Annual Convention Venue Cymru, Llandudno Fri 25Th - Sun 27Th October 2019

...leading the way in harmony

ANNUAL CONVENTION VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO FRI 25TH - SUN 27TH OCTOBER 2019

FULL PROGRAMME

@singlabbs | labbs.org.uk

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LLANDUDNO FRINGE EVENTS TIME CRAFNANT THEATRE CONVENTION GUIDE FRIDAY 17.45—18.45 Sean Devine: coaching Avalon under glass SATURDAY 11.00—11.55 Sound Hypothesis OC Times – Trio ‘Tuning by Numbers’ Interview with Helen Warner 12.00—12.55 Meet the Judges – a panel of judges Hallmark of Harmony - Master class will answer questions about the judging system. 14.00—14.55 Jo Braham – coaching under glass session 16.00—16.55 OC Times - Trio Scramble A second session with OC Times – warm ‘What to consider when forming a mixed ups and rehearsals quartet’ SUNDAY FRIDAY SUNDAY 09.45—10.30 Jo Braham & Cheshire Chord Company - 07:45—21:30 RECEPTION OPEN 09:00—10:45 RECEPTION OPEN Sing with the Champs 08:30—11:30 QUARTET STAGE TIME 09:30—10:30 EARLY BIRD 11:50 WELCOME CEREMONY 09:45—10:30 SING WITH THE 12:00—16:25 QUARTET SEMI-FINAL CHAMPS—CHESHIRE 16:25 JEN MILLS AWARD CHORD COMPANY 10:45 - 12:40 SUNDAY CELEBRATION FOLLOWED BY SEMI SHOW AND COMPETITION BARBERTOTS (MR4, 1st floor) FINAL RESULTS AND SHOW - Time To Say ETIQUETTE FINALS DRAW Goodbye 19:30—21:15 QUARTET FINALS 12:40—12:50 LABBS CLOSING emember to switch s children under the age CEREMONY off mobile phones and of 5 are not allowed in 21:30 - 22:30 FRIDAY SHOW - Make beeping alarms on the auditorium during Your Own Kind of Music Rwatches when in the auditorium. contests,A a Barbertots area is 22:30 QUARTET RESULTS 13:35—13:40 BinH OPENING No photography of any sort (even available, where carers can also 22:45—00:30 AFTERGLOW CEREMONY on mobile phones) is allowed in see the stage via video link. the auditorium other than that 13:40—17:16 BinH MIXED QUARTET A ‘Parent and Child Pass’ can be COMPETITION officially authorised by LABBS in SATURDAY advance of the event. obtained from the registrations 08:00—21:00 RECEPTION OPEN 17:30 BinH RESULTS desk to access this room at Also, be sure to follow the Venue Cymru and will only be 09:50—18:15 WELCOME & CHORUS 17:45 BinH CLOSING CEREMONY direction of event stewards, issued to those who have already CONTEST particularly where they are requested Parent weekend 17:50 KATY PHILLIPS AWARD restricting access to the passes. There are no facilities for 18:30 RESULTS *Timings subject to change—check social auditorium, to support a children back stage. media for updates competing chorus or quartet. 20:00 CHAIRMAN’S RECEPTION (by invitation) 21:00—22:50 SATURDAY SHOW - Handbags and Gladrags 23:00—01:30 AFTERGLOW

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CONTENTS LABBS CHAIR—WELCOME

2-3 Weekend Guide PROGRAMME ADVERTISERS n behalf of the LABBS special guests from Holland, 4 Programme Contents 8 Amersham A Cappella Board of Directors, I am Ireland and Spain. 4 Programme Advertisers 10 BABS delighted to welcome Oyou all to Llandudno and our Our overseas guests this 5 Chair of LABBS 12 SAI Region 31 LABBS 2019 Convention. year are OC Times from 6 Convention Information 16 Fascinating Rhythm sunny California who will be 7 Convention Team 16 The Red Rosettes After months of planning and performing for us throughout 9 Message from the Mayor 18 SABS preparation, we are finally here the weekend. We also look 11 BABS Chairman 26 The White Rosettes at Venue Cymru and look forward forward to performances 13 SAI Region 31 28 Spinnaker Chorus to sharing with you yet another from BABS 2019 champions, 14 LABBS Youth Update 28 GEM Connection exciting weekend programme of Hallmark of Harmony and 15 LABBS Raffle 30 Cheshire Chord Company events. Sound Hypothesis, Lady Barbalade, IABS 2018 Gold 15 LABBS Charity 32 Signature A Cappella Singers We are proud to welcome our medallists, as well as Mixed 17 2019 Contests 32 Capital Connection National outgoing champions, Quartet champions Scramble. 19 Contest judges 34 IABS Cheshire Chord Company and 20 Previous Quartet Champions 36 Make Your Own Kind Of Music Avalon as they entertain us over You will be aware of the 21 2019 Quartet Contest Details 38 Handbags And Gladrags the weekend. We are also excited sad passing of Jen Mills in to welcome our new LABBS Youth January and this year sees the 22 Previous Chorus Champions 42 Time To Say Goodbye Quartet champions, Neopolitan. inaugural presentation of the 23 2019 Chorus Contest Details 44 LABBS Events Director Jen Mills’ Award. I would like 24 Previous Mixed Quartet Champions 44 LABBS20 Early Bird to thank Jen’s wife Sam and 25 2019 Mixed Quartet Contest Details I WOULD LIKE TO Jen’s family for supporting this 27 The Awards EXTEND A WARM award in her memory – we are 29 OC Times LABBS WELCOME honoured to be joined here in Whether this is your first 31 Cheshire Chord Company TO OUR GUESTS Llandudno by Jen’s parents, Janet experience of a LABBS and Barry, and her sister, Ali. Convention or the latest of many, 33 Avalon FROM OTHER UK 35 Hallmark of Harmony I wish you a wonderful weekend BARBERSHOP A warm barbershop welcome of friendship and harmony. 37 Sound Hypothesis ORGANISATIONS also to the Mayor and Mayoress 39 SoundHouse of Llandudno and to Cheryl Good luck to everyone who 40 Long Service Awards 2019 Dixon and Lynn Williams from crosses the stage…make the most 41 Coast to Coast We are pleased to be joined by Aberconwy Domestic Abuse, our of it! BABS Chairman Martin Baglow nominated charity for Convention 43 Venue Floor Plan and from SAI Region 31 we 2019, who will join us on Nancy Philbin, welcome Dorothy Main and Saturday evening. Chair of LABBS Sincere thanks to the Convention Team, Competitors, Judges, CA Kirstie Spencer. We also have ANNUAL CONVENTION Team, Courier Team, Riser Team and Clubs who loaned their risers, VENUE CYMRU Sound and Lighting Team, Stage Management, MCs, First Aiders, LLANDUDNO Raffle Organisers, the staff at Venue Cymru, Llandudno and anyone OCTOBER 25-27 else who has played a part in making this Convention a success.

Programme Design: Caktus, Rachel Watson • Production team: Faith Corrigan, Rita Hulands, Deborah Lamble, Nancy Philbin, Yvette Rayner • Printed by Caktus Design and Print Copyright: Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers Registered Office: Whitesides, 7 Feast Field, Horsforth LS18 4TJ Registered as a company in England & Wales No: 08380019 Registered Charity No: 1151161

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CONVENTION WELCOME FROM THE INFORMATION CONVENTION TEAM CATERING (Orme Suite) dressed up and post your photos with the hashtag Hot and cold food is available throughout the weekend in #LABBS19allthingswelsh and we will highlight the best the Orme Suite on the ground floor. There is also a café examples via the LABBS App and Social Media. and restaurant within the venue. FIRST AID COMPETITION ACCESSIBILITY If you need first aid during the event, contact a member of Please notify the chief courier, before the day’s the Convention Team, go to event reception or contact a competition starts, of any competitor who, due to a Venue Cymru steward who will assist you. temporary or permanent condition, will not be able to use stairs or walk more than a short distance. These NAME BADGE / EVENTS PASS competitors must be escorted by an able-bodied helper, It is essential that you always wear your event pass whilst who may or may not be a singing member of the same inside the Convention Centre. If you do not have a Pass or chorus/quartet. the appropriate day/show ticket, you will not be allowed Allan Clark Donn Roberts Jo Stevenson Julie Dugdale into the venue. Convention Passes must not be handed CONVENTION EXPRESS to other people to use; they are for the specific use of the Convention Express Friday edition will be available to named individual delegate. If anyone is found misusing collect from the registration area. For the remainder of the passes in this way, they will be asked to leave the the weekend, you will receive news and updates via the event AND the club associated with the misuse will be LABBS App, available to download from the Apple or fined. Google play store. Good luck messages, congratulations, birthday greetings, articles etc., can be submitted through PHOTOGRAPHY the LABBS App or emailed to [email protected]. Official photographs and copyright are included in your uk delegate fee. Each club and quartet will receive a copy of all the stage photographs taken of them by the official DRESS RAILS photographer. Your chorus/quartet should send one Dress rails are not provided. If you bring your own, representative to collect the disk from the Event Photos Laura Orton Ruth Graham Samantha Wallace Tom Knight please ensure they are clearly labelled and that they are table in the Atrium by the Market Place. This must be dismantled or moved to the storage area (MR3) after signed for. Any Chorus/Quartet who also appear in a show competing. N.B. Please do not leave valuables in the may collect an additional disk. Please be aware that any dressing room. Your (SMALL!) handbags will be looked images captured may be used for publicity purposes on e are delighted to be back in Llandudno We are extremely grateful to all the wonderful after whilst you are on stage. social media sites / literature unless otherwise instructed. for our 2019 Convention. volunteers who are also giving up some of their time over the weekend to help in so many ways and of EARLY BIRD TICKET SALES FOR BOURNEMOUTH 2020 SINGING LISTS FOR CHORUS CONTEST W Delivering each LABBS course, the many performers. This event would not Early Bird tickets will be on sale at the LABBS Registration Chorus Singing Lists MUST be handed in to LABBS Convention takes a happen without you. Thank you all! Desk in the main foyer on Sunday morning between Registration desk before 09:00 on Saturday. You may add considerable amount of 09:30 and 10:30. Watch social media and LABBS website names (with membership numbers) to the list – but these work and once again, the Best of luck to all the contestants crossing the stage for updates including pricing. Registration forms will will need to be checked. Each person MUST be a current entire events team and this weekend. be available on the LABBS Reception Desk throughout and fully paid-up LABBS member, and have a full weekend LABBS Board have been Have a wonderful harmonious weekend. Convention. To save time, you should fill this in before registration pass, to be allowed on stage. working extremely hard to returning on the Sunday of Convention. plan and prepare for what we hope will be another Rita Hulands UNDER 18S memorable event. Acting Events Director FANCY DRESS/THEME It is essential that the Registration Manager The fancy dress theme, should you choose to take part, is ([email protected]) is notified of the names of Rita Hulands “All things Welsh”. So, whether it’s a Tom Jones tribute, a any chorus member that is under 18 years of age and the fearsome dragon or some other Welsh icon, get yourself name of whoever is directly responsible for them.

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MESSAGE FROM THE Good luck to all choruses and quartets crossing the boards at Llandudno this year from all of us MAYOR OF LLANDUDNO at Amersham A Cappella. We wish everyone a convention filled with fulfilment, friendship and fun and we can’t wait to be there with you!

am delighted that you have chosen to hold the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers IConvention in Llandudno. Llandudno is known as the Queen of Welsh resorts and I hope your members will have time to enjoy the many attractions the town has to offer.

We have one of the longest piers in Wales and the longest cable car in the UK. A visit up the Great Orme is a must with its stunning views across to Anglesey to the West and Rhyl and the Dee estuary to the East. The prehistoric copper mines and the Great Orme Visitor’s Centre are also near the summit.

Alternatively, a walk along the Promenade allows you to enjoy the wonderful seascape and the crescent of Victorian hotels or a stroll into the main town to sample some of our fine restaurants and bars.

I wish you a successful convention and on behalf of Llandudno Town I would like to wish you an enjoyable weekend.

Cllr Miss Angela O’Grady The Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Llandudno, LL30 2UP

www.amershamacappella.com

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SING BARBERSHOP MESSAGE FROM THE Box Office Open BABS CHAIRMAN 1st November 2020 HARROGATE am so happy, excited and honoured to be your The British Association of Barbershop Singers guest, representing the British Association of Barbershop Singers, at what promises to be Ianother fabulous LABBS Convention. Thank you to Nancy and the LABBS Board for their kind invitation.

AN UNMISSABLE WEEKEND I can’t wait to meet friends, old and new, in Llandudno.

As someone who has competed a few times, my 2020 Headline Guests sincere hopes for every competitor are two-fold … that they exit the stage with the “buzz” that comes from performing to the level of their expectation and that they experience and treasure the moments of fun and camaraderie that come from being a part of a group that strives to realise its potential.

Oh, I nearly forgot … please think of me on Sunday afternoon … a little out of my comfort zone … sticking strictly to a script (unheard of for me…) whilst helping out with MC duties during our Barbershop in Harmony Mixed Quartet competition.

Instant Classic Forefront (I’d much rather be a “Stewart” closing a door!) 2015 International Quartet Champions 2016 International Quartet Champions Wishing you all an amazing weekend of friendship and harmony. With exciting quartet, male chorus and mixed chorus Martin Baglow Martin Baglow Chairman contests, three fabulous shows, a convention party, The British Association of Barbershop Singers masterclasses, workshops and amazing afterglows, the BABS Convention is the place to be in 2020. You don’t want to miss out so book your place NOW!

BABS 46th Convention 22nd to 25th May 2020 Harrogate Convention Centre

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MESSAGE FROM SWEET ADELINES REGION 31 “Be the change you want to see…” Mahatma Gandhi”

t’s a privilege to represent Sweet Ads Region 31 within the Barbershop in Harmony organisation. I very much enjoy working alongside fellow Ibarbershoppers in BABS and LABBS to help promote and develop the ever popular mixed singing quartets and ensembles that seem to be increasing in number all the time. This weekend’s Mixed Quartet contest promises to be yet another amazing showcase of mixed singing talent that this region has to offer.

At the summer Sweet Ads IES in Manchester there were pearls of wisdom being spouted forth from every workshop’s faculty coach and educator. The one that stands out in my mind and which applies to any of us when on stage is - “Be the change you want to see….”, borrowed from the great Mahatma Gandhi and put into the context of performing. In other words, whatever you might want to see and hear when being an audience member at a barbershop Hilary Pinnock convention, is exactly what you yourself have to a stand-in bari this weekend in the LABBS Quartet deliver to your audience when you’re on stage ‘Stardust & Sparkle’. performing. So on behalf of everyone in Sweet Ads, I’d like Live it, believe it, enjoy it and your audience will too. to take this opportunity to wish all quartets and We will surely see oodles of this this weekend at choruses here at LABBS 2019 the very best of luck this the LABBS convention here in Llandudno where weekend. Have a complete blast on stage and thank SAI Region 31 Quartet of Nations is represented by you for the fun, emotion and smiles you always bring Dorothy Main, our Finance Coordinator and Kirstie us! Spencer, our Events Coordinator. Both will be taking Hilary Pinnock part in the Mixed Quartet contest – Dorothy in RMT Marketing Coordinator, ‘Double Malt’ and Kirstie in Myxd Up! Dorothy is also SAI R31 Quartet of Nations

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LABBS YOUTH UPDATE LABBS RAFFLE A MESSAGE FROM THE WITHNALLS It has been a pleasure to work with these young singers, and I can’t wait to see where Lamorna will ello everyone! We hope you all have a take the LABBS Youth Strategy next. fabulous weekend here in Wales – there must be a good reason they call it ‘The Land Boo de Bruin Hof Song’. As you know, the proceeds from our raffle go towards our Voices in Harmony foundation, created ’m so excited to take up the role of LABBS Youth to manage the provision of grants to individuals, Coordinator and see how much we can grow quartets and clubs with the aim to develop their the number of young people in barbershop over skills in barbershop. Once again, a HUGE ‘Thank Ithe next three years! Working in conjunction with You’ to all you ladies who have begged, pleaded Student Co-ordinator, Olivia Williamson (focusing and cajoled your chorus members to partake in our on the care of existing University clubs and growing Annual Draw. You’ve done a great job! our University membership), I can’t wait to start Here’s to a winning weekend. Enjoy! spreading the barbershop David and I would like to wish good luck to all bug and show people what quartets and choruses on the competition stage. David & Anne we can do. Boo has done LABBS Raffle Organisers an incredible job over the Boo de Bruin past four years, and I feel honoured to be taking over the reins. I’ve got lots of t seems like only yesterday ideas and plans, so watch this that it was announced space! ABERCONWY DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE to the LABBS Convention Iaudience that I would be Lamorna Hooker taking on the role of LABBS GWASANAETH TRAIS YN Y CARTREF ABERCONWY Youth Co-ordinator. At the time, I was looking forward to organising events and LABBS Supports Local Domestic Abuse Service rehearsals, and doing none of the actual musical direction ABBS is proud of our for adults and children experiencing or escaping myself. Twelve months, and record of supporting domestic abuse. two wandering directors later, local causes wherever I directed the chorus on stage Lamorna Hooker Lwe come together Donations of toiletries and long dated food are for the first time! Over the past and this year, we are always welcome as are gift sets and toys that can four years I have been privileged to watch the young supporting the Aberconwy either be given to the families for their own use or women of LABBS grow and develop as musicians. Domestic Abuse Service, for them to gift to others – an opportunity for them The choruses have had fabulous coaching; we’ve a specialist agency for to maintain self-respect over the holiday period. put on workshops with Fortuity and Trailblazers and victims of domestic abuse, sung on stage with Avon Harmony, GQ and Avalon. providing a one-stop shop We hope to welcome representatives of this The over 18s formed a competition chorus and in a relaxed and friendly admirable service to accept the donations in person competed for the first time. The first LABBS Youth venue, specifically tailored during our Convention weekend Quartet contest was a great success - I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Olivia Williamson

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THE 2019 CONTESTS The following pages provide all of the information relating to the Quartet and Chorus Contests. You will find the participants Good Luck to all quartets and choruses for each contest, the judges, the previous crossing the stage in llandudno 2019 winners and details of all of the awards.

FROM Good luck to all of the competitors! FASCINATING RHYTHM CONTEST ADMINISTRATION TEAM

FR will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary in 2020 Keep an eye out for what we’ll be up to….

Jax Mumford Gail Grainger Rita Wood

Maxine Udale Denise Addis THE CONTESTS *Timings subject to change – check social media and Convention Communications for updates Quartet Semi-Final: 11.50 Friday October 25—MC: Jenny Share Quartet Final: 19.30 Friday October 25—MC: Jenny Share Chorus Contest: 9:50 Saturday October 26—MC: Alison Liddell BinH Mixed Quartet Contest: 13.40 Sunday October 27—MCs: Nancy Philbin, Martin Baglow, Dorothy Main

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CONTEST JUDGES MUSIC QUARTET CONTEST MUSIC Debi Cox • Delyth Knight • Emma Shanks PERFORMANCE Alex de Bruin Debi Cox Delyth Knight Nickie James • Linda van Buerink Alison Zdzylowski SINGING Rhiannon Owens-Hall • Mike Taylor Paula Taylor-Williams Joyce Stroud Emma Shanks Helen Tipping PERFORMANCE CHORUS CONTEST MUSIC Alex de Bruin • Emma Shanks • Joyce Stroud

PERFORMANCE Linda van Buerink Sean Devine Nickie James Linda van Buerink • Sean Devine Sandra Lea-Riley SINGING Monica Funnell • Rhiannon Owens-Hall Mike Taylor Sandra Lea-Riley Alison Zdzylowski SINGING MIXED QUARTET CONTEST MUSIC Alex de Bruin • Helen Tipping PERFORMANCE Monica Funnell Craig Kehoe Rhiannon Nickie James • Alison Zdzylowsk Owens-Hall SINGING Craig Kehoe • Rhiannon Owens-Hall

Mike Taylor Paula Taylor-Williams

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PREVIOUS QUARTET QUARTET CONTESTANTS CHAMPIONS 2019 2018 Avalon, Amersham/South 1998 Sounds Familiar, Bromley MW1 — Follow the Dots Venus Effect Gloucestershire/LABBS Youth/ 1997 Jamboree!, Havant/ MW2 — In Cahoots Sapphire CAL Garden Isle/ W.London Nightfall Fifth and Madison 2017 SoundHouse, Preston/Leeds/ 1996 Majority Decision, Potton Stiletto The Bakewell Tarts Stockport 1995 Fever Pitch, Chesham Double Bass Sonic 2016 Tone-Acity, Stockport/CAL 1994 Checkmate, Lymm The Chaos Theory Stardust & Sparkle 2015 Pzazz!, Gtr Manchester 1993 Family Ties, Garden Isle Something for the Weekend In House 2014 Hot Note, Iver Heath, CAL, 1992 Downtown Express, Leeds GinSing! Sound Central 2013 Echo, CAL 1991 Tapestry, Chesham Aca-Holics Blonde Ambition 2012 The Mix, Warrington/CAL 1990 Montage, Stockport 2011 Fortuity, CAL 1989 Special Issue, Sheffield 2010 Miss-Demeanour, Lymm/CAL 1988 Peppercorn, Amber Valley 2009 Finesse, Garden Isle/Norwich/ 1987 42nd Street, Bradford/Leeds CAL 1986 Whisperwood, Taunton 2008 NoteOrious, Amersham 1985 Quadrophonic, Stockport 2007 Havoc, South Glos 1984 Sound Entertainment, 2006 After Hours, Leeds Liverpool 2005 Enigma, Iver Heath 1983 Bristol Creme, Bristol 2004 Finesse, Iver Heath, Potton, 1982 Penny Lane, Liverpool/ CAL Sheffield 2003 The Jazz Firm, Leeds 1981 Spectrum, Reading 2002 Caboodle, Potton 1980 Conchords, Leeds 2001 EU4IA, Lymm 1978 Shades, Reading 2000 Indigo Blue, Lymm 1977 The Blue Chords, Liverpool 1999 Crackerjack, Leeds 1976 The Minor Birds, Reading

Avalon—Quartet Champions 2018

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PREVIOUS CHORUS CHORUS CONTESTANTS CHAMPIONS 2019 2018 Cheshire Chord Company, 1997 Cheshire Chord Company, MW1 — Steel City Voices Affinity Show Chorus Warrington Warrington MW2 — Coast to Coast Red Rock Harmony 2017 The White Rosettes, Leeds 1996 The White Rosettes, Leeds MW3 — Cheshire Chord Company Fascinating Rhythm 2016 Amersham A Cappella, 1995 Cheshire Chord Company, The Chordettes Amersham A Cappella Amersham Warrington Welwyn Harmony The Belles of Three Spires 2015 The White Rosettes, Leeds 1994 Chiltern Harmony, Chesham Green Street Blues GEM Connection 2014 Cheshire Chord Company, 1993 The White Rosettes, Leeds GraceNotes Acapella Mountain Harmony Warrington 1992 The Chordettes, Teignmouth Winchester A Cappella Capital Connection 2013 The White Rosettes, Leeds 1991 Capital Connection, The Red Rosettes Cheshire A Cappella 2012 Cheshire Chord Company, West London Main Street Sound Harmony InSpires Warrington 1990 The White Rosettes, Leeds Zero Degrees Show Chorus Second City Sound 2011 The White Rosettes, Leeds 1989 Capital Connection, Chorus Iceni Mersey Harmony 2010 Amersham A Cappella, West London Spinnaker Chorus Norwich Harmony Amersham 1988 Liberty Belles, Stockport Avon Harmony Bristol Fashion 2009 The White Rosettes, Leeds 1987 The White Rosettes, Leeds The White Rosettes MC1 — LABBS Youth Chorus 2008 Cheshire Chord Company, 1986 The White Rosettes, Leeds LABBS Youth Chorus MC2 — Cheshire Chord Company Warrington 1985 Liverpool Ladies Barbershop Silver Lining 2007 The White Rosettes, Leeds Singers 2006 Signature, Iver Heath 1984 The White Rosettes, Leeds 2005 The White Rosettes, Leeds 1983 The White Rosettes, Leeds 2004 Phoenix, Potton 1982 Liverpool Ladies Barbershop 2003 The White Rosettes, Leeds Singers 2002 Cheshire Chord Company, 1981 Tyneside Ladies B.H.C Warrington 1980 Liverpool Ladies Barbershop 2001 Phoenix, Potton Singers 2000 The White Rosettes, Leeds 1978 Tyneside Ladies B.H.C 1999 Cheshire Chord Company, 1977 Reading Barberettes, Reading Warrington 1976 Tyneside Ladies B.H.C 1998 Capital Connection, West London

Cheshire Chord Company—Chorus Champions 2018

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MIXED QUARTET MIXED QUARTET CHAMPS CONTESTANTS 2019

2018 Scramble 2014 Hannah and the Hurricanes MW1 — Scramble Myxd Up! 2017 Hannah and the Hurricanes 2013 Patchwork Scandal Origin 2016 Myxd Up! 2012 Double Trouble Barbershop Actually Crown Derby 2015 Hannah and the Hurricanes Dave and the Divas The Root Finders Hashtag Monday Monday AcaMania Perfect Match Double Malt Topaz B.S.4

Scramble—Mixed Quartet Champions 2018

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Convention 2019 full page ad - CMYK PDF with 3mm bleed.pdf 1 04/09/2019 23:05:48 AWARDS Good luck from QUARTET AWARDS Most Improved Chorus - The Millennium Award, Gold Medallist Quartet - The LABBS Champion donated for the Millennium Contest in 2000 by Sue Quartet Trophy. Livesey. Silver Medallist Quartet - The Holland Harmony Director of Most Improved Chorus - The Cheshire Trophy, donated by Holland Harmony. Chord Trophy, donated by Cheshire Chord Company. Bronze Medallist Quartet - The Guildford Harmony Highest Placed Small Chorus Award (up to 25 Trophy, donated by Guildford Harmony. members on stage including MD) - The Phoenix Highest Marks in Singing - The Indigo Blue Trophy, Trophy, donated by Potton Barbershop Harmony donated by Indigo Blue – 2000 Gold Medallist Club. Quartet. Highest Placed Mid-size Chorus Award (26 to 45 to all choruses, quartets Highest Marks in Performance - The Pzazz Trophy, members on stage including MD) - The Red Rosettes donated by Pzazz! - 2015 Gold Medallist Quartet. Award, donated by Preston Ladies Barbershop Highest Marks in Music - The Crackerjack! Trophy, Singers. and those behind the scenes donated by Crackerjack! - 1999 Gold Medallist Highest Placed Large Chorus Award (46 or more Quartet. members on stage including MD) - The Peter Caller Award, donated by Tyneside LBHC in memory of C Most Improved Quartet - The Tapestry Award, at LABBS 2019 Peter. M donated by Tapestry - 1991 Gold Medallist Quartet. Highest Placed Novice Chorus - The Harmony Y (Awarded at Prelims) InSpires Novice Chorus Trophy. The original trophy CM Highest Placed Novice Quartet - The Blue Chords was donated by Reading Ladies Barbershop Singers MY Trophy, donated by the Blue Chords - 1977 Gold and has now been replaced by a trophy donated by CY Break a lip! Medallist Quartet. Oxford Barbershop Harmony Club. CMY The LABBS Youth Quartet Trophy (Presented at K Prelims) donated by Avalon - 2018 Gold Medallist Quartet. OTHER AWARDS www.whiterosettes.org.uk The LABBS Senior Quartet Trophy (Presented at Prelims) Most Deserving Young Barbershopper - The Katy QC’s Trophy, donated by the QCs in 2010. Phillips Young Barbershopper of the Year Award & Bursary. At the request of the Phillips family, donations in Katy’s memory fund an award and CHORUS AWARDS an annual bursary which will provide support for Champion Chorus - The Brighton Rose Bowl, ongoing barbershop education for the recipient each donated by LABBS. year. It was felt that the recipient would be a “young Second Place Chorus - The White Rosettes Trophy, barbershopper” as Katy was passionate about youth donated by Leeds Ladies Barbershop Harmony Club. development. Any LABBS or Youth Chorus member Third Place Chorus - The Harmony Incorporated 29 years old or under is eligible for nomination. Trophy, donated by Harmony Incorporated. Jen Mills Quartet Award - Jen Mills was an Highest Singing Marks - The Liverpool Trophy, accomplished barbershopper, who made significant donated originally for the highest marks in the contributions to LABBS during her time with us. Sound Category by Liverpool Ladies Barbershop Jen passed away in January 2019 and to honour Singers. Jen’s memory her family have provided funds to Highest Performance Marks - The Westering Trophy, establish The Jen Mills Award, which will allow the donated by the Westering BABS Chorus “The Shy selected quartet to commission a new barbershop Guys”. arrangement from a UK arranger and then perform Highest Music Marks - The Music Trophy, donated it at the next Convention. It will be awarded for the by the E&J Committee. first time in 2019 and will run for 10 years.

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HELP YOURSELF TO… OC TIMES!

OC UPDATE: Due to family commitments, Baritone, Patrick Claypool is not able to join us, but in his place, we are delighted to welcome Brandon Guyton, two time gold medalist as a member of Four Voices, the 2002 champions of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and with the 2009 champions Crossroads.

nspired by artists like Michael Bublé, Frank “Destinations” (2010) quickly became another Sinatra and Elvis, OC Times breathes new life award-winning fan favourite – while their highly into swing standards, rock and roll classics, and anticipated third album “The Road” is considered Ieven some country favourites. Hailing originally from their best yet – also winning Best Barbershop Orange County, California, Shawn York (tenor), Sean Album! Devine (lead), Pat Claypool (baritone) and Cory Hunt (bass) take barbershop harmony back to where it OC Times has toured extensively throughout the started over a century ago: pop-culture. United States, headlining shows in venues such as Honolulu’s historic Hawaii Theater, Los Angeles’ In 2008, OC Times won the Barbershop Harmony Disney Concert Hall and the world famous Carnegie Society’s International Quartet Championship. Hall in New York City. The quartet has also toured They have been featured in major publications internationally with performances in Canada, such as The Wall Street Journal, Saturday Evening Mexico, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Finland, Post and SPIN magazine. The quartet is also Sweden, Russia, New Zealand, Japan... and they are featured prominently in a documentary film entitled thrilled to be back in England to celebrate again with “American Harmony.” the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers!

Their first studio album, “Let’s Fly” (2007), reached See photos, order merchandise, listen to clips, and critical acclaim, winning Contemporary A cappella stay up to date at www.OCTimesQuartet.com - or Recording Awards for both Best Barbershop Album LIKE us at www.facebook.com/OCTimesQuartet and Best Barbershop Song. Their sophomore album

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CHESHIRE CHORD COMPANY ast year was an extra special one for Cheshire 100 of us on the stage singing the Sam Hubbard Chord Company. We celebrated our 25th arrangement. On the Saturday, we premiered a year as a chorus and our 8th gold medal, package we’d been working on for a few months Lwith something a little different that will have very - a Whitney Houston Medley - also arranged by special memories for us all. Dressing up in our Hallmark’s Sam Hubbard. It certainly went down a 1940s attire and circus costumes is definitely one of treat and it’s definitely one of our favourites! our favourite packages! In May we represented LABBS at the BABS 2019 Straight after convention, our celebrations convention. Watching so many talented choruses continued with our Silver Belles Christmas concert. and quartets was a pleasure and it was wonderful What a night we had, and so many amazing guests to see our friends from Hallmark of Harmony all supporting our annual charity - Mind. crowned the 2019 champions. Getting back together in the foyer on the Saturday night for an impromptu sing was great fun and brought back fond memories from Holland!

The rest of the year has been a busy one; a charity concert, a gold medal at the Alderley Edge festival and an evening of singing (and food!) with the Sisters of Harmony from across the pond to name a few! This really is one of the best hobbies!

Before we know it, it’s LABBS convention time again! We’re looking forward to ending our championship year performing for you all In the New Year, we focused on preparation for and supporting the many choruses and quartets our first event as LABBS 2018 champion chorus - that will cross the stage over the weekend. We’ve performed at Holland Harmony Convention 2019. enjoyed learning this year’s polecat – Make Your We were lucky to perform for a fantastic audience Own Kind of Music - and can’t wait to sing with not once, but three times over the weekend, one many of you at Sunday’s Sing with the Champs. of these being with the current BABS champs, Hallmark of Harmony. Singing ‘Without a Song’ We hope you all have a great weekend in en masse was truly one of the most magical Llandudno – see you there! experiences for many of our members, with over Cheshire Chord Company

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Signature A Cappella Singers are looking for a Musical Director to inspire and support us in AVALON’S NON-STOP refreshing and revitalizing our chorus, and continuing to develop our skills and repertoire. YEAR We are members of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop singers, and are the current Small Chorus Champions. It is important to us however to embrace many forms of a-cappella music and t’s been an absolute pleasure for Avalon to be us to take over your homes for days, for feeding us, we actively seek out songs of different styles and genres. your quartet champions for the last 12 months. for fixing fire wool in emergencies (!) and for being The inclusiveness, kindness and support that our biggest fans. To our friends, from the original Icomes from every member of our organisation Bristol gang to our extended barbershop family, Signature A Cappella Singers are enthusiastic and committed, and we are looking for those qualities in our MD. Ideally you will have vocal teaching experience as well as directing abilities in cannot be understated; it has been and will continue thank you for buying tickets to our shows, helping us interpretation and performance. to be a delight to represent LABBS at all manner of fundraise, and being constant cheerleaders! events. In 2020, we are excited to be representing LABBS We want to find a collaborative, dynamic and motivational person, and we can promise you our Our year has been busy! We have had the joy of at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s international support, attention to detail and a lot of fun! singing on numerous shows, with friends from as convention in LA. We’ll be madly fundraising until young as 7 years old in the LABBS Youth Chorus then and we appreciate your continued support. Rehearsals take place every Thursday evening at Iver Heath Village Hall, near Slough SL0 0DA showcase in January, to celebrating two chorus’s For now, though, it is time for us to hand over the although we are actively seeking a change of venue, within the same general area. 10th anniversaries. We have been involved with reins to some new champions. Good luck to all the education events such as the LABBS Youth Chorus competitors this weekend, and we hope everyone workshop and LABBS Harmony College. Take it has a wonderful convention! Please contact the Signature Music Team at [email protected] for more information from us, you don’t stop working when you become champions – it’s onwards and upwards! We’ve Boo, Helen, Karen and Sophie signaturesingers signaturesings Avalon Aviva: Internal www.signaturesingers.com continued working with coaches this year like Mo Field and John Newell, both new to us, who have changed the way we approach our unit sound and the chords we ring.

Of course, being Avalon, we have also run numerous exciting raffles. Our favourite was at our LABBS prelims party in June, where we raised over £300 for the Katy Phillips Bursary. We were privileged to be supported by this fund to attend a LABBS Quartet The 2018 champion quartet is fundraising to education weekend a couple of years ago, and we represent LABBS at the Barbershop Harmony have wanted to continue to pay it forward since. We Society international convention in summer can only encourage you all to do the same; we’d like 2020 by recording an album! to think Avalon is a great example of the awesome way youth is being represented in British barbershop these days, so any support we can give is amazing!

On that note, we were overjoyed to unveil the Avalon youth quartet trophy at prelims in June. Congratulations to Neopolitan, the inaugural winner of the Avalon Trophy. Long may this branch of our quartet contest continue!

As we draw closer to our swansong, we have some Please consider supporting our Kickstarter at heartfelt thanks to give. To our coaches since we www.kickstarter.com/projects/ began, Linda, Gaynor, John, Mo, and all the LABBS avalonquartetuk/avalons-first-cd evaluation judges, thanks for your generosity of (or Google ‘Kickstarter Avalon Quartet album’) knowledge and time. To our quartet HABs (like WAGs, geddit?) and families, thank you for allowing /avalonquartetuk

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X-2020 Ad A5.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2019 16:55 Page 1 HALLMARK OF HARMONY BABS CHORUS CHAMPS

FOR GREAT COMPETITION allmark of Harmony was established in 1978 Hallmark of Harmony with its seventh chorus gold (AND LEGENDARY AFTERGLOWS...) by three brothers, Tony, Clive and Martin Hill, medal. forming a small group of singers in Sheffield, COME TO IRELAND IN 2020! Hwho on hearing about the recent arrival in the UK of Hallmark of Harmony qualified to represent BABS in the Barbershop style of four-part a cappella singing, the Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus HAVE YOU discovered Ireland’s With USA guests Parkside wanted to try it for themselves. Hallmark of Harmony Contest in Pittsburgh, USA in 2015, taking a chorus National Convention yet? Harmony, the 2020 event will is the male performance chorus of the Sheffield of over 60 members. An impressive A-level score of Barbershop Harmony Club. The chorus name comes 81.1%, was achieved. Quartets, choruses, mixed be one to remember. Visit our from Sheffield’s long tradition of silversmithing, where groups... we welcome all-comers website to learn why IABS a ‘hallmark’ is used to identify the craftsman, the It is no surprise that successful choruses contain their grade of metal and the date of creation of items. fair share of highly talented individuals. Hallmark of to beautiful brings visitors Harmony has been no exception, and it has included Killarney, 2-4 back year after The club celebrated its the Fortieth Anniversary year some successful quartets along the way. in 2018. October 2020, year: competing The Chorus’s first gold success in 1986, also heralded for a unique with the best, Over the four decades, the chorus has provided a the Champion Quartet from Sheffield - Junction 33, hub of enjoyment to its members, together with and then in 1995 - Smilin’ Through. Since then, The Irish welcome making new considerable success in competition. Growing Emerald Guard, crowned quartet champions in 2013, and a weekend friends and membership and commitment brought significant and both Tagline and The Locksmiths, respectively medal success in the 1980s, nationally and in 2015 and 2018, included Hallmark of Harmony of barbershop singing into the internationally. members within their line-ups. that will make early hours. See This ‘golden period’ for the chorus, provided With the exception of 2018, a year away from hearts sing. you in Ireland! numerous medals and appearances including a competing to celebrate the anniversary year, Hallmark memorable night at the Sainsbury’s Choir of the year of Harmony has achieved sequential medal success ALL THE DETAILS: event at the London Palladium. since 2016. Gold this year in 2019 came by achieving the UK’s second highest score ever of 83.2%, This has www.iabsconvention.com Without doubt, the emergence of higher quality been a particularly rewarding achievement, as it has barbershop singing, and efforts to maintain regular been within a period of rising standards in barbershop weekly chorus numbers, were factors in a ‘fallow singing throughout BABS membership, in both chorus decade’ in respect of competition success for and quartet competitions - a great indication that Hallmark of Harmony. However, by 2014, the chorus British Barbershop is in good health, and improving. was back on track with an 80 strong chorus, providing Andy Allen / Tim Briggs

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SOUND HYPOTHESIS – FALLING IN LOVE ound Hypothesis are the 2019 British Barbershop Quartet Champions. The boys met while singing in the contemporary Sa cappella group The Techtonics, at Imperial College London, and once they fell in love with the barbershop style they never looked back!

The “sciencey side” of barbershop has always appealed to Sound Hypothesis. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Arran (tenor) is a data scientist, Conrad (lead) is a software engineer, Arun (baritone) is a final year medical student and Alex (bass) is studying for a PGCE in physics.

Expect to hear barbershop from all eras - from love songs to...well, mostly love songs - all with a fresh, vibrant sound. They hope they can fill up their championship year with appearances all over the country, so do get in touch!

Arran, Conrad, Arun and Alex Sound Hypothesis

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SOUNDHOUSE – STILL GOLDEN ell, we can’t quite believe it has been That same weekend, it was such a thrill to present two years since our double dream Avalon with their gold medals and to share in their came true and we were crowned not excitement (they were very excited!) and we look Wonly the LABBS champs but the European Ladies’ forward again to the honour of welcoming them into Champions as well, a title we will hold until 2121! the QCs alongside us and many others.

2018 was a very busy year as we soaked up every One thing we know we did right during our chance to perform that we possibly could. We were championship year was the food (obvs) as the lovely fortunate enough to share the with the Ringmasters (and at the time very hungry) Gill Irwin told us, ours and Crossroads and to be welcomed as guests were the best QC reception snacks ever! Hoorah! at SABS, BABS and IABS and were so thankful for each of those opportunities. We were busy mic 2019 has seen us continue to learn and develop warming and party hosting for LABBS prelims and with some great coaching sessions, with lots of we ended our “Golden Year” as the lovely Donn and local singouts and being on the faculty at Harmony College, not to mention fabulous underglass coaching with Mo Field.

This year at LABBS we gift our song to the QCs which will be performed on the Saturday show and generally support each other’s choruses (the mighty Red and White Rosettes!) and of course whoop and cheer everyone else who crosses the stage over the weekend. Respect to you all!

Most of all it means another chance to sing and socialise with friends old and new and to bask in the fabulousness of so many strong and talented women all under the same roof! Yes ladies!

Sam Roberts named it, on a high. We interviewed As for 2020 and beyond, who knows… gin probably GQ, sang our Swan Set and best of all received our beautiful sparkly crowns and become part of the  esteemed QCs.

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FROM COAST TO COAST LADIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH BARBERSHOP SINGERS LONG SERVICE MEMBERS 2019

FOUNDER MEMBERS Bunny Bainbridge • Margaret de Wolf • Rhiannon Owens-Hall • Daphne Powell • Lee Westlake 40 YEARS SERVICE Vivien Hawkesby Bristol Fashion Ladies Barbershop Chorus Angela Palmer Club at Large Jill Stephens Bristol Fashion Ladies Barbershop Chorus Val Stanton Club at Large Maureen Hardwidge Club at Large Thelma Grant Mersey Harmony Jean Olman Club at Large Sue Braben Velvet Harmony 35 YEARS SERVICE Pauline Eden Club at Large Janet Hort Green Street Blues Kay Griggs Wright Club at Large Stephanie Ramsay Signature A Cappella Singers Jean Sutton Club at Large Lorraine Baisbrown The White Rosettes Monica Funnell Crystal Chords Sarah Borowski Wavelength A Cappella 30 YEARS SERVICE Joyce Stroud Arun A Cappella Chris Jones Mountain Harmony Chorus Jane Ervin Bristol Fashion Ladies Barbershop Chorus Nora Jones Mountain Harmony Chorus Jane Wells Cascade Anita Bolland Pennine Chimes Sheila Blackburn Cheshire Chord Company Helen Green Thameside Harmony Gaye Culmer Club at Large Christine Hoiles Thameside Harmony Viv Garner Club at Large Jane Barry The Chordettes Nancy Kelsall Club at Large Pauline Fox The Chordettes Pat Gregory Crystal Chords Julie Smith The White Rosettes Anna Fletcher GEM Connection Beth Brimmicombe Wight Satin Oranna Speicher GEM Connection Pat Darby Wight Satin Meryl Chatfield Green Street Blues Anita Sides Wight Satin Dorothy Moore Junction 14 Chris Sloper Wight Satin oast to Coast is delighted to be on stage at A recent cause for celebration was a weekend in Convention as one of the chorus competition Bournemouth for the prestigious Bournemouth 25 YEARS SERVICE mic-warmers. The chance to give all LABBS Music Festival, which saw the chorus being placed Faybianne Warner Albacappella Anne Thompson Pennine Chimes Cmembers the opportunity to perform at convention second, with Distinction, in two of the a cappella Vivienne McGavin Arun A Cappella Nova Mitcham River City June Bryant Arun A Cappella Cathy Potter Second City Sound was one of the reasons that the chorus was formed classes, including, of course, the barbershop class. Pearl Conway Avon Harmony Pat Flavell Silver Lining back in September 1987 under the direction of We have enjoyed some wonderful trips over the Val Lawrence Avon Harmony Sara Jackson Silver Lining the amazing Cath Morton, our MD for 18 years. years and hope to compete in Spain again in the Val Crafer Bristol Fashion Ladies Barbershop Chorus Judith Medlock Silver Lining Meeting in Leicester once a month, our lovely near future. Our incredibly talented MD, Angela Janet Lever Cheshire Chord Company Jan Nielsonn Silver Lining ladies are incredibly loyal and hardworking, with Sanchez, a LABBS trainee music judge, makes sure Eryl Prytherch Club at Large Valerie Cook Soundwaves dawn departures or even overnight stopovers. Our we have a varied programme of songs and is pushing Carol McCulley Crystal Chords Carol Gilbert The Belles of Three Spires Helen Gaskell GEM Connection Irene Hewitt The Belles of Three Spires members come from as far north as Barrow-in- up standards all the time. Judy Woolley GEM Connection Jean Morgan The Belles of Three Spires Furness, as far south as Bournemouth, as far west as Marion Piggott Humber Belles Cindy Hepworth The Chordettes Bristol and as far east as Colchester. We look forward to seeing you all in October, to Sandra Davies Mountain Harmony Chorus Yvonne Chamberlin The Chordettes greeting old friends and making many new ones. Lynne Broadbent Pennine Chimes

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Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers Convention 2019

Competition and Shows LABBS Admin Areas Warm Up Rooms Dress Rails Dressing Rooms Reception and Green Rooms Catering Market Place, Creche & Friendship Areas

Padarn Crafnant MR 5 & 6 Green Room Chair’s Cheshire Chord Reception Circle Bar St David’s Company Convention Team Dressing Rm. MR 6 Lift Lecture Lift Alwen Male MDs

MR 5

The Studio BABS Chorus

SecondFloor

A Board Room Couriers Friendship Conwy Deganwy Area Judges Warm Up

Media Lounge MR 2 Dress Rails Rhuddlan Harlech The Hall Lift Lift MR 3 Warm Up Warm Up Female Social Media Dressing B C MR 4 Room Barbertots

MR 2 Dress Rails MR 3 Social Media MR 4 Barbertots

First Floor

LABBS Entrance From Promenade Raffle & Charity Collections Arcadia Youth Dressing Room LABBS Orme Suite Market Place Reception Catering Lift Lift & The Hub Theatre Fringe Events & Shows Cloakroom The Arena LABBS Entrance Competition From Car Park

Ground Floor

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LADIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH BARBERSHOP SINGERS Could you be our LABBS Events Director? We need an enthusiastic and committed person with strong organisa- tional skills, excellent interpersonal skills and someone comfortable working in a digital environment who will: • Maintain an overview of all LABBS events, managing their budget and ensuring they meet the association’s objectives. • Maintain a list of suitable venues for LABBS events and monitor their catering and other facilities. The position is voluntary, as are all Board positions. Expenses in- curred will be reimbursed in line with the LABBS Expenses Policy. If you are interested please send your application to [email protected]. All applications should be submitted no later than November 22nd, 2019 .... leading the way in harmony