Sing2026 Bulletin - 1 week to go!

Sing2026 - Volunteer

We all know the famous call that can captivate any audience - 

"Stewards, please close the doors"

Well here's your chance to be one of those Stewards!

We're looking for people who are able to help out at Sing2026, either by stewarding or by helping out the reception team.

We are in particular looking for volunteers at the following times

• Saturday - 1730-1945
• Sunday - 0845-0945
• Sunday - 1040-1140
• Sunday - 1800-2000

If you're keen, we'd love to hear from you!

Sign up!

Changes to Contest Winners Announcement

This year, there will be a slight change to the announcements of the winners of the various Quartet Competitions.

This year, instead of making announcements for the Youth & Senior competitions after these competitions have concluded (at the end of the Semi-Finals) these results will instead be announced at the end of the Quartet Finals, where all results will be announced together.

Please join us in the auditorium on Sunday evening to celebrate all our Quartet medalists!

Convention Pins

In a slight change to previous years there will now be a small cost of £1 associated with Convention Pins.

We would appreciate it if these could be purchased with cash where possible, or alternatively in bulk as part of a chorus purchase. 

Live Stream Information

We are still waiting for a number of you to fill in the information for the Live Stream, which will help our lovely hosts not have to make up things about your group.

If you don't want that to happen, please fill in the below!

Thanks to the groups who have already filled this out but for the rest of you, please fill out as much information as possible at the link below. 

Live Stream Group Info Form

Club Spotlight

Have you got something exciting from your Club you want to share with the rest of the BABS Community? Have you got an upcoming show or event that you want to advertise? Then this is the space for you!

We'll be putting these features in each BABS Bulletin going forward, providing we get the content to fill it - and that's where you come in.

If you've got something you'd like to share please fill in the short form below.

Club Spotlight Form

Spots will be allocated based on the following criteria

• If the Club hasn't had a Spotlight spot previously
• If the content is time sensitive 
• If a specific date is requested (we will do our best to accommodate these, but can't guarantee it

Pitch In

5Ways, a four part close harmony male acapella group, currently around 20 members is seeking a new Musical Director.

Based in Banbury, we rehearse just off J11 of the M40 on Thursday evenings throughout the year.
We sing a wide variety of close harmony music, and are looking to appoint a new Musical Director who will help us to continue developing and improving as a chorus.

We look to the Musical Director to:

- prepare and lead rehearsals, and to prepare the chorus for public performance.

- choose the music for us, in agreement with the committee,

- Raise/maintain a high standard, and teach 'best practice' and technique

We learn words and music to perform from memory. Commitments include:

a 2-hour rehearsal each week

Sing outs in the local area and surrounds

Remuneration is by negotiation for both fees and reasonable travelling expenses

If you would like to discuss the post informally please contact us at:

email: [email protected]
phone: 07714 895851

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If you're wanting to get a message out to other BABS Members (or anyone for that matter) wanting them to "Pitch In", then this is the place for you! You can submit an advert below for a number of things, including; 

• Finding people in your area who are interested in forming a quartet 
• Seeking a new Musical Director for your chorus 
• Getting help with some of your Chorus IT or Marketing 

If you have a request, please follow the link below to our website, where you'll find more information, see existing requests, and be able to submit your own.

Pitch In

The Usual Suspects

Join the Team

We need your skills and talents! We have a number of open volunteer roles which we are recruiting currently recruiting for including three Board level roles - Director of Digital & External Comms and Director of Event Operations, and Chair of BABS

These are important roles to help organise and run our organisation, and you'll be fully supported by the wider Board in both of them.  Please consider applying yourself for these roles or if you happen to know anyone who might be suitable, please point them in our direction. 

You can also contact any Board Member for an informal discussion, should you wish to get more information before a formal application.

More information on our open positions is available on the BABS website linked below. 

Join the Team

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Grants

The Grant Application Window is currently OPEN

BABS has a number of grants available to support clubs and singers.

• Recruitment
• Financial Hardship
• New club startup
• Regional events
• Support for education and international contests

More information, along with application forms, can be found below.

Grants

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BABS Official Podcast

Tune In is the official BABS podcast. Hosted by the BABS volunteer team, each episode dives into organisational updates, recaps recent events, answers listener questions, and features interviews with special guests. Whether you’re a seasoned barbershop enthusiast or a newcomer, Tune In has something for everyone!

Got questions or feedback for us? Drop them in the comments or email us at [email protected].

Listen here

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Dates for your diary

23rd-24th May - Sing2026 (Harrogate)

13th September - Autumn Member's Meeting (Online)

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Join the BABS WhatsApp Community!

The BABS WhatsApp Community is a great way to stay connected, share ideas, and engage with fellow members across the organisation. Whether you want to discuss barbershop, ask questions, or keep up with the latest BABS news, this is the place to be.

Joining is easy - just click the link below for instructions.

Join the BABS WhatsApp Community

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Is your club on our map?

Did you know that we have a Chorus Finder map on our website?

If your chorus isn't listed, or has out-of-date information, please let us know by emailing [email protected]

Chorus Finder

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BABS Council Members

Every Club has a number of Council Members who play an important role in the wider BABS decision making process. You can read more about their role, and find out who they are below.

BABS Council