Formed in 1980, the Polyphonics is one of the longest established barbershop choruses in Ireland. The group was formed when several members of the Passage West choir got together with Maurice Healy as Musical Director. From its inception, the chorus quickly earned a reputation for professional and entertaining performances. They performed at many prestigious events around Ireland including the Cork Jazz Festival, and the AIMS Choral Festival in New Ross. The Polyphonics have also appeared on RTE Television on a number of occasions. In the early years (before IABS was established) the chorus made regular guest appearances at the BABS conventions e.g. in 1984 at Warwick, in 1987 at Walsall, in 1988 at Harrogate and in 1989 at Bournemouth.
Between 1989, when IABS was formed, and 2007, the Polyphonics have won the Men’s Chorus National Championship on ten occasions (1989, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009). They also won the “National Jazz and Light Entertainment” Competition at the Cork International Choral Festival in 2006. Thus they are the most successful of all the male Irish barbershop choruses.
