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About Our Choir
A Cappella West is a female vocal harmony chorus and member of the Sweet Adelines International organisation, based in Manning WA.
We are a diverse group of approx. 70 women, from all walks of life brought together through our love of singing.
Founded in 2008, we have won a number of medals in the Sweet Adelines (Australia) Regional Competitions, including two gold medals (2015 and 2018). We have also represented Australia on the international stage at the Sweet Adelines International World Championships; in Las Vegas in 2016 and New Orleans in 2019. The challenge of working towards contest helps maintain our philosophy of continuous education and the pursuit of excellence – as well as being lots of fun!
We are passionate about the a cappella art form, teaching singing and the barbershop style, and nurturing and supporting our members, as well as being part of our community by providing energized and dynamic performances at festivals, marketing events, ceremonies and seasonal concerts. Our motto is to have fun and share our love of singing with our audience.
ACW is directed by Joanne Oosterhoff who has been coaching individuals and groups around the world for more than 20 years.
Our History
A Cappella West is a Perth based, 60+ female vocal harmony chorus directed by Joanne Oosterhoff.
ACW was founded in 2008 as a brand new chorus with practically no experience in barbershop singing. We are affiliated with Sweet Adelines International, and even from our chartering process we were setting records as the biggest chartering chorus in Australian history!
Within 2 years of our first night, we participated in our first National competition (2010), coming 4th place overall. We achieved 6th place in Canberra in 2012 in a tough contest, and were excited to be placed 2nd and achieve the Most Improved Chorus award in Perth in 2013. Only 2 years later, just 7 years after forming, we competed in Hobart and won the 2015 Australian Championship with a score of 626, qualifying our co-directors for Master Directorship (achieved when scoring over 600/800 in contest). This win meant that the chorus flew to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2016 to represent Australia on the International stage at the SAI World Championships. In 2018, we repeated the feat and won another gold medal, becoming Regional Champions for a 2nd time with our highest score to date of 632. This took us to the International Championships in October 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Sadly, shortly after our return from the USA, we were devastated to lose our founding director and friend, Lindsey Dyer after a 16 month battle with metastatic breast cancer. We now hold a special event on the closest rehearsal night to the 12 February – the first night that our founding members met Lindsey and each other. Lindsey Dyer Day is a celebration of her wonderful spirit – joyful, irreverent, generous and compassionate – and recognises that she is the thread that ties us all together even still. For without her, there would have been no ACW. We will remember you always, Lindsey.
2020 saw the chorus face the difficulties of rehearsals over Zoom, where no-one can hear you…. scream? With virtual projects like our Christmas in July concert and lots of new song learned by ourselves at home, it was wonderful to be allowed to sing together again in October, on World Singing Day.
In 2021 we took part in the Singwest A Cappella Fiesta – a contest (judged by the Barbershop Harmony Society) and showcase of all our Western Australian choruses and quartets. With a lead time of only 8 weeks, we prepared our music, got into character and wowed the judges to win Gold! We followed this up with a win in the Open Category of the Fremantle Eisteddfod and achieving the overall highest scoring chorus at the BHA National competition via video.
In 2022 Sweet Adelines Australia held a modified Regional Competition, in which ACW competed via video submission. With a number of members unable to compete due to Covid, we were thrilled with our 1st place medal in the mid-sized chorus category, and our overall silver medal in the open division.
As of May 2023, have just returned from Brisbane where we competed in our first in person Sweet Adelines Australia competition since 2018, and were thrilled with our 4th place medals in an extremely high calibre competition.
ACW also performs regularly at Songfest events, Australia Day ceremonies, Christmas carol events and in many other community/performance environments.
Repertoire
Rehearsal Location
- Manning Community Hall
- 2 Conochie Crescent
Why You Should Join
A Cappella West fosters excellence in singing, with a heavy emphasis on education and support for all members. While we work hard on improving our vocal and performance skills, we also love having fun and just singing! We pride ourselves on our ability to produce a very high musical product without losing the feeling of joy and excitement of producing wonderful music together.
Additional Info for Choristers
ACW is a member of the Sweet Adelines International Organisation, and as such has a number of requirements for membership including payment of membership fees.
ACW also requires dedication to the ensemble including an audition process, consistent rehearsal attendance, "passing" of songs prior to public performance, extra coaching/rehearsal attendance where required, costume and make up requirements for performance, own travel to Australian Regional and International Competitions if participating in these events, and participation in and support of chorus development and culture.
Promotional Video
Our Mission
A Cappella West Chorus, its director and teams, are passionate about the a cappella art form, teaching singing and the barbershop style, as well as supporting the community and nurturing members, - all with an injection of fun. The success of the chorus is ultimately based on the commitment and passion of its leaders and members.
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Performance Video 01
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