Singers.com

In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Home | Doo Wop | Barbershop | World | Contemporary | Christian | Vocal Jazz | Choral | Christmas | Instructional | Arrangements

Classical | Opera | Musicals | Personality | Young Singers | Disney | Videos | Songs | The Artists

Musical Island Boys History

Musical Island Boys

Click Here for Sheet Music and Songbook Vocal Arrangements


Based in: Wellington, New Zealand.

The Musical Island Boys from Wellington have continued to prove themselves among the best male barbershop quartets in New Zealand and the world. Originally from Tawa College, the Musical Island Boys have gone from strength to strength over time, and continue to strive to perfect the craft of a cappella singing in the barbershop style. In 2002 AND 2003, they won the New Zealand Secondary Schools Young Men In Harmony competition. In 2003 they also placed third and received bronze medals at the New Zealand Open Mens' Competition in Hamilton. That year they placed second and received silver medals at the 7th Wellington Open Compeition, placing behind the National Champion Sweet Adelines Quartet Fourth Avenue.

They also attended the 2004 International Barbershop Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. There, they were placed in a competition against 21 of the top Collegiate (Under 25) barbershop quartets in the world. As the youngest quartet at the convention, they stormed the International Stage for the first time and placed third equal, earning them a bronze medal and a place in the history books as the first non-American Top 3 Placed medal winners. They were also one of only two groups to receive a standing ovation from the 12,000 or so strong audience along with the eventual winners, Vocal Spectrum. They also performed at the World Harmony Jamoboree in the Kentucky Arts Centre, where they recieved another standing ovation for their performances of their arrangement "Te e'le ia ole sami" and "Pokarekare Ana". They returned to Salt Lake City, USA in July of 2005 where they, again, represented New Zealand in the International Collegiate Compeition, placing a solid third place once again. The Convention was held in the World famous Conference Centre of the Latter Day Saints, a state of the art auditorium with theatre seating for 20,000 people.

The Musical Island Boys also enjoyed great success at the 4th Pan Pacific Barbershop Convention in Christchurch, New Zealand in October 2004. There, they won not only the New Zealand Open Gold Medal, but also the Pan Pacific Open Gold Medal. Their score places them as the highest scoring New Zealand Quartet in history. They also won the audience choice award for the Most Entertaining Quartet. The Musical Island Boys have recently made world history at the Barbershop Harmony Society's 2006 International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in the United States. They became the first non-American group to win an International title, winning first place in the International Collegiate Quartet contest. Their score of 970 places them as the second highest scoring quartet in the history of this contest, and is also a personal best for the quartet.

They continue to be prominent role models for the youth, particularly the Pacific Island and Maori Youth, of Wellington and New Zealand. They have appeared in numerous local and national Newspapers. They have sung and interviewed on national radio stations, and have done numerous television appearances. These include interviews on Tagata Pasifika, recordings for Praise Be, Pacific Beat Street, Maori Television, Good Morning and appeared live, twice, on the much loved children's television show What Now?. Notable performances include singing alongside classical star Hayley Westenra in a recording for PBS television broadcast in the United States, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and worldwide DVD release, in concert with legendary Kiwi icons such as John Rowles, and more recently in Style Pasifika in the Auckland Town Hall performing alongside kiwi artists such as Adeaze and Sir Howard Morisson. They have also been involved in the Coca Cola Christmas in the Park series on TV3. Their fine reputation Internationally has also seen the Musical Island Boys chosen as the face of an International Barbershop Recruitment Campaign, being published in newspapers and publications all around the world and organised by the Barbershop Harmony Society Headquarters in Kenosha, USA.

They are in constant demand around New Zealand as performers, and have sung in world class venues such as the Michael Fowler Centre, The Opera House, Auckland Town Hall, St James Theatre, the Regent on Broadway and various other state of the art theatres in New Zealand and USA. They have done numerous performers for the Governor General at Wellington's Government House, and perform regularly at functions, concerts, special events and conventions nationwide.

They are coached by Mrs Charlotte Murray, one of the finest barbershop directors and coaches in New Zealand. She has directed barbershop at Tawa College for a number of years, and last year Tawa College won every section of the 2003 National Barbershop Finals in Wellington, all under the directorship of Charlotte. She also directs the Wellington Regional Wellington Youth Chorus and teaches both Music and Japanese at Tawa College in Wellington. All four members currently study at Victoria University of Wellington. William (20) and Matthew (19) are in their third year, William studying for a BA/LLB in Law, Politics and Samoan, and Matthew studying towards a BA in Music, Mathematics and Maori and a BTeach in teacher education. Jeffrey (19) is second year studying towards a BA in Music and Media Studies, and Lusa (20) is studying a BSc in Chemistry and Mathematics, and a BTeach in teacher education.

Group Videos

Awards
2014 - Barbershop Quartet Champions


Select a Category






Hear about Local A Cappella Events and Auditions

Enter your email address and zip code to be informed about local a cappella performances.

Email Address: ZIP code (5 digit):


Want to Sing? - Find a Chorus Near You


List of Choruses by State | List of Choruses by City

Specialty Arrangements


Find a Song