Newfound Sound was founded in 1985 by director Beverly Daley and was established as an official chartered chapter of Harmony Incorporated International in 1988 with 22 members. Throughout the years, we have competed in numerous regional and international events with delegates from across Canada and the U.S.
Newfound Sound has won numerous awards and trophies in barbershop competitions. We are the only barbershop chorus to compete in the Kiwanis Music Festival Group Rose Bowl 1999 - placing second and receiving the George Matheson Trophy. We place a lot of value in giving back to the community by singing for charities and non-profit organizations. We are a teaching organization and through the power of a cappella singing we form lasting friendships, promote leadership and support women of all ages and backgrounds. And we have lots of fun doing it!
Newfound Sound has won numerous awards and trophies in barbershop competitions. We are the only barbershop chorus to compete in the Kiwanis Music Festival Group Rose Bowl 1999 - placing second and receiving the George Matheson Trophy. We place a lot of value in giving back to the community by singing for charities and non-profit organizations. We are a teaching organization and through the power of a cappella singing we form lasting friendships, promote leadership and support women of all ages and backgrounds. And we have lots of fun doing it!
Message from founding director Rev. Beverly Daley on Newfound Sound's 35 years in Harmony Inc.
Congratulations on your 35 years of membership in Harmony Inc.!!!
(When I moved to St. John’s) …I met with a small group who really wanted to start a chorus and I agreed to help. That was 1985. Three years later Newfound Sound received their charter from Harmony Inc. at Area 1 contest in Halifax, NS.
Little did I think, let alone dream, that once again a few women would get together, form a prospective chorus, do the hard work to get organized, learn music to sing a cappella style in 4-part harmony, and attain their charter from Harmony, Inc. And here you are thirty-five years later! The word ‘Congratulations’ seems somehow inadequate!
I loved my years with Newfound Sound! We worked hard and we had a lot of fun. It was a good combination. We had challenges and we met them and worked to overcome them. That was accomplished only with the cooperation of the membership. I remember most the hilarious experiences we had - sometimes at rehearsals, sometimes at sing-outs, and lots of times at our chorus parties. What a creative, entertaining, and comical group when it came to having fun!
I am so very proud of you, Newfound Sound. This celebration speaks to the work of the members who have kept the chorus going through the years. There have been good times and difficult times and you have persevered through it all with your love of singing in the barbershop style and your love of entertaining. Bravo!! Keep the song in your hearts and keep singing!
Past Director Anita Power 1998 - 2023 (20 cumulative years)
Anita joined Newfound Sound in 1991 and quickly developed a love of barbershop harmony, especially for the baritone part. She soon stepped into the role choreographer and put her creative skills to work. In 1998, Anita became chorus director, taking over from founding director Beverly Daley who moved out of the province. Under Anita’s musical leadership, enthusiasm, creativity, and quest for fun, Newfound Sound eagerly performed at local charity events and community activities, and at competed at Harmony Inc. contests, as well as local Kiwanis Music Festivals. Anita regularly attended HITS and Harmony Homecoming [later became Barbershop University]. She was the baritone for ACCENT quartet, Area 1 Champions in 2004 and 2006. She was three-time recipient of the Area 1 Don Regan Memorial Award for director of most improved chorus score from previous year. The L.A.B.B.S. Trophy, [Harmony Inc.] was awarded to Newfound Sound under her direction. Newfound Sound was the first and only barbershop chorus to compete in the St. John's Kiwanis Group Rose Bowl Competition - placing third. Newfound Sound Chorus won the Art Noseworthy Award, placing 2nd in the National Kiwanis competition winning the City of Lincoln Award. Anita has been Area 1 AC&C Committee Chair and fun night coordinator extraordinaire. She is well known for her comedy skits, characters and costumes. Anita was also vocal and stage presence coach for the Anchormen Chorus for over 6+ years. We would like to sincerely thank Anita for her significant contributions and her selfless dedication to Newfound Sound, Area 1 and Harmony Inc.
Past Director Branden Olsen September 2018 - May 2021
Branden Olsen is a rising Canadian bass-baritone, pedagogical clinician, and conductor of special promise. Born in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Branden has performed on piano and voice and as a choral director for the last decade, winning awards and prizes for both piano and vocal performance. He has performed in Canada and Europe in diverse operatic roles spanning the Baroque to Late – Romantic periods. Hailed as a “Tour de Force” by the Dutch National Opera coach, Natalie Doucet, and as a “Natural conductor” by Mount Allison professors Dr. Gary Tucker and Dr. Greg Burton,
Olsen is excited by and thrives in new and challenging musical situations. Branden received his Bachelor of Music Mount Allison University Sackville, N.B – 2017 with focus on piano, voice, conducting; with a concentrated focus of pedagogy, collaborative skills, performance, and early music. He is currently working on a Master of Music at Memorial University in St. John's, NL in voice (2018/19) and conducting (2019/20).
Previous director positions include Saint John’s United Church Moncton NB, Mount Allison University Chapel Sackville NB, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Sackville NB and Windsbreath Children’s Theatre Amherst NB. Branden is looking forward to his new experience directing in the barbershop harmony style.
Past Director Elaine Galloway 2011 - 2016
Elaine Galloway became the Director for Newfound Sound in 2011. She has enjoyed the Barbershop style of music throughout her entire life, her father being Alex Andrews (founding member and long-time Director of the Anchormen Chorus). Since joining Newfound Sound she has been actively involved in many capacities including, but not limited to, Baritone Section Leader; Warm-up Director; Teaching Quartet Co-ordinator; and Baritone for the Teaching Quartet. In addition to coaching quartets, Elaine has sung baritone with quartets Synergy and Selkie, and has sung lead with a mixed quartet.
Elaine has been performing musically since the age of six around her hometown of St. John's. She plays the piano, guitar, djembe, and has studied voice under the tutelage of Canadian soprano Melanie Kruger. Elaine also composes music and songs for the piano, flute, and guitar.
Elaine and her husband Shaun have three children each of whom plays at least one musical instrument. Her youngest son also sings baritone with the Anchormen Chorus. In her spare time, when she's not travelling with her family, Elaine enjoys golf, watercolour painting, and hiking.
