Conventions Photos

At a British Quartet Champions Chorus rehearsal back in November 2017, four Barbershop singers of the older persuasion found themselves relegated to a dark corner during a break.  “Where did the time go, isn’t it strange? “ they mused.  “What is left to achieve?”  Aha! To form a seniors’ quartet, that seemed like a great idea.  Now here we are, One Foot in the Stave, several months older and proud to be the 2018 Senior Quartet Champions of the British Association of Barbershop Singers.  Our focus of attention was to compete in the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Mid-Winter Convention in Jacksonville, Florida in January 2020 where age presented no barrier!  The outcome was a super performance that brought our highest score to date, and the 2020 International Senior Silver medal.  In January 2022 we were delighted to be crowned 2022 International Seniors Quartet Champion! Age is no barrier to being thrilled and honoured, as we are, to be invited to the SABS 2023 Convention! Andy, Brian, Pete and Rod – One Foot in the Stave Barbershop Harmony Society, International Seniors Quartet Champion 2022.

En un ensayo del British Quartet Champions Chorus allá por noviembre 2017, cuatro cantantes de Barbershop de edad avanzada se encontraron relegados a un rincón oscuro durante un descanso. “Where did the time go, isn’t it strange?”, reflexionaron. “¿Qué queda por conseguir?”. ¡Ajá! Formar un cuarteto de mayores, parecía una gran idea. Y ahora aquí estamos: One Foot in the Stave, varios meses más viejos y orgullosos de ser los Campeones de Cuarteto Senior 2018 de la Asociación Británica de Cantantes de Barbershop (British Association of Barbershop Singers). Nuestro objetivo era competir en la convención de invierno de la Barbershop Harmony Society’s en Jacksonville,Florida, en enero de 2020, ¡donde la edad no representaba ninguna barrera! El resultado fue una super actuación que trajo nuestra puntuación más alta hasta la fecha, y la medalla de plata internacional de 2020. En enero de 2022 de enero de 2022, tuvimos el placer de ser coronados como ¡Campeones! La edad no es una barrera para sentirnos emocionados y honrados de ser invitados a la Convención SABS 2023. Andy, Brian, Pete y Rod – One Foot in the Stave Cuarteto Internacional de Mayores Campeón 2022, Barbershop Harmony Society.

Sound Central was formed after a chance meeting of musical minds at SABS a couple of years ago. Susanne (Lead In Heartbeat Chorus) and Jen (Tenor in Milltown Sound) sang together and instantly appreciated each other’s vocal quality (and drinking capacity!). The hunt was then on to find a Baritone and Bass to compliment the sound. They didn’t have to look far to find the perfect singing buddies. Sarah (Baritone) and Bev (Bass) already sang in their choruses and after an evening of singing Sound Central was borne in late 2017. Since then they have been the proud recipients of bronze medals at LABBS 2018, silver medalists at Sweet Adelines and more recently LABBS Quartet Champions in 2019. Time spent together is full of fun and friendship but with lots of hard work and coaching too! It’s been an exciting beginning to their journey but the ladies are always ready to take on a new challenge and can’t wait to see what the future brings!

Sound Central se formó tras un encuentro casual de mentes musicales la convención de SABS hace un par de años. Susanne (Lead en Heartbeat) y Jen (Tenor en Milltown Sound) cantaron juntas y apreciaron al instante la calidad vocal de la otra (¡y la capacidad de beber!). El reto fue entonces encontrar un barítono y un bajo para complementar ese sonido. No tuvieron que buscar mucho para encontrar a las compañeras de canto perfectas. Sarah (barítono) y Bev (bajo) ya cantaban en sus coros y después de una noche de canto, Sound Central nació a finales de 2017. Desde entonces han sido las orgullosas receptoras de medallas de bronce en el LABBS 2018, medalla de plata en Sweet Adelines y, más recientemente, cuarteto campeón en 2019 en LABBS. El tiempo que pasan juntos está lleno de diversión y amistad, ¡pero con mucho trabajo duro y ensayo también! Ha sido un comienzo emocionante para su viaje, pero las damas siempre están dispuestas a asumir un nuevo reto y no pueden esperar a ver lo que les deparará el futuro.

Born in Valladolid, I now live in Madrid and have a career in computers. I started in music in a village choir and there began my taste for choral music. From there I went to large participatory choirs and finally to the UPM, where I currently sing. One day in 2011 I went to a concert in Madrid where I saw a quartet called Crossroads and there I realised that the barbershop style was the kind of music I had been looking for. At that concert I met the Barberidad Chorus and soon after I joined the group as a baritone. Since then I have gone on to perform various administrative tasks and I am currently the SABS representative for the central west zone of Spain.

Pucelano de nacimiento, madrileño residente e informático de carrera. Empecé en la música en un coro de pueblo y allí comenzó mi gusto por la música coral. De ahí pasé a coros grandes participativos y finalmente al coro de la UPM, donde canto actualmente. Un día de 2011 acudí a un concierto en Madrid donde cantaba un cuarteto llamado Crossroads y allí comprendí que el barbershop era el tipo de música que había estado buscando. En aquel concierto conocí al coro Barberidad y poco después entré a formar parte como barítono. Desde entonces he pasado a realizar tareas variadas de coordinación y actualmente soy vocal de la zona centro oeste de SABS.

Cantante y profesor de canto nacido en Barcelona. Realiza los estudios musicales en el Conservatorio Superior Municipal de Música y los estudios de canto con el maestro barítono Xavier Comorera. De forma paralela obtiene el premio extraordinario de doctorado en Ciencias Químicas por la Universidad de Barcelona.

Como solista aborda diferentes géneros musicales: oratorio, lied, ópera, zarzuela y teatro musical que ha cantado en salas europeas tan relevantes como la Chapelle Royale du Château de Versailles, el Cadogan Hall de Londres, la Wiener Konzerthaus, el Gran Teatre del Liceu y el Palau de la Música Catalana.
Complementa su actividad de solista formando parte de diversas formaciones vocales profesionales como el Cor de Cambra del Palau de la Música Catalana, CatAlinka (polifonía ortodoxa Russa), Metropolitan Union (música barbershop), Ensemble All ́Aura (música antigua), Vocal Virkan (polifonía Georgiana) y Kollage (música instruvocal)

Es profesor de técnica vocal del Orfeó Català desde 2010.

Imparte regularmente talleres de técnica vocal y de imitación de instrumentos musicales con la voz , dirigidos a escuelas, institutos, conservatorios de música y universidades.

Professional singer and singing teacher born in Barcelona. He studied music at the Municipal Superior Conservatory of Music and singing studies with the baritone Xavier Comorera. At the same time, he was awarded with the extraordinary PhD prize in Chemical Sciences from the University of Barcelona.

As a soloist, he tackles different musical genres: oratorio, lied, opera, zarzuela and musical theater that he has sung in such important European venues as the Chapelle Royale du Château de Versailles, the Cadogan Hall in London, the Wiener Konzerthaus, the Gran Teatre del Liceu and the Palace of Catalan Music.
He complements his activity as a soloist by forming part of various professional vocal ensembles such as the Cor de Cambra of the Palau de la Música Catalana, CatAlinka (Russian orthodox polyphony), Metropolitan Union (barbershop music), Ensemble All ́Aura (ancient music), Vocal Virkan (polyphony Georgiana) and Kollage (instruvocal music)

He is professor of vocal technique at the Orfeó Català since 2010.

He regularly gives workshops on vocal technique and imitation of musical instruments with the voice, aimed at schools, institutes, music conservatories and universities.

Ricardo Leal, has been involved in singing activities since an early age, in school, church and high school choirs, as well as local pop and rock bands. During his time at Southampton University, he was part of the Pop & Gospel choir Jazzmanix. And later in the choir “Los Peñascales” in Madrid. In 2010 he was part of the initial foundation of the male choir Barbershop de Madrid “Barberidad”, gold medalist in the SABS competition “En Armonía” and from which came the quartet “Aftershave Quartet”, with which he has been gold medalist twice in SABS and with which he has performed concerts for the highest institutions in Spain: RTVE, Radio Nacional de España, Auditorio Nacional de Música, Teatro Circo Price, Sala Galileo Galilei,… In addition, he has always been closely linked to SABS, both officially forming part of the board as a vocal of the central zone, as well as in different activities such as migration of the website or coordinator of social networks. An electronic engineer by training, he is currently Director of the ecommerce practice at Capgemini Spain, leading a team of more than 50 professionals with high performance and great professional success.

Ricardo Leal, ha estado involucrado en actividades de canto desde su temprana edad, en coros del colegio, iglesia e instituto, así como bandas locales de pop y rock. Durante su periodo en la Universidad de Southampton, formó parte del coro Pop & Gospel Jazzmanix. Y posteriormente en el coro “Los Peñascales” de Madrid. En 2010 formó parte de la fundación inicial del coro masculino Barbershop de Madrid “Barberidad”, medalla de oro en el concurso “En Armonía” de SABS y del cual salió el cuarteto “Aftershave Quartet”, con el cual ha sido medalla de oro en dos ocasiones de SABS y con el que ha realizado conciertos por las más altas instituciones en España: RTVE, Radio Nacional de España, Auditorio Nacional de Música, Teatro Circo Price, Sala Galileo Galilei,… Además, siempre ha estado muy ligado con SABS, tanto oficialmente formando parte de la directiva como vocal de la zona centro, así como en distintas actividades como migración de la página web o coordinador de redes sociales. Ingeniero electrónico de formación, actualmente es Director de la práctica de ecommerce en Capgemini España, liderando un equipo de más de 50 profesionales con alto rendimiento y grandes éxitos profesionales

My name is Denise Addis
I live in Harrogate North Yorkshire
I’m married to Robin.
I’m retired ,I worked as head of boys boarding in Ripon Grammar School
I have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
I am a former White Rosette and Spangle.

Mi nombre es Denise Addis
Vivo en Harrogate North Yorkshire
Estoy casada con Robin.
Estoy jubilada, trabajé como jefa de internado de niños en Ripon Grammar School
Tengo 3 hijos y 6 nietos.
Soy una ex-White Rossete y Spangle.

Nacido en Barcelona. Estudia lenguaje musical y piano en la Escuela Marshall de Barcelona. Desde el 2010 estudia canto clásico con los profesores Oriol Rosés y Marta Mathéu. Es licenciado en ciencias físicas por la Universitat de Barcelona y tiene el grado superior de composición en la Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMuC), con el profesor Albert Guinovart. Ha formado parte de varias formaciones corales de Barcelona, como el Cor Jove del Palau de la Música de Barcelona o el Cor Madrigal. También realiza colaboraciones con formaciones profesionales como la Xantria o el Cor de cambra Francesc Valls de la Catedral de Barcelona. El año 2013 participa en las óperas La Fille du Régiment (de Gaetano Donizetti) como miembro del coro y en The Turn of the Screw (de Benjamin Britten) en el rol de Peter Quint. También es miembro del Cor de Cambra ARSinNOVA, con el que ha obtenido el primer premio del 6ª Festival Internacional Coral de Malgrat de Mar (2011), el primer premio en el XLII Certamen Coral de Ejea de los Caballeros (2012) y el primer premio en el XV Gran Premio Nacional de Canto Coral (2013). Actualmente compagina la docencia musical con su actividad como cantante en varias formaciones profesionales y con el cuarteto, donde canta las voces de barítono y lead.

Born in Barcelona. He studied musical language and piano at the Marshall School in Barcelona. Since 2010 he has been studying classical singing with professors Oriol Rosés and Marta Mathéu. He has a degree in physical sciences from the University of Barcelona and has a higher degree in composition at the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMuC), with Professor Albert Guinovart. He has been a member of several choral groups in Barcelona, such as the Cor Jove del Palau de la Música de Barcelona or the Cor Madrigal. He also collaborates with professional groups such as the Xantria or the Cor de cambra Francesc Valls of the Cathedral of Barcelona. In 2013 he participated in the operas La Fille du Régiment (by Gaetano Donizetti) as a member of the chorus and in The Turn of the Screw (by Benjamin Britten) in the role of Peter Quint. He is also a member of the Cor de Cambra ARSinNOVA, with which he won first prize at the 6th Malgrat de Mar International Choral Festival (2011), first prize at the XLII Certamen Coral de Ejea de los Caballeros (2012) and first prize at the XV Gran Premio Nacional de Canto Coral (2013). He currently combines teaching music with his activity as a singer in several professional groups and with the quartet, where he sings baritone and lead voices.

Donna moved to Spain in 2008 with her husband Andy and then 5 year old son Charlie. They set up a golf business with another couple in 2009 selling discounted green fees and golf holidays and now their company is one of the largest producers of green fees in Southern Spain and they also have 2 retail golf shops.

Although Donna has always loved singing she thought that she wasn’t very good at it, that is until she attended a SHIAD day at Spangles in November 2013. Her love of singing and barbershop started that day. After 3 great years with Spangles Donna now sings with Pilarmonics and also in a newly formed quartet Outrageous Fourtune.

Donna threw herself into SABS following her first convention in Calpe in 2014 and was MC for the Fun Show in both 2015 & 2016, Scratch Quartet MC in 2016 and National Quartet Contest MC at the most recent convention in 2017. She is very much looking forward to being more involved with SABS in the future and is delighted to have been voted on to the SABS Board as Marketing Secretary.

Donna se mudó a España en 2008 con su marido Andy y su hijo de 5 años Charlie. En 2009 crearon un negocio de golf con otra pareja que vendía green fees con descuento y vacaciones de golf y ahora su empresa es una de las mayores productoras de green fees en el sur de España y también tienen 2 tiendas de golf al por menor.

Aunque a Donna siempre le ha gustado cantar, pensaba que no era muy buena en ello, hasta que asistió a un día de SHIAD en Spangles en noviembre de 2013. Su amor por el canto y la barbería comenzó ese día. Después de 3 grandes años con Spangles Donna ahora canta con Pilarmonics y también en un cuarteto recién formado Outrageous Fourtune.

Donna se lanzó a la SABS después de su primera convención en Calpe en 2014 y fue MC para el Fun Show en 2015 y 2016, Scratch Quartet MC en 2016 y National Quartet Contest MC en la convención más reciente en 2017. Tiene muchas ganas de participar más en la SABS en el futuro y está encantada de haber sido votada para formar parte de la Junta de la SABS como Secretaria de Marketing.

My wife Anne and I moved to Spain in June 2005 and she joined Spangles in time for us to attend the 1st SABS Convention in Torrevieja 2009, followed by Madrid 2010 and every year up to 2017. We attended the Pan Pacific Convention in Brisbane 2011 and IABS 2016. I am not a singer, but supported Spangles and SABS with photography and video and as a Smithwood Productions video camera team member 2012 and official SABS photographer in 2013. Anne’s only previous, singing experience was in a choir when we lived in Naples, Italy from 1992 – 5. SABS gave us such joy that, when she died in October 2019 I knew I had to stay a member of the SABS community. I am grateful to Pilarmonics for their encouragement and support.
Since 2007 I have been a member of the Sailing Association Mar Menor and registered them as a Spanish Association with the Region of Murcia. As Commodore 2011 – 12, I approved their budget and financial accounts and was a bank signatory. In March 2020 I was elected as Vice Commodore and have overseen improvement of our website and communication.
My career was in the Royal Navy as an aircraft engineer. As a Commander, I served on international military/industry committees as Chairman and Secretary. While serving in NATO Naples my “community” jobs were President of the International School and Treasurer of the British Forces Shop. On retirement I was a Senior Project Manager for aircraft research and development and then Director Air Equipment with sales and marketing budget and targets. I have 5 children and 11 grandchildren in England and Queensland, Australia.

Mi esposa Anne y yo nos mudamos a España en junio de 2005 y ella se unió a Spangles a tiempo para que pudiéramos asistir a la 1ª Convención SABS en Torrevieja 2009, seguida de Madrid 2010 y todos los años hasta 2017. Asistimos a la Convención Pan Pacific en Brisbane 2011 y a la IABS 2016. No soy cantante, pero apoyé a Spangles y SABS con fotografía y vídeo y como miembro del equipo de cámaras de vídeo de Smithwood Productions 2012 y fotógrafo oficial de SABS en 2013. La única experiencia previa de Anne como cantante fue en un coro cuando vivíamos en Nápoles, Italia, de 1992 a 2005. SABS nos dio tanta alegría que, cuando ella murió en octubre de 2019 supe que tenía que seguir siendo miembro de la comunidad SABS. Estoy agradecido a Pilarmonics por su estímulo y apoyo.
Desde 2007 soy miembro de la Asociación de Vela Mar Menor y los registré como Asociación Española en la Región de Murcia. Como Comodoro 2011 – 12, aprobé su presupuesto y cuentas financieras y fui firmante bancario. En marzo de 2020 fui elegido como vicecomodoro y he supervisado la mejora de nuestra página web y la comunicación.
Mi carrera fue en la Royal Navy como ingeniero de aviación. Como Comandante, serví en comités militares/industriales internacionales como Presidente y Secretario. Mientras servía en la OTAN de Nápoles, mis trabajos en la “comunidad” fueron presidente de la Escuela Internacional y tesorero de la Tienda de las Fuerzas Británicas. Al jubilarme, fui director de proyectos de investigación y desarrollo de aeronaves y luego director de equipos aéreos con presupuesto y objetivos de ventas y marketing. Tengo 5 hijos y 11 nietos en Inglaterra y Queensland, Australia.

Nico de las Peñas has been singing in various choruses and vocal groups for more than 30 years. In April 1993, thanks to his friend and famous journalist Ramon Pi, he got to know the “Barbershop” singing and together with Jorge de las Peñas and Fernando García founded the quartet “Investigators” which is still active today. In more than 28 years they have poured all their energy trying to make the “Barbershop” style known in Spain, offering performances in important venues in Madrid, Barcelona, Oviedo, Alicante, Bilbao, or Murcia.
With the same idea, in 2008, they promoted the creation of SABS (Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers), bringing together numerous choruses and quartets from the Iberian Peninsula. Nico was its first president, a position he held for 4 years that were decisive in its consolidation in the world panorama of this genre: members of the WHC, affiliated to the BHS, “En Armonía” as its national and international convention, and having been represented in international events by several of its groups. In that sense, Nico participated in the Harmony College of BinG! (Germany, 2006), at the BHS International Convention (Philadelphia, 2010), or at the European Barbershop Convention (Netherlands, 2013). In 2012 SABS recognised Nico as an honorary member of the association.
Nico has two national gold medals with “Investigators” and another one in the choir category with “Barberidad”, a choir from Madrid, for whose creation he was also instrumental.
But without a doubt, what Nico would highlight as his greatest achievement is the great number of great friends and relationships he has generated around the practice of “Barbershop”, both international, such as the quartets “Crossroads”, “Vocal Spectrum”, “OC Times” or “Ringmasters”, as well as national: Quartet, choir and SABS colleagues, such as Ricardo Leal, Javi Vara, Lyn Baines, Gail Grainger, Juan de Dios, Isidro Anaya, the “Hanfris”, and in a very special way Angel Rodriguez, unconditional support and friendship for decades. This special twinning around music, and the desire and enthusiasm to share it with as many people as possible, is what will always keep Nico united to the association and the Barbershop world.

Nico de las Peñas ha cantado en diversas formaciones corales y grupos vocales desde hace más de 30 años. En abril de 1993, gracias a su amigo y famoso periodista Ramon Pi, conoció el “Barbershop” singing y junto a Jorge de las Peñas y Fernando García fundaron el cuarteto “Investigators” que hoy día sigue en activo. En sus más de 28 años han volcado toda su energía tratando para dar a conocer el estilo “Barbershop” en España, ofreciendo actuaciones en salas importantes de Madrid, Barcelona, Oviedo, Alicante, Bilbao, o Murcia.
Con esa misma idea, en 2008, impulsaron la creación de S.A.B.S. (Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers) sumando a numerosos coros y cuartetos de la península ibérica. Nico fue su primer presidente, cargo que mantuvo 4 años que fueron determinantes su consolidación en el panorama mundial este género: miembros del WHC, afiliada de la BHS, “En Armonía” como su convención nacional e internacional, y habiendo sido representada en eventos internacionales por varios de sus grupos. En ese sentido, Nico participó en el Harmony College de BinG! (Alemania, 2006), en la Convención Internacional BHS (Filadelfia, 2010), o en la European Barbershop Convention (Países Bajos, 2013). En el año 2012 SABS reconoció a Nico como miembro Honorífico de la asociación.
En el palmarés de premios, Nico cuenta con dos medallas de oro nacionales con “Investigators” y otra en la categoría de coros con “Barberidad”, coro de Madrid, para cuya creación fue también decisivo.
Pero sin lugar a dudas, lo que más destacaría Nico como su mayor logro es la gran cantidad de grandes amigos y relaciones que ha generado en torno a la práctica del “Barbershop”, tanto internacionales, como los cuartetos “Crossroads”, “Vocal Spectrum”, “OC Times” o “Ringmasters”, como nacionales: compañeros de cuarteto, coro y de SABS, como Ricardo Leal, Javi Vara, Lyn Baines, Gail Grainger, Juan de Dios, Isidro, los “Hanfris”, y de una manera muy especial Angel Rodriguez, incondicional apoyo y amistad desde hace décadas. Ese especial hermanamiento en torno a la música, y las ganas e ilusión de compartirlo con cuanta más gente sea posible, es lo que siempre mantendrá a Nico unido a la asociación y al mundo Barbershop.

Ángel Rodríguez – PRESIDENT

Hi everyone,

I believe in how wonderful it is to sing and, specifically, if it is done “a cappella” and within the world of barber music. Today’s society needs us and our activity to accompany the implementation of more diverse, more inclusive, more modern and more aesthetic social models.

I develop my career as a lyrical singer, and I have developed an intense choral activity, as a singer, trainer and director of various choirs: “Escolanía del Colegio Jesús Maestro” in Madrid, “Alterum Cor” in Valladolid, “Coro Divertimento” in Madrid, “ Coral Madrileña Ciudad Lineal ”.
In the field of “barber music” (Barbershop Style of Music) I have a long and successful career as founding member of the Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers (SABS) in 2008.
Founder and “lead” of the quartet “Aftershave Quartet”, with which I have been twice champion of Spain (2015 and 2017).
I am also conductor of the women’s choir “The Barbees” since 2010, with which we have been proclaimed champion of Spain on three occasions (2014, 2016 and 2018).
Founder and director of the male choir “Barberidad” from 2011 to 2015, with which we were proclaimed champion of Spain in 2012.
I am currently tenor of the National Choir of Spain.
I am also has a degree in Law from the Autonomous University of Madrid..

In Harmony
Ángel

¡Hola!

Mi nombre es Ángel Rodríguez Rivero y creo en lo maravilloso que es cantar y, en concreto, si se hace “a cappella” y dentro del mundo de la música de barbería. La sociedad actual necesita de nosotros y de nuestra actividad para acompañar la implantación de modelos sociales más diversos, más inclusivos, más modernos y más estéticos.

Soy cantante lírico y he desarrollado una intensa actividad coral, como cantante, formador y director de diversos coros:
“Escolanía del Colegio Jesús Maestro” de Madrid, “Alterum Cor” de Valladolid, “Coro Divertimento” de Madrid, “Coral Madrileña Ciudad Lineal”.
En el campo de la “música de barbería” (Barbershop Style of Music) tengo una dilatada y exitosa trayectoria y soy miembro fundador de la Asociación Española de Cantantes de Barbershop (SABS) en 2008.
Fundador y “lead” del cuarteto “Aftershave Quartet”, con el que he sido dos veces campeón de España (2015 y 2017).
Director del coro femenino “The Barbees” desde el año 2010, con el que nos hemos proclamado campeón de España en tres ocasiones (2014, 2016 y 2018).
Fundador y director del coro masculino “Barberidad” desde 2011 a 2015, con el que nos proclamamos campeón de España en 2012.
Soy actualmente tenor del Coro Nacional de España.
También soy licenciado en Derecho por la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.

En Armonia
Ángel

Rhiannon Owens-Hall

Attended Royal Academy of Music, London
1st subject studying cello
2nd Subjects conducting and voice
Several musical qualifications/degrees Royal Schools of Music
Has a Master of Education degree

Barbershop:​
• Spanning 47+ years
• MD:​ ​5 choruses, 2 female(LABBS), 3 male(BABS)
▪ 3 Gold, several silver/bronze medals (ladies)​
▪ Numerous silver/bronze medals (males)
• Quartets:​ 2 Gold medals and several silver/bronze
• Directing:​ 1st woman allowed to attend BHS Directors College/Harmony College

– Worked with Dr. Greg Lyne as his TA for Directing Technique classes
– Coached quartets as a coaching pod team member
– Established and led the 1st residential BABS Chorus Directors’ Workshop for 16 years
– Developed and ran the CDW Intensive for BABS after qualifying as a Lead Team member with BHS
– Continuing to write Directing and Music Team development plans and programmes for other European associations.
• Judging/Coaching
▪ Represented LABBS at the World Harmony Council ‘s (inaugural meeting establishing the “new” judging system/standard now operating worldwide.
▪ She established the new judging system within LABBS
▪ Educated in Europe, S. Africa, USA,
▪ Coached choruses and quartets in BABS, LABBS, IABS, BinG, HH
▪ Sat on official judging panel at BHS International competition and at the BHS MAD competition
▪ Currently is BABS Category Director for Singing
▪ Has attended recent BHS Category School
▪ Also a registered Singing judge for LABBS
▪ Only judge to have judged at LABBS 1st and 45th competition
▪ Is the only female member of BABS’s Hall of Fame

Non-barbershop:
• Spanning 50+ years
• Educator:
Schools:​​14 years HoD in Music in a 7 – 11 yrs school
2 years 11 -15 yrs school for 4 years
Higher Education​PL @ LJMU 15 years
Consultant/Evaluator/Assessor for OU and Cambridge Education 4 years
Session Lecturer @ Glyndwr Uni 12 years
• Director​Choral groups​​British Youth Choir Federation
Sing for Pleasure
Youth/Community Choirs
Amateur Operatic Societies
Rhiannon is very proud to be a very active part of the Music Team for The Collective Virtual Choir that Simon Lubkowski set up back in 2020. It continues to be a great privilege to be a part of his team.

Simon Lubkowski

Simon studied a degree in Contemporary Music, qualified as a Music Teacher, and has since worked as Music Teacher, Head of Music, Head of Performing Arts and Director of Music for the last 17 years. He is a Choral Director, Arranger, Composer, Performer, Guide Track creator and Singing Teacher in addition to his school teaching experience.

He has been involved in Barbershop since 2013, and in this relatively short time he has achieved an impressive list of achievements:

• 2 Golds, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medal as a singer with BABS Chorus Hallmark of Harmony (2013, 2014, 2016, 2018)

• 2018 BABS Quartet Champion with The Locksmiths (with a score of 80.9%), having achieved Silver in 2017 and Bronze in 2016

• Qualified as a BABS Singing Judge in March 2022

• Novice Quartet champion in 2014 with The Simpletones

• BABS “Barbershopper of the Year” in 2019 and finalist for the BHS “International Barbershopper of the Year” in 2019

• MD of Top BABS Chorus Tuxedo Junction – 2016 LABBS Most Entertaining Chorus and 7th placed BABS Men’s Chorus, Division 2 Winner in 2017 and Chorus record score of 74.2% in 2018, again placing 7th in the national Chorus contest

• Founder and MD of Mixed Chorus Lux A Cappella in 2019

• Worked as an educator for BABS Harmony College 2020 and 2021, leading the College Chorus

• Presented education sessions as part of BABS online learning sessions in 2021

Outside of Barbershop he is:

• The founder and Musical Director of the worldwide virtual choir “The Collective” which has had thousands of singers take part from over 60 countries in over 30 songs since the start of the Covid pandemic

• The Musical Director of “The Ratcliffe Chorale” in Leicestershire, UK

• The Founder and Musical Director of “The Knighton Community Choir” in Leicester, UK

• The Musical Director of the “Groby Sings!” Choir in Leicestershire, UK

• The Founder and Musical Director of the LGBT Centre Choir in Leicester, UK

Sarah Netherton

Began barbershop in 2006 singing in Chorus and Quartet.

Successfully completed Sweet Adelines Director Certification Program in 2010 and have Directed and co-Directed 2 Sweet Adelines Region 31 choruses achieving Division A Silver and Bronze, and also Harmony 500 Director award, and as a singing member achieving gold in the mixed Chorus contest.

Currently competing with Sweet Adelines International top 10 Quartet, Fortuity, who are also LABBS 2011 Quartet Champions, and Region 31 Sweet Adelines 2013 and 2018 Quartet Champions, and the Sweet Adelines International Novice Award winners for 2013.

Member of the Sweet Adelines Region 31 Faculty (for education) and LABBS Certified Singing Judge.