This article about B Natural was written by chorus member Linda Ceri Jones from Tresaith.

"It all started back in 1991 with just a few friends gathering around Suzi Marshall-Hasdell's piano singing just for fun. We've now grown to 36 members who meet weekly to enjoy and improve our singing.

Under Suzi as our inspirational Chorus Director, B Natural has developed into a successful, accomplished and prize-winning chorus. Unaccompanied by a musical instrument, we sing in the a cappella Barbershop four-part harmony style and present an entertaining package of popular songs from Berlin to Bacharach, Edwardian ballad to the Beach Boys.

It's very hard to sing barbershop - it's extremely hard to be good at it. Sung badly, it makes the worse sound but performed with skill, passion and energy, it can make 30 or more voice sound like one. It's very uplifting and extremely entertaining as we use choreography to express and deliver the song.

We are regulars on the Wales entertainment circuit and perform regularly at festivals as well as at corporate and charity events.

We sang and sparkled our way to a brilliant third place at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod's first ever Barbershop Competition in July 2004, competing against some of the best barbershop choruses from the UK and beyond. As it turned out, coveted Choir of the World competition that year was won by a Barbershop Chorus for the first time ever when the Cambridge Chord Company took the title.

As the only Sweet Adelines International member chorus in Wales, B Natural has retained, for the second time, the Best Small Chorus Award at the Region 31 Annual Convention and Contest 2004.

In May 2005, we took the Best Small Chorus title for an amazing third time at this year's National Championships hosted by Sweet Adelines International in Plymouth. Of the 14 small choruses competing from the UK and beyond, B Natural was the only chorus competing from Wales.

Sweet Adelines competitions only permit singing in English, or rather 'American', although in concert performances, B Natural enjoys singing in Welsh. It is sometimes a challenge to find songs for translation and arrangement, however, as the great majority of Barbershop arrangements originate in the States. There are currently two traditional Welsh folk songs out in the world being arranged by top class Barbershop arrangers. It's well worth the effort though as everywhere we go, people ask for the Welsh songs.

Chorus members age between 20something and 60something and come from all walks of life covering a broad range of jobs, professions and businesses. Every Tuesday evening, our rehearsals gather together members with busy day jobs as nurses, dentists, tourism operators, teachers, publicans, designers, civil servants, farmers, lawyers, bankers, beauticians, shopworkers, and housewives... all committed to enjoying singing and improving as a Barbershop Chorus.

As well as the commitment and passion that members of the Chorus put into B Natural. There is a great sense of friendship, camaraderie and fun! Playing hard as well as working hard is definitely a feature of our success as a Chorus. An average rehearsal night might involve all sorts of emotions but usually there's much more laughter than tears and certainly when B Natural goes 'on tour' there's never a dull moment for anyone!"

Article by Linda Ceri Jones from B Natural.