CONTESTS
Interested in entering a contest or festival?
With the cancellation of the fall 2020 district preliminaries and the addition of the quartet and chorus festivals for the 2021 International Convention, the Society Contest & Judging Committee (SCJC) has developed several overrides to BHS contest rules for Cleveland 2021 as well as new guidelines for choruses and quartets wishing to participate in the new festival model.
Click on the button below to learn more or contact events@barbershop.org.
2021 International Quartet Contest
Tuesday, June 29 - Saturday, July 3
Tuesday, June 29 | Quarterfinals Session 1
Wednesday, June 30 | Quarterfinals Session 2
Thursday, July 1 | Quartet Semifinals
Saturday, July 3 | Quartet Finals
The barbershop quartet is the foundation of the art form and our Society. Barbershop’s versatility is boundless. From ballads to up-tunes to comedy, you’ll hear nearly every style of music as renowned quartets from across the world compete for gold on the International stage.
View full event schedule here.
*NEW* Quartet Festival
Tuesday, June 29 - Wednesday, June 30
Your quartet is invited to participate in the 2021 International Quartet Festival in Cleveland, Ohio! The festival is open to ALL quartets and ensembles regardless of affiliation or ensemble type (men's, women's, and mixed harmony).
The festival entry deadline is April 30, 2021. Space is limited, and this event may reach capacity before the entry deadline (complete your entry early to assure a spot).
All participating quartets will receive:
- A two song performance for adjudication in front of a live audience at the International Convention
- Official festival participant pin for each singer
- Rating (Superior, Outstanding, Excellent, Good), score and award
- Coaching & evaluation session from a certified judge (if desired)
- Performance opportunity during the week (if desired)
Some quartets may also be selected/invited to perform on the International Contest stage at the conclusion of a session. This decision will be made by the judging panel of the quartet festival.
Please note: This festival does not qualify quartets to compete in the official International Quartet Competition.
Quartet Festival Entry Fee & Payment Information
Non-BHS Quartet Entry | $199
Festival entry for a quartet that isn't registered with the Barbershop Harmony Society.
BHS Quartet Entry | $149
Festival entry for a quartet that is currently registered with the Barbershop Harmony Society
Payment must be completed by April 30, 2021 (via check or credit card). Entry fees are fully refundable for any reason if the withdrawal occurs before April 30, 2021.
Each singer must hold a convention registration in their name valid for the day of the festival performance (packages starting at $99 per person are available if purchased before December 1st, 2020).
Judging and Rating Criteria
Judging Criteria
- Each quartet will perform two a cappella selections.
- Each quartet will receive a score in three categories (Singing, Music, and Performance, according to BHS C&J Rules - see the Contest Judging Handbook).
Rating Criteria
All participating quartets will be awarded a rating based on the overall score from the judging panel:
- Good: <13 (<61% on BHS 100 point scale)
- Excellent: 13 to <17 (61 to <68% on BHS 100 point scale)
- Outstanding: 17 to <21 (68 to <75 on BHS 100 point scale)
- Superior: >21 (>75 on BHS 100 point scale)
2021 International Chorus Contest
Friday, July 2 - Saturday, July 3
Friday, July 2 | Chorus Finals, Session 1
Saturday, July 3 | Chorus Finals, Session 2
The costumes, the dancing, the music - the possibilities are endless at the Chorus Contest. Our lineups feature some of the best barbershop choruses in the world. You’ll hear heart-wrenching ballads, light-hearted comedy, and overtones galore.
View full event schedule here.
*NEW* Chorus Festival
Wednesday, June 30 - Thursday, July 1
Your chorus or ensemble is invited to participate in the 2021 International Chorus Festival in Cleveland, Ohio! The festival is open to ALL choruses and ensembles regardless of affiliation or ensemble type (men's, women's, and mixed harmony).
The festival entry deadline is December 1, 2020. Space is limited, and this event may reach capacity before the entry deadline (complete your entry early to assure a spot). Draw for order of appearance will occur in December 2020.
All participating choruses will receive:
- A two song performance for adjudication in front of a live audience at the International Convention
- Official festival participant pin for each singer and director
- Rating (Superior, Outstanding, Excellent, Good), score and award
- Coaching & evaluation session from a certified judge (if desired)
- Performance opportunity during the week (if desired)
- International Chorus Finals Qualification*
*For BHS choruses, you have the option of your festival performance qualifying you into the chorus finals round on July 2nd & 3rd. A score of 81% or higher must be achieved on your festival performance to qualify. All singers must be current BHS members to qualify for the finals round and rosters will be validated by June 15th, 2021.
Choruses qualifying for International Chorus Finals will not receive an evaluation or coaching session on their festival performance.
Chorus Festival Entry Fee & Payment Information
Non-BHS Chorus Entry | $499
Festival Entry for a chorus or ensemble that isn't affiliated with a Barbershop Harmony Society chapter.
BHS Chorus Entry | $399
Festival Entry for a chorus that is registered with the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Payment must be completed by April 15, 2021 (via check or credit card). Entry fees are fully refundable for any reason if the withdrawal occurs before April 15, 2021.
Each singer must hold a convention registration in their name valid for the day of the festival performance (packages starting at $99 per person are available if purchased before December 1st, 2020).
Judging and rating criteria
Judging Criteria
- Each chorus will perform two a cappella selections.
- Each chorus will receive a score in three categories (Singing, Music, and Performance, according to BHS C&J Rules - see the Contest Judging Handbook). All participating choruses will be awarded a rating based on the overall score from the judging panel.
Rating Criteria
- Good: <13 (<61% on BHS 100 point scale)
- Excellent: 13 to <17 (61 to <68% on BHS 100 point scale)
- Outstanding: 17 to <21 (68 to <75 on BHS 100 point scale)
- Superior: >21 (>75 on BHS 100 point scale)
Next Generation Varsity Quartet & Chorus Invitational
Wednesday, June 30
Wednesday, June 30 | Next Generation Varsity Quartet Contest & Chorus Festival
Quartets with members who are 25 and younger have an opportunity to perform for an audience of thousands of enthusiastic fans in an electric environment. Come and hear the future of barbershop music live and in person.