The International Stage has remained quiet since 2019. But, little by little, signs of life appeared. Rehearsals moved from Zoom to outside. Vaccines and boosters. Outside to inside. Mask mandates dropping. Shows returning. Local conventions. District contests. But now – NOW – Barbershop is back as the curtain is about to rise at the BHS International Convention in Charlotte, NC.

On October 5, top groups from around the world will head to New York City to take the stage at Carnegie Hall for the third annual International Championship for A Cappella Open, better known as the AcaOpen. The Varsity Vocals contest for all ages will welcome back the 2019 ICCA Champions, the N'Harmonics, and the 2019 ICHSA Champions, InTONEnation to compete against the Open Regional winners.

   Harmony University is well underway in Nashville, TN. Students of ALL ages are actively learning and performing for the best of the best. Honing their skills in singing, performing and leadership. This week brings together barbershop singers, music educators, music students, arrangers, doctors, lawyers and MANY more from all over the world for a once in a lifetime experience. At the end of the week two amazing shows feature performances ONLY to be found at Harmony University.

At International, the contests take center stage, both literally and figuratively. And while you can share in the excitement from stage from home, sometimes there's nothing like being at the convention in person. There are so many options for even more barbershop fun that go on throughout the week.

Perhaps almost as exciting as the chords they ring are the clothes they wear.

Over the last several years, the Barbershop Harmony Society has been diligently working on the implementation of their latest mission: Everyone In Harmony.

On Friday July 5th, 27 choruses, will compete for a coveted spot in the top 5 of Barbershop Harmony Society’s 2019 International Competition. One of the recent favorites, and a top 5 finisher the past 2 years was Parkside Harmony of the Mid-Atlantic District. 

The youth of barbershop take the big stage at Internationals on Wednesday, July 3 with twenty quartets, all members 25 years old or younger, competing in the Next Generation Varsity Quartet Contest.

  Saturday night 10 of the best collegiate groups in the world took the stage at the Playstation Theatre in the heart of Times Square. The first group out was Pitch Please, the Wild Card Finalist, from Northeastern University in Boston. They kicked off the show with incredible energy and killer shoes. Taking away the award for Best Vocal Percussion. This all girl group knows who they are and aren’t afraid to show it. 

Competition. Is there anything more magical than going up on stage and performing for your peers and a panel of judges?

When the curtain goes up at ICCA Finals on Saturday, ten groups will give the performance of their lives. While several of the groups have made it to finals before, none of these groups have won the title.

Just over a week from now, a new ICCA Champion will emerge, to go down in the history book of a cappella success stories. This year is already set up for some history-making, as all of this year's finalists are not previous champions, although several of the groups have made it to the finals in the past.

The question at the start of every competition season: What does it take to win?

When it comes to a performance, especially a competitive set, the best groups meticulously craft every second, from beginning to end. Here's what goes into an award-winning show:

The big dance in New York is a little over a month away, but the road to get there started long before even this school year for many of the groups who will advance to the stage at PlayStation Theater.