Vocal FX

Vocal FX is a young men's barbershop a capella group, based in Wellington, New Zealand. It was formed in 2003. Their style ranges from barbershop to upbeat early pop. Charlotte Murray is the musical director.

Formation

Vocal FX was first incepted in 2003 by Charlotte Murray, Les Nation and Petra Markham, who were interested in promoting barbershop to the youth of New Zealand. The group met every Monday night at Onslow College in Johnsonville. Around twelve people attended practice during the first year, four of which were Tawa College's Musical Island Boys quartet. In 2005, the chorus relocated to Tawa.

Notable achievements

2011 - 7th place chorus - 2011 BHS International Convention^[1]

2010 - New Zealand Barbershop [NZABS] chorus champions^[2]

2009 - New Zealand Barberhop [NZABS] chorus champions^[3]

2009 - 10th place chorus - 2009 BHS International Convention^[4]

2007 - New Zealand Barbershop [NZABS] chorus champions^[5]

2007 - New Zealand Barbershop [NZABS] Small Chorus champions^[5]

2007 - 11th place chorus - 2007 BHS International Convention^[6]

2006 - New Zealand Barbershop [NZABS] chorus champions^[7]

2005 - New Zealand Barbershop [NZABS] third place chorus^[8]

Vocal FX has competed in national and international competitions.

The chorus was evaluated for the first time in Christchurch in 2004, performing "Royal Garden Blues" and "My Wonderful One".

Vocal FX competed for the first time at Napier in 2005, singing "My Wonderful One" and "Royal Garden Blues". The chorus placed third.

In 2006 with just over 20 members, the chorus competed with the songs "When My Sugar Walks Down The Street" and "Come Fly With Me" at the national convention, placing first.

Vocal FX traveled to the international convention in Denver, Colorado in 2007. The chorus had grown to 29 members and was awarded eleventh place [out of 39 choruses] at the international convention.

The chorus returned to the stage in Dunedin at the 2007 National NZABS convention, and retained their first place status in New Zealand.

In 2008 the NZABS did not hold a national convention.

Vocal FX competed in the 2009 international BHS convention held in Anaheim, Los Angeles, placing tenth.

At the 2009 National Convention held in their hometown of Wellington city, Vocal FX won the gold and retained their title as a National champion chorus. NZABS 2009 Convention results sheet

In 2011 Vocal FX competed at the international BHS convention in Kansas City, Missouri, placing seventh, matching the highest placement for a non-BHS chorus.

The Musical Island Boys

The Musical Island Boys quartet features Lusa Washburn as lead, Matt Gifford as bass, Jeff Hunkin as tenor, and William Hunkin as baritone. They are the 2006 International Collegiate quartet champions and the International Barbershop Quartet silver medalists for 2011, 2012 and 2013. They were International Barbershop Quartet gold medalists in 2014.^[9]

Les Nation

In 1989 Les Nation organised and founded the first New Zealand youth quartet competition. He founded the Young Singers In Harmony [YSIH],^[10] aimed at promoting and expanding youth barbershop in New Zealand. In late 2003, he co founded the youth chorus Vocal FX.

Harbour Capital Chorus

Harbour Capital Chorus is a barbershop chorus located in Wellington city and have a close relationship with the Vocal FX chorus.