Are you interested in learning more about an exciting new Open Mixed Chorus launching early 2025 in Christchurch.

Supported by a long established and successful choral organisation
With a clear, compelling vision and culture.
With a Musical Director with passion, huge experience and a record of success

Join us for a free information session and explore whether this opportunity is for you.

Please take the first step by attending our Information Session - get your free tickets here.

Harmony Waitaha is thrilled to announce the launch of a new a cappella choir, dedicated to bringing together passionate singers who share a love for music and a commitment to excellence. This exciting new venture aims to create a unique musical ensemble that will captivate audiences with its harmonious performances and diverse repertoire. Harmony Waitaha is already the home of The Plainsmen (an acapella Male Chorus) and Quantum Acoustics (an acapella Youth Chorus) and has recently demonstrated outstanding growth both in membership and in artistic achievement. A gender neutral, mixed age chorus is a natural progression.

A Culture of Trust, Collaboration, and Passion for Music

We are looking for individuals who embody our core values and are excited to be part of this new musical journey. Our recruitment process is designed to identify singers who are not only talented but also aligned with our vision and culture. We believe that selecting the right members from the start is crucial for building a successful and harmonious choir.
If you are passionate about singing and excited about the prospect of being part of a collaborative and dynamic choir, we invite you to join us. Whether you are an experienced singer or someone who simply loves to harmonise, we welcome you to be part of our musical family

The Vision and Culture

Our choir is founded on the principles of trust, collaboration, hard and smart work, and an unwavering passion for music. We believe that a strong and supportive culture is essential for nurturing talent and achieving artistic success. As we embark on this journey, we are committed to fostering an environment where every member feels valued, respected, and motivated to contribute their best.

Building the Foundation

To ensure that we cultivate a strong and cohesive culture, we will cap the number of members initially. This allows us to establish our systems and culture effectively, setting a solid foundation for future growth. By starting with a smaller group, we focus on developing a deep sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among our members.

The Artistic Director

It is our pleasure to welcome back Harmony Waitaha, Mr Ed Dempsey. Eddie has been singing Barbershop Harmony in both Canada and New Zealand for over 40 years, demonstrating a remarkable dedication to this art form. His enthusiasm and expertise have significantly contributed to the barbershop community, particularly through his role as the director of the Plainsmen for 15 years.

Eddie's achievements include being a member of three BHNZ champion quartets: Phoenix Rising, Over the Edge, and most recently, The Vocal Network. His talent and hard work have also led him to compete at the international level in the mid-'90s with a quartet called The Edge from Vancouver, British Columbia.

Currently, Eddie sings with an SATB choir called The Vocal Collective under the Artistic Direction of Richard Marrett. He also participates in numerous performances with Showbiz as a backing vocalist, showcasing his versatility and passion for music.

We are thrilled to have Eddie back with us and look forward to the wealth of experience and enthusiasm he brings to Harmony Waitaha.

Contact Information

Please take the first step by attending our Information Session - get your free tickets here.

For more information about our choir, upcoming events, or how to join, please contact Lynn Humphrey (he/him) on 021748846 or lynn@stepshift.co.nz. We look forward to hearing from you and embarking on this musical journey together.