🎶 BABS Bulletin | April II
Your Bi-Monthly update on all things BABS
Summary
- Sing 2026 - Last week to buy tickets!
- Sing2026 - Live Stream Information
- Sing2026 - Advertising
- Sing2026 - Chorus Numbers
- Club Spotlight - Heartbeat Chorus (and Friends)
- The Usual Suspects
Sing 2026 - Tickets, Live Stream, and Advertising
This is your FINAL reminder that competitor registrations need to be purchased by Friday 24th April. (that's in 4 days time!)
If you have any questions, please do reach out and ask
Live Stream
As with last year, we are reaching out to competitors with a questionnaire which will help our Live Stream hosts know all there is to know about your group. Thanks to the groups who have already filled this out (and the one group who filled it in twice) but for the rest of you, please fill out as much information as possible at the link below.
Advertising
For the first time, we're able to offer advertising in three locations around Sing2026
- On the Livestream
- On advertising boards around the venue
- Inside the auditorium (during the breaks
We have a lot more information about this on our website, which you can find here
Sing2026 - Chorus Numbers
Just a reminder to the remaining BABS Choruses who are competing at SING26 next month and are still to declare their on-stage numbers to David Foskett, please do this by 24th April so that invoices may be sent in time for payment by May 8th.
Clubs are also reminded that Chorus Contest rules require those on-stage to be members of the Club, NOT members of Don Amos, so if anyone's membership status needs to be updated, please advise BABS Membership Secretary immediately. Quartet members can be local BABS Club or Don Amos members.
Competing Choruses who pay their annual BABS membership fees in two installments should ensure that the second installment is paid by its due date. Quartet members in Don Amos should ensure their membership is current.
While this is a busy period of preparation for Convention when it may be felt that an invoice can wait, it's important that any queries are promptly notified so that settlements are completed to schedule and in accordance with BABS Constitution, as it would be a great shame were any competing Chorus or Quartet to be penalised.
Club Spotlight
Heartbeat Chorus are doing a show - with some brilliant International Guests (and some others you might recognise!)
Heartbeat Chorus are putting on a show in the gorgeous Stoller hall in Manchester. Date Thursday 7 May – time 7.30pm – ticket price £25 (plus booking fee)
it is Manchester’s newest concert hall with intimate seating (max 400) and wonderful acoustics. What better place to hear us and our guests – Cottontown chorus – BABS champions and Ronninge show chorus – World champions 3 times !!
Ronninge are bringing 96 members from Sweden and this will be their first (and maybe only!) tour of the UK! It will be quite something to experience their energy and revolutionary style in this Manchester venue.
There will also be an afterglow afterwards in the Leonardo hotel
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.
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
We didn't receive any Pitch In requests this month
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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.
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.
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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.
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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].
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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]
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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.
You must be logged in as a member to add comments.
Become a member
Already a member? Log in or create an account.