One of Christchurch’s most successful singing groups is turning to musical bingo and community singalongs as it prepares for another tilt at international barbershop glory.

Christchurch City Chorus will hold one of its major fundraisers of the year at Redcliffs Bowling Club next month, with money raised helping bring internationally respected coach Becki Hine to Christchurch.

But this will not be a traditional bingo night.

Instead of waiting for numbers to be called, players will listen to songs, matching their titles to squares on their bingo cards.

Four rounds featuring different musical themes will be held, with prizes for each winner and spot prizes throughout the evening.

And given the organisation behind the fundraiser is one of Australasia’s most successful women’s a cappella choruses, organisers are warning there are likely to be plenty of singalongs as well.

The Saturday, September 12 event is helping fund Hine’s visit to Christchurch in November, where she will coach the chorus as it builds towards the Sweet Adelines regional competition in Hamilton in April and May 2027.

Hine has been involved in barbershop singing since 1980 and has directed the Song of Atlanta chorus since 1993.

She achieved Master Director status in 1999 and Master 700 Director status in 2010 and has coached choruses and quartets internationally.

For Christchurch City Chorus, bringing that level of expertise to the city is part of a much bigger ambition.

The chorus has been performing since 1985 and has built an extraordinary competitive record over four decades.

It won its 12th national Sweet Adelines title in 2023 and says it has finished first in every women’s national barbershop competition it has entered since forming.

It has also represented Christchurch and New Zealand on the international stage 10 times.

Its most recent international appearance was at the Sweet Adelines International competition in Kansas City in 2024, where it finished fifth in the world.

Other international achievements include fifth place in Las Vegas in 2016, sixth in Hawaii in 2013 and seventh in New Orleans in 2019.

In 2007, Christchurch City Chorus became the first Southern Hemisphere chorus to break into the international top 10, while in 2009, 75 singers were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York.

The chorus is now entering a new chapter following the retirement of long-serving musical director Virginia Humphrey-Taylor.

Humphrey-Taylor co-founded the chorus and became its director in 1988, helping transform it into one of Australasia’s most successful barbershop groups. Her achievements included becoming the first director in New Zealand and Australasia to earn the Master Director 700 distinction.

American Master Director 700 Ryan Heller has since been appointed musical director, working alongside New Zealand-based co-director Heather Bentall as the chorus sets its sights on returning to the international stage in Seattle in 2028.

The first major competitive test of that new era will come in Hamilton next year.

Christchurch City Chorus attended this year’s regional Sweet Adelines convention in Palmerston North for evaluation rather than competition, receiving results across the board in the A category.

The chorus said the results and judges’ feedback had left it “on track for competition next year in Hamilton”.

The November visit from Hine will form part of that preparation, making the musical bingo fundraiser more than simply a social night out.

The chorus is a non-profit organisation and said its annual costs include rehearsal room rental, coaching, costumes, venue hire, music and copyright purchases, equipment maintenance, storage and transporting its performance risers. The group are looking for any businesses who may be interested in sponsorship opportunities, or donating prizes for raffles at the Bingo night.

“We rely on support from our communities, and in return we do our best to give back through our music. We regularly perform in retirement homes, shopping areas and other community venues across the city”. The Bingo night is a perfect opportunity to support local music groups.

Beyond bingo, CCC co-director Heather Bentall says now is also the perfect time to join the chorus if you love to sing.

“I couldn’t believe I lived here for so many years without knowing about Christchurch City Chorus. The harmonies, the friendships, and the love of learning that these women share is something really special. It is always the highlight of my week!”

Now that she is part of the leadership team, she wants even more women to share in that joy, and welcomes women to come along to Te Raekura Redcliffs School at 7pm on a Wednesday evening to experience it for themselves.

“I had young kids when I joined three years ago, and while looking for something for ‘me’, rediscovered my passion for singing through joining CCC. It has truly changed my life!”

The Musical Bingo fundraiser will be held from 7pm on Saturday, September 12 at Redcliffs Bowling Club, 9 James Street. To purchase tickets you can visit CCC Musical Bingo.

And there is one important piece of equipment organisers are asking people not to forget.

Bring a pen.

And, perhaps more importantly, bring your singing voices.