Tim Briggs, Youth Stream Expand Tim is the director of the National Barbershop Youth Chorus. He is a five-time UK quartet gold medalist with 'The Emerald Guard', 'Hannah and the Hurricanes' and 'The Sharrow Vale Blues'. Tim is an active coach in BABS and LABBS, he is fortunate to have been coached by many great barbershoppers and is passionate about sharing that knowledge. In 2019 he directed Hallmark of Harmony to a national gold medal which he considers to be his finest hour in BABS. Tim continues to sing in various quartets and encourages all those around him to sing for the joy of harmony.
Theodore Hicks, Guest Educator Expand Theodore Hicks D.A. Choral Conducting & Vocal Performance, Ball State UniversityM.M. Choral Conducting, Ball State UniversityB. M. Music Education, Anderson University Theodore Hicks is the Director of Choral Activities and Voice Area Coordinator at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. He is also the musical director of the Greater Indianapolis Chapter, Circle City Sound, and sings lead in the 2015 International Champion Quartet, Instant Classic. He has a wide range of teaching experience, having taught K-12 choral and general music throughout his public school teaching career. Theodore also has several years of college-teaching experience, having taught classes in ear training and sight-singing, conducting, and directing choral ensembles at the university level. At Anderson University, he teaches advanced choral conducting, secondary choral methods, voice lessons, and conducts the AU Chorale and Women’s Chorus. Internationally, Theodore has taught conducting, voice, and vocal health to organisations and ensembles around the world, including Barbershop in Germany’s (BinG!) Harmony Academy in 2019, Barbershop Harmony Australia’s (BHA) Harmony Academy in 2018, and the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) Directors Academy in 2015. He has also served on the faculty of Harmony University (of the BHS) for several years in Nashville, TN. As an active composer and arranger, Theodore has written music for ensembles all over the world. Many of his arrangements have been premiered and performed by top choruses and quartets at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s (BHS) International Competitions. His arrangements are published by Hal Leonard, BHS, Sheet Music Plus, and Theo Hicks Music. His composition of i carry your heart with me won the Best Original Composition at Anderson University's Concerto/Aria Competition in 2009, and his most recent composition The Glade was premiered by the Ball State University Chamber Choir in 2019. He holds active memberships in professional organisations with the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), the National Collegiate Choral Organisation (NCCO), and the College Music Society (CMS). He currently serves on the Indiana Choral Directors Association (ICDA) board as the Repertoire and Resources Chair for Men’s Choir and has presented numerous times at the Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA) Conference and the ICDA Summer Conference. Circle City Sound was also a featured performer at the 2019 ICDA Summer Conference, and Instant Classic has been a featured performer at the 2017 IMEA Conference. Theodore lives in Indiana with his wife Laura and their daughter, Nora. Theo Hicks Music – Music Educator, Director, Arranger
The Locksmiths, College Chorus Stream Expand The Locksmiths are the 2018 BABS Quartet Champions and are made up of Andrew Walker (3x BABS Quartet Champion and Director of LABBS group Affinity Show Chorus), Zac Booles (2x BABS Quartet Champion, Ex-Director of Grand Central Chorus and current director of SAI R31 Chorus Ignite), Simon Lubkowski (2020 BABS Barbershopper of the Year, Director of Lux A Cappella, The Collective Virtual Choir and BABS Singing Judge) and Jason Pole (Tenor Section Leader at Tuxedo Junction and self diagnosed Barbershop addict!). Due to a prior booking, Mark Soave (Co-Director of the Grand Central Chorus) will be supporting the Locksmiths in Simon’s place over the weekend. The group have a wealth of experience both within Barbershop and within education and are thrilled to be taking the first live Harmony College Chorus after such a long break! Mark Soave
Stuart Lines, Personal Development Stream Expand A longstanding BABS member, with over 45 years in the Association, Stuart has a long history with Harmony College, running many courses, carrying out individual vocal coaching and acting as stream leader. His particular interest is in singing and sound production and he has been a certified Singing judge for more years than he likes to remember. After singing with the Chess Valley club for many years, he is now a member of Spirit of Harmony. He has competed in various places round the world, including at International with Grand Central, where he also sang for a number of years
Stu Owen, Quartet Stream Expand Stuart has been singing Barbershop since 1991 when he joined the Hemel Hempstead Highwaymen. From week 2 of being with the chorus Stuart found himself in his first ever quartet – Classified. Having grown up with Barbershop and particularly quarteting, listening to his Mum Lynne, who has been singing since before the inception of LABBS with her quartet Tapestry, Stuart realised how important and fun singing in quartet can be. In 1993 Stuart was lucky enough to became one of only 7 UK barbershoppers to have had the honour of singing as a ‘Dapper Dan’ in Disneyland Paris! (More people have walked on the moon!!). Since returning to the UK, Stuart has been in several competing quartets: - Prime Time (2004 BABS Champs), Evolution (2009 BABS Champs) & Portobello Road (2017 BABS Champs). He is currently competing with Royal Standard (2022 finalists). Stuart was also a member of ‘The Cambridge Chord Company’ serving as one of the music team, winning 5 chorus golds and being part of the first ever Barbershop Chorus to win the illustrious Eisteddfod ‘Choir of the World’ trophy. Stuart has been coaching quartets and choruses for many years and believes that it is the most rewarding thing he does in barbershop.
Steve Morris, Audition Chorus Expand Steve started barbershop in 2010 with Wight Harmony on the Isle of Wight with whom he still sings. He is currently Deputy Director and Coach with this chorus and sings with two quartets there too - Quaynote (2012 - present) and Part Exchange (2019 - present). Steve has a good deal of experience of quartet singing, having enjoyed five years of Extreme Quarteting at Harmony College as well as taking part in the Audition Chorus Stream at the last two HC events. Steve was honoured to be recognised by BABS in 2017 when he was the recipient of the inaugural Barbershopper of the Year Award. In 2018 Steve established South Island A Cappella, the mixed arm of Wight Harmony, sharing the running and directing of the group with two others. More recently (June 2019), Steve has taken on the role of Musical Director with Solent City Chorus where he is enjoying the challenge of working with a talented group of guys who are all about realising their potential whilst having fun and entertaining people.
Simon Arnott, Arranging Stream Expand Simon studied Music at Bristol University, focusing on performance and composition. After training to become a teacher and working in schools across Bristol and London, Simon is now a Deputy Director of Music in an independent school in South West London. Simon is an accomplished composer and arranger having written for a variety of ensembles. Simon arranges in many choral styles and he has arranged for a number of barbershop groups within the UK and beyond. Simon has been performing barbershop since starting in school and has worked with a number of award-winning groups. He currently directs Meantime Chorus and London City Singers and sings with the quartet Trailblazers, creating many custom arrangements for these groups. You can find out more about Simon and his work at www.simonarnott.co.uk.
Shanna Wells, Event Director Expand Shanna has been involved with music from a very young age, achieving Grade 8 in singing and theory as well as playing the piano, clarinet and ukulele. She is also a qualified singing teacher, runs a mixed a cappella chorus and two male barbershop choruses, coaches other clubs, MD’s and directs local amateur musical productions, as well as occasionally treading the boards herself! She has been involved with barbershop since she was a teenager when she was asked to fill in as tenor with her Dad’s quartet (she was then kicked out when they found a man) and in 2009 she took over as MD at 5Ways Chorus. In the 10 years she has been in charge of 5Ways she has taken them from 48.9% to 66.7% and is determined to reach the top 10 when they next compete. In May this year, she took over as MD at Three Spires Harmony, and is looking forward to her journey with them. She has also sung with a ladies chorus and quartet and is hoping to get back to more singing very soon. Outside of music she holds a degree in Marketing, and is Marketing and Sales Officer for Sulgrave Manor, a heritage house. She also has three other boys at home (1 husband and 2 children) as well as a working cocker spaniel called Saffy. The role of Director of Marketing and Events sees Shanna spreading the word about all of the excellent work BABS and its clubs are doing, both to its members and to the outside world. She looks after all our events as well as things such as HEX, the website, branding and social media. Marketing and Events are in Shanna’s blood so this role means she can enjoy three things she loves at the same time – marketing, events and music.
Seb Marshall, Youth Stream Expand Seb has two degrees in Music and is a professional self-employed musician. He is the Assistant Musical Director of Hallmark of Harmony and in the past has been Musical Director of Mantunian Way (MUBS) and baritone section leader of Meantime Chorus. He also sings with 2018 BABS Youth Quartet Champions Northern Quarter, and has also coached many quartets and choruses.
Sean Bui, Directing Stream Expand Sean Bui BMus (Hons) MMus MISM Sean is an experienced conductor, composer, and singer, with a background in music editing, having worked for Oxford University Press before focusing on a freelance career. Sean read Music at Royal Holloway University of London, where he received both his undergraduate and Master’s degrees. During this time he joined the choir of The Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor Great Park, subsequently becoming Composer in Residence in 2008 and Assistant Director of Music in 2009. In 2011, Sean took up his first directing position when he co-founded Quire Voices. Known for their unique engaging performances, they perform to a high standard and have been featured on Classic FM alongside The Band of The Household Cavalry. Sean subsequently became the Musical Director of Spelthorne Choral Society in 2015, regularly performing with Ashford Baroque Ensemble and West London Brass. Sean diversified his conducting in 2016 when he became Chorus Director of The Royal Harmonics—a Windsor-based barbershop chorus. The chorus are currently placed fourth in the country and were silver medalists at the Irish Association of Barbershop Singers Convention (IABS) in 2017. In 2017 Sean also became Chorus Director for The Knights of Harmony, a barbershop chorus based in Chesham and was appointed as the new Musical Director of West Sussex Philharmonic Choir and Laudamus Chamber Choir in 2021. Sean conducts other project-based choirs during the year. This has previously included Sanctus Voices at Holy Trinity Garrison Church, Windsor; The Royal Automobile Club Choir, Epsom; and Marlow Choral Society’s ‘Come and Sing’ Christmas concert. Sean also enjoyed being Assistant Director of Music for the Windsor Castle Pantomime as they performed Aladdin in the Waterloo Chamber in 2018. As a professional singer and singing teacher, Sean has a keen interest in vocal technique, having participated in training with Janice Chapman and Ron Morris at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His past solo performances include the Mozart Requiem and Great Mass in C minor, as well as a performance at The Royal Albert Hall. Sean previously won a gold medal with his barbershop quartet First Edition at the IABS Convention, 2017.
Sam Hubbard, Music Theory Stream Expand Sam has been engrossed in the world of ensemble singing ever since joining his school choir as a young boy. He is an enthusiastic and experienced participant in many different styles of vocal music, including classical choral music, vocal jazz, and (of course) barbershop harmony, which he got hooked on by accident whilst surfing YouTube as a teenager. Nowadays, Sam is active in the barbershop world as a quartet singer, arranger, music judge (with the BABS C&J Team), and late-night tag teacher. He sings with the chorus Hallmark of Harmony and is a member of their music team. As an arranger, Sam writes customised material for quartets and choruses across BABS, LABBS, and Sweet Adelines International. In 2018, he attended the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Harmony University as a recipient of their Lou Perry Arranger Scholarship. Sam studied music and mathematics in a joint-honours BSc course at the University of Leeds, graduating in 2017. The musical half of this degree had a focus on theory, which remains one of his chief interests. Sam is a huge advocate of the value that learning music theory can have for barbershoppers, and is passionate about sharing music theory with other people.
Rosalind Johnson, Youth Stream Expand Rosalind is the Assistant Director and Baritone Section Leader of International 10th Place Forth Valley Chorus (SAI). She has been the Musical Director of Rolling Hills Chorus (BABS) since 2016 and became the Director of the BABS Mixed Youth Chorus in January 2020. Ros has medalled at the regional level (SAI R31) with her quartet, Element, and also performs regularly with her a cappella trio, Black Velvet. She has experience in coaching quartets and choruses at various levels and is also a judge for Varsity Vocals regional qualifying rounds in the UK. Rosalind was appointed a Region 31 faculty member in spring 2021 and has over 100 arranging credits to her name.
Rob Barber, Quartet Stream Expand Rob has Barbershop in his blood and followed in his father’s footsteps, joining Sheffield men’s Barbershop chorus at the tender age of 12. From then on he was hooked. As a singer he has won 5 National chorus gold medals and became at the time, along with three others the youngest quartet champions in BABS history with the Likely Lads in 2001. As a director he has lead Grand Central chorus to gold in 2003 and now directs his own chorus Tuxedo Junction which he founded in 2009; they repeatedly make the top ten at national championships and have won the small chorus award numerous times. They are renowned for pushing the boundaries of Barbershop with one of a kind songs and inventive choreography. Alongside being a regular on the stage, Rob is an experienced coach having worked with a plethora of chorus and quartets not only in the UK but across Europe as well. Some of the groups Rob has worked with have achieved greatness in the Barbershop world, most notably Fortuity quartet who are currently 14th in the world. Another of Rob’s achievements is co-founding the BABS Youth chorus (NBYC) which over the years introduced and nurtured some of today’s top Barbershoppers; many of the members of the NBYC have gone on to win gold medals, direct choruses and become coaches themselves.
Nickie James, Personal Development Stream Expand Since an old school friend persuaded me to ‘come and sing’, I have had a love affair with singing harmony and the relationships it brings. A couple of weeks after that first evening at Chiltern Harmony (now Amersham Acapella), I experienced the thrill of competing on stage with them at Convention. Life-long friendships were made quarteting with Cheek to Cheek and within two years, I was invited to train as a LABBS Presentation judge. Through Barbershop, I discovered an art form that fulfilled inner drives to learn, share, sing and perform. Since qualifying in 2008, I’ve been fortunate to have judged numerous competitions within LABBS, BABS, IABS and SABS, European in Cardiff and Holland, and most recently for Harmony Inc. in Canada. I had the privilege of sitting in the pit at BHS International, Nashville, trial scoring for the new Performance Category. This wonderful ‘hobby’ has taken me far and wide – from coaching in Germany to performing with Phoenix in Hawaii. I can blame singing for bringing Ian, my husband, into my life with whom I directed Chorus Iceni to great improvement. We have wonderful memories to treasure. Together, we have five children – home is full of singing, quartet rehearsals and coaching. I currently direct Welwyn Harmony, holders of the most improved chorus award in LABBS. Most importantly, through these difficult times we have lifelines to friendships through a mutual love of singing and performing.At heart I am an educator – a teacher and leader. In real life, I lead a primary school in West Ham, Newham – a hugely rewarding role that takes priority in my life particularly in the current circumstances. However, my position as LABBS Performance Category Director enables me develop and train judges as well as coordinate LABBS Performance education. I am delighted to be working with BABS at their online Harmony College.
Neil Firth, Directing Stream Leader Expand Neil has been involved in barbershop since 1983. He was Assistant Chorus Director of Preston Red Rose Chorus and Sound Association in Sale before becoming Musical Director of the six times BABS Chorus Champions, The Cottontown Chorus in May 2007. He became their front line Director in May 2008. In his first year as Director, he led them to become IABS International Chorus Champions, Radio 3 Adult Choir of the Year, European Silver Medallists and BABS Chorus Champions for a third time. In 2011 in Llandudno, he directed them to their fourth Gold Medal placing. Neil has sung in a number of competing quartets, including 1997 finalists Wall Street, 2001 Champions Matrix and 2011 Gold Medallists Crossfire. In July 2010, Neil took Cottontown Chorus to the Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Contest in Philadelphia where he achieved impressive 14th place amongst the best choruses in the world. Neil is heavily involved in coaching choruses and quartets both male and female up and down the UK and is especially open to bribes of curry and alcohol when selecting his coaching jobs.
Mark Suave, Chorus Stream Expand Mark first got into barbershop listening to quartets and choruses on YouTube whilst at school. He joined BABS in 2011 through Capital Chorus whilst he was studying in London and after attending his first convention in Southport he was well and truly hooked! Mark moved up to Nottingham for further studies and joined Grand Central Chorus singing baritone. He was fortunate enough to be with Grand Central Chorus on their international trip to Toronto 2013, and has been singing with Grand Central ever since.Mark also joined MaleVox in early 2020 and sings as a member of the lead section. He has been part of the Music Team at Grand Central Chorus for a number of years as baritone section leader, and now is the Co-Director of the chorus, having taken over the role mid-2020.
Linda Corcoran, Personal Development Stream Expand Linda Corcoran comes to us with a wealth of experience, boundless energy and a deep and genuine passion for close harmony. She brings that passion to everything she does and has the enviable knack of making others feel the same as she does about great music and inspiring performance. Linda's early musical background was in piano and the world of Lancashire Brass Bands, where she played Flugel Horn. Discovering the sound of Barbershop harmony, when she was just 15 years old, was life-changing for not only her but for the whole Corcoran family who remained involved for many years. Linda was a founder member of Preston Ladies Barbershop Singers, The Red Rosettes, and directed them throughout the 1990’s. Since 2000, she has been the front-line director of The Great Western Chorus of Bristol, the most successful Men’s barbershop chorus in UK history having won the British Championship a record 10 times. Linda led the chorus to the 4 of those Gold Medals and has, 3 times, taken the chorus to the World Championships in the USA, most recently to Orlando in July 2018. She holds 2 LABBS Quartet Gold Medals, the first singing Tenor with the 1994 Champions Checkmate and then, in 2007, as the Lead in Havoc. Linda works full time as a vocal coach and choir leader running Go Vocal, two community rock and pop choirs in Bristol and Cheltenham, bringing fun and harmony to everyday lives. She is in great demand as an arranger and coach in the UK and abroad and is a member of the Music Services team for IABS (Irish Association of Barbershop Singers). She has directed Harmony Federation, Ireland’s National Men’s Barbershop Chorus, since 2015 and has very recently helped to form a new mixed chorus The Bristol Mix. Linda is delighted to be back at BABS Harmony College and looks forward to meeting up with friends old and new again.
Limelight BABS National Quartet Champions 2022 Expand Limelight will be assisting throughout the weekend.
Liam Buswell, Extreme Quartet Expand LIAM BUSWELLLiam has been singing barbershop since 2007 when he joined Shannon Express chorus and went on to become their Baritone Section leader. He started extreme quartetting in 2013 and hasn't looked back since. Aside from participating in the majority of Extreme Quartet (EQ) streams at Harmony College, he has also attended numerous UK and European Harmony Brigades since their inception in 2015. As an advocate of mixed quartet singing, in 2019 he took part in the inaugural USA Mixed Harmony Brigade in Boston, Massachusetts. Liam has also sung in a number of mixed choruses including Southern Acappella, EQ Rendezvous - where he won a bronze medal in the World Mixed Championships in Munich in 2018 – and Endeavour Chorus, winning silver at the UK Mixed Chorus Competition in 2019. However, his real passion is quartetting and he has competed a number of times in various line-ups, most recently with fellow brigaders in mixed quartet Ad Astra at QuarterCon in Sheffield. In true 'extreme' quartet fashion, they only started rehearsals the day before contest! He is a member of the UK Harmony Brigade committee, sits on the EHB Music Team and, after jointly running the Harmony College EQ stream last time around, is looking forward to being part of the faculty this year. If Liam spots you in an afterglow, don't expect to be going anywhere until you've sung "Just One More" with him!