Barbershop quartet surprise passers-by

Members of a barbershop quartet said they were overwhelmed by the positive reaction to an impromptu public performance.

David Morris, Victor Wong, David Eden-Sangwell and Guy William from 404 were filmed while practising for a competition on Kings Heath High Street on Sunday.

A video of the performance of Hello Mary Lou Goodbye Heart shot by a passer-by has since been viewed on social media more than 24,000 times.

Victor Wong from Kings Norton said: "It's taken us a little bit by surprise and it's nice to get that recognition for what we’re doing."

The group, which only formed a few months ago, is competing in a national barbershop singing convention in Harrogate later this month.

"We were just having our rehearsal and we thought, well we've done all this hard work, we might as well bring it to the public," Mr Wong said.

"We are going for a competition so it's nice to have this gee-up just before."

The foursome came together after meeting at the convention last year and is still building its repertoire, said Mr Morris, from Wordsley.

He said Sunday's performance was the first time they had aired their material in public.

"It's surprising how much of a sound we make when we're all singing well together," he said. "The reaction's quite overwhelming."

Several users on X also praised the group.

Mr Morris also sings with The Telfordaires chorus in Wellington and a quartet called Four 'Shady' Greys, and the other men with Anvil Chorus in Pheasey.

"It's just incredible to be able to make music with like-minded people without any sort of instruments," he added.

"[It's] very rewarding, very challenging, the learning process never stops."

Mr Wong said jazz standards in cartoons he watched as a child ignited a love for barbershop-style music.

"I think it's making a comeback," he said. "All your crooners, your big-band classics... the golden age of American pop."

The quartet plan to take to the streets of Kings Heath to rehearse again on Sunday after 15:00 BST.

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