Earlier this summer, the Asheville, NC Chapter sent the Land of the Sky Chorus to represent the Carolinas District 2025 BHS International Chorus Contest in Denver! The 46 singers who took the stage on July 5th included first-year BHS members, seasoned barbershoppers, music educators, and first-time International attendees spanning more than 70 years in age.
After the competition, Asheville was thrilled to learn that Land of the Sky placed 21st in the world, earning 1,990 points (an 82.9 average) and arriving just 5 points shy of a tie for 20th! Additionally, data released after the end of the contest revealed that Land of the Sky had a larger ‘jump’ between their Qualifying Score and their Final Placement than any other ensemble that weekend, having been seeded 34th out of 39 based on contest scores from the Spring 2024 District Contest. Land of the Sky also broke the record for the highest score ever achieved by a Carolinas District chorus at an International event, surpassing the previous record of 82.7 set by Carolina Vocal Express in 2016.
Historic results aside, chorus members first and foremost were deeply honored to represent their community and the artistic vision they crafted together. Themed around “Women in Jazz,” their 2-song package featured in-house arrangements by chapter members Andy Reach and Ross Turman. It was shortly after arranging these two female-composed jazz charts for the chorus that Land of the Sky had to suspend rehearsals due to the arrival of Hurricane Helene in September of 2024. Eager to continue preparation, rehearsals resumed less than a month later and singers gathered around flashlights as electricity had not yet been fully restored in the Asheville area.
Musical Director Kati Swinney said that the contest results represented “an exciting rebirth for the chapter after rebuilding our community in the wake of Helene,” and that the scores were “an affirmation of our decision to be a community-oriented ensemble, rather than a more exclusive, competition-focused group.” Kati Swinney also expressed gratitude for “the wealth of music educators in our chorus, who offered their time and expertise to support the ensemble’s preparation.” One of these educators, middle school chorus teacher Brooke Reyes, made history herself as the first female Chapter President in Asheville’s 77-year barbershop legacy. Reflecting on the chorus’ results, Reyes said “we couldn’t have made any of this happen without our decision to go mixed after winning District in 2024. That change allowed me to join the chorus for the very first time after almost 5 years as a dues-paying member of the chapter, and it opened the door for so many talented singers and new Society members to join our amazing hobby.”
The Land of the Sky Chorus extends heartfelt thanks to the Carolinas District for their monetary support and the opportunity to represent North Carolina on the International stage. A special thanks to President Jeff Osborne for his personal engagement with and enthusiastic support of Land of the Sky Chorus in Denver, as well as to all those who contributed to the Chapter’s GoFundMe campaign which made it possible for many members to travel to Denver. Thank you!
