Barbershop Harmony Society Wraps Midwinter Convention With Capacity Crowds In San Antonio, TX

Intergenerational convention boasts more than 2,100 vocalists gathering in celebration of a cappella: youtube.com/watch?v=icnkVwwtrLo

The Barbershop Harmony Society recently wrapped their annual Midwinter in San Antonio, TX, with capactiy crowds all four nights, ending with a sold show at the Lila Cockrell Theater on Saturday, January 21.

The tenth annual International Youth Barbershop Chorus Festival featured 600 young singers in 25 choruses from across North America, including men's choruses, women's choruses and mixed-voice choruses, all singing in the barbershop style. The TREBLEMAKERS from Chandler High School (AZ) was named the Audience Favorite, and the CLEVELAND HEIGHTS BARBERSHOPPERS were deemed Presenter's Award winners. The full list of Youth Choruses who earned top honors can be found here.

The International Seniors Quartet Contest concluded the week by drawing record-breaking crowds to the Lila Cockrell Theater. Senior quartet PARTY OF FIVE hails from New Jersey and Pennsylvania and captured the gold over 23 other groups (full list of winners, here).

In addition to the competitions, highlights of the week included the "guru of a cappella" (New York Times) Deke Sharon, who took a break from his latest project, 'In Transit: The A Cappella Musical,' to give an inspirational keynote address. Francisco J. Núñez, Artistic Director/Founder of the Young People's Chorus of New York City and Conductor of the University Glee Club of New York City, also joined as the week's guest clinician for the Youth Chorus Festival.

More than 2,100 singers and fans kept San Antonio ringing with music during the four-day meeting of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and more than 7,000 are expected in the annual International Convention in Las Vegas July 2-9.

In the meantime, Barbershoppers all over the U.S. will be participating in the "Singing Valentine" activities on Tues., Feb. 14, followed by a celebration of the American spirit and style of Barbershop on National Barbershop Quartet Day Tues., Apr. 11. 

For more on the uniquely American art form, please visit barbershop.org.