The Carolinas District of the Barbershop Harmony Society is pleased to invite you to its second annual College Challenge a cappella contest. The finals for this event will be held in Raleigh, NC, on Saturday, November 11, 2017.
What is the Collegiate Challenge? In a nutshell, it is an a cappella singing contest adjudicated by Barbershop Harmony Society judges.
Eligibility
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- College a cappella ensembles from universities, colleges, and community colleges located within the Carolinas District of the Barbershop Harmony Society. (The Carolinas District comprises both North and South Carolina and the area immediately surrounding Savannah, Georgia.)
- Ensembles in Georgia wishing to participate must have direct, defined connections to the Savannah Chapter of the Carolinas District.
Rules
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- Competing ensembles must have a minimum of 12 singers.
- The personnel can be all-male, all-female, or mixed.
- Auditions must be completed by October 14, 2017
- Live auditions are possible but must be coordinated well in advance.
- Video auditions are welcome.
- Private YouTube links are preferred
- No requirement that the audition be from a live performance
- Finalists will be notified by October 16, 2017.
- There is no limit to how many schools may apply but only the top three finalists will be invited to compete at the Festival on November 11.
- Repertoire must include
- Two contestable barbershop arrangements
- The Carolinas District will provide music to ensembles needing it
- One selection of the ensemble’s choosing — any a cappella genre is acceptable
- Two contestable barbershop arrangements
- All performances should be conducted in front of area mics or performed acoustically. There will not be an opportunity for individual handheld microphones to be utilized at the Festival.
- Competing ensembles must have a minimum of 12 singers.
Cost
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- NOTHING (well, almost nothing…)
- The Carolinas District will provide housing and meals for ensembles and their director to a maximum of 16 participants per finalist qualifying ensemble on the day of the event.
- The Carolinas District will also provide qualified arrangements and learning media for all entrants
- The only cost to ensembles making the finals will be transportation and food / lodging costs for ensembles exceeding 16 singers.
Why should we participate?
Deke Sharon calls barbershop harmony the “dark arts ninja magic” of a cappella. The techniques employed in barbershop singing are universally applicable to all styles of a cappella from madrigals to contemporary a cappella. As Deke put it “I’m not saying you have to learn Barbershop to be a great a cappella singer … but I am promising you if you do sing Barbershop, you’ll be better than if you don’t.” A Cappella luminaries like Avi Kaplan of Pentatonix got their start in barbershop ensembles. It is a global phenomenon with organizations and chapters all over the world. Barbershop has seen a recent surge of interest and is becoming one of the fastest growing segments of a cappella. This is an opportunity for young singers to experience the style first hand in a high quality and competitive environment. For some, it is an exposure that could last a lifetime.
Additionally, there is some financial incentive, and bragging rights, involved. The first place ensemble will receive $500, second place receives $300, and third place receives $200. Award plaques will also be presented to each finalist.
How to Enter
Fill out the attached entry form and submit it via email to Dr. William Adams — vp-youth@carolinasdistrict.org
We will then contact you and begin working with you to get you the repertoire and learning tracks you need and to even set up coaching sessions to help you prepare on the repertoire.
If you have any questions not answered in this notice feel free to call or email any of the committee members for the Collegiate Challenge:
Dr William Adams, VP Youth in Harmony and Outreach
919.451.8844 217.369.7391
vp-youth@carolinasdistrict.org
Rex Partlow, Collegiate Challenge Administrator
217.369.7391
Mark Stock, VP Music and Performance
910.420.2086
Robert Johns, Executive VP
828.396.1264
APPLICATION FORM