Youth in Harmony

Male, female, and mixed high school quartets in the Far Western District of the Barbershop Harmony Society are invited to compete in this year's High School Quartet Contest. The contest will be held in conjunction with the district’s divisional conventions – Northern CA, Southern CA, and Arizona – in the spring of each year. A cash prize will be awarded to the school that has the highest scoring quartet. Founded in 1991 by, and perpetuated in the memory of Lloyd Steinkamp, the Far Western District High School Quartet Contest continues to be fun-filled and exciting for all the participants.

Announcing the 31st Annual Far Western District

High School Barbershop Quartet Contests 2025

Dates and Locations

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CONTEST RULES:

  • The contests are open to male, female and mixed high school quartets in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona, and Southern Utah.
  • Each quartet member must be currently attending a high school.
  • Each quartet is to sing two barbershop songs in good taste in the contest.
  • All competing high school quartet members receive complimentary convention registrations*.
  • There is no fee to participate, but the students are responsible for their travel, lodging, and meal expenses. In some cases, quartets can obtain sponsorships from local chapters to help offset these costs.

* High school quartet members who are ALSO competing with a chorus or quartet in the regular BHS contest must purchase their convention registration at the COMPETITOR rate.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

  • You should arrive on Friday if at all possible, or early Saturday morning at the latest.
  • After the contest, you will have an opportunity to have a feedback session with some of the judges.
  • There will be a Pizza/Tag Party following the contest.
  • Results won’t be announced until after the final division contest (Phoenix, AZ)

WHAT TO DO:

  1. Ask your local barbershop chapter to help you with music and coaching.
  2. Fill out the form, or send an email to Antwun Pucket if you need help filling out the form.
  3. Make travel and hotel arrangements**.
  4. Practice, practice, practice.
  5. Get there and sing your heart out.

** For contest & hotel location information, please see the dates and locations links above.

We will take care of the complementary convention registrations for your quartet members and one music educator or chaperone and send you your tickets via email.