🎶 BABS Bulletin | August I

Board Recruitment - New Roles to Fill

Follow the recent announcement of our new Board members, we are now looking to fill the remaining roles on the Board - Vice Chair, and Director of Governance & Internal Roles.

The Vice Chair is someone to act as a genuine deputy to the Chair role, and provides a calm capable pair of hands that the rest of the Board can rely on. This role is currently performed by Calvin Laverick, who will be stepping down from the role at the Autumn Member's Meeting in Mid-September.

The Director of Governance & Internal Comms is responsible for organising all of the Board Meetings, including the AGM and AMM, as well as the collation and production of the member bulletin. 

Full job descriptions can be found below, as well details on how to apply.

Role Descriptions

If you'd like an informal chat about either of the roles first, please do get in touch via [email protected]

Club Spotlight - Major Oak Chorus

Obituary - Tony Howson

Tony Howson, retired Nottingham GP and long-term member of The Major Oak Chorus, passed away peacefully in Nottingham on 16th July 2026, age 80 years.

Tony was born in Eastbourne in 1946 to an army family, his father serving in India with the Gurkhas, where Tony spent his first 2 years. Apparently, according to Tony, during this time he shared a bath with the daughter of another Gurkha officer, Joanna Lumbley! Returning to southern England for the rest of his childhood, he then headed north to study Zoology at Sheffield University before entering medical school there, training as a GP. After qualifying as a doctor he worked in various places, including a year or so in New Zealand and Tasmania.  

He then went back south where he discovered a love for Barbershop singing, joining Crawley Chordsmen in 1981, starting his 45 years of being a member of BABS. In 1982 he moved to Nottingham, and joined Hallmark of Harmony in Sheffield. One of our Major Oak members who had just started his Barbershop career at Sheffield remembers how Tony took him under his wing and introduced him to the intricacies of life as a baritone. His medical skills were demonstrated by saving the life of a singer who had a stroke during a rehearsal, without Tony taking charge this man would have died. As part of Hallmark of Harmony he won at least one BABS chorus gold medal which took them to Phoenix in America to sing in a major show, with free flights courtesy of Virgin Atlantic. Barbershop singing was now an important part of his life.

He worked as a GP in Nottingham until taking early retirement in his early 60’s following a serios illness. Just after that in 2004 Tony joined the newly formed Major Oak Chorus in Nottingham continuing his love for barbershop singing. He was an active member of our chorus baritone section right up until a few weeks before his recent death. He had been a member of BABS for 45 years.

He had many other interests – he was a registered clown, having completed training in Italy, he played the piano accordion and indulged in tap, folk, jive, salsa and ballroom dancing. He also brought a unique skill and technique in directing the Major Oak Chorus at some of our rehearsals!

Tony leaves his wife of 16 years, Julie, and 2 children, Lucy & Ash from his first marriage, along with 2 grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him.  The world is a little worse for his passing.

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

Rolling Hills are looking for a new Musical Director

Rolling Hills Chorus, Edinburgh
Starting January 2027

An exciting opportunity to lead one of Scotland's leading male a cappella choruses.
Rolling Hills Chorus is an ambitious and welcoming four-part harmony chorus based in Edinburgh. For more than 30 years we have entertained audiences through concerts, community events and regular appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe. As members of the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS), we perform predominantly in the barbershop style and compete nationally, continually striving to raise our musical standards.

Following the decision of our Musical Director, Rosalind Johnson, to step down after ten successful years, we are seeking an inspiring and enthusiastic Musical Director to lead the next stage of the chorus's development.

The successful applicant will be an accomplished musical leader who can inspire and develop amateur singers, lead engaging rehearsals, and prepare the chorus for performances and competition. You will combine high musical standards with excellent communication skills, encouragement, patience and a sense of fun.

Experience of directing a choir, chorus or vocal ensemble is essential. Experience of barbershop is desirable but not essential, and applications are welcomed from talented choral conductors who are interested in developing within the barbershop style.

The chorus rehearses on Tuesday evenings at Polwarth Church Hall, Edinburgh EH11 1LU

This is a paid position, with remuneration negotiated according to experience and responsibilities.

Further information, including the job description and person specification, is available at https://rollinghills.org.uk/musical-director/

To apply, please send your CV, a covering letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role, and the contact details of two referees to:
Ian Mclean: [email protected] 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and to direct part of a rehearsal with the chorus as part of the selection process.

Closing date: Friday 28 August 2026

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The Kentones

The Kentones Male Barbershop Chorus are seeking a new Music Director.

We are part of the Bromley Barbershop Harmony Club and celebrated our 50th anniversary recently. With about 35 current members, we are a registered charity aiming to encourage singing, performance and enjoyment of four part close harmony in the barbershop style, through education and participation at sing out events.
We rehearse each Thursday evening in the Church Hall at St Paul’s Church, Crofton Road, Orpington BR6 8JE, and are currently looking for someone to help us become the best chorus we can be, by encouraging members to improve their individual and shared performance skills. We have a very varied repertoire but would like to start including more contemporary music than we have done in the past.

We will be looking to the new Music Director to:

• Lead the chorus in developing and improving vocal skills and techniques;
• Work with our music committee in selecting song repertoire;
• Develop a yearly plan for the Club, and plan and implement weekly rehearsals;
• Attend some sing-outs in the local area; and
• All the while maintaining the strong social and inclusive aspects of the Club, which has a long tradition of friendship and camaraderie.

You can find more information on the Club at our website: www.thekentones.co.uk

If you would like to know more or would like to apply to lead this great Club on the next part of its journey, please contact Martin Gayton at:

Email: [email protected]
or Phone: 07594 476956

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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

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Grants

The Grant Application Window is currently Open (Closes again 31st August)

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

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

Saturday 7th November - Prelims (Tamworth) 

Friday 28th - Sunday 30th May 2027 - Sing2027 (Brighton)

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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