Home > Community News > Article

DF Issue No. 29  April 05

Jeff Tanlimco, the lone Filipino member of the City of Sails Barbershop Chorus, joins the choir group to Salt Lake City, Utah, to compete with the world’s top 20 choruses come July 2005. Jeff joined the all-men Auckland chorus in February 2004, and after coveting the title at the PanPacific Championships in Christchurch in October last year, the singing group has been invited to join this international competition.

As part of their fundraising activities for their US trip, sponsorships are now being solicited from a number of companies in return for choral performances at their corporate functions, promotional events, or other celebrations. The City of Sails Chorus offers a fabulous performance with a repertoire ranging from NZ favourites like Pokare Kare Ana and Hine e Hine to more epic pieces like Danny Boy, the Irish Blessing or the Lord’s Prayer. As their chorus is also made up of New Zealand’s best quartets, they can offer either quartets at smaller receptions or a full chorus at gala dinners or bigger events.

The genre of their music is the Barbershop Style. The 55-men chorus sing acapella, where one part, the lead, carries the melody line while the other three parts harmonise around the lead creating the typical “ringing” barbershop chords. In addition to singing, barbershoppers always focus on entertaining through different movements, expressions and gags, which constitute the three criteria at barbershop competitions.

Founded in 1979 as the first barbershop chapter in New Zealand, several founding members still sing with the chorus. The chorus has won 9 out of the 12 titles since the New Zealand championships started in 1992. Today there are more than 400 men [and a similar number of women] singing barbershop in New Zealand, from Invercargill to Whangarei.

A UP alumnus, Jeff eventually came to New Zealand after spending some time in the USA and Australia. He is now a Unitec staff member and apart from singing, he also enjoys other interests like bowling, badminton and scuba diving. Having performed on the stage since his young age, he has become quite comfortable on the stage. Jeff though still prefers musicals and musical revues.

The Filipino community takes pride to see Jeff a part of this reputable group, certainly another Filipino first. He welcomes any form of support from his kababayans and non-Filipinos. For possible sponsorship arrangements. Dr Bjorn Pilstrom, Marketing Committee, at 021-737-133 or e-mail bjorn.pilstrom@xtra.co.nz.
 

return to top