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MAY 2019 - ISSUE 341
HEX
HARMONY EXPRESS
The official publication of The British Association of Barbershop Singers
Photo: Fuse 2019, Hull
Page 2 Harmony Express May 2019
Diary Dates
- 2019 -
10th - 12th May Sweet Adelines Region 31 Convention Cardiff
24th - 27th May BABS 45th Annual Convention Bournemouth
15th - 16th June BABS Board & Charity Trustees Meeting Coventry
30th June - 7th July BHS International Convention Salt Lake City
21st - 28th July BHS Harmony University Nashville
Editor
27th - 28th July BABS Board & Charity Trustees Meeting Coventry
Shanna Wells
BABS Marketing Director 22nd - 25th August BABS Harmony College Nottingham
marketingdirector@singbarbershop.com 14th September BABS Board & Charity Trustees Meeting Coventry
15th September BABS Autumn Members Meeting Coventry
4th - 6th October IABS Convention Killarney
Editorial
11th October BABS Guild Executive Meeting
Please send all articles and photos to:
harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com 12th - 13th October BABS Guild Seminar
25th - 27th October LABBS Convention Llandudno
Advertising 27th October BinH Mixed Quartet Contest Llandudno
For costs and further information
9th - 10th November BABS Quartet Prelims Sheffield
please visit singbarbershop.com or
contact: 30th November BABS Board & Charity Trustees Meeting Coventry
harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com
- 2020 -
Change of Email or Club Officers?
7th - 12th January BHS Mid-Winter Convention Jacksonville
Please email:
membershipsecretary@singbarbershop.com 18th - 19th January BABS Directors Academy Nottingham
7th March BABS Guild Seminar
28th March BABS Board Meeting Coventry
29th March BABS Annual General Meeting Coventry
The editor reserves the right to edit any material in the
interest of clarity, accuracy or suitability to fit the space 22nd - 25th May BABS 46th Annual Convention Harrogate
available, and the decision of the editor as to the
publication of any material is final. 28th June - 5th July BHS International Convention Los Angeles
Join the
Convention Conversation
Now you can join the conversation by
following the official BABS Convention The usual house rules still apply so please
social media feeds: do not tweet/post updates from within the
auditorium when a contest or performance
facebook.com/singbarbershop
is in place.
twitter.com/singBABS
Also be careful if you’re posting anything
instagram.com/singBABS that could be copyright sensitive.
OR link to the conversation by using the
hashtag #SINGBABS19
Share your special
Convention moments.
New Sing2019 App Available Soon!
Download on the App Store and Google Play
More details to follow
harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 3
The Chairman
Signs In!
Following on from my January HEX
article, March has also been a very
2019 Executive Directors busy month for the precious BABS
& Charity Trustees Chairman's Chain of Office. It has
been proudly worn at the Holland
Chairman
Martin Baglow Harmony Convention in Eindhoven.
T: 07769 804745 The U.K. was well-represented at
E: chairman@singbarbershop.com this friendly biennial event by
Vice Chairman Hallmark of Harmony, The Emerald
Laurie Whittle Guard, Scandal and The Cheshire
T: 01606 259997 M: 07919 236561
Chord Company, each took turns to
E: vicechairman@singbarbershop.com
headline shows and mic-warm or
Finance Director mic-cool the various competitions
Martin Baglow
Pippa Goodall
with their high quality, well-crafted
BABS Chairman
T: 07963 960019
E: financedirector@singbarbershop.com
and exciting performances.
permission to re-publish their work.
Marketing Director Credit is also due to Sam Hubbard, Plans are starting to take shape for
Shanna Wells one of BABS' young arrangers. the documentation of the second
M: 07930 992443 Several of his beautiful and classy 25 years of BABS history, more
E: marketingdirector@singbarbershop.com
arrangements graced the stage in information to follow on this.
Administration Director Holland. Nancy Philbin, the new
Pat Perridge
Finally for now, the Board's "Can
LABBS Chairman, and I both agree
T: 07785 331375 We Help?" initiative has started to
that we were very proud to be
E: administrationdirector@singbarbershop.com operate, with several Clubs already
British that weekend!
Music Services Director receiving help and advice from
Alan Hughes The "eagle-eyed" amongst you members of our Board with key
T: 07841 819535 may have noticed that the BABS skills. As time allows, the Chairmen
E: musicservicesdirector@singbarbershop.com
'Blue Book', "25 Years - The History of all Clubs will be contacted to
Membership Services Director of British Barbershop Harmony" is check if they need any assistance.
Colin Roper
now available to read in a page-
T: 07397 934012 Next up for the Chain is a visit to
turning format via a link from the
E: membershipdirector@singbarbershop.com Sweet Adelines Region 31
front page of our
Special Events Director Convention in Cardiff. Then on to
singbarbershop.com website. For
Derek Parmenter our own Convention in
T: 01925 637394 those of us with 20+ years in BABS,
Bournemouth where I hope to
E: specialeventsdirector@singbarbershop.com this is a fascinating look into the
meet as many of you as possible.
earlier years, triggering fond
A fabulous weekend like no other
The British Association of Barbershop Singers memories of special characters,
to entertain, be entertained, share
A company limited by guarantee registered in England unforgettable events and evocative
and Wales. a tag and generally catch up with
Registered Office: 6 Corunna Court, Corunna Road, performances.
Warwick, United Kingdom CV34 5HQ
friends in a warm and harmonious
Registered Company No: 3823721 I would like to personally thank the environment. See you there ...!?
Registered Charity Ref No: 1080930
authors and copyright holders, Alan
In harmony
The British Association of Barbershop Singers is affiliated to the
Johnson and Harry Wells, for
Barbershop Harmony Society in America. Members of Making Martin
Music in the UK.
Page 4 Harmony Express May 2019
Music Services
Alan Hughes outlined the activities in a busy year,
covering development of Judges, Quartets and the
Quartet Prelims, Choruses and Directors' Academy,
Harmony College and the Music Advice Service run by
Mike Lofthouse. Success stories included:
• Quartets scoring over 70% at Prelims now number
14, a seven fold increase in 10 years;
• BABS now No. 1 in the world for participation in
Quartet Prelim events;
• BABS now No. 2 in the world for quality scores at
Our AGM on 24 March Quartet Prelims.
in Coventry
Draw for Mixed Chorus Contest
No snow and ice this year! Thanks to all our This produced the following order of competition:
appointed Members who attended from Bolton, 1 Endeavour
Bournemouth, Bromley, Byfield, Cambridge, Chess 2 EQ
Valley, Coventry, Derby, East Midlands, Essex, 3 Hull University BS
Farnham, Hull, Ipswich, Leicester, Lincoln, Mold, 4 MUBS
Nottingham, Ouse Valley, Peterborough, Plymouth, 5 Southern Acappella
Potton, Reading, Tuxedo Junction, Vale of York, West 6 A Kind of Magic
London, West Midlands, Windsor and Don Amos. 7 Bristol A Cappella
Apologies were received from Isle of Wight, 8 Black Cat
Kingsbridge, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Oxford, 9 Mosaic
Portsmouth, Stockport, Taunton, Tees Valley, Great 10 Heart of England
Western, Sussex Harmonisers and Rolling Hills.
Membership
Chairman Colin Roper ran through some membership statistics,
Martin Baglow presented the Chairman's Report for showing a 8.5% membership decline over the last four
2018, prepared by Peter Cookson, the outgoing years. He has a number of actions in place to redress
Chairman. He also introduced the new board. this and several new clubs are in the process of
Covering his own activities, Martin outlined matters joining. The development of mixed singing is bringing
such as the development of regional events, club in new members, and new clubs. Time To Sing
visits, the Can We Help? Initiative and Chairmen's (recruitment) programmes are continuing strongly and
meetings and the contact list. are financially supported by BABS. New members
Finance reporting receive Welcome packs and a new leaflet is being
Pippa Goodall presented an analysis of our Profit and developed. Awards were announced:
Loss account and Balance Sheet, explaining a number • Hereward Harmony, 2018 Recruitment Champions
of significant elements. Overall we ended the year a • Jack Bridges, of Hull, Barbershopper of the Year,
little under the planned budget. She answered for developing Hull from 'a barbershop vacuum' to
questions on the assets we own, and on the cost of having three vibrant choruses.
insurance, which was generally agreed to be good Marketing
value. The adoption of the accounts was agreed. Shanna Wells reported on 2018 and ongoing activities,
and her plans for the future to strengthen the BABS
brand and to tell our story. She plans a new website,
harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 5
more social media activity and online presence, appointments:
encouraging dialogue with members, and developing Vice Chairman
Harmony Express. Special Events Director
Membership Services Director
Special Events
For more details please see website or contact Pat
Derek Parmenter gave an update on arrangements for
Perridge: administrationdirector@singbarbershop.com
the Bournemouth Convention this year which promises
to be an exceptional event. He also announced that Anyone wishing to see a full set of the minutes should
Alan Bithell was standing down as Convention contact their Club's BABS nominated Member.
Manager, so recruitment to fill his post is under way.
Pat Perridge
The 2019 Prelims will be at a new venue, the Sheffield BABS Administration Director
Octagon, on November 9th and 10th.
Arrangements for Harrogate 2020 include guest
quartets Forefront and Instant Classic. The 2019 Mixed
Quartet competition will be in Llandudno on 27
October.
Finance update
Pippa Goodall outlined activities introduced in the last
twelve months to streamline processes, including
iZettle for event sales, PayPal payment, G Suite for
directors' administration. She is also responsible for
Fusion, the new name for the former BABS University
Initiative. There will be an annual event called Fuse,
this year in April at Hull.
Administration
Pat Perridge explained that he was exploring the
possibility of BABS moving to a Charitable
Book Your
Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which would have
the advantage of simpler regulation and reporting. He
also announced that as part of the review of our
Place Now!
structure, the Board had decided to drop the Harmony
Foundation title, and that all future charitable giving Scholarships Available!
would be under the BABS umbrella. With regard to
Harmony College 2019, he announced new
scholarships. Please see the Harmony College website
or contact the Grants Secretary, Steve Dumble, at 22nd - 25th August 2019
grants@singbarbershop.com for more information.
Jubilee Campus
The Autumn Members' Meeting would be held on
Nottingham
Sunday 15 September in Coventry.
The next BABS AGM will be on Sunday 29 March 2020.
Board Vacancies
babsharmonycollege.co.uk
We are currently recruiting for the following Board
Page 6 Harmony Express May 2019
Tux’s tips for a top show
Tuxedo Junction has reached its 10-year milestone. Rob Evatt, took overall charge (coordinating,
Certainly, an appropriate occasion for our first ever big motivating…gentle words).
show. The committee sat down about six months ago
to plan – and then realised the enormity of the task!
So, let’s share some of the lessons.
For us, the venue was easy. Our director, Simon
Lubkowski, has good contacts in the Leicester area
and had already staged several shows in the rather
splendid church.
Now comes our next piece of advice – don’t forget
where you came from, and where you’re going. It
wouldn’t be an anniversary show without our founder
and former Director Mr Rob Barber (we booked him
first). He agreed to direct some of his favourite songs
from his seven-year reign at Tux.
Rehearsal. Obvious, right!? But with an 18-song set,
the whole chorus had to put in a tonne of hard work
The next job was to source some amazing acts – the and effort. This is especially true for the newbies from
current BABS Quartet Champions ‘The Locksmiths’ our autumn Time to Sing course. As part of our
(having your Director in the quartet does help); the ‘future’ set, we also performed our 2019 convention
amazing ‘Avalon’, current LABBS Quartet Champions, package (two months before the big day). Not
and chorus quartets ‘A cappella Fellas’, ‘LockLuster’ polished but great potential was demonstrated!
and ‘Suit You, Sir!’. We also asked the BQC Chorus as
well! Which leads us to our first piece of advice:
assume things will not go to plan! Sadly, the BQC
Chorus (despite a valiant effort) couldn’t muster
enough singers. The Holland Harmony convention was
on the same weekend (another tip: always check the
barbershop diary). We even needed to swap quartet
members. But we are flexible at Tux (we encourage
quartet singing) and we know each other’s songs. Suit
You, Sir! had a stand in baritone (thanks, Joe Nelson!)
and so did LockLuster (thanks, Tom Schofield!).
Major advice now. Spread the load. Everyone will want Show day was a blur. The riser van was hired, the
to muck in (chorus member AND their families). Let cakes were baked, the cameras were set up, the acts
them. We had teams (with captains) to cover all areas arrived – and we were off! Everything went smoothly,
– venue management, budget/tickets (we used from the audio setup and live stream (free on
ticketsource.co.uk), raffle/refreshments, marketing @TuxJuxChorus, via Facebook!), with sound checks
(fliers plastered everywhere), audio/video. Our Chair, and rehearsals going off without a hitch.
harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 7
The show itself was a mix of four-part harmony – from
the crazy antics of ‘The Locksmiths’ with their song A Novel Take on
‘Jezebel’, to the sparkling voices of Avalon (and their
equally sparkling sequins – that we eventually
Barbershop
managed to get out of the carpet with an old-school After fourteen years
powerless vacuum). Rob Barber’s amazing shirt and singing with The Royal
equally amazing directing. Harmonics, I am currently
taking a sabbatical to
oversee the publication
of my second novel set in
the world of barbershop
singing. The Enduring
Influence of Ken Potts is
the sequel to The Fifth
A quality audience is also key, and ours was warm and Voice and tells the further
appreciative throughout. They gave standing ovations adventures of quartet
and consumed our many and varied home-cooked singers Vince, Danny, Henry, and Neil as they tackle
cakes. various life crises while pursuing their dream of
becoming British quartet champions.
The event was amazing, for all involved, and it leads
us to our last piece of advice. If you want to put on a To my delight, The Fifth Voice (2014) was very well
show, then do it – just take the plunge and make it received and picked up a couple of awards along the
happen! There are so many amazing quartets and way. But the best reward has been hearing from
choruses out there that would LOVE to be in your readers about how much they enjoyed the book, and
show – Tux is one of them! it’s always great to hear from barbershoppers who tell
me how much they identify with the characters and the
We hope to see you at our next big show (in the story. Hopefully the sequel will live up to the first, as I
summer, hopefully!) but for now it’s back to the guide don’t want to let readers down, especially fellow
tracks to get ready for BABS 2019 – bring it on singers who have been looking forward to the
Bournemouth! follow-up!
Into the fire we go!!! The inspiration for both books has come from the time
I’ve spent with The Royal Harmonics, and The
Enduring Influence of Ken Potts (available early May) is
dedicated to the guys. I’ve been following their
progress in the build-up to Bournemouth from a
distance, and I wish them all a fantastic 45th BABS
convention.
Paul Connolly
Share Your Story Through
Harmony Express
Next Issue: 8th July 2019
Copy Date: 7th June 2019
Page 8 Harmony Express May 2019
Tag Corner!
Welcome back to Tag Corner, the place where we
want to encourage you to sing a tag or two, to try new
music and to showcase the amazing arranging talent
we have within our society. This issue we have ‘tagged’
in Jack Bridges, who also happens to be 2018’s
Barbershopper of the Year, to bring you our tag.
Jack Bridges, arrived on the scene from Bolton to
attend University of Hull, firstly studying for a degree
in History then staying on to commence his Masters in ladies chorus founded in 2018. These three choruses
Music. Jack brought his love and knowledge of all fall under the umbrella of Hull Barbershop Harmony
barbershop harmony from the Cottontown Chorus and Club.
from it created Hull University Barbershop Society
Jacks’s tag for this issue is called ‘The Stars’. Jack has
(HUBS) in 2016. Jack then went on to found two more
also recorded a multitrack of the tag and will be
choruses, firstly The Humber Harmony Chorus in 2017,
posting it on facebook. Keep an eye out for it!
and his most recent project Three Crown Sound, a
If you are an arranger and would be interested in becoming part of the ‘Tag Team’ please email Shanna Wells,
Marketing Director, on marketingdirector@singbarbershop.com
harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 9
The British Association of Barbershop Singers
BOARD POSITIONS AVAILABLE
The BABS Board are currently seeking applications from individuals who feel they
have the skills and abilities to fulfil the roles of Vice-Chairman, Special Events
Director and Membership Services Director. Full details can be found on the
website.
If you believe that you might have the necessary skills,
please contact Pat Perridge, Administration Director or
any other Director before 31 May 2019.
E: administrationdirector@singbarbershop.com
T: 07785 331 375
Page 14 Harmony Express May 2019
TAKE IN A SHOW AT CONVENTION
SATURDAY SHOW SUNDAY SHOW
FEATURING FROM SWEDEN FEATURING FROM THE USA
The Real Group CROSSROADS
2009 International Quartet Champions
Plus
Supported by BABS 45th Anniversary
Cheshire Chord Company Convention Champions
LABBS 2018 Chorus Champions * Chorus Champions
* Mixed Chorus Champions
* Quartet Champions
Avalont Champions
uarte
2018 Q
LABBS
SHOW TICKETS £25 EACH
Buy online or at Convention
Online Box Office - www.sing2019.comharmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 15
Meantime win the Manchester Amateur Choral
Competition!
In early March Meantime Chorus headed to
Manchester, fresh off the back of our annual chorus
retreat to compete in the Manchester Amateur Choral
Competition. It was the first big event in our 2019
calendar and we couldn't have been more excited!
To make the most of the trip, we travelled up the day
before so we could visit the talented guys and gals at
Manchester University Barbershop Singers (MUBS). We
fantastic and incredibly supportive whilst we were on
held a joint singing workshop led by our own Simon
stage. A little breathless, we received the live judge
Arnott, as well as giving them a sneak peek of our rep
feedback (think X Factor!) and practically cartwheeled
for the contest the following day. MUBS were great
off stage! Not too long after we were sat in the
hosts and wowed us with a few songs of their own!
auditorium waiting to hear the results.
Following the workshop, we took the opportunity to
(mostly sensibly) explore the Manchester beer scene ... And we won!!
before getting a good night's rest ahead of the
We are so honoured to be recognised amongst the
competition.
immense amount of talent on stage across the day.
The array of styles and talents on display at the MACC We had a great time seeing old friends, making some
was astounding. We had a great day watching choirs new ones, and hopefully exciting some of the UK
from across the UK, cheering especially loud for our singing community about the good ol' barbershop
friends from other BABS choruses! Our stage time was style! With no rest for the wicked, we're back to the
quite late in the day but it seemed before we knew it grindstone working on our BABS competition set. We
we were lining up off-stage ready to sing. look forward to seeing you all then!
We were proud of the performance we were able to In Harmony
give, helped along by the MACC audience who were Meantime ChorusPage 16 Harmony Express May 2019
2018 Barbershopper of the Year - Jack Bridges
"Jack Bridges is the reason I Harmony Club, one of few clubs in the UK to facilitate
sing barbershop": this is a a mixed chorus. The club hosts bi-annual concerts for
statement that rings true not an expanding Hull audience.
only for myself, but for
upwards of 70 people in Hull
and the surrounding area.
Jack brought his love and
knowledge of barbershop
harmony from his hometown of Bolton and the
Cottontown Chorus, and from it created Hull
University Barbershop Society (HUBS) in 2016. Very
few members had sung barbershop before; for some
it was their first foray into singing. The society grew in
numbers and enthusiasm, competing in the Mixed "Jack Bridges is the reason I'm a musical director": a
Chorus Contest at BABS Convention in 2018 as well more niche statement than the previous, but one that
as entertaining audiences at university events and applies to myself. With years of experience under his
beyond. The society boasts passionate young belt, in 2018 Jack embarked on a MA Choral
barbershoppers who will no doubt carry on singing in Conducting course, following his history
the style long after university graduations. Two youth undergraduate degree. For the past 8 months he has
quartets have also sprung from the society; Orange begun to pass on his wealth of knowledge to me, an
Juice Quartet, who entertained at BABS Prelims last absolute novice director, ensuring that HUBS
November, and Saved By The Belles, who look continues as a society with a young female director at
forward to competing at SAI Rising Star in July. the helm.
Seeking to involve the wider community, Jack then
went on to found two more choruses, firstly The Every person who sings under Jack not only improves
Humber Harmony Chorus in 2017, with some of the their technique and performance, but also gains a
men travelling all the way from Lincoln and even love of barbershop harmony and the chance to be
Skegness to participate. Humber Harmony are part of this unique welcoming community. The mark
competing at BABS convention for the first time this Jack has made on Hull's music scene and the splash it
year, having polished their performance at numerous has had in the UK barbershop world is incomparable.
local singouts. His most recent project is Three Crown Despite his sarcastic catchphrase "I'm kind of a big
Sound, a fledgling ladies chorus founded in 2018, deal", Jack is a humble and unassuming character,
with their sights set on LABBS affiliation. These three making him only more deserving of this accolade.
choruses fall under the umbrella of Hull Barbershop Bethany Southworthharmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 17
An ‘Inspired Harmony’ Show from Grand Central Chorus
As usual, we planned a show in April so that we could Meanwhile some small groups and quartets involving
perform our BABS Contest package as a ‘dress members of Grand Central Chorus have had recent
rehearsal’ in front of an audience, but with enough successes in competitions both here and overseas. In
time, if required, to make any changes before the end particular, many congratulations to Paul Searson and
of May. However, unlike previous years, we decided it Dick Knight who (together with their wives Karen and
would be a good idea to hold the show this time Delyth) are the mixed quartet Crown Derby and who
outside the East Midlands. Because we have several won silver medals at the Spanish Association of
dual members from Three Spires Harmony in Coventry Barbershop Singers International Quartet Contest in
and we had been guests of The Belles of Three Spires early April with a fantastic score of 76.3%! Our ‘sister’
at their show a few years ago, the decision was made chorus GEM Connection also won silver medals in the
to hold this ‘Inspired Harmony’ Show, in Coventry. This SABS International Chorus Contest with another
event hosted by Grand Central Chorus took place on wonderful score of 82% so congratulations to Rachael
Saturday 13 April at the Willenhall Social Club. Our Murphy and all our friends in GEM Connection for
guests were Three Spires Harmony and The Belles of bringing the SABS silver medal (which Grand Central
Three Spires, along with The Eclectic Quartet, which Chorus won in 2018) back again to the East Midlands!
includes our Baritone section leader, Mark Soave, who
are preparing to compete in the BABS Quartet
semi-finals in Bournemouth at the end of May.
The show was a resounding success with a packed
audience delighted to see and hear three large
choruses perform in one show. As well as The Eclectic
Quartet, we were also fortunate to have two quartets
(Aurora Quartet and 4K Quartet) from the
Coventry-based choruses perform too.
As always, the success of the show was down to all the At the Milton Keynes Music Festival in mid-March,
hard work and planning by so many people but a Kantado, a small mixed a cappella chorus founded
special thanks to Wilf Pattison, who sings with both and directed by Richard Curtis and including Grand
Grand Central Chorus and Three Spires Harmony, who Central members Rob Taylor, Paul Searson, Peter
led the organisation of the show with a team from Walters and Ralph Keenan won the Adult Community
Coventry. Choir class with Distinction (see picture) A great result
given this was their first ever public performance and
Thanks also to Bill Traynor and Martin York, who
competition! Crown Derby won the Barbershop
transported our risers to and from the venue as well as
Quartet class for the second successive year, with
David Taylor for his work in producing the programme,
Central Locking (Bryan Smith, Mike Flint, Bill Lumley
and not forgetting Nigel and Cherry Smith who
and Nelson Blackley) in second place. The following
organised the raffle plus all those partners of chorus
week, Crown Derby then won the Barbershop Quartet
members who helped sell tickets on the door. Final
class at the Ashton-Under Lyne Music Festival and in
thanks to our MD, Zac Booles and the Music and
early April Central Locking finished second in the
Performance team who have done so much over the
Barbershop Quartet class at the Oundle Music
past few months to develop and bring our contest
Festival.
package together. We now just can’t wait for
Bournemouth! Nelson Blackley - PRO Grand Central ChorusPage 18 Harmony Express May 2019
The A Cappella Fellas on TV
In an attempt to follow, and beat, the fantastic TV Quiz on YouTube using this link:
win a few years ago by a team from Windsor A https://youtu.be/gEPJ35Po0i4
Cappella, Mike Abbott, tenor with Knights of Harmony
Hopefully, thanks to social media, many HEX readers
and BABS Company Secretary, appeared on Tenable
will know that we didn’t match the £26,000 won by the
on ITV 1 on 1st March. The team of 5, christened ‘A
Windsor A Cappella team, but we came away with
Cappella Fellas’ by the show’s producers were
£3,500 between us. The production team looked after
encouraged to enter by the sing out organiser in Just
us well that afternoon and we left the home of James
A Cappella, Marian Taylor. This mixed group, based in
Bond filming ‘Shaken but not stirred’!
Hemel Hempstead, was started some 15 years ago by
Jean & Tom Digby in Enfield. Not surprisingly there
are several former and current barbershop singers in
JAC.
Auditioning was an hour’s Skype session with one of
the programme team to get to know us, and do a
dummy question run through. Clearly they liked us as,
on 19th June last year, we headed to Pinewood
Studios to see if we could avoid being ‘terrible at
Tenable’. Once in the studio, but only recorded by a
production team member on their phone for us to
have as a non broadcast memory, we sang the start of
James Taylor’s ‘Lonesome Road’. This can be viewed
Rolling Hills on a Roll!
Following a hugely successful Learn to Sing in journey through “500 miles” was complete.
Harmony course, a large number of the participants
We are delighted to say that most of the participants
are poised to swell the ranks of The Rolling Hills
now wish to join the chorus and are eager to share the
Chorus.
stage with us in our forthcoming Edinburgh Festival
25 enthusiastic men started the 6 weeks vocal training Fringe production “Distilled in Scotland – 100%
at the beginning of January and very quickly found a Harmony.” Feedback from our new members was
warm welcome in the ranks of existing chorus overwhelmingly positive and suggested that a number
members. Chorus Director, Rosalind Johnson, soon joined our course after reading posters and publicity
had them hooked on harmony, the Proclaimers about the chorus that were produced with financial
provided the song for them to work on and soon the assistance from BABS.harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 19
Cottontown Chorus - What a year!
I can’t believe how time flies. It only seems a couple of event in the world of a cappella singing and this year’s
months since Cottontown was on stage in Harrogate line-up included the likes of Laura Mvula, Black Voices
competing in the 2018 chorus contest and here we are and The Swingles. It was great to be able to represent
in the run up to this year’s Convention in Bournemouth barbershop alongside London City Singers and
when we will relinquish our title and pass it on to Meantime Chorus and judging by some of the
another deserving chorus. audience feedback we seemed to have done a
pretty good job.
We’ve had a tremendous year as BABS Chorus
Champions performing to audiences across the We’re looking forward to this year’s convention in
country and we have been honoured to represent Bournemouth where we have a packed schedule. We’ll
BABS in the process. One of the highlights of our year be performing on the Friday night show, mic warming
was our return to Harrogate in October to play our on Saturday morning and closing the chorus contest
part in the LABBS show. It’s always a lively and with our mic cooling swansong set. This year, for the
entertaining show and we made the most of it! We first time, we will also be competing in the mixed
were thrilled to get a warm and enthusiastic reception. chorus contest where we are teaming up with our
friends from Amersham Acappella. It’s rare we get to
Another important event in our year was our
sing on stage with mixed voices and we’re excited to
appearance on the main stage at the London A
be able to take the opportunity to do so this year.
Cappella Festival in January. It is a highly influential
New Musical Director at The White Rose Chorus
The White Rose Chorus is delighted to announce that their new Musical Director is Ruairidh
Pattie, who is studying music at Huddersfield University. “Ru, as we call him, has been
involved with barbershop for some time, especially with Hallmark of Harmony. We are
looking forwards to new adventures in our hobby, and are already settling in to a good
relationship.” Congratulations to The White Rose Chorus.harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 21
Capital Chorus - Beginnings
West London’s Capital Chorus is 35 years young. The accompany the singing. After thinking of various
club joined BABS in the autumn of 1984 and the possible names for the new club and its chorus
chorus was soon rubbing shoulders with American (including Harrow, Middlesex and London) “West
diplomats, breaking singing taboos on the tube and London Barbershop Harmony Club” and “Capital
experiencing their first fashion disasters on the contest Chorus” were decided upon. An exciting and vibrant
stage. The Club Chairman Paul Gordon, a veteran of club committee was formed, and on Monday 13th
the bass section, was among the original members, February, the committee met at the Ballot Box public
and he’s been recalling those early days. house to formally start our 35 year journey.
By May 1984 the club was obviously a going concern,
so an approach was made to BABS to apply for
membership of this strange organisation, which
seemed to be affiliated to a mysterious American
group known as SPEBSQSA, which made it all seem
slightly worrying to the uninitiated.
However, a visit to one of our rehearsal evenings by
John Wiggins on behalf of BABS put our minds at rest.
We were officially welcomed to BABS with a “Chord of
Our story starts in the summer of 1983 when Phil
Accord” at their AGM on 23rd September, and the
Jones, a member of the Carshalton Barbershop
new singers all received BABS membership certificates
Harmony Club, decided to try to start a chorus in the
in January 1985.
West London area near his home. He contacted Ian
Stone, the BABS membership secretary, who was First Performances
singing with the Chesham Barbershop Harmony Club. Our first public performance was on Wednesday 20th
The “Dynamic Duo”, together with some other June, 1984. We were guests of the Lissenden Players
barbershop singers based around London, hired a for an Old Time Music Hall evening in Highgate,
room at Rooks Heath School in South Harrow for a few North London. Other performances soon followed,
Wednesday evenings to see what happened. including the first ever public outing of a quartet from
the club, at a charity performance in Newham, East
Word of this wonderful music spread and chords could
London. The quartet members were all part of the
soon be heard echoing around the school each week
group of established barbershop singers who founded
as the embryonic chorus discovered the delights of
the club.
tags and polecats. However, Christmas was fast
approaching, which meant a break from Wednesday
night rehearsals and the risk that the new singers
would forget about this strange new hobby during the
festive season.
January soon arrived and the first Wednesday evening
saw a queue of eager singers waiting to try this
Barbershop lark again. It now looked like it was going
to be feasible to officially form a new Barbershop
Harmony Club with a name, a constitution, a
committee, subs, and lots of administrative stuff toPage 22 Harmony Express May 2019
The following year our first ever competition quartet, our performance were broadcast on TV and radio
known as Capital Four, brought home the club’s first news and current affairs programmes around the
award when they won their class at the Ealing Music world.
Festival. Our singers were among first groups to
Members of the chorus have come and gone over the
legally perform on the London Underground when
years, but I’m happy to say the spirit is unchanged. We
Capital Radio teamed up with London Transport to
still love to sing and strive to improve. We still enjoy
host “The Great Capital Underground Caper” in
each other’s company, support one another, and have
September, 1986. Entertainments and events were
a lot of fun on and off the risers. Above all we still love
held at 18 stations across the network in aid of the
sharing all those chords, tags and polecats which rang
“Help a London Child” charity appeal. Capital Chorus
around the corridors of that school in South Harrow so
sang at King’s Cross Station as part of the event
many decades ago. Here’s to the next 35 years.
followed by a little impromptu busking elsewhere…
Paul Gordon, Chairman, Capital Chorus.
Perhaps the most significant performance of our first
year was our appearance as mike-warmers for the
BABS Southern Prelims. Phil Jones directed the chorus
as we sang rather splendid renditions of “Wait till the
Sun Shines, Nellie” and “Sweet Adeline”. We almost
wore matching uniforms, but someone managed to
mislay their beautiful light-blue tank top on the day of MIXED
the contest, resulting in a not-quite-matching
bright-yellow tank top appearing in the front row and,
CHORUS
yes, the judges noticed it. (The wardrobe malfunction, CONTEST
however, was nothing compared with the saga of the
beautiful “made-to-measure” green and silver lamé
waistcoats that made their debut at the 1985 prelims.)
American Links
Sunday
For a few years we had close links with the American 26th May 2019
Society in London and the US Embassy in Grosvenor
Square, leading to some prestigious and very
enjoyable performances.
A regular event was the US ambassador’s 4th of July
Garden Party at his official residence, Winfield House
(known to its friends as Woolworths Towers) in Regents
Park. We performed free of charge but were amply
rewarded with an afternoon of spectacular
entertainment and ceremony, as well as more free
food and drink than we could possibly consume, plus
a doggy-bag.
Another American Highlight was the 1996 Election 45th Annual Convention
Night where we performed at the US embassy until 24th - 27th May 2019
the early hours of the morning. Once again, the free Bournemouth
food and drink came non-stop as we mingled with
famous politicians, journalists and celebrities. Parts ofharmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 23
Allen Atkinson The Bakewell Tarts and
Celebrates 40 Years Friends Fundraising Show
This year Allen Atkinson received his medal for 40 The Bakewell
years membership of BABS. Tarts are an
exciting and
Allen was first encoraged to sing Barbershop after
fresh ladies
being encouraged by Joe Boardman and his good
barbershop
friend Ron Rowston to attend an open evening at the
quartet based in
old Rudyard Hotel.
Sheffield, and
He has been a dedicated and hardworking member of the Spanish
Harmony Revival and the wider Barbershop fraternity Association of Barbershop Singers' 2018 4th place
ever since, always ready to make constructive analysis. International quartet.
Highlights for Allen has been singing with the
Our tenor, Rachel is volunteering in mental health
Brighouse and Rastrick Brass band and also
support in Sri Lanka and she's organised an evening of
participating in a radio show with Blow by Blow.
fabulous barbershop in Sheffield to raise funding for
Allen's first musical director was Roy Dawson. His her trip.
current MD is Jack Haslam who's assured stewardship
We're very excited to be gearing up to compete in the
has helped keep the fire burning for Allens love of the
UK for the first time and this show will be such a fun
genre.
pit-stop along the way to competition!
A devoted, passionate and valuable member, Acky we
The Bakewell Tarts are joined by some very special
salute you!!
friends for this show:
Harmony Revival
The San Nova Beach Club 4 are Sheffield-based
Hallmark of Harmony's newest quartet. Their first time
out, they scored 69.7% to qualify for BABS' quartet
semi-finals - while wearing no shoes!
Decibelles are a small (but perfectly formed!) group
formed of members of Sweet Adelines Region 31
chorus Sheffield Harmony. They've developed their
own sound with a fun repertoire and will definitely
bring a smile to your face with their sound and
personality!
Steel City Voices are a new, vibrant, female acapella
group, singing music from a variety of genres. They
have a bright fresh sound that belies their newcomer
status!
The show will be held at the Merlin Theatre in
Sheffield on 7th June 2019 at 7.30pm. You can get
your tickets at
www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-bakewell-tarts-quartetPage 24 Harmony Express May 2019
recently. After some more admin its back on the risers
Ruby Says Hi! for the second half. I have to admit that by now I have
had enough excitement and drift off to a beautiful
As some of you may know at this year’s AGM we had
ballad that the Chorus is singing. Then I awake
our first canine attendee, Ruby. We wanted to get to
realising that they are singing the last two, doesn’t
know Ruby so asked her to tell us about herself. Here
time fly when you are enjoying yourself. Just time for a
is her story.
couple more snacks before we are all happily
Hi my name is Ruby and I live with my two lovely homeward bound back on the Ferry to Swanage,
housekeepers Steve and Dave at Swanage in Dorset. looking forward to next week.
Steve and Dave are members of the Southern Union
I look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Chorus and recently I became the first and, who
knows, maybe the last Canine representative of the Ruby
Chorus to attend the BABS AGM where I was treated
like a VIP by all the delegates present. It was a most
enjoyable experience with much tail wagging and
heavy petting, that was on me of course. Steve said
that a lot was discussed and many interesting points
highlighted for him to bring back to the Chorus.
I am very fortunate when I say, with much humility, that
I am considered the Mascot of the Southern Union
and look forward to being taken every Monday
evening to the rehearsal venue in Poole. It started last
Monday with me meeting and greeting all of those
coming through the door. I waited for a special
person, uncle Tony, the Membership Secretary to
arrive, he always has snacks for me which stops me
getting bored while the boys warm up.
After that the Chorus get on the risers and the
rehearsal starts. I listen intently with a view to
highlighting any areas in the performance that require
detailed attention. Tim, the MD, always seems to
notice these first and puts the Chorus through their
paces until perfection is reached. I must say that
during the many repetitions that take place I become
a little bored and have been known to drop off in my
comfortable bed which I am supplied with. I am soon
awake when Tim calls for a break. Once again there is
much tail wagging and I give of my time generously to
all those that feel the need to have some canine time
to iron out the stresses and strains of the first half.
Brian, the Chairman, then calls everybody to order for
‘Notices’. He is a very loud person but he means well.
He congratulated the Chorus in Winning the
‘Barbershop’ class at the New Milton Music Festivalharmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 25
OBITUARY
ALAN SENIOR
1948 – 2019
It is with great sadness that we report the sudden
passing of Alan Senior, a founder member and former
chairman of MK Acapella. Alan was there at the
beginning in 1986 when the Milton Keynes Barbershop
Harmony Society was formed and was immediately an
integral part of the chorus by acting as the Public
Relations Officer and spreading his love of Barbershop
and recruiting others to sing with. Alan sang Lead and
was our Lead Section Leader. He supported and
guided many a new member and was diligent in
learning his music and expecting others to do the
same. He would proudly wear the badges from all the sell out and great fun for all concerned.
conventions that he had attended and was passionate
His interests outside of Barbershop included golf,
about Barbershop – the music, the craft and the
biking, bridge, his allotment and local conservation
camaraderie – which he would promote at every
and community facilities. He was considered to be a
opportunity.
great friend to many of us and we will miss his infec-
Alan was brought up in Barnsley and studied for a BA tious enthusiasm, great smile and passion.
in French and German at Durham University. He
Our thoughts are with Sue, his wife, and their family.
worked in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Paris during a
successful IT and Technology career culminating with James Boyle, Chairman
him being the CEO of IBS plc based in Milton Keynes. MK Acapella, Milton Keynes
He married in 1970 and was the proud father of 2
sons, and proud grandfather of 3 grandsons. He was
passionate about his local community and was chair-
man of the Kiln Farm Club and Peartree Pond
Association. His latest venture with the PPA was
turning a local bookshop into a community centre,
where he had successfully secured the support and
funding of major corporations to enable high speed
Formerly The Harmony Foundation
internet access to the shop and set up a “community
fridge”, where they would collect the “sell by”
produce from local supermarkets to make avaialable
to the local community.
Leave a Gift to
Whatever he was involved with, he did with passion.
Barbershop
MK Acapella benefitted hugely from his passion, with in your Will
him being a member of the committee in various roles
throughout the years. His most recent “project” was
the move of rehearsal venues for MK Acapella to the For further information contact
Chyrsalis Theatre. This culminated in our inaugral
The Barbershop Charity Secretary
administrationdirector@singbarbershop.com
“Winter Harmony” concert at the venue – which was aPage 26 Harmony Express May 2019
Seniors Quartet Contest
2018 Winners Saturday 9th November 2019
One Foot in the Stave The Octagon, Sheffield
The contest rules state that the minimum age of a
seniors quartet member is 55, with a combined total
age of at least 240 years. So why not form a quartet
and start planning now for your chance to be the best
senior quartet in the UK.
The contest will be held over the Prelims
weekend. The winning quartet will be
presented with a trophy, medals and a
bursary to help their development.
Closing Date 30th September 2019 Eligible Senior scores will be carried
forward to the draw for the 2020
Contest sponsored by Semi-finals in Harrogate.
The British Association of Barbershop Singers
www.singbarbershop.com
The winning quartet may also be eligible, as long as they
achieve the qualifying score, to compete in the Seniors
contest in the USA.
Barbershop Youth Quartet Contest
2018 Winners Saturday 9th November 2019
Northern Quarter The Octagon, Sheffield
The British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) Youth
Quartet Contest is open to all young men 25 years of age
and under. If you know of a school, college or university
quartet, or even just a youth quartet from your area, then this
contest is for them. They just have to sing two barbershop
harmony songs. Advice is available on song choice, and entry
is free!
In addition to gaining the title of the National Barbershop
Youth Quartet Champions, the winners will be presented with
a trophy, medals and a £500 Bursary from BABS.
Closing Date 30th September 2019
Open to BABS and non-BABS members. For further details contact:
Get Details Today! Alan Hughes - Music Services Director
Tel: 07841 819535
Contest sponsored by email: musicservicesdirector@singbarbershop.com
The British Association of Barbershop Singers
www.singbarbershop.com
The British Association of Barbershop Singers
Registered Office: 6 Corunna Court, Corunna Road, Warwick CV34 5HQ
Registered Charity No: 1080930harmonyexpress@singbarbershop.com Page 27
British Association of Barbershop Singers
SING BARBERSHOP
2020
46th Annual Convention
SING 2020
HARROGATE Harrogate 22nd - 25th May 2020
Early Bird Packages
Online Only - Open to All - Extended Hours
While the final touches of planning are coming together for Bournemouth, advance
planning is already underway for next year’s convention. As has now become customary,
Early Bird registration and show packages are being made available for those who
wish to book in advance for the 2020 Convention in Harrogate.
New for 2020
Early Birds will only be available online through the Sing2020 Box Office web site
www.sing2020.com - the Box Office will be open from 9.30am on Friday 22nd May
through to Midnight on Wednesday 27th May 2019. So no more Sunday queuing.
You’ll be able to book directly from the comfort of your hotel, on your travels, or at
home if you’re not going to Bournemouth. If you are in Bournemouth, an assisted
reception desk service will be available for anyone not able to access the online service.
Early Bird Options
There are three offers; The Premium Package (an enhanced service), the Standard
Package (discounted registration and shows), Registrations Only (discounted weekend
registration). We will require names of all those on the booking, as this information
will be used to produce the badges.
The Premium Package - £145
Registration and Allocated Seating for all Shows and all Contests.
The 2020 Premium Package has been upgraded with additional benefits:
* Full Weekend Registration
* Allocated seating - your own seat for all shows and contests
* Free name change on all bookings to the 31st March 2020
* Free cancellation to the 30th September 2019
* £10 fee for each set of cancellations from 1st October to 31st March
Early Bird Standard Package - £110
HEADLINE GUESTS
Registration and Un-allocated Seating for all Shows and Contests.
Instant Classic * Full Weekend Discounted Registration
2015 International Champion Quartet * Discounted un-allocated seating for all shows and contests
* Saving £30 on Adult Pre-event price
* No Cancellations or refunds
* £10 fee for each set of name changes up to 31st March 2020
Early Bird Registration - £65
Full Weekend Registration Only Package.
* Full Weekend Discounted Registration
* Saving £15 on Adult Pre-event price
Forefront * No Cancellation or refunds
2016 International Champion Quartet * £10 fee for each set of name changes up to 31st March 2020
Early Bird Options and Pricing
Block Bookings
Category Adult Youth Junior Under 5
All bookings must include the
Premium £145.00 £105.00 £40.00 Not available name of each person being
Standard £110.00 £80.00 £25.00 Not available registered. There is no limit to
the number of names on the
Registration £65.00 £50.00 £10.00 Free
booking.
Age Breakdown: Youth: Under 26 Junior: Under 16
Under 5’s not allowed in contestMAY 2019 - ISSUE 341
The official publication of The British Association of Barbershop Singers
Published by the Marketing Department of the British Association of Barbershop Singers. All rights reserved.
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