🎶 BABS Bulletin | October I

Dates for your Diary

We have a number of exciting events coming up over the course of the next few months and we wanted to ensure folks had early visibilty of these dates now - we know how quickly Barbershop Calendars can fill up!

2026

• November 7th & 8th - BABS Prelims (Tamworth)
• November 22nd - BABS Council Catch Up (Online)

2027

• March 21st  (11am) - BABS Annual General Meeting (Online)
• May 28th-30th - Sing2027 (Brighton)
• June 13th - BABS Council Catch Up (Online)
• August 27th-29th - Harmony College (In Person - Location TBC)
• September 18th-19th - The British Open (In Person - Location TBC)
• September 19th - Autumn Members Meeting (In Person - Location TBC)

We'll be filling out more details about each of these events over the next few weeks, so keep your eyes on our Events Page.

Events Page

European Coaching Program: applications open 1 November

Do you already coach quartets or choruses, and want to take your coaching to the next level? The European Coaching Program (ECP) is a new two-year program that trains and certifies barbershop coaches from all over Europe, starting in January 2027.

WHAT IT IS

Over two years, Coaching Candidates will:

• attend a dedicated Advanced Coaching Stream at the European Harmony Academy, in both August 2027 and August 2028
• work with a personal mentor, an experienced international coach, through regular video calls
• coach at least five ensembles a year and collect feedback from them
• serve as a coaching apprentice at a Harmony College or similar event
• take part in online classes every few months
• exchange regular feedback with a fellow Candidate

Candidates are selected, and at the end certified, by an international Selection Team of current and former BHS judges and experienced coaches.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

The ECP is for people who already coach quartets or choruses, have a solid knowledge of the barbershop style, and are eager to keep learning. It is not a beginners' program: if you are taking your first steps as a coach, Harmony College courses and Coaching Observer opportunities are a better place to start. The program is in English.

WHAT IT COSTS

There is no fee to take part in the ECP. Candidates do pay their own way to both European Harmony Academies, as well as one other education event of their choice, which is likely to come to around EUR 3000 over the two years, depending on where you travel from.

HOW AND WHEN TO APPLY

Applications are open from 1 to 15 November 2026, through a form linked from the ECP website. The application includes coaching videos and written questions about your coaching experience, approach and motivation. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed online, and Candidates will be selected by 15 December 2026.

If you don't have a recent video of yourself coaching, now is the time to record a session. More details on the requirements for the video can be found on our website.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

More information and the full Selection Team, visit the link below

European Coaching Program

Club Spotlight - The Kentones

The Kentones are having an Open Evening on October 22nd

The KENTONES (www.thekentones.co.uk) were formed in 1975 and are one of the most established male groups in the country. If you enjoy singing, we welcome you and our Section Leaders will ensure you are in the right barbershop harmony section.

We Are Looking For New Members And Cordially Invite You To Our Open Evening.
Thursday October 22nd from 7.30pm

St Paul's Church Hall
Crofton Road
Orpington
Kent
BR6 8EJ.

Join us and discover the joy of singing in a barbershop chorus. Come along and find out if this great hobby and if our club is for you! Bring a friend, all are welcome.

For More Details Contact Martin:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07594476956

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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

A Number of BABS Clubs are looking for a new Musical Director

• The Kentones, Bromley
• Harmony Lincs, Lincoln
• Sussex Kings of Harmony, Burgess Hill
• Capital Chorus, Harrow (LABBS)

If you're interested in any of these roles, more information can be found below

Musical Director Vacancies

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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