History of The Plainsmen
In 1988, a handful of enthusiasts decided to form a local chapter of the US ‘Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Singing’ (now thankfully renamed the ‘Barbershop Harmony Society’). An open night attracted a host of men, of whom 35 stayed, swelling the chorus to over fifty. The Plainsmen were well and truly established, and have been actively performing ever since..
We have competed in every national and NZ-based Pan-Pacific Barbershop convention since 1992, winning eleven medals), and have become an established feature of the Christchurch music scene. Our Christmas concert attracts hundreds every year, and we regularly perform at public events and our own mid-year shows.
Along the way there have been overseas tours to sing and compete in Australia, the UK, and America. Quartet ‘Men Aloud’ (shown above) flew to Long Beach, California to compete in the 2014 Mid Winter International Barbershop convention.
In 2013 we celebrated our 25th anniversary and are celebrating our 30th in July 2018. This involves Past and present members coming together for a night of singing and socialising with performances from the current chorus, and quartets old and new. We’re looking forward to more fun and great singing in the years ahead.
