Musical Island Boys WIN… finally!!
Tenor: Jeff Hunkin
Lead: Marcellus Washburn
Bass: Matt Gifford
Bari: Will Hunkin
The North American tradition of barbershop harmony became still more global last week in Las Vegas, as two offshore quartets placed in the top five of the world championships.
After three consecutive 2nd place Silver Medalists placements Musical Island Boys of New Zealand became only the second non-North American quartet to win the gold medals, while Lemon Squeezy placed fifth at the annual competition of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
The top finishers were, in order:
1. Musical Island Boys, 8058 points, 89.5%
2. Forefront, 8021 points, 89.1%
3. Main Street, 8015 points, 89.1%
4. A Mighty Wind, 7976 points, 88.6%
5. Lemon Squeezy, 7918 points, 88%
To capture the crown, the new champs sang through a wide repertoire that included songs from “The Lion King,” Michael Jackson, Motown, and a touching simple song of parting “Now Is The Hour.”
The Musical Island Boys add championship medals to chests already decorated with gold as collegiate champions in 2006, New Zealand national champions in 2007, 5th place medals in world competition in 2010, and silver medals in world competition in 2011, 2012, and 2013.