The Vision: A Permanent Fixture for European Barbershop

Currently, to qualify for the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) International Contest, quartets must achieve specific scoring thresholds before a panel consisting of at least 50% BHS-certified judges (78% for the "Sing-In," 81% for automatic qualification). Because the BABS National Convention utilises our own judges, it does not serve as an automatic qualifier. The British Open solves this for our elite and past-champion quartets.

Crucially, we envision The British Open as an annual event that supports the wider international barbershop community as well as BABS Quartets. Many European conventions are biennial, limiting opportunities for quartets to qualify. Furthermore, conventions hosted by the Irish Association of Barbershop Singers (IABS) and the Iberian Association of Barbershop Singers (BIBA) frequently sell out due to high demand for their international Quartet contests. The British Open will alleviate this pressure, providing an additional, reliable platform for UK and European quartets to achieve their international goals.

Venue & Packages for Competitors and Attendees

Pending final costings, we propose hosting the event at Middleton Hall at the University of Hull. To ensure a stress-free weekend, we are developing comprehensive packages:

Competitor All-Inclusive Packages: 
Full contest registration alongside all food provided across Saturday and Sunday. Accommodation is provided in the highly-rated, modern University of Hull Halls of Residence located immediately adjacent to the venue. Suites are designed to house two quartets each, featuring a large communal social space ideal for private rehearsals and vocal warm-ups.

Audience Packages:
 For our non-competing attendees, we will offer dedicated accommodation and ticket packages allowing you to stay over for the entire weekend, enjoy the food and bar facilities, and participate in Sunday's educational events, or just come for the day and enjoy some top quality Quartet singing!

Extended Stays:
For our European partners and UK quartets traveling from further afield, optional extended stays will be available for a small additional fee and there is an airport and ferry port not too far away.

Entry Qualification Pathways

To maintain the elite standard required for an international qualifier while remaining accessible, entry will be determined by the following criteria:

  • Recent Contest Success: Quartets must have achieved a score of 76% or higher in an official contest performance (a two song set) within the last two years.
  • Video Evaluation: Quartets without a recent score can submit a video performance of two songs. Our BABS judges will evaluate these submissions to ensure they meet the 76% standard to enter this contest.
  • Developmental Support: If a video submission does not yet meet the 76% threshold, the quartet will be offered dedicated coaching at a future BABS educational event to support their ongoing development.
  • Protected Slots: While European and other UK association quartets are warmly invited to compete, a designated number of registration slots remain protected exclusively for BABS quartets.

The Weekend Schedule: An Immersive Experience

Saturday, 18th September 2027: Contest, Show & Afterglow

The contest rounds will dominate the daytime, offering audience members an incredibly high-quality day of quartet singing. The British Open will be a unified, gender-blind contest with men's, women's, and mixed quartets competing on the same stage.

  • The Contest: To meet BHS qualification standards, all 16 competing quartets will sing once in the morning session and once in the afternoon session on Saturday, separated by an extended lunch break.
  • Show of Champions: In the evening, the stage will host a spectacular concert featuring a performance by the newly crowned Bronze, Silver, and Gold British Open medalists (one song each) and an extended headline set from a specially invited International Guest Quartet.
  • The Afterglow: Following the show, both competitors and audience members are invited to socialise, and celebrate at the official Afterglow in the venue’s bar.

Sunday, 19th September 2027: Education and "Coaching Under Glass"

Sunday transforms The British Open into a massive educational opportunity for everyone in attendance - not just the competitors.

  • Coached Evaluations for Competitors: All competing quartets will receive extensive coached evaluations from the elite judging panel and our visiting International Guest Quartet.
  • "Coaching Under Glass": Audience members who stay for the Sunday will have the unique opportunity to observe some of these high-level quartet coaching sessions in real-time.
  • Audience Education & Singing Events: In addition to observing, attendees will have the chance to participate in their own singing and education sessions led by BHS and BABS educators and our guest quartet, offering personal vocal development and world-class insights as well as multiple singing and performance opportunities.