🎶 BABS Bulletin | July II

Board Recruitment Update

After many months of searching, the BABS Board are happy to announce that we have, we have found a new Director of Events! Sam Wallace, who currently sings with Lux A Cappella and is our 2026 Barbershopper of the Year, has been helping the Board within the events team since 2025 Prelims, and has since agreed to step up to the role of Director. Sam brings a great wealth of knowledge on the matter, and is a brilliant addition to the team. We're very exciting for her to get fully stuck in! 

Furthermore, Nathan Rose, who sings with MUBS and is our 2026 Young Barbershopper of the Year, has stepped up to the role of Director of Marketing. Nathan has already been active on the BABS Social media pages and designed us some tremendous logos for our upcoming events (one of which you'll see further down this page!)

Finally, on Board Recruitment, we are pleased to announce that we have found a new Chair. Someone who is hopefully known to you all already, Alistair Lamyman (previously our Director of Governance & Internal Comms) was appointed to the role at this weekend's Board Meeting, will be stepping into the role with immediate effect.

The Board would also like to take the time to thank the tremendous efforts of Calvin Laverick for his role as Interim Chair throughout this recruitment period. It has been a pretty turbulent time at the top of BABS with a number of changes occurring, but through Calvin's steadfast stewardship, we have remained afloat.

We hope you will join us in welcoming the new Board Members to their roles, and wishing them well.

Club Spotlight - Full Score & The Bristol Mix

Full Score

Get ready to ‘Brace for Impact,’ because Full Score Barbershop Choir is bringing barbershop back to the Fringe! Returning to Edinburgh after a year of performing everywhere from local concerts to national competition, Durham University’s award-winning a capella ensemble is proud to bring you a brand new concert packed with crunchy harmonies and ringing chords. Showcasing both elegant quartet numbers and dynamic full chorus songs, this show features everything from musical theatre to jazz standards to Disney, all in the iconic barbershop style. Don’t miss out on their acclaimed singing—or fashionable braces and boaters—this show has something for everyone!

When? 17:45pm every evening from 17th - 22nd August
Where? Big at the Space Triplex, The Prince Philip Building, EH8 9DP

The show is family friendly and has a run time of 50 minutes. 

Buy tickets now on the Edinburgh Fringe website: 

Tickets

------------------------------------------------------

The Bristol Mix

Have you heard the news?

For months—if not years—we’ve had singers from well beyond the Bristol area asking if they could join The Bristol Mix. We’ve listened.

So, as we prepare to return to the BABS Convention stage at Sing27, we’re delighted to welcome singers from across the UK. If you’re passionate about singing, enjoy mixed genre music from John Rutter to Billy Joel, love performing at a high level, and can travel to Bristol for rehearsals, we’d love to hear from you—wherever you’re based.

While we welcome singers in all voice parts, we’d especially love to hear from more men. Whether you’re already singing in a men’s chorus, another mixed chorus or choir, or simply looking for an additional musical challenge, we’d be delighted to welcome you.
We rehearse just 6–8 times a year under the direction of our fabulous Musical Director, Linda Corcoran.

Whether you're interested in joining the chorus or would just like to spend a day singing with us, why not come along to our Big Charity Sing on Sunday 27th September at Hanham Community Centre, Bristol in aid of Prostate Cancer UK? You'll learn and perform a song in a day, enjoy great company, and finish with a well-earned drink in the bar—all while raising money for a fantastic cause. Booking is essential.

For more information about joining the chorus, or to book your place at our Big Charity Sing, contact [email protected] or visit www.thebristolmix.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

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

Musical Director Vacancy – Harmony Lincs (Lincoln, Lincolnshire)

Harmony Lincs is an established, friendly and ambitious barbershop chorus based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. Founded in 1993, we have been entertaining audiences across the region for over 30 years and are now seeking an enthusiastic Musical Director to lead us into our next chapter.

We are looking for someone who can inspire singers, develop vocal technique and musicality, and help us continue to grow while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere that has always been at the heart of the chorus.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience directing choirs or vocal ensembles.
• Is an effective, positive and encouraging musical leader.
• Can plan and lead engaging weekly rehearsals.
• Enjoys working with singers of mixed experience and ability.
• Shares our enthusiasm for performance and musical excellence.

Barbershop experience is preferred but not essential. We welcome applications from experienced choral directors who are interested in learning and developing within the barbershop style.

We offer:

• An established chorus with a proud history dating back to 1993
• A committed and supportive membership.
• Experienced section leaders and assistant directors to support rehearsals and musical development
• A friendly committee and strong organisational support
• Payment of reasonable travel expenses.

Selection Process

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to:

• Attend a short interview with representatives of the chorus
• Lead a short coaching/rehearsal session with the chorus as part of the selection process
• We are aiming to appoint our new Musical Director by mid-September 2026.

How to Apply

For further information or to apply, please go to www.harmonylincs.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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