There’s something uniquely powerful about voices blending together in harmony.

Not one voice. Not two. But a group of singers listening carefully to one another, balancing tone, breath and pitch until something larger than any individual performer begins to take shape. The human voice becomes the instrument, and when it works, it can be breathtaking.

A recent surprise from my wife, Candi, a Singing Valentine from Voices of Harmony, a local ensemble, served as a vivid reminder of the unique impact of voices blending in harmony and reawakened my appreciation for the communal power of group singing.

Their rich harmonies filled the room, transforming an ordinary moment into something unexpectedly special. Members of the cast of Cabaret happened to be there and gathered around to listen. For a few minutes, rehearsal schedules faded into the background as everyone simply enjoyed the music.

That experience brought home the magic of real-time harmonies blending.

This appreciation for live vocal harmony naturally extends to contemporary ensembles renowned for their vocal artistry. In this context, audiences in Thunder Bay will soon have the opportunity to witness such vocal excellence firsthand when The Ten Tenors bring their 30th-anniversary tour to the Community Auditorium.

Thirty years ago, what would become The Ten Tenors was never supposed to last.

In fact, the whole thing was meant to happen just once.

“The group originally was only ever supposed to do a one-off gig,” says current member Ben Clark. “It was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment — right place, right time. The fact that one gig has led to 30 years is mind-boggling.”

That unexpected beginning in Brisbane in 1995 launched what would become one of the world’s most recognizable crossover vocal ensembles. Over three decades, the group has toured internationally, blended opera with rock and pop standards, and built a devoted following across generations.

Although none of the current singers were part of the original lineup, Clark says the early days of the group have taken on an almost mythic quality among newer members.

“Stories of what the group was like in the early days have been passed down and created into their own folklore,” he says.

Maintaining a consistent sound across decades — and across many different singers — might seem like a challenge. But Clark says the secret has as much to do with personality as it does with vocal ability.

“The onstage camaraderie can only happen if the offstage camaraderie is there,” he explains. “Social cohesion is just as important to the group as vocal ability. Our identity isn’t only our sound — it’s also the show we deliver and the way we connect with each other when we’re up there. That’s what separates us from the pack.”

That chemistry becomes essential when ten powerful voices share the stage at once.

“Singers have to be able to listen to more than just themselves,” Clark says. “A good singer will know where their voice and the part they’re singing sits in any given song. We’re very good at that, and it’s because we’re well rehearsed. We rehearse daily.”

Looking back, the show audiences see today would be almost unrecognizable to the group’s earliest members.

“I think the sheer size and production would impress them,” Clark says with a laugh. “We get our own microphones and in-ear sets. Those boys had to stand around three microphones and pray! It’s definitely a finely oiled machine compared to the old days.”

The group’s defining musical style—classic technique fused with rock, pop and musical theatre—echoes shifts seen throughout the music world over three decades.

Clark traces part of that shift back to the global success of The Three Tenors in the 1990s.

“They showed a world of people classical music that would never have otherwise,” he says. “Once that had time to simmer, crossover was born.”

Tour life with nine fellow singers forms a bond unlike any other ensemble.

“We don’t only work together — we travel together, eat together, live together,” Clark says. “When we’re on the road we’re around each other constantly. A bond is bound to form when you spend that much time with people.”

That bond is strengthened by the realities of touring life.

“We share the knowledge that no one really knows what we’re going through on the road except for each other,” he says. “So we lean on each other a lot.”

Among the many venues the group has performed in around the world, one moment still stands above the rest.

“Selling out the Sydney Opera House in our home country will be very hard to top,” Clark says.

Part of the appeal of the show, he adds, is the balance between musical precision and a distinctly Australian sense of humour.

“We’re lucky that being Australian naturally makes us unique when we’re overseas,” Clark says. “Aussies are renowned for not taking ourselves too seriously, but at the same time we take great pride in the fact we’re Australian. I think we show that extremely well in our shows.”

Of course, not every musical experiment becomes a hit.

“We’ve definitely taken something new on the road that hasn’t caught on,” he admits. “But we don’t dwell on those because they’re offset by the songs that we took a risk on that are now Ten Tenors staples. No risk, no reward.”

Now, for the 30th-anniversary tour, the mission is clear: spotlight the music and milestones that define The Ten Tenors.For their 30th-anniversary tour, The Ten Tenors’ goal is focused: to highlight the music and significant achievements that have characterized their career.

“In the past a lot of our tours have had a theme,” Clark says. “This year is the first time that we are the theme. The Ten Tenors in and of itself is a massive brand, and it’s stood the test of time. Celebrating the songs that made us who we are over those 30 years is what this tour is all about.”

After thousands of performances around the world, the thrill of stepping onto the stage hasn’t faded.

“It’s always that first reaction,” Clark says. “When you start a new tour you’re unsure and nervous. But then you see the audience reaction and the payoff is instant. It’s awesome to have nine other people to share those moments with.”

For audiences seeing the group for the first time, he promises a night that builds in unexpected ways.

“You’ll experience something that will end completely differently to the way it starts,” Clark says. “You’ll see ten mates having the time of their lives — and if we do our job, you’ll see a room full of people on their feet.”

The Ten Tenors bring their 30th-anniversary tour to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on March 10, 2026. Tickets and full event details are available through the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium box office and website.