Junior Quartets

• Age divisions:
  

  • U18 (Junior): All singers 18 and under at the time of the Midwinter event.
    

  • U26 (Varsity): All singers 26 and under at the time of the International event.
    

  • Quartets with any member age 19 or older must compete in the Varsity division.
    

  • Age 18 creates flexibility—quartets with all 18-year-olds may choose Junior or Varsity depending on the event.
    

• Examples:
  

  • 18–16–16–15 → Junior or Varsity
    

  • 19–17–17–15 → Varsity
    

  • 18–18–18–18 → Junior or Varsity
    

  • 25–23–23–14 → Varsity
    

  • 25–25–25–26 → Not eligible for Next Gen (must compete open).
    

• Open to all genders (men’s, women’s, and mixed quartets).
  

• No membership required in BHS or affiliate organization.
  

• An individual may only participate in one junior quartet per year.
  

• Quartets eligible for both Junior and Varsity may only register for one contest per year.

Contestable arrangements must feature:

• Melody primarily in the second voice (Tenor II/Lead).

• Four unaccompanied voices, singing distinct parts.

• Mostly consonant, diatonic harmony based in major tonality (with some secondary dominants).

• Homophonic texture with clear, understandable, G-rated lyrics.

Contestable arrangements do not include:

• Jazz-based harmonizations, counterpoint-heavy arrangements, or Eric Whitacre-style writing.

• Patriotic, religious, or explicit themes.

• Any form of instrumental accompaniment.

Song choices may include:

• Songs already approved for State Solo & Ensemble Contests.

• Songs prepared for the Next Generation Chorus Festival.

• Check out our Suggested Song List.

Copyright compliance:

• Arrangements must adhere to international and U.S. copyright law.

• See our Copyright Basics for Barbershoppers.

Adapting arrangements:

• TTBB → SSAA: transpose up a minor 3rd to perfect 5th; revoice as needed.

• TTBB → SATB:

  • Lead (Tenor II) → Sopranos (up an octave)

  • Tenor (Tenor I) → Altos (as written).

  • Baritone (Bass I/Baritone) → Tenors (as written).

  • Bass (Bass II) → Basses (as written).

• Some revoicing may be needed if notes fall outside range.

• Not recommended to adapt arrangements with fewer than four voices.

• A panel of BHS certified judges will review all video submissions to determine which quartets qualify for the Midwinter Event, and will also be scoring the Midwinter Event.

• All performances are scored on a 30-point Youth Chorus Festival scale (converted from our traditional 100-point scale).
  

• Quartets receive a brief written evaluation to encourage participation and improvement.

• The top 15 quartets, based on combined scores, are invited to compete at Midwinter.

• Learn a contestable barbershop song.
  

  • Prepare as you would for any scholastic festival (Large Group, Solo & Ensemble, Heritage, Music in the Parks, etc.).
    

  • Barbershop diction is conversational American English, not formal choral diction.
    

• Record your video.
  

  • Video must be performed in front of a live audience(public or private)

    • The audience needs to either be visible, audible, or both.

    • Ultimately we just need to be able to tell there is an audience.

  • Use a well-lit, acoustically balanced room (avoid echo-heavy spaces like stairwells).
  • A classroom or music room works well.
  • Avoid amplified sound, speakers, or audio modification.
  • Record the quartet with a stationary camera, full body visible (head to toe).
  • Use the best possible video quality (most smartphones are sufficient).
• Upload your video.
  

  • Upload to YouTube (recommended as unlisted).
    

  • Watch your video after upload to confirm quality.
    

• Submit your application.
  

  • Complete the online application form and include the YouTube link (do not email links).
    

  • Quartet names must be approved to avoid duplication.
    

  • All quartets must complete pre- and post-event surveys.
    

Additional Notes:

• Scores from BHS Fall District or International Alliance contests can be submitted in lieu of a video submission, as long as they are from Aug 1 - Dec 1 2025.

  • Though not required, we still ask that you submit a video of your district performance for our records.

  • Your performance will not be rescored.

• All submissions (video, photo, audio) become property of BHS with unrestricted usage rights.

• Each member of qualifying junior quartets who are not also already participating in the Junior Chorus Invitational will receive:
  • Scholarship assistance based on several factors including distance from convention city, number of times to competition, etc.
  • Free Midwinter Convention registration for themselves and one accompanying Educator/school administrator or other chaperone (per quartet).
    • Any additional chaperones will need to purchase a convention registration.
• Junior Quartets who are traveling independently(meaning they are not already attending Midwinter with their school chorus) and contain any members under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one supervisor/chaperone (per quartet).
  • If other than the youth's parent/guardian, a chaperone is defined as: An educator or school administrator, or any other adult over the age of 25. (Educators/school administrators may be under the age of 25, but any other adult must be at least 25 or older to be considered a chaperone).
• All junior participants & chaperones are required to stay within the BHS convention hotel block at their own expense.
  • Participants staying outside of the hotel block will forfeit any/all scholarship/financial assistance and be disqualified from all junior participation.