Some photos from EARLY DAYS showing inaugural members and Musical Directors (former and current). If you can add to this gallery, pls advise Bob Whitworth
First meeting of The Melbournaires 1991
First meeting of The Melbournaires 1991
The club was formed at an inaugural meeting on 9th May 1991. The group was entertained by a barbershop quartet called Short Back and Sides from Gisborne. The inital members were Graeme Murphy, Hilton Amos, Graeme Mitchell, Will Hart, Steven Podesta, Don Reinsch, Michael Knucky, Peter Gray, Alex Hamilton, Robert Wilkie, Dave Fuller, Dallas Homewood, Peter Cornwallis
The club was formed at an inaugural meeting on 9th May 1991. The group was entertained by a barbershop quartet called Short Back and Sides from Gisborne. The inital members were Graeme Murphy, Hilton Amos, Graeme Mitchell, Will Hart, Steven Podesta, Don Reinsch, Michael Knucky, Peter Gray, Alex Hamilton, Robert Wilkie, Dave Fuller, Dallas Homewood, Peter Cornwallis
Mandy Johnson, Inaugural Musical Director from 1991 to 1993. Mandy's vibrant outgoing personality gave us a kick start.
Mandy Johnson, Inaugural Musical Director from 1991 to 1993. Mandy's vibrant outgoing personality gave us a kick start.
Inaugural MD Mandy Johnson 1991 - 1993. Mandy's vibrant and outgoing personality gave us a kick start.
Inaugural MD Mandy Johnson 1991 - 1993. Mandy's vibrant and outgoing personality gave us a kick start.
Mandy Johnson and Chorus, 1993
Mandy Johnson and Chorus, 1993
Mandy was our first MD. Our initial costume was white shirt, and black trousers with red braces and a red bow tie. Mandy Johnson from the Melbourne Chorus of Sweet Adelines International became the Chorus's first Musical Director.
Mandy was our first MD. Our initial costume was white shirt, and black trousers with red braces and a red bow tie. Mandy Johnson from the Melbourne Chorus of Sweet Adelines International became the Chorus's first Musical Director.
Bill Albrecht was MD from 1994 to 1996
Bill Albrecht was MD from 1994 to 1996
Bill Albrecht moved to Melbourne from the USA and fell into MD role. He took us to our first Australian Barbershop Convention in Canberra in 1995, where we came third and were awarded a BRONZE MEDAL for our performance of "My Wild Irish Rose" and "I Want A Girl".
Bill Albrecht moved to Melbourne from the USA and fell into MD role. He took us to our first Australian Barbershop Convention in Canberra in 1995, where we came third and were awarded a BRONZE MEDAL for our performance of "My Wild Irish Rose" and "I Want A Girl".
Bill Albrecht MD and The Melbournaires 1996
Bill Albrecht MD c.1995 and a couple of Life Members
Bill Albrecht MD c.1995 and a couple of Life Members
As well as MD Bill, Life Members Len Nayler and Kingie Teagle are in the front row of this beaut barbershop photo.
As well as MD Bill, Life Members Len Nayler and Kingie Teagle are in the front row of this beaut barbershop photo.
Len Nayler MD 1997
Len Nayler MD 1997
MD Len Nayler took us to the Sydney AAMBS Convention and to very high scores in competition. At Sydney we sang "Hello My Baby" and "Pal Of My Cradle Days". He showed us how to perform "in the barbershop style". Len sings bass and is a Life Member of The Melbournaires
MD Len Nayler took us to the Sydney AAMBS Convention and to very high scores in competition. At Sydney we sang "Hello My Baby" and "Pal Of My Cradle Days". He showed us how to perform "in the barbershop style". Len sings bass and is a Life Member of The Melbournaires
Bernie Cureton MD1998 - 1999
Bernie Cureton MD1998 - 1999
Bernie came to us from the Great Western Chorus in Bristol, England and took us to the Brisbane AAMBS Convention in Brisbane where we sang "Let The Rest Of The World Go By" and "Suzie's Fella".
Bernie came to us from the Great Western Chorus in Bristol, England and took us to the Brisbane AAMBS Convention in Brisbane where we sang "Let The Rest Of The World Go By" and "Suzie's Fella".
Bernie Cureton MD - ABC Studios c.1998
Bernie Cureton MD - ABC Studios c.1998
Bernie Cureton commenced as MD with The Melbournaires on 2 Feb 1998 and left in 2000 to go to the Gold Coast. In this photo he led us at a Melbourne ABC Studios performance.
Bernie Cureton commenced as MD with The Melbournaires on 2 Feb 1998 and left in 2000 to go to the Gold Coast. In this photo he led us at a Melbourne ABC Studios performance.
Bernie Cureton MD and The Melbournaires 1999
Bernie Cureton MD and The Melbournaires 1999
Bernie Cureton MD and the Chorus rehearsed for the 1999 Brisbane Convention in a carpark beneath the building, though this is not the carpark photo. At Brisbane we sang "Let The Rest Of The World Go By" and "Suzie's Fella".
Bernie Cureton MD and the Chorus rehearsed for the 1999 Brisbane Convention in a carpark beneath the building, though this is not the carpark photo. At Brisbane we sang "Let The Rest Of The World Go By" and "Suzie's Fella".
James Wettenhall MD 2000 - 2002
James Wettenhall MD 2000 - 2002
James Wettenhall was the youngest member of The Melbournaires when he bacame MD in 2000. He led us at the 2001 Melbourne Pan Pacific Convention which we hosted.
James Wettenhall was the youngest member of The Melbournaires when he bacame MD in 2000. He led us at the 2001 Melbourne Pan Pacific Convention which we hosted.
Ian Lushey MD 2002 to current
Ian Lushey MD 2002 to current
Ian Lushey joined The Melbournaires as a baritone in September 1994 and took over as MD in 2002 and has since taken The Melbournaires Harmony Chorus to every AAMBS/BHA National Convention. Ian's attention to perfect Chorus singing has helped us to constantly improve. During this time Ian has also sung with quartet "Six Foot Four".
Ian Lushey joined The Melbournaires as a baritone in September 1994 and took over as MD in 2002 and has since taken The Melbournaires Harmony Chorus to every AAMBS/BHA National Convention. Ian's attention to perfect Chorus singing has helped us to constantly improve. During this time Ian has also sung with quartet "Six Foot Four".
John Webb MD Between The Bays Harmony Chorus and Assistant MD The Melbournaires
John Webb MD Between The Bays Harmony Chorus and Assistant MD The Melbournaires
John Webb has sung tenor with The Melbournaires since October 1995, has been Assistant Musical Director, and now is Musical Director of Between The Bays Harmony Chorus which rehearses in the Langwarrin/Frankston area. John took BTB Chorus to the 2013 Perth BHA National Convention where it sang "I Love To Heart That Old Barbershop Style" and "Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair". John Webb has sung with many quartets, mostly as tenor, but also as lead. His animated directing brings out the "performer" in us all.
John Webb has sung tenor with The Melbournaires since October 1995, has been Assistant Musical Director, and now is Musical Director of Between The Bays Harmony Chorus which rehearses in the Langwarrin/Frankston area. John took BTB Chorus to the 2013 Perth BHA National Convention where it sang "I Love To Heart That Old Barbershop Style" and "Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair". John Webb has sung with many quartets, mostly as tenor, but also as lead. His animated directing brings out the "performer" in us all.
