2021 International Convention in Cleveland rebooked to 2024
While there will not be an in-person gathering this summer, the Barbershop Harmony Society is looking ahead to Midwinter 2022 in Pasadena and the next international event in Charlotte in 2022.
Quick guide
Click on the headings below to jump to a specific section.
If you have a Cleveland 2021 registration ➡️
- Make a donation to BHS programs
- Save on Charlotte 2022 registration with 1-for-1 exchange
- Request a refund
If you have booked a hotel ➡️
- Your hotel rooms will be automatically cancelled for you — please do not call!
Chorus qualification for 2022
- Paid entry fees for choruses and quartets have been automatically refunded
- See the 2022 International Contest qualification process
Quartet qualification for 2022
- Standing process returns with qualifying contests in Spring 2022
- See the 2022 International Contest qualification process
Next Generation Varsity events
- Age limits revised for 2022 event
- See the 2022 International Contest qualification process
Reasons why— and what's next
The health and safety concerns that have impacted every part of life for the last year led to the decision that an in-person convention this summer was simply not feasible. Working directly with quartets, chorus leaders, district leaders, the judging community, and the convention bureau in Cleveland, it became clear that the prudent course for all interests would be to rebook the event in Cleveland for 2024. We have secured the same facilities, the same rates and will enjoy all the great advantages Cleveland had promised for this year.
Charlotte 2022 offers biggest, most inclusive contests ever
With that decision made, the Society is working hard to make the process of refocusing on 2022 as easy as possible for all concerned.
Notably, all choruses previously invited to Cleveland will be able to go to Charlotte, plus more choruses that qualify via live or video judging. This points to the biggest and most inclusive chorus contest ever, with a full field of men’s, women’s and mixed harmony choruses, all qualified by scores of 78 and above.
At this time, it is expected that in-person spring contests can happen safely in 2022, so there will be no change made to quartet qualification.
For more information, view our Frequently Asked Questions around the decision process.
If you purchased a registration for Cleveland 2021
Regardless of which option you choose, please submit your response by March 29, 2021. Purchasers who do not indicate their registration preference by March 29, 2021 will see an automatic transfer of their registration to the 2022 International Convention in Charlotte, NC.
Make a donation to BHS programs
If you'd like to donate your registration, your tax-deductible gift will support your BHS Next Generation Barbershop program, specifically the Junior Chorus Invitational that will take place in Pasadena at the Midwinter Convention in January 2022. The purpose of the Junior Chorus Invitational is to offer young singers and educators a mountaintop experience that locks in a lifelong appreciation for vocal harmony and the communal experience of barbershop culture. The result of your investment is helping educators attracting more singers, helping young singers increase their confidence, discipline, teamwork, and creativity, and helping them all become stronger leaders in their schools, communities, and families. Learn more and to see the difference this work has made on one chorus.
- Click here to donate your registration to support Next Generation Barbershop programs (You’ll need your current confirmation number on hand.)
SAVE on your Charlotte 2022 registration with 1-for-1 exchange
You can simply exchange your existing registrations for the international convention in Charlotte 2022 without any additional fees. You will enjoy receive priority seating and housing options. This will be an easy and economical choice for many guests.
- Click here to exchange your registrations. (You’ll need your current confirmation number on hand.)
Request a refund
If you wish a refund, we can walk you through that. Of course, you’ll miss out on the chance to get our best price for Charlotte 2022.
- Click here to request a refund. (You’ll need your current confirmation number on hand.)
Please submit your response by March 29, 2021. Purchasers who do not indicate their registration preference by March 29, 2021 will see an automatic transfer of their registration to the 2022 International Convention in Charlotte, NC.
Existing hotel registrations
Your hotel rooms will be automatically cancelled for you — please do not call! We are working with the housing bureau to automatically clear the previous reservations and notify you by email. Please do not call the hotels — they won’t be able to help you. Please do not call the housing bureau — they are working on this for us, and additional inquiries will not speed the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why call off the event this summer? We’re so close!
We still can’t see the future with perfect clarity. Vaccines are rolling out at different rates in different areas. We looked at everything:
- Health & safety concerns
- Guidance from Cleveland convention officials
- Prep time required for participants
- Direct feedback from our International-level and festival quartets
- International travel restrictions
- CDC Guidelines on large scale events
- Guidance on the risks for singing due to COVID-19
Ultimately, even as conditions improve, we can’t be sure of reaching the magical mix of a competitive event, in a safe setting, with a full field of competitors, and a full audience.
Are we getting a graceful exit? — Yes! Rebook. No penalty.
Cleveland’s team has been outstanding in working with us to rebook for 2024. We have negotiated good deals that make it attractive financially for guests and for the Society.
Who had input into this decision?
We talked with our volunteer leadership, quartet competitors, chorus leaders, district leaders, local convention hosts, industry professionals.
If I choose to donate my registration, where do the funds go?
If you'd like to donate your registration, your tax-deductible gift will support your BHS Next Generation Barbershop program, specifically the Junior Chorus Invitational that will take place in Pasadena at the Midwinter Convention in January 2022. The purpose of the Junior Chorus Invitational is to offer young singers and educators a mountaintop experience that locks in a lifelong appreciation for vocal harmony and the communal experience of barbershop culture. The result of your investment is helping educators attracting more singers, helping young singers increase their confidence, discipline, teamwork, and creativity, and helping them all become stronger leaders in their schools, communities, and families. Learn more and to see the difference this work has made on one chorus.
- Click here to donate your registration to support Next Generation Barbershop programs (You’ll need your current confirmation number on hand.)
Will Charlotte 2022 feature the “new” event schedules originally set for CLE 2021?
We’re still working on the schedule, but yes, we still aim to have the broad range of activities including a red carpet gala awards event, lots of education offerings, many casual singing opportunities and afterglows, and festival performances in addition to competitions.