History

Founding member, Heather Thomas, had a vision to start a

Barbershop Chorus as there was no such thing in Scottish Borders. 

After advertising in the local papers and with posters, the first

rehearsal for the Chorus (which at that time was known as

Vocal Essence) took place on Wednesday 17th November 2004

under the musical directorship of Nancy Chapman. Other early

Musical Directors were Maureen Dawson and Nancy Muir.

Early rehearsals took place in the basement of the North Parish

Church, Kelso but soon moved to a more central location at the

Community Centre in Newtown St Boswells. This venue was the base

until the return to singing in 2022 following the Covid 19 Pandemic

when an alternative venue had to be found.

Bowden Village Hall is now One Acchord’s rehearsal venue.

Since the first ever public concert in November 2005 at the Eildon Centre, Coldstream, performances have taken place at Womens Rural Institutes, Churches, Stately Homes, Supermarkets, Fund Raising events, Charity Events an Armed Forces Day concert, Music Festivals, The Queen's Hall in Edinburgh and busking during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! One Acchord will sing anywhere!

Current members (around 30) come from all over The Scottish Borders including Selkirk, Coldstream, Galashiels, Kelso, Ancrum, Lauder and St Boswells.

Anyone under 16 years of age needs to be accompanied by an adult.

One Acchord members are a super friendly bunch who enjoy a laugh and good banter alongside the hard work.  Saturday rehearsals are longer as include starting with time to chat and have some lunch – provided by different Sections each time.  (There is usually enough to have seconds at mid afternoon break as well.)  The range of treats to eat is always amazing and the Chorus is known for it’s superb home baking!  Don’t worry if you can’t bake though, treats from any source are welcome!

We currently have have two established Quartets within our chorus – Dere Street and The Petit Fours. Singing as a Quartet is actively encouraged  - it’s fun (once initial nerves and fear goes!) and is a great way to help learn individual parts.

One Acchord is affiliated to the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) which offers information and advice to members. Coaching and Educational Events can be accessed and their Convention every year includes the opportunity for Choruses and Quartets to compete as well as attend Shows with performances from the best of Barbershop both from the UK and from other Barbershop Organisations around the world. 

Competing is relatively new for the Chorus.  One Acchord first competed at LABBS Convention in 2018 and will return to compete again in 2023.

The British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) which originally was the association for male singers and LABBS are working together to provide a wider range of events and resources for all Barbershop Singers.

Find out more at:

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www.labbs.org.uk

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www.singbarbershop.com