- Harmonisers (and guests) bring Christmas joy to Burgess Hill
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Date Posted: Fri, 13 Dec 2024
The combined male/female members of the Sussex Harmonisers, plus a number of guests who had attended reahearsals as part of the 'Sing ith Us At Christmas' programme all joined together in festive harmony this week at the Sussex Harmonisers annual carol concert in St John's Church, Burgess Hill. This is the ninth year the programme has brought a mix of carols, festive songs and readings to an appeciative audience and whilst donations are happily received at the end of the evening, the concert always has - and always will be; free to attend.
(Photo by Brian Dandridge)
- Festive Song for Santa Sunday (Sussex A Cappella, Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Mon, 2 Dec 2024
Members of both choruses were out in Hurstpierpoint on Sunday 1st December to add some festive accompaniment to the village's Santa Sunday event. Frustratingly close to Santa himself (lurking in his bus shelter grotto) we didn't get the opportunity to go and see him, but hopefully over the course of our three 25 minute sets, we demonstrated what good boys and girls we have all been and he will be kind to us on Christmas Eve!
- Come and Sing with us this Christmas - FREE
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Date Posted: Tue, 5 Nov 2024
Another chance to sing with us this Christmas - for free!
Come along on Tuesday evenings from November 12th at 7.30 p.m. at Woodlands Meed College, Birchwood Grove Road, Burgess Hill RH15 0DP.
We will all be performing in our annual charity concert on Tuesday 10th December 2024 in St John's Church, Burgess Hill
- Annual Concert a Huge Success
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Date Posted: Sun, 27 Oct 2024
This year's concert was titled "Autumn Harmonies' and the event duly delivered on its promise, with a packed programme of harmonic song from both the Sussex Kings of Harmony and Sussex A Cappella, as well as a superb guest appearance by Stepping Out - a barbershop quartet that between them have over 100 years experience of close harmony singing.
This was the club's first time performing in St Andrew's Church in Burgess Hill; the venue suited the sound very well and everyone had a good time. Possibly too good - the concert overran by twenty minutes. Luckily the audience didn't seem to mind and the cries of 'more' at the end were gratefully received as confirmation of a job well done.
- New Members - free sessions available
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Date Posted: Tue, 1 Oct 2024
Both choruses are always welcoming new members. So if you're looking for somewhere to enjoy singing in a friendly and supportive environment - come along to one of our rehearsals. The first rehearsal of each month is an 'open' rehearsal geared towards visitors but you are more than welcome to attend any rehearsal to see and hear what we do.
Female voices are welcome to come along any Monday at the Kings Centre, Victoria Road, Burgess Hill from 7.30 p.m. to discover the fun we have learning beautiful a cappella arrangements in four-part harmony.
Male voices - pop over to Woodlands Meed College in Birchwood Grove Road, Burgess Hill from 7.30 p.m. on a Tuesday evening to see how much fun the guys have singing some great songs together in close harmony..
Whatever your voice it will fit into our choruses. So why not come along and give it a go. If you love a sing-song in the pub, a bit of karaoke or just singing in the shower, this is the club for you!
Just email visitors@sussexharmonisers.org.uk to let us know you'll be coming so we can welcome you when you visit..
- Sussex Kings appear at Hurst Festival (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Wed, 28 Aug 2024
As part of the 20th anniversary Hurst Festival, the Sussex Kings of Harmony combined with another local chorus (Vocal Fusion Acapella) to present a unique programme of unaccompanied harmony singing on Tuesday 24th September in Sayers Common.
In an event that presented two male choruses for the price of one, the programme included a wide variety of well-known songs, from the likes of Elton John, Queen, Adele to name but a few. Both choruses have their roots in barnershop music, but reserved the right to stray away from the genre as part of this unique event!
The evening culminated with both choruses sharing the stage for a rousing rendition of Hello Mary Lou.For more information, see: https://www.hurstfestival.org/events/event/?eventID=1045
- Sussex Kings of Harmony celebrate with Jack the Lad at More Radio (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Fri, 23 Aug 2024
Helping you celebrate
Sussex Kings of Harmony added some extra fun to a special day for Jack the Lad, breakfast presenter at More Radio in Burgess Hill on 23rd August 2024. He had been treated to a massage by his co-broadcasters and was delighted to be serenaded with the a cappella four-part harmony version of Happy Birthday from these guys. Worth getting up early for!
- Harmonic Encouragement at the Brighton Race For Life (Sussex A Cappella)
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Date Posted: Mon, 1 Jul 2024
Both choruses combined on Sunday 30th June to lend their tuneful support to the runners & walkers taking part in the Race for Life at Stanmer Park, Brighton. On a very hot day, we hope we brought some musical encouragment to the participants as they reached the top of a grassy hill before heading back to the finish line. In a rolling repertoire that saw the choruses mixing and matching but focusing on the 'upbeat' numbers, many of the runners will have seen us more than once as they completed a number of laps of the course. We hope they didn't get the same song each time!
At over two hours, it was one of the longest gig we've ever done, but really proud to be supporting this charity and delighted to be a part of a fundraising effort which saw over £244,000 raised for cancer research.
- Guest Appearance for Sussex Kings at Goring Concert (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Sat, 18 May 2024
The Sussex KIngs of Harmony were the invited guests at a concert in Goring on Sea on Friday 17th May. The concert was hosted by the Croydon Male Voice choir as part of their annual tour of the county and the Kings provided the perfect counterpoint to Croydon's exceptional programme of choral and spiritual songs, adding two sets of unaccompanied barbershop to a wonderfully varied evening of vocal entertainment. The amazing accoustics of St Mary's Church were perfect for the massed ranks of Croydon (they brought 40 guys which is still only half the choir) and equally perfect for the small but powerful Kings chorus.
It was a welcome return - and a case of deja vu, for the Kings' musical director, Roger Pinsent, who was formerly the MD at Croydon, and took the opportunity to direct his arrangement of 'Angels' with the larger choir.
- Life Membership for a Truly Original Barbershopper
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Date Posted: Wed, 1 May 2024
Robin Pond was awarded LIfe Membership of the club during the Open Rehearsal yesterday evening. Robin is arguably the most experienced quartet barbershop singer at the club, having joined the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) in 1968. He has performed at a variety of top sporting events, weddings, balls and banquets - and has also appeared on Radio and Television. He has also had success competing in music festivals and BABS contests throughout the country and internationally., to say nothing of the support he has given members within the club itself.
The award was presented by Shanna Wells, Chair of BABS who just happened to be visiting the chorus yesterday evening as part of her BABS 50th anniversary tour. 😉
- Acoustic Night at the Hove Club (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024
The Sussex Kings of Harmony were at the Hove Club this evening as part of an evening of acoustic music organised by the club. Part of a bill that included acts from ukele and harmonica performers and an acoustic 80's band, the Kings performed two sets from their repertoire to an enthusiastic audience in what was the first event of its kind at the club.
- Liz Garnett workshop a huge success
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Date Posted: Sun, 7 Apr 2024
Members from both club choruses were in perfect harmony this weekend for a workshop run by visiting musicologist Dr Liz Garnett. In a fun-packed day on the theme of 'the listening chorus'. The morning was devoted to developing (and listening to) the combined chorus, with the afternoon affording the opportunity for Liz to work with each chorus individually whilst the other chorus listened in. No surprise that by the end of the day the chorus felt - and sounded - like it was working together so much better.
All in all, a fabulous day of music and a reminder why we all love this hobby!
- Harmonisers & Friends deliver joyful Christmas Concert in Burgess Hill (Sussex A Cappella, Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Tue, 12 Dec 2023
Both club choruses, plus guests that had been attending rehearsals as part of the 'Sing with us at Christmas' programme, were in St John's Church in Burgess Hill this evening for the annual carol concert. Singing in front of a packed church, the performance included carols, festive songs, readings and gave the audience plenty of opportunity to sing along.
Happy, smiling faces all round and the perfect way to celebrate Christmas!
- Christmas in Burgess Hill Market Place Shopping Centre (Sussex A Cappella, Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Sat, 9 Dec 2023
Both choruses were in the Market Place Shopping Centre on Saturday 9th December to entertain the passers by. Here are Sussex A Capella sharing a joke with our Musical Director, Roger Pinsent. A fun time was had by all. 
YouTube Video URL:
- Sparkling Entertainment at Ridgeview Estate (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Wed, 6 Dec 2023
Over to the Ridgeview Winery in Ditchling this evening where a small group of men from the Sussex Kings of Harmony were on hand to provide the musical accompaniment to the opening of the Rows and Vine Restaurant. Festive cheer all round and the opportunity to sample this year's sparking wine - named Bloomsbury, since you ask. Thumbs up from all the fellas - just so long as they don't expect this sort of thing after every gig...
- Early festive song in Burgess Hill
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Date Posted: Sat, 25 Nov 2023
A combined chorus from both Sussex KIngs of Harmony and Sussex A Cappella was at Woodlands Meed School in Burgess Hill this weekend to support the Kangafriends Festive Fair. The Sussex KIngs rehearse in Woodland Meed College (every Tuesday night at 7:30pm gents, if you wanted to pop along...) , so we were more than happy to support this event and add some Christmas musicality to what turned out to be a very busy event. Sandwiched between a hall full of stalls/activity and an inflatable snow globe full of bouncing children, this was never going to be an easy gig but the chorus coped admirably and delivered plenty of festive cheer to the event. Too early for carols in November? Bah humbug. YouTube Video URL:
- The Harmonisers Open HURSTFolk Festival
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Date Posted: Fri, 17 Nov 2023
The club was delighted to be involved in the inaugural HURSTfolk weekend - an event organised to showcase the talent that exists in and around Hurstpierpoint. As the opening act of a packed musical weekend, the club didn't disappoint and delivered an evening of high quality entertainment from both the ladies and gents choruses. The Danny House venue proved to be the perfect location for an intimate musical soiree!
- Come & Sing with us at Christmas
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Date Posted: Wed, 1 Nov 2023
Once again Sussex Harmonisers are inviting friends and supporters to come and sing with them at their Christmas Concert on December 12th 2023.
Rehearsals start on Tuesday 7th November - rehearsals are in Burgess Hill, 7:30pm - 9:00pm. Anyone interested in joining the festive chorus can email contact@sussexharmonisers.org.uk for more details and access to the music being sung at the concert.
- Halloween at Prescott House (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Mon, 30 Oct 2023
A small group from Sussex Kings of Harmony were in Burgess Hill on Friday, entertaining the staff and residents of Prescott House. Our orange shirts blending in perfectly with the Halloween decorations! A good time was had by all, but that's always going to happen where there is music, laughter... and cake!
- Haywards Heath Town Day
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Date Posted: Sun, 10 Sep 2023
The team from Sussex Harmonisers had a very hot, but very good time at Haywards Heath Town Day enjoying meeting the locals and singing a few songs. We're looking forward to some of them coming along for a 'taster' session (or 4) with us in the coming weeks.
Don't forget - you can always pop in to any of our rehearsals (timing and venues in our Events listing) to see if singing close harmony with our choruses is for you. Just email visitors@sussexharmonisers.org.uk to let us know you're coming.
- Barbershop Rocks in Haywards Heath (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Sat, 29 Jul 2023
.jpg "Barbershop Rocks in Haywards Heath")
The KIngs of Harmony were in action on Saturday 29th July as part of the Cuckfield, Lindfield & Haywards Heath Rotary event - Rotary Rocks.
Not the type of event you might expect to see a barbershop chorus and being sandwiched between Elton John and Alanis Morissette tribute acts as we were, there was some nervousness over how we might be received. Thankfully, the audience were there to listen to music, which we gave them in our unique unaccompanied, unamplifed style. This was the first Rotary Rocks event and based on its success we think it will become an annual fixture in the Orchards calendar.
- Both Choruses Entertain in Horsted Keynes
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Date Posted: Thu, 6 Jul 2023
Another fun sing out - entertaining the good folk at Abbeyfield's home in Horsted Keynes. It must have been OK - we've been invited back to entertain them again at Christmas!
- Air Ambulance Fundraiser (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Sun, 4 Jun 2023
Having only just come off stage at the Lindfield Village Day, it was a quick transfer over to Haywards Heath for the Sussex Kings of Harmony to sing in the Orchards Shopping Centre as part of the Air Ambulance Fundraiser. Lucky we were already warmed up!
- Both Choruses in Action at Lindfield Village Day
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Date Posted: Sat, 3 Jun 2023
Mexican standoff?.. Men v Women singoff?... Roger Pinsent gets both choruses warmed up and ready before they take to the stage as part of the entertainment for this year's Lindfield Village Day.
- May 2023 - Men's chorus competes at national barbershop competition (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Thu, 1 Jun 2023
The Sussex Kings of Harmony attended this year's British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) convention in Bournemouth and were very please with the outcome, finishing a creditable 13th with a score of 65.8% - our second highest ever! Most pleasing was the fact that, despite a smaller chorus this year, the Kings still produced a consistent and balanced sound, scoring equally well for both songs. The guys came off stage buzzing - all the hard work had paid off. Next year will be the 50th anniversary convention in Harrogate and we can't wait! YouTube Video URL:
- Successful Auction of Promises evening - May 2022
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Date Posted: Mon, 22 May 2023
May 20th 2023 was a superb evening of fun and music for all involved held at The Woolpack in Burgess Hill.
Our Auctioneer supreme, Jon Orrell, persuaded those present to part with their hard-earned cash for multiple items, even persuading them to pay for 'Absolutely Nothing' towards the end of the evening! Funds raised as a result from ticket sales, raffle and auction items totalled nearly £2000. A tremendous boost to our charitable efforts.
Thanks to everyone who came along, helped out or performed to entertain those present. Special thanks go to Theresa Halsey who organised the entire evening with skill and style.
- Easter Hooray in Haywards Heath
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Date Posted: Sat, 8 Apr 2023
Both choruses in action again this weekend at the Easter Hooray event at the Orchards in Haywards Heath. We even got to meet the Easter Bunny!
- Kings get Romantic in Haywards Heath (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Sat, 11 Feb 2023
Is that love in the air, or the sound of four part close harmony?... Well it's probably both, because we love singing!
The Sussex Kings of Harmony were at the Orchards in Haywards Heath today, sharing the love with the local community via the medium of song.
- Roger Pinsent - Chorus Director
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Date Posted: Thu, 19 Jan 2023
Following the retirement of Mark Grindall who had been the club's overall Musical Director for the last six years, we were pleased to announce in July 2022 that Roger Pinsent had joined us as Chorus Director of Sussex Kings of Harmony.
Update*** We are now delighted to confirm that he's accepted the role of Chorus Director at Sussex A Cappella from January 2023 following Penny Homer's departure to work with choirs closer to her home in South London. We were very grateful for Penny for her dedication in travelling to rehearsals and performances throughout her tenure and coping with the rail strikes and frequent delays caused by problems on the rail network. We wish her well in her new role.
- Festive Support for the District Council (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Sun, 4 Dec 2022
Drafting in at the 11th hour, the Sussex Kings of Harmony were more than happy to support the Mid Sussex District Council Chair's Civic Service of Carols and Readings. Held at the beautiful St Swithuns Church in East Grinstead, it was the perfect opportunity to sing songs from our festive repertoire and make use of the accoustics a large church offers.
- Barbershopper of the Year 2021
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Date Posted: Fri, 16 Sep 2022
Congratulations to Nigel Tarr (the one of the left), on his 'Barbershopper of the Year' 2021 award. A richly deserved recognition for his huge contribution to the success of our club over many years. Thank you from all of us Nigel! Here Nigel receives his award from Andy Heap, club Chair.
- May 2022 - Men's chorus at convention in Harrogate (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Mon, 6 Jun 2022
.jpeg "May 2022 - Men's chorus at convention in Harrogate")
- Barbershopper of the Year - 2020 (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Thu, 16 Dec 2021
Congratulations to Pete, one of our Baritones, on his BOTY award for 2021.
- Entertaining Success During Lockdown (Sussex Kings of Harmony)
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Date Posted: Sun, 1 Aug 2021
During lockdown, our national organisation – the British Association of Barbershop Singers – were unable to arrange our usual annual competitions and championships, so this year it was held on YouTube with submissions from choruses and quartets all over the country. The Sussex Kings of Harmony submitted their ‘Is This the way to Amarillo’ virtual recording and we are delighted to announce - WE WON THE 'MOST ENTERTAINING' CATEGORY!
As regular followers will know, in the months that passed during lockdown the Sussex Kings of Harmony and Sussex A Cappella made a number of unmasked performances which are now on our YouTube Channel
YouTube Video URL:
