There’s a variety of reasons that have led to this decision. 

 

The costs associated with running the event have gone up significantly over the last few years and we’ve tried tweaking how we could run the event and looked at all the ways we could trim the budget (which is already on a shoestring) and we just can’t find a way for it to be possible for us to break even this year. 

 

A lot of groups didn’t make it through the last few years and we’re at the point at the moment where we need almost every eligible existing group to participate in order for each division to be viable while we’re in the rebuilding stage. Unfortunately, a number of groups / some of their singers who would normally be part of AUSACA will be in NZ participating in the Barbershop Pan Pac on the same weekend we were planning to hold AUSACA. 

 

On top of that, I now have a one year old baby who is very active and incredibly adorable and trying to find the time to do the administration for the event is proving impossible at this stage. Unfortunately I have had significant health issues during her first year that slowed me right down for a while so it’s not as simple as doing some admin work while she sleeps. And more importantly, she’s only young once and I don’t want to miss out on spending this precious time with her. 

 

We’ll be going back to the drawing board to look at the best way that Vocal Australia can help the Australasian a cappella community to rebuild so that AUSACA can return in due course and fill your hearts and souls once again with the joy of all that a cappella goodness!

 

Until then, keep singing!

 

Amelia Alder

Director, Vocal Australia