The Path To Cleveland 2021

The Path To Cleveland 2021

With the Contest Expansion Plan approved, choruses and quartets are starting to map out their paths to the BHS International Contests and Convention in Cleveland, June 28 - July 3, 2021. This will be the first time that mixed and women’s ensembles will be in the contests, and the qualification timelines for choruses and quartets might be unfamiliar.

With the Contest Expansion Plan approved, choruses and quartets are starting to map out their paths to the BHS International Contests and Convention in Cleveland, June 28 - July 3, 2021. This will be the first time that mixed and women’s ensembles will be in the contests, and the qualification timelines for choruses and quartets might be unfamiliar.

Qualification process for the international quartet and chorus contests

As outlined in the Contest Expansion Plan, the same process applies to all quartets and choruses, regardless of classification.

1. Register a quartet or chorus with BHS, with all members in good standing.
2. Use Barberscore to enter any available BHS preliminary contest, regardless of location or District affiliation (see map).
3. Earn a qualifying score, as set from time to time by the Society Executive Director.
   For the 2021 International Contests, the qualifying scores will be:
   • Quartets: 78%
   • Choruses: 81%

All ensembles achieving the qualifying score are invited to the International Contest. No distinction is made among classification of ensembles.

Competitors will be allowed a second attempt to achieve the qualifying score by competing in multiple local events, if they choose. A second attempt automatically replaces the first attempt score in terms of possible wild card qualification.

Timeline to qualify

Choruses

Depending on district, the qualifying path to the International Contests in Cleveland 2021 is as little as 8 and as many as 16 months long. Chorus preliminary contests are held in the preceding Fall 2020 concluding at the end of October. Invitations will be offered to all choruses scoring 81% or higher. (Note: The Carolinas District will hold its Cleveland 2021 chorus prelims in Spring 2020.)

Quartets

Go to any International Quartet Preliminary Contest in March-May of 2021 (or in Illinois, Land O' Lakes, or Rocky Mountain Districts in Fall 2020). All quartets scoring 78% and higher will be invited.

Note on divisional contests (EVG, FWD, MAD, NED)

• Districts are not required to allow every quartet and chorus a guaranteed "OPEN" access to their prelim event if they feel they need to control the size.
• To achieve this limitation, quartets and choruses within the district can be required to attend an additional preliminary contest (such as divisions or video qualification) , as long as the policy is consistent, fair within that district and clearly published to all district members well in advance so they can plan and prepare accordingly and/or seeki exceptions.
• Quartets and choruses within the district can be required to attend an additional preliminary contest (such as divisional contest or video qualification).
• Quartets and choruses wishing to compete outside their home district may request to compete in another district, but admission to that contest is controlled by the hosting district, which may need to manage its own space limitations.
• For the contest cycle leading to Cleveland 2021, the following districts require participation in a Spring 2020 qualifying event to reach the Fall 2020 International Chorus qualifying contest:
  • Evergreen (EVG)
  • Far Western (FWD)
  • Mid-Atlantic (MAD)
  • Northeastern (NED)

Locations and dates

Preliminary contests are held in all of the Society’s Districts. Quartets and choruses may pursue an International Contest qualifying score in any district they wish.

See the Calendar for complete list of dates and locations.

For more information about entering a contest, please contact your District’s Representative for Contest and Judging for more information. You can find their contact information on your District’s website.

Note: Many districts hold a District Chorus Championship Contest, which is not directly linked to qualification for International Chorus Contest. Except where noted (Carolinas), chorus qualifying contests for 2021 Cleveland take place in Fall 2020 with dates and locations to be announced later.

Note: Women's and mixed ensembles are welcome to participate in Spring 2020 contests, but not as qualification for 2021 Cleveland.

What is Barberscore?

Barberscore is the online system for entering BHS Contests. To use Barberscore, you will need…

• To be a current member of BHS registered in Member Center
• Have a currently registered quartet listed in Member Center
• Know the email address stored in Member Center as the quartet contact email address
  (hint: be ready to check your email while registering; if you have problems, be sure to check Spam folders for confirmation emails)

To get started using Barberscore, read the Entry Tutorial or watch the login tutorial video .