It’s January the 873rd and time for an update from camp Fortuity. As always…it’s a big-un so strap yourselves in for this overshare - complete with hashtags and tissues (on our part) 💙
Last year was a rollercoaster that saw Fortuity stepping back from International contest, our beloved Sophle-Dauphinoise stepping down and the commencement of auditions to hunt for a bass *just* crazy enough to join this trio. But by the end of 2024 we knew something didn’t quite feel right. Having never done it before, we were struggling with the audition process and trying to lug 14 years worth of Fortuity love and baggage into a “come join us” sized package. So we paused the auditions…
Now let’s not get things twisted…we found MANY crazy basses (must be a bass thing?!) and we LOVED the opportunity to sing with the insanely talented people that stepped forward…but we knew that this…that we…could no longer be “Fortuity”. That the ‘chance occurrence’ we’d been so fortunate to experience with Sian, Ellie and Sophie wasn’t going to be found via an audition process and that perhaps our time had come to a natural end.
So… “No, Fortuity hasn’t found a new bass” and after 14 wonderful years Sarah, Veryan and Gem have decided that this is the end of ‘Fortuity’; of the incredible journey that we’ve been so fortunate to experience. We’ve loved every single second and what better way to end a journey than with the best memories in hand.
This isn’t the end however of “us” - of Sarah, Veryan and Gem and whatever we may become in the future - we’ve been through a heck of a lot together and by this point I’m pretty sure we’re woven into each other.
So today’s #FortuityFanFriday goes out to all of YOU. For how lovingly you’ve welcomed our new recruits each time we’ve brought someone into this journey. But mostly for the tags, for the cuddles, for singing with us at afterglows and for believing in us when we sure as heck struggled to believe in ourselves!
So without further ado, and with the most amount of love - we have been Fortuity, good night ✌️ xx
#WeHaveBeenFortuity #Goodnight #PrettySureTheNameIsCursed #AnyoneWantACD #PeaceOut #RestInPitches
These amazing acts will be on our show, "Golden Harmony". Keep the date, 28th September 2024, starting 7PM. The venue is St Mary's Church, Hart Street, Henley on Thames. Tickets from tinyurl.com/GoldenHarmony any questions, email [email protected]. See you there.
Every act is gold. Thames Valley Chorus and Great Western Chorus are 50 years old, so we celebrate our golden anniversary. GWC and Fortuity have won more gold medals than we can count. It's going to be an acapella-fest to remember.
Speaking of expanding our Quartet family…looooooook 😍🤩🥳
Our lead Gemma Fox and her husband Brian Fox welcomed this gorgeous little bundle of perfection into the world on 6th July 🐣💙
Benjamin, your aunties can’t wait to squish you (really gently) xxxx
A few months ago we shared the news that our gorgeous Sophie Hasson has decided to step down as the bass of Fortuity. We know…very sad ☹️ 😭 BUT we’re not quite ready to hang up our pitchpipes just yet, and we need YOUR help! That’s right - your local Quartet-that-just-won’t-give-up NEEDS YOU! 👉🔎
On September 7th, in Bristol, we are holding a ‘come see if you’re crazy enough’ audition day to be the next BASS of Fortuity Quartet. Soooo if you think you might genuinely be crazy enough 🤪 to want to join the Fortuity family, can sing those beautiful bass notes and have a passion for competition, we wanna hear from you 👂📢
Head over to our Facebook page and follow the link to fill in your details or reach out to us if you have any questions - love ya! 💙
#SlapThatBass #WePromiseNotTo #AllLocationsWelcome #TenorsNeedNotApply
#Jokes
Quartet of Nations Region 31 - Sweet Adelines International Sweet Adelines International LABBS - the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers Barbershop Harmony Society BABS - British Association of Barbershop Singers Irish Association of Barbershop Singers
BIG talks in Camp Fortuity...
Lovely people, we have some news. Last weekend at Region 31 convention, we shared that we won't be competing in Kansas City in October 😞 This was such a tough decision - but ultimately we each recognised that a break is needed for us to reset and refresh.
We're so incredibly proud of our amazing region and will be cheering with our whole hearts for all the Region 31 representatives competing this year! You're going to be flipping AWESOME!! 🙌💪
We have more news... so bear with...
We've recently taken time to reflect on the journey we've been on so far. We're so grateful and proud of every step 🙏 After 8 international contests (!!) we needed to check in with each other and take stock of where we are, and where we're going. After much soul searching and open discussion about our individual hopes and dreams, Soph has decided that it's time for her to step away from international competition. This was no easy decision for any of us, and she will always be part of Fortuity. (And we're not letting go just yet... Soph will be with us for the shows and events in our diary, which take us into early 2025!)
And so a new chapter begins for Fortuity as a competing quartet. As a trio, we have a shared dream to strive for, and we really hope that someone out there will find that this crazy journey is something they want to be a part of.
We don't yet know quite what our search will look like, or what the timeline will be. What we do know is that finding the right fit to start our new chapter is something we want to do together as a four.
So watch this space friends - a new chapter is being written!
In the meantime, we welcome all of your best hugs as we navigate this transition together. Change is HARD people!!! 🫂❤️
#GroupTherapy #NextRightBass #NoBassesWereHarmedInTheMakingOfThisQuartet #FortuityForever #NewChapter #DontMakeBrianHaveASexChange
#FortuityFanFriday …it’s been a while…and whilst our fangirling has continued, we’ve failed to document it online, so let’s get this ball rolling again!
This weeks dedication goes to @hollandharmony , @stuartuknl and the INCREDIBLE team behind arranging this years European Quartet School 2024 🥳 You pulled off a weekend of such intense and inspiring Barbershop; housing not only the impeccable line up of coaching faculty but also 47…FORTY SEVEN…incredible Quartets! You created such an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for us all and…well, just WOW 🙌
To the quartets that we individually worked with: THANK YOU! Thank you for trusting us, for being vulnerable with us, and welcoming us. You’re all Rockstar's 🎸 and we’re still talking about it now ❤️
Whilst working our socks off as faculty, we also got the opportunity to have a coaching under glass session with THE @lyfordlori and my goodness 🤩! In just 45 minutes Lori had us, and the entire audience, in the palm of her hand, begging for more! Lori, we adore you, and we’re SO excited to work with you again NEXT MONTH - gah!!!
A huge thank you to Eric Idler for capturing this, and so many beautiful moments from this spectacular weekend!
All involved, we’re your biggest fans! THANK YOU!!
Fortuity xx
We don't get to do Christmas shows very often and for that reason, we never learn Christmas songs lol but it was an utter delight to be asked to be guests and be a part of @lacecitychorus Christmas show! Thank you for having us, we had the best time! 🎄🎵🎶
This week, as per usual, has been so intense but wonderful. Every time we do this, we realise how tough the competition is but also that it's where we belong. Each year we're adding more layers to our ability but also who we are as a quartet and we are grateful for the lessons, no matter how much they might sting in the moment.
For all the help and support from everyone along the way, it really does mean the world to us.
Whatever the future holds, we're excited and so ready ❤️
“Mental health is a universal human right” 🌎
We’ve all had our own journeys with mental health, and we’ve been lucky enough to have each other to rely on throughout them. Whatever your safe space looks like…lean into it, especially in the darkest of moments. And if you feel like you don’t have a safe space then please reach out…to us, to a professional, to your family, to a stranger…just PLEASE reach out.
You are worthy, you deserve to be seen and the world is a better place with you in it ❤️💙 #WorldMentalHealthDay #WorldMentalHealthDay2023
CHORUS DAY 1!!
Today, one of our stupidly handsome quartet husbands take to the stage (and the other tomorrow) with their chorus's in Louisville!!
Laurence, Mr BABS Chairman himself, sings with our UK chorus reps @meantimechorus and we're so excited that they will be making their international debut!! We cannot wait for the world to see how flippin' phenomenal they are!!!
Brian rejoins his chorus from Denver, for old times sake, @sorchorus ! Any barbershop fan, knows how sensational this chorus is and we cannot wait to watch B Fox take to the risers with them once again!
BEST OF LUCK HANDSOMES!!! ❤️
#QuartetHusbands #BHS #Louisville #MeantimeChorus #SoundOfTheRockies
