Location

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Specialisms

A cappella gospel choirs and workshops, focussing on traditional black gospel and improvisation

Additional information

Tony founded Australia’s foremost a cappella gospel choir Café of the Gate of Salvation in 1986, which he directed for 21 years. He founded a cappella choir the Honeybees in 1995 and has directed and sung with reclusive male a cappella group the Heavenly Light Quartet since 1996.

In demand for his inspiring teaching style, Tony has run more than 2000 vocal workshops throughout the world for the public, for festivals, schools, universities, churches, organisations and corporate training events.

‘Tony Backhouse has been, and continues to be, a major influence on music in Sydney and beyond.
The a cappella revival is almost entirely due to him.’
—Martin Wesley-Smith, composer, Australia

’We’d like to see a big medal on that man’s chest – he has brought music into more people’s lives, good music, music you make, than anyone we can think of in the Antipodes. Respect and thanks.’
—Sam Neill, actor, NZ