Top New Zealand four-part harmony chorus, the Waikato Rivertones will perform a farewell concert at Founders Theatre at the end of this month before they head to Denver, Colorado for international competition.
The group will travel to Denver next month to represent New Zealand in the world Sweet Adelines harmony championships. Master director, Barbara Smith said the Rivertones wanted to give fans a chance to hear the chorus at their best before they head overseas.
Broadway Bound will be held at the Founders Theatre on Sunday, September 30 at 2pm. The title refers to the "Broadway" package the group is performing on the Denver stage, and it's also the title of their latest CD, which will be on sale at the venue.
The group's music ranges from standards, big ballads and classic well-known songs to more modern music by artists such as Queen and Billy Joel, all sung in a cappella (unaccompanied) harmony. More than 80 women, from teens to over 70, from throughout the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, King Country, Auckland and Taupo sing with the Rivertones.
In 2007 the Rivertones won the world champion mid-sized four-part harmony chorus title at the Harmony Classic contest in San Antonio, Texas - the first time the title had left the United States. In 2009 the group again competed in the world championships, in Nashville after winning the 2008 New Zealand championship.
Tickets to Broadway Bound are $25 adults, $20 seniors and $10 students, available through Ticketek.