”One minute we were a circle of strangers all staring at each other. 10 minutes later we were a throng of worshipful singers revelling in some of the most glorious harmony singing of my life. What Tony offers is stunning.”
Clare Grayson, activist, UK
Tony Backhouse delivered a fun-filled and spirit-filled workshop. He knows his stuff and teaches it in the true oral tradition, creating a wonderful learning experience for professional and beginner singers alike. I had a great time singing and I learned lots. A get-down, joyful, funky weekend!
Brian Tate, Music Director, City Soul Choir, Vancouver
“TB has probably introduced more people to the physical pleasures of singing gospel music than anyone else in Australasia. On both sides of the Tasman and further afield, dozens of gospel choirs have emerged from his itinerant workshopping, and his arrangements form the backbone of mush of their repertoire. Put simply, as far as this part of the gospel world goes, he’s the man”
Rick Bryant, singer, Auckland
“What an inspirational weekend! Tony teaches with such ease and such and obvious love of the music that it makes for a joyous experience for everyone”
Jennifer Ward-Leyland, actor, Auckland
“By the end of the first session Backhouse had this motley congregation sounding close to something you might hear in a Black sanctified church, with rich harmonies, call and response phrases flying, handclapping and improvised soloing”
Nick Bollinger, New Zealand Listener
What a fantastic weekend singing with Tony Backhouse! It must be about my 15th weekend workshop in Richmond and each one is different and new and amazing. Thank you so much for creating this singing soul-replenishing experience, I love your energy and the way you share and teach a room full of people to sing like the angels.
Lindy, Richmond NSW
Public Workshops
Tony has run over 2000 vocal workshops worldwide since 1987. He regularly runs public workshops for all comers who want harmony, fun, collective improvisation and freedom of expression. The content focuses the African-American repertoire, spirituals, gospel songs old and new, choral and quartet styles, and often including South African gospel, doo-wop, R&B and pop. No previous experience is necessary.
Since the year 2000 he has taught every year at the top singing and songwriting camp in Australia, Summersong. He has worked with many community choirs in Australia and New Zealand, and has run workshops at festivals, in educational institutions and in the corporate sector for enterprises such as BNZ and the All Blacks. Several choirs have formed out of his workshops, and many of his students have gone on to direct choirs and run vocal workshops.He has taught at institutions (Waikato Polytechnic, NZ School of Music, Kahurangi Performing Arts College, Queensland Conservatorium and many secondary schools in Australia and New Zealand).
Master Classes
Tony runs master classes in repertoire, style and technique for choirs and a cappella quartets. He can introduce your group to an exciting African American sacred repertoire, and work with you on shaping the song for performance, improvisation and group technique.
Community Singing in Exotic Locations
Tony has led singing workshops in exotic locations such as the Australian outback, Bali, Italy and Fiji. He also teaches in Canada, the UK and France and Fiji. His Gospel Tours have been taking groups of singers to the USA to immerse themselves in Black gospel since 1995. Watch a video of the Singing in Siena 2010 group singing in the Montestigliano chapel here.
Go to Calendar for more information on upcoming workshops.
Online consultations & tutorials
Tony is available to individuals and groups for consultations on choral directing, vocal arranging, songwriting and related a cappella questions via Zoom. So if you have burning questions, or would like to learn a song online and would like a half-hour face-to-face with him online, contact us and we’ll book you in. $30 per half hour, payable via PayPal.
“Imagine Tony Backhouse making a personal visit to your home. The two of you have an intimate conversation about the nuances of your singing, including specific feedback on how you can improve your technique, with demonstrations by the master himself. This dream is now both possible and affordable via a video call. Try it. I was amazed.”
–John Graves, Bass, Heaven Bent Gospel Choir, Auckland.