Avon Harmony Wins Five LABBS Awards in Our 50th Year!

A story of resilience, joy, and harmony as our little chorus makes a big comeback.

(We did it — and I’m still pinching myself ❤️)

Well, I’m finally coming down to earth enough to write properly — after LABBS, after the trophies, after all that excitement — and I’m still overwhelmed.

For a founder chorus that hadn’t won a LABBS award since 1983, to come home with five trophies in one go… it still feels unreal. Thank you to everyone who has been there for me and for Avon Harmony in our 50th year. I felt your love in droves.
 

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A story of resilience

After COVID, we were battered. Numbers dipped, confidence wavered, and there were honestly days when we wondered whether to keep going. For a while, we were just glad to have more than ten people in the room. It was hard. Should we continue?

But we stayed. We stubbornly kept turning up. We worked on recruitment slowly and steadily. We ran sectionals, extra PVIs, and tried new things — sometimes scary things — because we believed in the choir’s potential. And it paid off.

Now we have 22 members, and 19 of us were on stage in Harrogate this year (me included). We were still the smallest group at the convention, but we gave everything we had — and that counts for so much. Hats off to the brave eleven who went in 2024 to pave the way and to everyone who stuck with the work this year. You were brilliant.

We’ve come back from withdrawing in 2022 and 2023 when numbers wouldn’t allow it, and we’ve moved from surviving to really building again. This year we improved by 4.4% — and for me, that number represents every extra hour of rehearsal, every sectional, every encouraging message, and every person who decided to stay. I’m so proud of my singers.
 

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Celebration, recruitment, and what’s next

We’re not resting on this win — it’s just the beginning. Here’s what’s coming up next for Avon Harmony:

- 🎉 50th Anniversary Concert
Join us on Saturday 29th November at Christ Church, Downend for a joyful evening celebrating five decades of harmony, friendship, and song. Expect uplifting performances, a few surprises, and a spectacular massed finale of Bohemian Rhapsody, sung by current and former members together on stage.

We’re also thrilled to welcome our special guests, Fifth Element Quartet — the 2025 BABS UK National Quartet Champions, fresh from representing the UK at internationals in Denver!
🎟️ Get your tickets here

- 🎵 Two Open Nights in December
We’ll be opening our doors for two weeks of FREE open nights (learning Reflection from Mulan) in December for anyone curious about singing with us who wants to escape the Christmas chaos.. Get in touch to reserve your space.

- 💙 Recruiting for January
We’re actively welcoming new members in January 2026! 

If you’d like to come along or find out more, email musicdirector@avonharmony.com — we’d love to hear from you.
 

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Why join Avon Harmony?

Because we sing with heart. Because we work hard and have fun. Because we surprise people.

When audiences hear us live (not just on the convention stage), they often say, “Wow — I didn’t expect that!” That’s exactly the reaction we want — and we’re only just getting started.

We’re focused on developing singers’ vocal skills, choosing songs that suit our strengths, and keeping that joyful, inclusive energy that makes Avon Harmony special. We’ve already got new singers lined up to visit rehearsals — and the buzz in the room is back.

Step by step, we’ll keep dazzling people with heart, soul, and joyfulness.

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Thank you

To everyone who sang with us, supported rehearsals, came to competitions, or helped behind the scenes — thank you. Avon Harmony is built on kindness, laughter, and determination.

I love this group and what we do. Watching people grow in confidence and skill — and seeing that sparkle when we sing together — is what keeps me doing this.

If you’ve ever been part of Avon Harmony or the Avonbelles, or if you’ve ever thought about joining, this is your time. Come to the concert, join us at the open night, or drop me a message — we’d love to welcome you into the harmony.

With love and harmony,
Mary Williams 

Music Director, Avon Harmony A Cappella

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Quick links
🎟️ Concert tickets: avonharmony.com/50thconcert
✉️ Join / open night enquiries: musicdirector@avonharmony.com
Open Nights in December - Register a free place