The Youth Chorus Festival is a staple of The Barbershop Harmony Society's Midwinter Convention, and you do not want to miss this year's edition on Jan. 19 in Costa Mesa, CA! 

With guest presenter Ryan Murphy, the associate music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, this year's festival brings talented young musicians together to share their passion for music and barbershop. 

Choruses are split up into "Youth Chorus Plateaus" (by age) as follows: A, 16 and under; AA, 17 to 19 years old; and AAA, 20 to 25 years old.

Watch the 2018 BHS Midwinter Convention LIVE on FloVoice

Here are five youth choruses not to miss this year at Midwinter:

1. Cleveland Heights Men's Barbershoppers - Plateau A

At last year's Midwinter Convention, they were awarded with the Presenters Award. Directed by Jesse Lang, the Cleveland Heights Men’s Barbershoppers mainly perform songs in the barbershop style as well as more modern tunes. 

They won over the audience with their comedic presence and wordplay charm. Who knows what they’ll bring to their fifth year at the convention? Be sure to also check out the Cleveland Heights Women’s Barbershoppers in their debut at Midwinter. 

2. Chandler (AZ) High School Men's Choir - Plateau A

This chorus from Chandler, AZ, and its director, Lori Lyford, fully embrace what it means to be a barbershopper. The Chandler High School Men's Choir shows the power of singing with confidence, courage, and passion. Lyford also believes in teaching the value of personally accountability and how that affects the ensemble. 

During the 2015 Midwinter in New Orleans, the Chandler High School Men’s Choir took home the Audience Favorite Award. Last year, the choir sang two great barbershop classics, "When I Leave the World Behind" and "Drivin’ Me Crazy." These guys are a great representation for what it means to be a barbershopper. 

3. The Recruits - Plateau AA

While once an all-male ensemble, The Recruits have now become a mixed chorus. Based out of St. Louis and directed by Jason Martin, they were formed under the umbrella of the Ambassadors of Harmony to provide youth outreach to kids in and around the St. Louis area. 

They continue to provide their audiences with an excellent show of barbershop, with choral, jazz, and contemporary a cappella sprinkled into their performances.

4. Sounds of the Mouth Vocal Collective - Plateau AAA

Formed in the summer of 2015, these former Chandler High School students wanted to keep singing barbershop after graduation. They formed a chorus that bridged old and new friends alike and started rehearsing. Once their chorus started expanding and growing, they decided to branch out from typical barbershop and start including some jazz and contemporary a cappella into their repertoire. 

This group certainly has a clean and unique sound you won’t want to miss. Now a fully fledged mixed ensemble, Sounds of the Mouth will be sure to leave you wanting more. 

5. Chandler High School Treblemakers - Plateau AA

This group of high schoolers is an all-women’s chorus from Chandler, AZ, that has done exceptionally well at past Midwinter Conventions. Last year, it was the only Plateau A group to receive a superior rating. Also directed by Lori Lyford, this chorus has won the Young Women in Harmony Video Contest three times. 

Pulling off a song about peanut butter and jelly is not an easy task for some groups, but these young women nailed it at the 2017 Midwinter Convention. Their sound is one of cleanest around and their presentation is unparalleled entertainment. 

Order of appearance:

All Times PST

SESSION ONE (11 AM)

1. Sound of the Sierras (AAA)

Men’s Chorus directed by Gabe Caretto and Ron Black

Voices of California in Northern California

2. Chandler HS Men’s Choir (A)

Men’s Chorus directed by Lori Lyford

Chandler Unified School District and Chandler High School in Chandler, AZ

3. Cleveland Heights Barbershoppers (A)

Women’s Chorus directed by Jesse Lange

Cleveland Heights High School in University Heights, OH

4. The OC Student Union (A)

Mixed Chorus directed by Tom Nichols

Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Fullerton Chapter, and the Far Western District in Southern California

5. Pacific Suns (AA)

Men’s Chorus directed by Royce Ferguson

La Jolla/San Diego, CA

6. The Recruits (AA)

Mixed Chorus directed by Jason Martin

Central States District/The Ambassadors of Harmony in St. Louis, MO

7. Chandler HS Treblemakers (AA)

Women’s Chorus directed by Lori Lyford

Chandler Unified School District and Chandler High School in Chandler, AZ

8. Cleveland Heights Barbershoppers Men (A)

Men’s Chorus directed by Jesse Lange

Cleveland Heights High School in University Heights, Ohio

9. Sounds of the Mouth Vocal Collective (AAA)

Mixed Chorus directed by Mario Yniguez

Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ

10. Hurricane of Harmony (A)

Mixed Chorus directed by Debbie Cleveland

Gaither High School in Tampa, FL

SESSION TWO (5 PM)

11. Southern Gentlemen (AAA)

Men’s Chorus directed by Shannon Jeffreys and Josh Cook

Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA

12. Grandview High School Superwomen Chorus (AA)

Women’s Chorus directed by Darin Drown

Grandview High School from the Cherry Creek School District in Aurora, CA

13. Spartans Guys Ensemble (A)

Men’s Chorus directed by Kristi Adams

Newfield High School in Selden, NY

14. Anna Coyotes Chorus (A)

Women’s Chorus directed by Daniel Rohovit

Anna ISD in Anna, Texas

15. The Hallmen (A)

Men’s Chorus directed by Kevin King

Calvert Hall College High School in Baltimore, MD

16. St. Louis Park Middle School Chorus (A)

Mixed Chorus directed by Douglas Carnes

St Louis Park Middle School in St. Louis, MN

17. Prairie Chords (AAA)

Mixed Chorus directed by Justin La

Saskatchewan High Schools and Universities

18. Grandview High School Supermen Chorus (A)

Men’s Chorus directed by Darin Drown

Grandview High School. Cherry Creek School District in Aurora, CO

SPECIAL GUEST ENSEMBLE

19. The Wheezy Geezers (FWD)

Directed by Ron Black

Far Western District

By Mert Danna