It has been an exciting journey – In their first contest together, they won the Australian Regional Competition with the highest ever national quartet score and qualifying them to compete in the Sweet Adelines International Competition that same year. With plenty of bravado and contest experience limited to only that one previous time on stage together, they took on the World in Indianapolis, USA in October 2004. Suffice to say, the World won that bout but the girls came home with plenty of humour and learned much from the experience.

Back home they continued to hone their skills in singing harmony and enjoying every minute of it. Performance opportunities were on the increase and Accolade started gaining their reputation as an exciting and exceptionally skilled performing group. In 2005 they returned to the Australian regional competition to come home with second place. With much analysis and continued focus on vocal skills, the girls headed back to regional contest in 2006 and won the gold with a new, all time, highest score! International Contest was to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada in just a few months’ time. The girls used those months to record their debut CD “Mosaic” with the help of a friend (Mark Austin, of Lulusound Studios in The Blue Mountains) who offered his recording studio. Sales from the CDs were used to help fund the girls in their trip back to the International stage. “We really had a fantastic time on stage in Las Vegas, the audience was wonderful and we weren’t nearly as nervous as we were that first time in 2004!”, says lead, Vicki Dwyer. And – they didn’t even come last! With a marked improvement on the International ladder the girls were encouraged to consider coming back and trying this again!

2007 regional contest was just around the corner. The girls had picked up a new ballad that felt like it was barely off paper. “laughing… Vicki (Dwyer) cried into her breakfast that morning – she insisted nothing was wrong, she said she was just getting rid of tension. I suspected that she was thinking we weren’t ‘ready’ with our new song” says bass, Vicki Sutton. Well – ready, or not – they did compete with the new song and they did win gold – Again! International 2007 was in Calgary, Canada. Short of winning a lottery, this one was out of the girls’ reach financially and they had to withdraw. “It’s tough watching the webcast of the International Contest and they announce the next contestant has withdrawn – and you know that should have been us” says tenor, Wendy.

Back to regional in Hobart, Australia – 2008. Another new song, some fabulous coaching from Diane Huber and the girls took the stage like they owned the joint. The first place announcement came as no surprise to anyone, Accolade had won the gold without a doubt. So now, the girls prepare to go to Honolulu, Hawaii for the 2008 International Competition. It feels like a new era for Accolade who now feel as though they are playing on the same field as the “big girls” who have been back to International Contest year after year. “We’ll never be able to afford to go every year” says Amanda. True, this can be an expensive hobby if you want to play on the international circuit. Hopefully the future will bring some way of helping to offset those costs and allow the girls to continue representing Australia in this wonderful art-form. If you would like to sponsor Accolade please purchase our CD.

Accolade are available for performances in the greater Sydney area and beyond. See our News page for more information.


Awards and Achievements

Competed at Sweet Adelines International Convention 2008 in Honolulu, Hawaii USA, representing Region 34 in the Quartet Competition. Achieving 29th place - highest ever placing of an Australian quartet and improving on their 2006 International Contest score by 146 points.

Sweet Adelines International Southern Cross Region - Champion Quartet 2008. (With a score of 599)

Sweet Adelines International Southern Cross Region - Champion Quartet 2007. (With a score of 588)

Competed at Sweet Adelines International Convention 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada USA, representing Region 34 in the Quartet Competition. Improving on their 2004 International Contest score by 30 points.

Sweet Adelines International Southern Cross Region - Champion Quartet 2006. (Highest Regional Quartet Score to date of 599)

Sweet Adelines International Southern Cross Region - 2nd Place Quartet 2005.

Competed at Sweet Adelines International Convention 2004 in Indianapolis Indiana USA, representing Region 34 in the Quartet Competition.

Sweet Adelines International Southern Cross Region - Champion Quartet 2004. (Highest Regional Quartet Score to date of 580)

Sweet Adelines International Southern Cross Region - Wendy Middleton Memorial - Most Improved Quartet Award 2004.