TNL takes Germany by storm

By Judi Church (wife of TNL member)

Twelve months of planning, fundraising and anticipation became a dream come true on March 3, 2006,  when the Toronto Northern Lights took Germany by storm at the BinG Convention. First, let me tell you about BinG (Barbershoppers in Germany). Men and women compete against each other in the same contest. Everyone sings in English!

The lights stay on low during the contest. The emcee walked onto the stage between competitors and talked to the audience; he also interviews some quartets on stage after their performance. Flash photography is allowed.

The quartet competition is a one-night affair. The main floor in the 1,400 seat house is reserved for non-Barbershoppers to better promote the hobby — Barbershoppers fill the rest of the seats. All in all, it is a lovely, relaxed atmosphere where singers come to perform and enjoy each other’s talents.

To say the Toronto Northern Lights was a hit is like saying David Wright dabbles in song-writing. In their four (count them — four!) performances, the little chorus from Canada had no fewer than 12 standing ovations. There were chants of, “We want more!” and a uniquely German cry that comes from the back of the throat and sounds like nothing you’ve heard before.

The audiences loved them! They could not get enough. To have such a reception was rewarding and emotional, and I’m sure it surpassed even their wildest dreams.

There was a real connection between the “Little Guys”, who are known for their groundbreaking, entertaining performances and the German crowd. North American audiences have experienced the raw emotion of “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime;” the audience in Dortmund owned the emotion with the chorus.

Let me share with you the program for the weekend.

Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m. was the quartet competition. The Authentics and Fusion, two quartets from TNL, were part of the mike-warmers (and one member from each quartet arrived at 5 that afternoon!).

Friday, March 3 at 11 p.m. was the Show of Stars. The Toronto Northern Lights closed the show with their mime performance, which delighted the audience. This was what they had been waiting for. It capped off an evening of extraordinary performances, and it was the beginning of a love affair with the BinG crowd.

Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m. was the chorus competition. TNL were the mike coolers, closing the competition with a program of high-quality contest songs, including “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime.”

Saturday, March 4 at 7 p.m. was the Show of Champions. The first, second and third place quartets and choruses sang, Blue Berry Blues, Enigma, The New Harvest Singers, the BUZZ and Toronto Northern Lights.

TNL presented an International Package, including “Alabamy Bound” (USA), “She’s Like a Swallow” (Canada), “Ning Wendete” (Kenya), “Brahms Lullaby” (with one chorus in German! — talk about a crowd-pleaser!), and “The Prayer” (sung in English and Italian a la Celine Dion and Andreas Boccelli).

Could it get any better? — YES! The first encore was “Circle of Life,” which is a hit anywhere; the second was “Alabamy Bound” which had been sung  by Ladies First, a female chorus, during the afternoon competition. The third was “Orange-Colored Sky” because as Steve said, “It’s short and we’re tired.” Steve Armstrong’s heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the chorus was expressed eloquently in his speech to the audience.

The afterglow, in the lobby of the Konzerthaus, was a celebration of song from all corners, but one of the highlights was when Ladies First asked TNL to sing “Alabamy Bound” with them. Then the winning chorus took seats on the stairs and TNL congregated at the bottom to perform another four or five numbers. What a great melding of male and female voices, Canadian and German singers. This is what it’s all about — different cultures sharing their great hobby! Wunderbar!

Sunday, March 5 at 11 a.m., Barbershop Matinee — In Seventh Heaven. The BUZZ, Toronto Northern Lights, first place quartet and first place chorus. This performance was recorded for a future radio broadcast. The radio host conversed with the in-house audience and the radio audience in German, continued his thought in English as he turned his attention to TNL and director, Steve Armstrong. Moments before the performance, Steve found out that the host would most likely ask him some questions; having little or no time to prepare for the carefully crafted questions, Steve spoke with the same care and wit he employs at TNL rehearsals.  

Under Steve’s direction, TNL proved to be wonderful ambassadors for Canada and barbershopping. It seemed fitting that their final performance would be shared with many people through this broadcast.

Man for man in TNL, the experience they all had in Germany is, without question, the most memorable barbershop experience they’ve ever had, and will have significant, lasting impact.

k