UHC's barbershop mixed quartet have struck success at the national competition, claiming 3rd overall! Earlier in the year the group came 2nd at the regionals after just a week of practice. However, success at the nationals was built upon hours of mahi. Student Julia Montgomery tells their fantastic story.

On May 30th, our school quartet ‘Upper Quartile’ consisting of Layla Martin-Smith (Year 10), Olivia Trevean (Year 11), Hupstein Eng and myself (Year 13s) competed in the ‘Young Singers In Harmony’ Regional Barbershop competition. 

Despite only having been together as a quartet for a week, we found ourselves astounded and gleeful as we were called onstage after the competition being celebrated for coming second place, and qualifying for nationals in three months! 

Our excitement was staggering, but we soon realised we had our work cut out for us. 

With the support of our beloved vocal tutor Emma Salzano and amazing music teacher Mr Taeao we rehearsed almost every single school day and occasional weekend for three months, doing our best to mix enough to compete as a quartet that had only just come together, when we knew we were going to be up against groups who had been together for years.

We soon found ourselves on a plane bound for Auckland three months later, having good laughs and spending wonderful time together. 

Accompanying the four of us was Mr Taeao and Olivia’s mum, who helped us settle into Auckland and prepare for the competition. When we entered the competition venue and saw all the groups we were floored at the amazing voices we were listening to - a room filled entirely with incredibly talented youth with amazing voices we were in awe. 

Finally it was our turn to perform our two competition songs, ‘Bare Necessities’ and ‘Put Your Head on My Shoulder’. Backstage we found ourselves hyping each other up, all very very nervous. Suddenly we were on stage with the lights blaring and three months of work was sang out into the crowd as best we could.

After we sang there was a sense of relief, and we awaited anxiously for the results. Our anticipation could be seen for miles and all our built up anxiety and excitement burst into fruition when it was declared that we came 3rd place! 

I’m so proud of these beautiful and talented musicians I get to call my friends, my quartet. I can’t wait to continue singing with them into the future. All my gratitude goes out to my quartet, and Emma Salzano and Ofisa Taeao, without them this amazing placement making UHC history would have never been possible. I can’t wait to see where the barbershop scene at Upper Hutt College goes once I’ve graduated.