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Australia's "best contemporary a cappella quartet" will perform for the first time at Avondale during the college's Homecoming concert on August 25.

This description of The Idea of North is from the country's leading jazz multi-instrumentalist, James Morrison. "When you can sing and entertain like The Idea of North," he says, "a band would just get in the way."

The Idea of North is Nick Begbie (tenor), Naomi Crellin (alto), Trish Delaney-Brown (soprano) and Andrew Piper (bass). Official recognition of their standing came in 2003 at The Harmony Sweepstakes, the world's largest open a cappella competition. The Idea of North's win was the first for a group from outside the United States in the 20-year history of the competition.

The Idea of North has produced five albums, two of which have been released on the ABC Classics and Jazz label. The first album on the label, Here and now, is the highest selling ABC Jazz album. The group's most recent album is The gospel project. Their repertoire includes jazz, pop and contemporary standards and ballads, mixed with original compositions.

Avondale's senior music lecturer Dr Robb Dennis says the quality of The Idea of North's sound and arrangements is impressive. "The blend of their voices is phenomenal. They sing in perfect jazz style with catchy arrangements and rhythmic intricacies."

The Homecoming concert is The Idea of North's first performance in the Hunter this year. The concert begins at 7 pm in the Seventh-day Adventist church on the college's Lake Macquarie campus (582 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong). Tickets are $18 (single) and $40 (family: two adults and two children).

Phone the advancement office at Avondale on (02) 4980 2251 to book.

Caption: Contemporary a cappella quartet The Idea of North will perform for the first time at Avondale College on August 25.