The story so far ... something to sing about

Vocal Academy was formed in 2001 when a group of men who enjoy singing all kinds of music decided to get together once a week to practice their hobby. Since that time this Sawtry-based chorus has grown in size and gained a reputation for exciting, top quality performances. In 2002 the chorus won a number of competitions in Bedford, Oundle, Peterborough and Leicester, where they won the prestigious Mercury Rose Bowl for being the outstanding choir of the competition. Since then success has continued with further wins at Oundle in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and national top-10 placings in 2005, 2007 and 2008 in the British Association of Barbershop Singers annual chorus competition; an enviable record of for such new chorus.

Chorus Director Graham Davies is no stranger to success; he has directed a chorus to National Championship Gold Medal status and is a member of the former National Championship Gold Medal quartet Light Industrial Choral Society. He is keen to develop the chorus and says that its success is due to “ a really good social group who work hard and have a lot of fun”

In May 2005, and 36-strong, Vocal Academy competed at the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) Convention for the first time and were placed 9th among British choruses in Brighton - as a first time out, we are justly proud of this: our first convention and we were officially a top-10 chorus! After a disappointing drop to 15th in 2006, we achieved 9th in 2007 (with higher marks than 2005) and a trophy: the Cambridge Scroll for most improved chorus and were placed joint 8th in 2008.