets had disqualified themselves by not singing unaccompanied but nevertheless declared WW the winners.
Also, during 1988 Doris and Max Ward travelled to Brisbane for the Queensland Men’s Tennis Championships where Max was one of the umpires. Doris had already joined a Sweet Adelines chorus in Sydney called Sydney Town Chorus and whilst in Brisbane she went to a rehearsal of “The Banana Blenders” (male chorus) (now called just The Blenders) and was impressed.
Doris made enquiries from SPEBSQSA (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc.-now call Barbershop Harmony Society, as to how a chorus could be started in Sydney.
Doris was referred to David Russell, a member of Bathurst Men's Barbershop Chorus, who helped Doris with information.
1985
Saturday August 10, 1985, a family social evening was held at St John’s Uniting Church Wahroonga with one of the items on the program being a “BS Quartet”.
Two of the members of that barbershop quartet were Phil Dean and Rob Ferguson.
END
