Rönninge Show, performing as reigning champions in 2014
LoveNotes quartet performing as reigning "queens of harmony" in 2014

The Sweet Adelines International Competitions are the annual global championships for women's barbershop harmony a cappella singing – in quartets and choruses – for members of Sweet Adelines International (SAI) and have been held annually between September and November since 1947.[1] They are now the largest women's singing competition in the world with over 8000 participants at the 2014 convention.[2] There are two competitions for choruses (the international championships and the "Harmony Classic" for smaller choruses), and two competitions for quartets (the international championships and the "Rising Star" for young singers). Currently, the first three of these competitions are held together and form the Sweet Adelines International Convention. Over the course of competition history, the most successful chorus has been Melodeers Chorus from Chicago with seven championship titles, and the most successful quartet singer was Connie Noble who won with four separate quartets. Lustre Quartet from Baltimore holds the record for highest quartet score, and Rönninge Show Chorus from Stockholm for highest ever chorus score.[3]

The women stand up, let their arms fall to their sides, and then Patsy reaches into her pocket and places a small pitch tuner to her mouth. A very impressive wall of sound emanates from the four women, who start singing "The Joint Is Jumping"... [They] explain that they're trying to raise money for their first trip to the Sweet Adelines Convention and Competition...the Sweet Adelines is an organisation for promoting women's barbershop singing groups that's been around since the 1940s. "Every year they have a big convention and competition somewhere. It's huge," Jane says. "We've been singing together for years, but we finally decided to take a shot at it."

Joseph Blum, Bedtime Stories: A Novel of Cinematic Wanderlust[4]

History

The first convention was held in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1947 for quartets – two years after the foundation of the first Sweet Adelines Inc. chapter in the city.[5][6] The competition was expanded to include choruses in 1973 and in 2000 the Harmony Classic competition for small and medium-sized choruses was introduced. Originally, Harmony Classic was held independently but since 2009 all three are now hosted together and run over the course of the convention week. A fourth event, the "Rising Star" competition, was introduced in 1999 for quartets whose members are 25 years old or younger. It was also held as part of convention from 2009 until 2012 but due to scheduling and cost constraints is now held independently again. Many non-competitive performances are also held during convention week, including by the previous year's chorus and quartet champions.

The convention is usually held in a city in the continental United States but has thrice been held internationally (England 1977, Canada 1962, 2007) and four times in Hawaii (1969, 1987, 2008, 2013). A "spectacular fifty-year anniversary celebration" was held in New Orleans during the 1995 convention[7][8] and the competition was to be held there a decade later in 2005, but was moved due to Hurricane Katrina.[9] From 2015 to 2017, the city of Las Vegas hosted the convention – the first time that the event has stayed in the same location for more than one year. The 2020 "75th Diamond Anniversary" convention is expected to be the first use of the newly renovated Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky[10] – expecting to draw 10,000 attendees.[11] Since 2004, the competition has been livestreamed over the internet as a popular donation-funded webcast, operated by an in-house media production team.[12][13]

In recent years, the formal events of convention week proceed as follows:[14]

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Harmony ClassicQuartet semi-finalsChorus semi-finalsQuartet FinalsChorus finals

Qualifying

The competitions held during international convention each have a different qualification processes:

Reigning chorus champions Scottsdale performing in 2011, wearing their 2010 championship medals

For choruses, the highest scoring chorus of each SAI regional competition qualifies directly for the following year's SAI international competition semi-final. For example, the winner of a regional competition in 2014 is granted entry as their region's representative to the 2015 competition. If that chorus cannot compete, the second-placed chorus is offered the place. There are 28 active regions numbered 1–35 (some have been merged with others over time) although a region is not obliged to hold a regional competition every year. A chorus may not compete in a regional competition in the year that they are also qualified to compete in the international competition. This rule ensures that one chorus does not monopolise their region's attendance to the international competition. In addition to the direct-qualifying places, since 2002 "wildcard" places are awarded to the highest-scoring second-placed choruses across all regional competitions making it possible for a region to have two representatives at internationals in one year. Initially four wildcard places were made available, subsequently increased to 10.[15] Wildcards ensures that a high scoring chorus is not unfairly excluded from international competition due to being in a highly competitive region.

Metro Nashville Chorus having just become the "Mid-Size Chorus" (Division AA) Harmony Classic champions in Houston, 2011

Qualification for the Harmony Classic competition happens as part of the regional chorus competition. The five highest-scoring small (division A, fewer than 30 singers) and midsize (division, AA 31–60 singers) choruses across all regional competitions qualify directly for the Harmony Classic of the following year. With five choruses in each of the two divisions (A & AA) a total of 10 choruses compete in this competition each year. Only one chorus from a region may compete in each of the divisions and a chorus may not compete in the same division again two years in a row. Furthermore, a chorus may not compete in both the main competition and also the Harmony Classic at the same year. A chorus may potentially qualify for both the main chorus competition and the Harmony Classic, but are only permitted to compete in one, thereby making a space available for the next highest qualifier to take their place at the other competition.[16]

Reigning quartet champions MAXX Factor performing in 2011, wearing their 2010 championship crowns. Note, past "queens" in the background with their own, different, crown styles

For quartets, qualification proceeds in much the same manner as for choruses – with regional winners and wildcard places. The regional qualification process happens in the same calendar year as the international competition (not the preceding year as is the case with choruses). Furthermore, quartets that obtain a ranking of 2nd to 15th place at the previous year's international competition are considered to have pre-qualified for the following international competition and are offered a direct place in the semi-final if they wish without the requirement to compete in their regional competition.[17] This means that the total number of competing quartets is higher than the chorus competition.

A chorus may win many international competitions or Harmony Classic competitions over the years, but may not compete at the international level two years in a row. In contrast, a quartet may compete at the international competition many times in succession, but must retire from all SAI quartet competitions if it wins, although the quartet may participate in a regional competition for evaluation. Quartets performing for evaluation receive a scoresheet with comments and grade, but are not awarded a score and are not eligible for awards.

There is no formal qualification process for the international Rising Star competition; rather, an eligible quartet registers their interest. A quartet may compete at the Rising Star competition several years in succession, provided all its members remain 25 years old or younger, but winning quartets may not compete in the Rising Star competition again.[18]

Scoring

Both choruses and quartets are judged according to four categories:[19]

  • Sound: judging mastery of vocal skills, tuning of chords, delivery of vowels with matched resonance, "Barbershop balance", vocal lines, artistry and finesse.
  • Music: judging creative arrangement of a barbershop style song, timing of chords, and execution of interpretive plan.
  • Expression: judging matched open vowels, diction, execution of interpretive plan, use of barbershop style and vocal drama, and emotional communication.
  • Visual Communication: judging command of the stage, theatrical skill and projection of character, audience captivation, performance energy, and the visual plan.

For all categories, judges are also scoring for whether "mastery of vocal skills [is] demonstrated" and whether the "performance transcends technique".

In scoring both the semi-final and the final, penalties may be applied for a variety of rules including time-limits, not singing competition-songs in American English, the use of musical instruments, singing religious or patriotic songs and "misconduct".[20]

In regional competitions, there is one round of competition and each category is scored by one judge. Therefore,:

Regional competition: 4 categories x 1 judge each x 2 songs, maximum 100 points per judge = maximum possible 800 points.

At International competition, the number of judges for each category is doubled (making eight judges in total). Consequently, the maximum possible score in each round of international competition is also doubled to 1600.

Until 1985, there were three rounds of competition for quartets (quarter-final for all qualifiers, semi-final for the top 20, and final for the top 10) and only one round of competition for choruses (the final). Therefore, the perfect score was 4800 for a quartet and 1600 for a chorus. From 1985 the two competitions' structures were standardised to the semi-final/final format (semi-final for all qualifiers, final for the top 5) This set the new perfect score for both choruses and quartets at 3200. Two years later in 1987, a maximum of 80 "bonus points" were added in the final round (10 per judge) for scoring the performance "package" in both the quartet and chorus competitions, raising the maximum score to 3280. Two years after that in 1989, the quartet competition re-introduced the quarter-final with a reduced score (20 per judge) but retaining the bonus points system in the final. This increased the quartet perfect score to 3440 while the chorus competition continued without change. In 1998 the two systems were standardised again with the quartet competition returning to the format introduced in 1987, but with the size of the final round for choruses and quartets doubled to 10 contestants. Following a further rule change, from the 2015 competition the "bonus points" were removed, reducing the perfect score back to the 1985 standard of 3200.[21]

Chorus and quartet competition scoring system changes
Era Round Choruses Quartets
Pre-1985 Quarter-final – 1600 (4 categories x 2 judges each x 2 songs, 100 points per judge)
Semi-final – 1600 (same process as QF)
Final 1600 (4 categories x 2 judges each x 2 songs, 100 points per judge) 1600 (same process as QF)
Perfect score 1600 4800 (combined total of QF, SF, and F rounds)
1985–1986 Semi-final 1600 (4 categories x 2 judges each x 2 songs, 100 points per judge)
Final 1680 (Same process as SF)
Perfect score 3200 (combined total of SF and F rounds)
1987–1988 Semi-final 1600 (4 categories x 2 judges each x 2 songs, 100 points per judge)
Final 1680 (Same process as SF + up to 10 "bonus" points for the package from each of the 8 judges)
Perfect score 3280 (combined total of SF and F rounds)
1989–1997 Quarter-final – 160 (4 categories x 2 judges each x 2 songs, 10 points per judge)
Semi-final 1600 (4 categories x 2 judges each x 2 songs, 100 points per judge)
Final 1680 (Same process as SF + up to 10 "bonus" points for the package from each of the 8 judges)
Perfect score 3280 (combined total of SF and F rounds) 3440 (combined total of QF, SF and F rounds)
1998–2014 Semi-final 1600 (4 categories x 2 judges each x 2 songs, 100 points per judge)
Final 1680 (Same process as SF + up to 10 "bonus" points for the package from each of the 8 judges)
Perfect score 3280 (combined total of SF and F rounds)
2015 onward Semi-final 1600 (4 categories x 2 judges each x 2 songs, 100 points per judge)
Final 1600 (4 categories x 2 judges each x [1 song + 1 performance package], 100 points per judge)
Perfect score 3200 (combined total of SF and F rounds)

In the regional and semi-final competitions, each contestant must perform two songs – normally an "up-tune" and a ballad – in the order of their choice. The combined times of both songs must be no longer than 7 minutes. In the final round of competition, choruses and quartets are allowed between 12 and 15 minutes to perform. Rather than a strict two-song performance, choruses must perform a "package" of approximately 4 songs with a narrative or theme tying the package together and spoken interludes (known as "emcee material"). In the chorus competition props, costume changes, medley/mashup choral arrangements, and elaborate (even gymnastic) choreography moves are also common. As a consolation prize, the 11th ranked chorus or quartet is invited to perform their own package at the beginning of the final round as the "mic[rophone] testers". As with the semi-finals, the final-round performance order of appearance is randomly allocated.

Within the finals package, from 1985 until 2014, quartets and choruses were still expected to perform two "competition songs" (one "up-tune" and one ballad) which would be scored in the same manner as the semi-finals as well as their package (which would attract potential "bonus points"). From 2015, quartets and choruses are only required to perform one formally judged competition song in the finals (their choice of either an "up-tune" or a ballad), with the remainder of the score judging their finals package as a whole.[21]

The score sheet itself contains lengthy hand written notes by each of the judges giving the contestant information on what the judges heard (and saw) to justify their score and also ways to improve. The visual layout of the scorecards have changed from year to year, but an example of how of a performer's semi-final scorecard from international competition appears is as follows (equally applicable to a chorus or quartet):

Example international semi-final scorecard
C # Contestant name and songs # Sound Music Expression Showmanship Pty Total Place
7 Example Chorus 73 Song 1 Song 2 Song 1 Song 2 Song 1 Song 2 Song 1 Song 2
"Song 1" Judge 1 77 75 152 76 78 154 78 79 157 75 77 152
"Song 2" Judge 2 76 78 154 78 78 156 78 80 158 76 78 154
306 310 315 306 0 1237 15

C# refers to "contestant number" i.e. the order of appearance.

# refers to "number [on stage]" i.e. the size of the chorus, relevant for calculating the "harmony achievement" award.

Pty refers to "penalty" i.e. the number of points deducted, if any.

Place refers to the ranking of the chorus compared to all other competitors' total scores.

Note that because the semi-final and final scores are cumulative, it can occur that the highest scoring chorus in the final does not win the championship because another chorus had a higher cumulative score. Semi-final scores are given to all choruses after the performance except for the top-10 choruses who qualified for the final competition. Their semi-final (and therefore the semi-final rankings) are kept secret until after the end of the competition.

Because of the complexity of the scoring system, to more easily group competitive performances score ranges are often referred to by a "performance level" – starting at the perfect score (represented by A+) and concluding at F. Due to the differing number of judges (and therefore differing scores) between regional and international competition the "level" system allows for easier comparison. These ranges are as follows:[19]

Performance level Score per category Regional score International score
A+ 188–200 752–800 1504–1600
A 172–187 688–751 1376–1503
A- 160–171 640–687 1280–1375
B+ 148–159 592–639 1184–1279
B 132–147 528–591 1056–1183
B- 120–131 480–527 960–1055
C+ 108–119 432–479 864–959
C 92–107 368–431 736–863
C- 80–91 320–367 640–735
D+ 68–79 272–319 544–639
D 52–69 208–271 416–543
D- 40–51 160–207 320–415
F 0–39 0–159 0–319

Awards

A collection of medals won at SAI regional chorus competitions. From left to right: "most improved" chorus, 2nd place "Division A", 5th place, and two "Champion" medals

The singers of the top-10 placed choruses and quartets in the main competitions are awarded medals with a designated color. They are designated the International Champion Chorus/Quartet for the next calendar year. As the current title holders, the winners are permitted to wear these medals around their neck on a ribbon of the same color until the following year's competition. At this point they must be removed from the colored ribbon. Longstanding members of Sweet Adelines International may end up earning many awards at both regional and international competitions. Customarily these are worn as a group in a manner similar to military service ribbons, often attached to the chest with a brooch-like clasp.

In addition, international quartet champions are awarded a tiara or crown each – every year of a different design – and are proclaimed "Queens of Harmony",[22][23] this title having been in use since at least 1960.[24] They are entitled to wear their crown at any future SAI event, even when they are not the current champions. However, they are not allowed to compete as that quartet again. The association of past quartet winners is known as the "Coronet Club".

Ribbon color
Competition 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Achievement
Chorus Finals[25] blue red white yellow green violet
Quartet Finals blue red white yellow green
Rising Star blue red white
Harmony Classic division A[26] deep purple medium purple pale purple
Harmony Classic division AA hot pink medium pink pale pink

In the chorus competition, in addition to the placings, the "Harmony Achievement award" has been presented since 1991. This recognises the chorus that achieved the highest score, despite having relatively fewer singers on stage. The formula for calculating the largest chorus eligible for the award is: "Total number of performers on stage at any time, including directors, divided by the number of contestants, multiplied by 80%".[27]

Certified directors of any chorus which attains more than 600 points at regional competition (or 1200 points at international, excluding bonus points) are entitled to be called a "master director" or, for those whose chorus achieves more than 700 (1400 at international), "master director 700".[28]

Chorus competition

Champions

Until 1984, there was only one round of competition; from 1985, there are two round which increases the total score. Equally, from 2015 no "bonus points" are awarded in the final round, reducing the total score. The % column accounts for this change in maximum score to allow for comparison between years with different scoring systems. The Harmony Achievement award was introduced in 1991.

The list of champion choruses and related information is as follows.[29][30][31][32][33][34] Note, some choruses have changed region in the years after their winning the competition. The region listed is the region that the chorus represented that year.

Year Competition location Champion Director Region Score % Second place Third place Harmony Achievement Competition summary
1973 Washington, D.C. Racine Jarmela Speta 22 1328 83.0% Dundalk Cedar Rhapsody[a] missing
1974 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Gem City Jean Pyles 4 1326 82.9% Scottsdale Mission Valley missing
1975 Seattle, Washington San Diego Marvin Yerkey 21 1249 78.1% St. Joseph[a] Dundalk missing
1976 Cincinnati, Ohio Mission Valley Gloria Sandstrom 12 1268 79.3% Seven Hills[a] Melodeers missing
1977 London, England Gem City Jean Barford 4 1359 84.9% Racine Scottsdale missing
1978 Los Angeles, California Island Hills Estelle Grau 15 1298 81.1% San Diego Verdugo Hills missing
1979 St. Louis, Missouri Ramapo Valley[a] Renee Craig 15 1254 78.4% St. Joseph[a] Scottsdale
1980 Atlanta, Georgia High Country Sylvia Alsbury 8 1395 87.2% Gem City Verdugo Hills missing
1981 Phoenix, Arizona Seven Hills[a] Tom Gentil 4 1244 77.8% Valley Forge Mission Viejo
1982 Minneapolis, Minnesota Gem City Jean Barford 4 1342 83.9% Ramapo Valley[a] Scottsdale
1983 Detroit, Michigan Valley Forge Jan Muck 15 1279 79.9% City of Lakes High Country
1984 Las Vegas, Nevada Scottsdale Bev Sellers 21 1309 81.8% Ramapo Valley[a] Lakeside[a]
1985[b] Kansas City, Missouri Gem City Jean Barford 4 2698 84.3% City of Lakes High Country
1986 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ramapo Valley[a] Renee Craig 15 2701 84.4% Vienna-Falls Greater Dallas[a]
1987 Honolulu, Hawaii High Country Sharon Babb

& Julie Haller

 8 2646 80.7% Scottsdale Rich-Tone
1988 Houston, Texas Vienna-Falls Betty Tracy 14 2675 81.6% Gem City Valley Forge
1989 Miami Beach, Florida Scottsdale Bev Sellers 21 2715 82.8% Rich-Tone City of Lakes
1990 Salt Lake City, Utah Ramapo Valley Renee Craig 15 2676 88.6% Seven Hills[a] Kansas City
1991 San Antonio, Texas Gem City Jean Barford 4 2679 81.6% San Diego Lakeside[a] Cedar Rhapsody[a]
1992 Baltimore, Maryland Rich-Tone Dale Syverson 25 2884 87.9% City of Lakes Melodeers Song of Atlanta
1993 Indianapolis, Indiana Toast of Tampa Show Randy Loos 9 2714 82.7% Kansas City Scottsdale Pearls of the Sound
1994 Reno, Nevada Melodeers Jim Arns 3 2834 86.4% Gem City Houston Horizon St. Joseph
1995 New Orleans, Louisiana Rich-Tone Dale Syverson 25 2809 85.6% Rönninge Show Scottsdale Perth Harmony
1996 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida North Metro June Dale 16 2822 86.0% Gem City Houston Horizon Midwest Crossroads
1997 Salt Lake City, Utah Melodeers Jim Arns 3 2833 86.4% San Diego Kansas City Georgia Harmony
1998 Nashville, Tennessee Rich-Tone Dale Syverson 25 2805 85.5% City of Lakes Scottsdale Lions Gate
1999 Atlanta, Georgia North Metro June Dale 16 2904 88.5% Sunlight San Diego Pride of Baltimore
2000 Orlando, Florida Melodeers Jim Arns 3 2931 89.4% Scottsdale Pacific Sound Top of the Rock
2001 Portland, Oregon San Diego Kim Hulbert 21 2907 88.6% Rich-Tone Pride of Baltimore Rönninge Show
2002 Nashville, Tennessee North Metro June Dale 16 2986 91.0% Gem City Scottsdale Ramapo Valley
2003 Phoenix, Arizona Melodeers Jim Arns 3 2969 90.5% Pride of Baltimore Rich-Tone Royal River
2004 Indianapolis, Indiana Harborlites Pam Pieson 21 2919 89.0% Skyline Gem City St. Louis Harmony
2005 Detroit, Michigan Scottsdale Lori Lyford 21 2899 88.4% Pride of Baltimore Kansas City Greater Nassau
2006 Las Vegas, Nevada Rich-Tone Dale Syverson 25 2942 89.7% Melodeers North Metro OK City
2007 Calgary, Alberta, Canada Harborlites Pam Pieson 21 2985 91.0% Pride of Baltimore Lions Gate Spirit of Detroit
2008 Honolulu, Hawaii Melodeers Jim Arns 3 3023 92.2% Scottsdale Skyline St. Louis Harmony
2009 Nashville, Tennessee Rich-Tone Dale Syverson 25 3054 93.1% Lions Gate Pride Of Kentucky Harbor City Music Company
2010 Seattle, Washington Scottsdale Lori Lyford 21 3077 93.8% Harborlites North Metro Stockholm City Voices
2011 Houston, Texas Melodeers Jim Arns 3 3091 94.2% Rönninge Show Lions Gate Harbor City Music Company
2012 Denver, Colorado North Metro June Dale 16 3058 93.2% Rich-Tone Harborlites Metro Nashville
2013 Honolulu, Hawaii Rönninge Show Anna Alvring

& Britt-Heléne Bonnedahl

 32 3138 95.7% Scottsdale Toast of Tampa Show Greater Nassau
2014 Baltimore, Maryland Melodeers Jim Arns 3 3129 95.4% Rich-Tone Harborlites Metro Nashville
2015[c] Las Vegas, Nevada Scottsdale Lori Lyford 21 3044 95.1% North Metro Toast of Tampa Show Stockholm City Voices
2016 Las Vegas, Nevada Rönninge Show Anna Alvring

& Britt-Heléne Bonnedahl

 32 3098 96.8% Rich-Tone Harborlites Metro Nashville
2017 Las Vegas, Nevada North Metro Erin Howden 16 2959 92.5% Lions Gate Melodeers Stockholm City Voices
2018 St. Louis, Missouri Scottsdale Lori Lyford 21 2982 93.2% Harborlites Rich-Tone Metro Nashville
2019 New Orleans, Louisiana Rönninge Show Anna Alvring

& Britt-Heléne Bonnedahl

 32 3061 95.7% Lion's Gate Melodeers Stockholm City Voices
2020–

2021

 No contest due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Phoenix, Arizona Rich-Tone 2929 91.5% Skyline Song of Atlanta
2023 Louisville, Kentucky Lions Gate Sandy Marron 26 3019 94.3% Scottsdale Harbor City Music Company

a Chorus is now defunct, has merged with another chorus, or has changed name.

b Until 1985, only round of competition was held. As a result, the grand-total score of the winner for earlier years is lower than competitions from 1985-onwards where two rounds of scores (semi-final and final) make up the grand total. For full details of scoring changes see the scoring section above. Direct comparisons of scores in different eras are possible using the % column.

c Until 2015, 10 bonus points were available in the final round per-song per-judge (80 points in total). Removing these reduced the possible grand total from 3280 to 3200. Direct comparisons of scores in different eras are possible using the % column.

Results by year

Chorus competition
1970s Washington D.C. 1973 • Milwaukee 1974 • Seattle 1975 • Cincinnati 1976 • London 1977 • Los Angeles 1978 • St. Louis 1979
1980s Atlanta 1980 • Phoenix 1981 • Minneapolis 1982 • Detroit 1983 • Las Vegas 1984 • Kansas City 1985 • Philadelphia 1986 • Honolulu 1987 • Houston 1988 • Miami Beach 1989
1990s Salt Lake City 1990 • San Antonio 1991 • Baltimore 1992 • Indianapolis 1993 • Reno 1994 • New Orleans 1995 • Fort Lauderdale 1996 • Salt Lake City 1997 • Nashville 1998 • Atlanta 1999
2000s Orlando 2000 • Portland 2001 • Nashville 2002 • Phoenix 2003 • Indianapolis 2004 • Detroit 2005 • Las Vegas 2006 • Calgary 2007 • Honolulu 2008 • Nashville 2009
2010s Seattle 2010 • Houston 2011 • Denver 2012 • Honolulu 2013 • Baltimore 2014 • Las Vegas 2015 • Las Vegas 2016 • Las Vegas 2017 • St. Louis 2018 • New Orleans 2019
2020s Not held 2020–2021 • Phoenix 2022 • Louisville 2023 • Kansas City 2024

Chorus records

Most successful choruses

The most successful choruses over time as of 2018, are as follows. Choruses are ranked according to the gold first system but can be sorted to rank according to total number of top-three appearances. Some choruses have changed region over time, the chorus's current region is listed here.

Chorus Region Website Bio Champion Second place Third place Total top-three
Melodeers 3 7 (1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2014) 1 (2006) 3 (1976, 1992, 2017) 11
Scottsdale 21 6 (1984, 1989, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2018) 4 (1974, 1987, 2000, 2013) 8 (1977, 1979, 1982, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2008) 18
Rich-Tone 25 5 (1992, 1995, 1998, 2006, 2009) 5 (1989, 2001, 2012, 2014, 2016) 3 (1987, 2003, 2018) 13
Gem City 4 5 (1974, 1977, 1982, 1985, 1991) 5 (1980, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996) 1 (2004) 11
North Metro 16 5 (1996, 1999, 2002, 2012, 2017) 2 (2008, 2015) 2 (2006, 2010) 9
Ramapo Valley[a] 15 – 3 (1979, 1986, 1990) 2 (1982, 1984) – 5
Rönninge Show 32 3 (2013, 2016, 2019) 2 (1995, 2011) – 5
San Diego 21 2 (1975, 2001) 3 (1978, 1991, 1997) 1 (1999) 6
Harborlites 21 2 (2004, 2007) 2 (2010, 2018) 3 (2012, 2014, 2016) 7
High Country 8 – 2 (1980, 1987) – 2 (1983, 1985) 4
Lions Gate 26 1 (2023) 2 (2009, 2017) 2 (2007, 2011) 5
Seven Hills[a] 4 – 1 (1981) 2 (1976, 1990) – 3
Valley Forge 15 1 (1983) 1 (1981) 1 (1988) 3
Racine 3 1 (1973) 1 (1977) – 2
Vienna-Falls 14 1 (1988) 1 (1986) – 2
Mission Valley 12 1 (1976) – 1 (1974) 2
Toast of Tampa Show 9 1 (1993) – 2 (2013, 2015) 3
Island Hills 15 1 (1978) – – 1
City of Lakes 6 – 3 (1983, 1985, 1992) 1 (1989) 4
Pride of Baltimore 19 – 3 (2003, 2005, 2007) 1 (2001) 4
Kansas City 5 – 1 (1993) 3 (1990, 1997, 2005) 4
Dundalk 19 – 1 (1973) 1 (1975) 2
Skyline 8 – 1 (2004) – 1
St Joseph Show[a] 5 – 2 (1975, 1979) – 2
Sunlight 32 – 1 (1999) – 1
Houston Horizon 10 – – 2 (1994, 1996) 2
Lakeside[a] 13 – – 2 (1984, 1991) 2
Verdugo Hills 11 – – 2 (1978, 1980) 2
Cedar Rhapsody[a] 5 – – 1 (1973) 1
Greater Dallas[a] 10 – – 1 (1986) 1
Mission Viejo 21 – – 1 (1981) 1
Pacific Sound 13 – – – 1 (2000) 1
Pride of Kentucky 4 – – 1 (2009) 1

Highest ever regional scores

The highest 30 scores ever achieved at any regional competition as of 2018 regional competitions, are as follows.[35]

Rank Score Chorus Region Year Competition summary
1 759 Melodeers 3 2016
2 755 Rönninge Show 32 2018
3 751 Melodeers 3 2010
North Metro 16 2014
Toast of Tampa Show 9 2014
6 749 Rönninge Show 32 2012
7 748 Melodeers 3 2013
Rich-Tone 25 2013
9 744 Rönninge Show 32 2015
Scottsdale 21 2017
11 741 Melodeers 3 2007
Rich-Tone 25 2011
13 736 Harborlites 21 2009
Scottsdale 21 2012
15 737 Harbor City Music Company 19 2018
16 732 Scottsdale 21 2014
Scioto Valley 4 2016
18 731 North Metro 16 2007
Haborlites 21 2017
20 729 Haborlites 21 2006
21 728 North Metro 16 2001
22 727 North Metro 16 2016
23 726 Rich-Tone 25 2015
Toast of Tampa Show 9 2016
25 725 Pride of Baltimore 19 2006
Rich-Tone 25 2008
27 724 Scottsdale 21 2007
Skyline 8 2017
29 723 North Metro 1 2009
30 721 Pride of Portland 13 2015

Highest regional score by region

The highest score ever achieved in each individual region's competition as of 2018, are as follows:[35]

Region[36] Score Chorus Year Competition summary
1 689 Coastline 2008
2 677 Motor City Blend 2017
3 759 Melodeers 2016
4 732 Scioto Valley 2016
5 660 River Blenders 2003
6 710 City of Lakes 2017
7 678 Kansas City 2004
8 724 Skyline 2017
9 751 Toast of Tampa Show 2014
10 687 The Woodlands Show 2017
11 657 ChannelAire 2009
12 667 Bay Area Showcase 2016
13 721 Pride of Portland 2015
14 686 Song of Atlanta 2017
15 710 Greater Nassau 2014
16 751 North Metro 2014
17 661 Pride of Toledo 2000
19 737 Harbor City Music Company 2018
21 744 Scottsdale 2017
22 640 River City Sound 2013
23 708 Song of Atlanta 2011
24 701 Pride of Portland 2013
25 748 Rich-Tone 2013
26 716 Lions Gate 2018
30 no competition held
31 694 Forth Valley 2016
32 755 Rönninge Show 2018
34 662 Endeavour Harmony 2014
35 685 Christchurch 2015

Harmony Classic

Champions

Before 2009 the Harmony Classic competition was hosted independently from the other SAI competitions, but since 2009 it has been held in parallel, and at the same location.

Eligibility for Division AA (medium) is for choruses with between 31 and 60 singers on stage, while Division A (small) is for those with between 15 and 30 singers.[25] The list of Harmony Classic competition winners is as follows:[37][38]

Year Competition location Division AA champion Region Score Competition summary Division A champion Region Score Competition summary
2000 San Antonio, Texas Royal River 1 1275 Prairie Echoes 3 1274
2001 San Antonio, Texas Jacksonville Harmony 9 1305 Pearls of the Sound 32 1237
2002 Greenville, South Carolina Royal River 1 1276 Prairie Echoes 3 1264
2003 Greenville, South Carolina Valley Forge 15 1284 Millennium Magic 1 1169
2004 Greenville, South Carolina Columbus 4 1235 Queen City Sound 25 1206
2005 Greenville, South Carolina Scioto Valley 4 1262 Women of Note 14 1204
2006 San Antonio, Texas Harbor City Music Company 19 1310 Metro Nashville 4 1289
2007 San Antonio, Texas Waikato Rivertones 35 1312 Alba Show 32 1293
2008 San Antonio, Texas Metro Nashville 4 1303 Stockholm City Voices 32 1328
2009 Nashville, Tennessee Scioto Valley 4 1350 Millennium Magic 1 1268
2010 Seattle, Washington Harbor City Music Company 19 1344 Queen City Sound 25 1189
2011 Houston, Texas Metro Nashville 4 1325 Alba Show 32 1337
2012 Denver, Colorado Westcoast Harmony 26 1319 Carolina Harmony 14 1228
2013 Honolulu, Hawaii Rhythm of the Rockies 26 1381 Pearls of the Sound 32 1303
2014 Baltimore, Maryland City of Gardens 26 1238 Springfield Metro Chorus 25 1274
2015 Las Vegas, Nevada River Blenders 5 1250 Carolina Harmony 14 1231
2016 Las Vegas, Nevada Pearls of the Sound 32 1399 Carpe Diem 11 1296
2017 Las Vegas, Nevada Brindabella 34 1267 Malmö Limelight 32 1284 v
2018 St. Louis, Missouri Wellington City 35 1229 Sirens of Gotham 15 1232
2019 New Orleans, Louisiana Diablo Vista 12 1311 Millennium Magic 1 1271
2020–

2021

 No contest due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Phoenix, Arizona OK City 1314 Carolina Harmony 1148
2023 Louisville, Kentucky Melodeers Brindabella

Results by year

Harmony Classic competition
2000s San Antonio 2000 • San Antonio 2001 • San Antonio 2002 • Greenville 2003 • Greenville 2004 • Greenville 2005 • Greenville 2006 • San Antonio 2007 • San Antonio 2008 • Nashville 2009
2010s Seattle 2010 • Houston 2011 • Denver 2012 • Honolulu 2013 • Baltimore 2014 • Las Vegas 2015 • Las Vegas 2016 • Las Vegas 2017  • St. Louis 2018  • New Orleans 2019 •
2020s Not held 2020–2021 • Phoenix 2022 • Louisville 2023 • Kansas City 2024

Quartet competition

Champions

From the competition's inception to the 1992 edition, the winning quartet was named champion of the year that they competed in. From the 1993 competition onwards the designation was changed to the following year – the one in which they primarily held their position. Thus, the winners of the competition held in November 2014 (Bling! quartet) were proclaimed the "2015 queens of harmony".[39]

As with the Chorus competition, all competitors compete in the "semi-final" round from which the top 10 compete a few days later in the final round. The scores for the top 10 are added together to make the grand total which determines the winner. Until 1984 all competitors began at the "quarter-final" stage, the top 20 progress to the semi-final, and the top 10 progressing to the final. From 1985 this three-level system was dropped back to simply semi-final and final. However, because the earlier winners competed in three rounds, their grand total scores are correspondingly larger. The % column accounts for this change in maximum score to allow for comparison between years with different scoring systems.

The international champion quartet, performers names, and score for each year of competition are as follows.[39][40][41][33][34]

Replacement quartet members must participate with a quartet for at least three years. They may earn a gold medal after that time if the quartet makes the request on her behalf for one and the Coronet Club and International Board approve it."[42] The replaced quartet member is marked with an asterisk *

Note, some sources differ as to the inclusion of the definite article in many of the earlier quartets' names.

Year Location Champion Score % Bio Members Second place Third place Competition summary
1947 Tulsa, Oklahoma The Decaturettes Vi Phillips, Mary Minton, Myrtle Vest, Eva Adams The Johnson Sisters Keystone Barberettes missing
1948 Topeka, Kansas The Johnson Sisters Ruby Johnson, Irene Bergman, Stella Berg, Harriet St. Leger Floradora Girls Harmony Honeys missing
1949 St. Louis, Missouri The Tune Twisters Pearl Borg, Sue Pranno, Nancy Konsbruck, Marian Moore Treble Tones Gibson Girls missing
1950 Chicago, Illinois The Harmony Belles Dixie Rae Chapman, Betty Robinson, Jeanette McLaughlin*, Harriet Fizone, Shirley Rice[replacement] Treble Tones Minorettes missing
1951 Santa Monica, California The Quarternotes Virginia Clausen, Phyllis Odders, Lois Dominick*, Jewel King, Kaye Poulsen Jensen[replacement] Rhythm Wrens Denim Four missing
1952 St. Petersburg, Florida The Pitch Pipers Betty Oliver, Jo Ligtvoet, Jane Linden Aman, Mary Ann Oller Hi-Lites Pearly 'Gators missing
1953 Milwaukee, Wisconsin The Big Four Lucille Bradley*, Inez "Junior" Thompson, Sarah LeMaster, Bertha Bradley, Mary Waters[replacement] The Mississippi Misses Decker Sisters missing
1954 Buffalo, New York The Mississippi Misses Nancy Bergman, Darlene Kraus, Marcy Paul, Rose Rump The Nota-Belles Tru-Shades missing
1955 Grand Rapids, Michigan The Nota-Belles Jarmela Speta, Ruth Geils, Jan Kastens, Phyllis Haeger The Junior Misses Cracker Jills missing
1956 Wichita, Kansas The Junior Misses Sue Lucas, Katie Durbin, Helen Peters, Chris Hohe Cracker Jills Dotted Quarters missing
1957 Miami Beach, Florida Cracker Jills Bobbie Bostick, Renee Craig, Judy Rowell, Jan Saundry Northwest Hi-Flyers The Sweet And Lows missing
1958 Peoria, Illinois The Sweet And Lows Florence Anderson, Joyce Cunningham, Mary Gilbert, Delores Godwin Pleasantaires The Caper Cutters missing
1959 Tucson, Arizona The Yankee Misses Sue Arabian, Marilyn Conlan, Alice Kennedy, Marcia Major Pleasantaires Nightingals missing
1960 Detroit, Michigan The Gibson Girls Irene Blazed*, Gladys Carlysle, Naomi Haberlein, Anne McKay, Joyce Rankin[replacement] Nightingals Happy Harmonizers missing
1961 Colorado Springs, Colorado The Lyrics Liz Speer, Lorene Roberts, Diane Pauley*, Sue McCoy, Marge Axelson[replacement] Nightingals The Sea-Adelines missing
1962 Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Sea-Adelines Shirley Humann, Jamel Barden, Katie Schwarzhans, Zoe Thompson The Heathertones Related Four missing
1963 Berkeley, California The Heathertones Lorida Harvey, Betty Pettibon, Norma Jones, Bette Carothers The Piper-Ettes The Aqua-Tones missing
1964 Minneapolis, Minnesota The Note-Cracker Sweets Mary Ellen Erickson, Mary Lois Dick, Beverly Schroeder, Nancy Paul Related Four The Shalimars missing
1965 Denver, Colorado The Shalimars Ruby Rhea, Patti Staffen, Anita Gohl*, Jan Wyckoff, Ferne Hogan[replacement] The Aqua-Tones Chi-Larks missing
1966 Houston, Texas The Piper-Ettes Carolyn Sexton, Ruth Doll, Kitty Bawtenheimer, Carol Simons Chi-Larks Embers missing
1967 New York, New York The Hurricane Honeys Nancy Calay*, Iris Cokeroft, Ruth Ann Parker, Marge Grau, Toni Miller[replacement] Chi-Larks Embers missing
1968 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma The Galatones Margaret DeJaynes, Jean Shook, Sharri Mertens, Anna Lee Scott*, Lynn Ellsworth[replacement] The Rarities After-Five 4 missing
1969 Honolulu, Hawaii The Metropolitans Marie Disher, Hilma Mortell,* Pat Gibson James, Mona Warren, Lori Fodor Reiner[replacement] The Rarities Embers missing
1970 Boston, Massachusetts The Rarities Jarmela Speta, Connie Milestone, Chris Huebschen, Carol Schoenning Embers Bron's Tones missing
1971 Kansas City, Missouri Bron's Tones Judy Wallis, Portia Little, Betty Meinholz, Bron Dixon Embers Debutones missing
1972 Salt Lake City, Utah The 4th Edition Connie Noble, Lee Davison, Jacquelyn Belshaw,* Sally Whitledge, Nancy Belle[replacement] Embers The Tiffanys missing
1973 Washington, D.C. The Tiffanys Jane Coleman, Joan Melling, Dale Syverson, Louise Masla Priorities Double Image missing
1974 Milwaukee, Wisconsin The Sounds Of Music Jean Barford, Gloria Laquaglia, Edie Moorehead, Judy St. John Double Image Latest News missing
1975 Seattle, Washington The Front Office Four Dixie Dahlke, Carol Nash, Chari Pernert, Vicki Gibson Chansonniers The Tetrachords missing
1976 Cincinnati, Ohio High Society Bette Gorton*, Kim Bone, Sandy Shelver, Pat Vozza, Connie Noble[replacement] Chansonniers Star Spangled Sound missing
1977 London, England The Shondells Melodee Wright, Virginia Fitzpatrick, Theresa Reed, Donna Graham The Hallmarks Sun Lasses missing
1978 Los Angeles, California The Tetrachords Terry D'Amato, Patti Frei, Sandi Wright, Nancee Reinhold The Hallmarks S. Van Ander Mac Singers missing
1979 St. Louis, Missouri The Hallmarks 3799 79.15% JoAnn Karaff, Liz Robertson, Helen Shores, Jackie Harrison All-Star Jubilee Midnight Music Co.
1980 Atlanta, Georgia Penna-Fores 3634 75.71% Linda Showers, Shirleyann Quigg, Roberta Combs, Betty Clipman All-Star Jubilee Midnight Music Co.
1981 Phoenix, Arizona All-Star Jubilee 3910 81.46% Susie Russell, Julie Fernstrum, Judy Gordon, Linda Johnson Melo-Edge Music Gallery
1982 Minneapolis, Minnesota Music Gallery 3892 81.08% Julie Whelan, Julie Moser Bergman, Lou Ann Dykstra, Marcia Starnes Melo-Edge Jubilation
1983 Detroit, Michigan Melo-Edge 3823 79.65% Donna Bates, Maureen Brzinski, Debra Peters, Janell Paviolitis Jubilation 4 For The Show
1984 Las Vegas, Nevada 4 For The Show 3821 79.60% Joni Bescos, Robin Beers, Sally Briner, Susan Minsker Jubilation Top Priority
1985[a] Kansas City, Missouri Jubilation 2515 78.59% Sharon Alterman, Carol Ann Bagley, Karen Breidert, Pat Rotunno Top Priority Sound Celebration
1986 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ambiance 2594 81.06% Shelly Sweet-Rubenic, Elizabeth Hardcastle, Sandi Wright, Diane Huber Starshine Ginger 'N' Jazz
1987[a] Honolulu, Hawaii Ginger 'N'Jazz 2551 77.77% Patty Friedemann, Debbie Hogan, Sally Beck, Judy Clancy*, Peggy Barnes[replacement] Savvy Showtime
1988 Houston, Texas Savvy 2619 79.85% Connie Noble, Kim Hulbert, Sandy Trombly, Tippi Sanders Cross-Town Celebration Showtime
1989[a] Miami Beach, Florida Growing Girls 2786 80.99%[b] Malin Palmqvist, Suzanne Harrington, Anna Ohman, Naima Meyer Cross-Town Celebration Panache
1990 Salt Lake City, Utah Panache 2810 81.69%[b] Gerry Papageorge, Pam Pieson, Sally Briner, Bonnie McKibben Swing Street Showcase
1991 San Antonio, Texas Swing Street 2763 80.32%[b] Sylvia Karpinsky, LeAnn Hazlett, Sue Snow, Sharon Cassell Showtime City Lights
1992 Baltimore, Maryland City Lights 2841 82.59%[b] Nancy Cloeter, Jo Lund, Sharon Vitkovsky, Jeannie Froelich Showtime Blue Razzberry Rhythm
1993[c] Indianapolis, Indiana Showtime 2832 82.33%[b] Gina Ogden*, Debbie Connelly, Cindy LeMasters, Dana Hitt, Donna Vollertson[replacement] Chicago Fire Blue Razzberry Rhythm
1994 Reno, Nevada Chicago Fire 2812 81.74%[b] Amy Brinkman, Dani Prigge, Bon Pressley, Bonnie Fedyski Weekend Edition 4-Star Collection
1995 New Orleans, Louisiana Weekend Edition 2810 81.69%[b] Penny Mensik, Susan Martin, Donna Kleinschmidt, Nancy Shumard 4-Star Collection Rumors
1996 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 4-Star Collection 2927 85.09%[b] Connie Miller, Pat Rygg, Denise Baber, Marcia Starnes Classic Edition Rumors
1997 Salt Lake City, Utah Classic Edition 2784 80.93%[b] Jana Brown, Susan Ives, Sheila Martinez, Donna Kready Rumors Night Magic
1998[a] Nashville, Tennessee Rumors 2799 85.34% Charla Esser, Judy Baxter, Dale Syverson, Peggy Gram Signature Sound Swinglish Mix
1999 Atlanta, Georgia Signature Sound 2758 84.09% Christine Cook, Leslie Taylor, Janet Ashford, Lloyd-Ellen Thomas Swinglish Mix a cappella Gold
2000 Orlando, Florida a cappella Gold 2753 83.93% Bette Gorton, Kim Vaughn, Tomi McEvoy, Susan Lamb Kegley Swinglish Mix Night Magic
2001 Portland, Oregon Fanatix 2699 82.29% Connie Noble, Darcy Newell, Sandy Shelver, Gerry Papageorge*, Bonnie Fedyski[replacement] Brava! Swinglish Mix
2002 Nashville, Tennessee Swinglish Mix 2726 83.11% Eleanor Hawkins, Suzanne Harrington, Patty Hawley Pennycook, Naima Meyer Brava! Spotlight
2003 Phoenix, Arizona Brava! 2654 80.91% Sandy Robinson Marron, Lynn Gerard, Elaine Cotton, Shannon Harris Spotlight SALT
2004 Indianapolis, Indiana The BUZZ 2796 85.24% Nancy Cloeter, Debbie Cleveland, Karen Breidert, Jeannie Froelich Razzcals SALT
2005 Detroit, Michigan Spotlight 2810 85.67% Kendra LaPointe, LeAnn Hazlett, Kerry Denino, Patti Britz SALT Four Bettys
2006 Las Vegas, Nevada SALT 2820 85.98% Anna Ohman, Annika Andersson, Anna-Stina Gerdin*, Susanna Berndts, Karin Sjoblom[replacement] Four Bettys Razzcals
2007 Calgary, Alberta, Canada Four Bettys 2736 83.41% Joan Boutilier, Lynda Keever, Heather Mears Brooks, Cori Albrecht Jackpot! Razzcals
2008 Honolulu, Hawaii Moxie Ladies 2754 83.96% Stacey St. John, Jennifer Edwards, Amy Leacock, Gretchen Holloway Jackpot! Razzcals
2009 Nashville, Tennessee Zing! 2821 86.01% Michelle Hunget, Susan Ives, Mary Rhea, Melynnie Williams Jackpot! MAXX Factor
2010 Seattle, Washington MAXX Factor 2893 88.20% Molly Dalton Plummer, Leslie Wodday, Kim Hudson*, Valerie Hadfield-Rasnake, Dawn Adams Clifford[replacement] Journey Capri
2011 Houston, Texas Martini 2863 87.29% Corinna Garriock, Michelle Shoemaker, DeAnne Haugen, Shannon Harris Touché a.k.a.
2012 Denver, Colorado Touché 2830 86.28% Patty Cobb-Baker, Gina Baker, Kim McCormick, Jan Anton Bling! LoveNotes
2013 Honolulu, Hawaii LoveNotes[e] 2871 87.53% Brittany Gilmore, Mia Dessenberger, Stephanie Lawson, Caitlin Smith Bling! a.k.a.
2014 Baltimore, Maryland Bling! 2817 85.88% Dayve Gabbard, Angie Love-Callahan, Kim Griffin, Deanna Kastler Speed of Sound Finesse
2015[d] Las Vegas, Nevada Speed of Sound 2822 88.19% Debbie Landers, Ashley Wright, Carter Maysilles, Peggy Jones*, Kim McCormick[replacement] Frenzy Lustre
2016 Las Vegas, Nevada Frenzy 2799 84.47% Melissa Pope, Nikki Blackmer, Anne Marteniuk, Judy Pozsgay Windsor Lustre
2017 Las Vegas, Nevada Lustre 2935 91.71% Kate Morrical, Lori Crouter, Lori Dreyer, Jenny Harris ClassRing Windsor
2018 St. Louis, Missouri ClassRing 2769 86.53% Mary Duncan, Heather Havens, Hailey Parks, Michaela Slamka-Johnston Viva! TITANIUM
2019 New Orleans, Louisiana Viva! 2862 89.44% Patty Cobb Baker, Gina Baker, Chris DeRosa, Peggy Jones TITANIUM GQ
2020–

2021

 No contest due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Phoenix, Arizona The Ladies 2876 89.88% Quincie Snook, Caroline Hunt, Kim Newcomb, Ashley Rohovit TITANIUM Lady A Cappella
2023 Louisville, Kentucky Lady A Cappella

a Until 1985 a quarter-final round was held as well as a semi-final and final. The winner's scores for these three rounds were added together, making for a higher grand total than later years when only two rounds of scores (semi-final and final) make up the grand total. In 1987 "bonus points" were introduced in the final round. From 1989 to 1997 the quarter-final was reintroduced at a lower score value. For full details of scoring changes see the scoring section above. Direct comparisons of scores in different eras are possible using the % column.

b From 1989 to 1997 the official scoresheet includes bonus points in the final and grand total but does not account for them in the official %. The % marked here does account for the bonus points for the sake of consistency.

c From 1993 onwards the Queens' official year designation was changed to reflect the year following their win rather than the year in which the competition was held.[39]

d Until 2015 bonus points were available in the final round. Removing these reduced the possible grand total. Direct comparisons of scores in different eras are possible using the % column.

e UnderAge, the 2005 winners of the Rising Star competition, won the 2013 international quartet competition performing as LoveNotes.

Results by year

Quartet competition results
1940s Tulsa 1947 • Topeka 1948 • St. Louis 1949
1950s Chicago 1950 • Santa Monica 1951 • St. Petersburg 1952 • Milwaukee 1953 • Buffalo, N.Y. 1954 • Grand Rapids 1955 • Wichita 1956 • Miami Beach 1957 • Peoria 1958 • Tucson 1959
1960s Detroit 1960 • Colorado Springs 1961 • Toronto 1962 • Berkeley 1963 • Minneapolis 1964 • Denver 1965 • Houston 1966 • New York 1967 • Oklahoma City 1968 • Honolulu 1969
1970s Boston 1970 • Kansas City 1971 • Salt Lake City 1972 • Washington D.C. 1973 • Milwaukee 1974 • Seattle 1975 • Cincinnati 1976 • London 1977 • Los Angeles 1978 • St. Louis 1979
1980s Atlanta 1980 • Phoenix 1981 • Minneapolis 1982 • Detroit 1983 • Las Vegas 1984 • Kansas City 1985 • Philadelphia 1986 • Honolulu 1987 • Houston 1988 • Miami Beach 1989
1990s Salt Lake City 1990 • San Antonio 1991 • Baltimore 1992 • Indianapolis 1993 • Reno 1994 • New Orleans 1995 • Fort Lauderdale 1996 • Salt Lake City 1997 • Nashville 1998 • Atlanta 1999
2000s Orlando 2000 • Portland 2001 • Nashville 2002 • Phoenix 2003 • Indianapolis 2004 • Detroit 2005 • Las Vegas 2006 • Calgary 2007 • Honolulu 2008 • Nashville 2009
2010s Seattle 2010 • Houston 2011 • Denver 2012 • Honolulu 2013 • Baltimore 2014 • Las Vegas 2015 • Las Vegas 2016 • Las Vegas 2017  • St. Louis 2018  • New Orleans 2019
2020s Not held 2020–2021 • Phoenix 2022 • Louisville 2023 • Kansas City 2024

Quartet records

Most international championships

Although a quartet is not allowed to win more than one international competition, individuals from winning quartets are permitted to join a new quartet and compete again. As of 2016, 21 people have won "dual crowns" by singing in two champion quartets, one person has won three crowns, and one person has won four times.[42][34] Several winners have changed their surname by marriage in between wins; this table lists their current name followed by the name(s) they had in their championship year (in brackets). The "international champions" table, above, lists the competitor's name at that time.

Number Name Part Quartet (year)
4 Connie Noble Tenor
  • The 4th edition (1972)
  • Savvy (1988)
  • High Society (1976) [replacement]
  • Fanatix (2001)
3 Kim Vaughn

(Bone, Hulbert)

 Lead
  • High Society (1976)
  • Savvy (1988)
  • a cappella Gold (2000)
2 Anna OhmanBaritone, TenorGrowing Girls (1989), SALT (2006)
Bette GortonTenorHigh Society (1976), a cappella Gold (2000)
Bonnie FedyskiBassChicago Fire (1994), Fanatix (2001) [replacement]
Dale SyversonLeadTiffanys (1973), Rumors (1999)
Debbie Cleveland (Connelly)LeadShowtime (1993), The BUZZ (2004)
Gerry PapageorgeTenor, BassPanache (1990), Fanatix (2001)
Jarmela SpetaTenorThe Nota-Belles (1955), The Rarities (1970)
Jeannie FroelichBassCity Lights (1992), The BUZZ (2004)
Karen BreidertBaritoneJubilation (1985), The BUZZ (2004)
LeAnn HazlettLeadSwing Street (1991), Spotlight (2005)
Leslie Shoenhard (Taylor, Wodday)LeadSignature Sound (1999), MAXX Factor (2010)
Marcia StarnesBassMusic Gallery (1982), 4-Star Collection (1997)
Naima MeyerBassGrowing Girls (1989), Swinglish Mix (2002)
Nancy CloeterTenorCity Lights (1992), The BUZZ (2004)
Peggy Gram (Barnes)BassGinger 'n Jazz (1987) [replacement], Rumors (1999)
Sally BrinerBaritone4 For The Show (1984), Panache (1990)
Sandi WrightBaritoneThe Tetrachords (1978), Ambiance (1986)
Sandy ShelverBaritoneHigh Society (1976), Fanatix (2001)
Shannon HarrisBassBrava! (2003), Martini (2011)
Susan IvesLeadClassic Edition (1997), Zing! (2009)
Suzanne HarringtonLeadGrowing Girls (1989), Swinglish Mix (2002)
Patty Cobb-Baker Tenor Touche (2012), Viva! (2019)

Highest ever regional scores

Quartets can contain members who are registered in different regions, in which case all their regions are listed. The regional competition in which they achieved their high score is marked in bold. The highest 30 scores ever achieved at any regional competition as of 2019, are as follows:[35]

Rank Score Quartet Region Year Competition summary
1 715 Viva! 9 2018
2 669 GQ 19 2016
3 668 GQ 19 2019 [43]
4 666 All Fired Up 19 2019 [43]
5 665 The BUZZ 9, 15 2004
6 664 Milli Blink 32 2018
7 662 Glamour 4 2016
Ambush 32 2019 [43]
9 660 Legacy 5 2015
Windsor 9 2015
Neon Lights 19 2016
12 659 Bling! 9 2010
Tenacious 4 2016
Famous Janes 19 2017
15 656 Fortuity 31 2013
PrimeTime 13 2017
Enchant 34 2019 [43]
18 655 Touché 9, 21, 24 2011
TITANIUM 2 2017
20 654 ROXY 3 2011
Milli Blink 32 2014
Monarch 9 2015
Pepper 13 2015
24 652 PrimeTime 13 2015
25 650 Gig-a-bite 32 2018
RetroActive 12 2019 [43]
27 649 Take Note 24 2005
28 647 VOCE 1 2019 [43]
29 646 The Ladies 1 2018
30 645 ClassRing 5 2015
Harmony 15 2017

Highest regional score by region

The highest score ever achieved in each individual region's competition as of 2019, are as follows:[35]

Region Score Quartet Year Competition summary
1 647 VOCE 2019 [43]
2 633 The Vibe 2018
3 654 ROXY 2011
4 662 Glamour 2016
5 660 Legacy 2015
6 622 Spice 2019 [43]
7 636 Zing! 2004
HEAT 2013
8 637 Ms. Behavin' 2002
9 715 Viva! 2018
10 646 The Ladies 2018
11 637 SwingTime 2019 [43]
12 650 RetroActive 2019 [43]
13 656 PrimeTime 2017
14 630 Speed of Sound 2012 missing
15 645 Harmony 2017
16 644 Spritzer 2009 missing
2012 missing
17 624 Lucille 2019 [43]
19 669 GQ 2016
21 643 C'est la vie 2018
22 631 Contagious 2002
23 630 Dream 2012
24 649 Take Note 2005
25 655 TITANIUM 2017
26 624 No Strings 2019 [43]
30 no competition held
31 656 Fortuity 2013
32 664 Milli Blink 2018
34 656 Enchant 2019 [43]
35 633 ROXY 2019 [43]

Rising Star

This quartet competition, also known as the Young Women in Harmony (YWIH) competition, is open to women 25 years old and younger.[44]

Initially run as part of SAI's annual "International Education Symposium", from 2009 the competition was held as part of the international convention week. However, in 2013 it was decided to return to operating the competition separately due to the expense and scheduling difficulty of fitting in with the other convention events.[45] The event was not run that year and from 2014 has been held at various events, from regional events, to other educational events like the International Education Symposium and Queens' College.

Though it follows a simplified version of the main quartet competition scoring system, the YWIH scoring system has changed several times – both in the potential maximum score and the strictness of the grading:

  • In the 1999 inaugural year, four judges each gave scores out of 200 (totalling 800) and graded to the same level as normal competition
  • From 2000 to 2002, no scores were given at all, only ranks
  • In 2003 and 2004, four judges each gave scores out of 50 (totalling 200) and were more generous in the grading
  • Since 2005, four judges each give scores out of 50 for two songs (totalling 400).

The list of Rising Star champions is as follows:[46][47]

Year Location Quartet Score  % Description Competition summary
1999 San Antonio, Texas Dazzling Diamonds 472 59.0
2000 San Antonio, Texas Sandstone missing
2001 San Antonio, Texas Backchat
2002 Greenville, South Carolina Voice Activated 191 95.5
2003 Greenville, South Carolina BarbieShop 197 98.5
2004 Greenville, South Carolina Tone Appétit 200 100
2005 Greenville, South Carolina UnderAge[e] 387 96.8
2006 San Antonio, Texas Footnotes 397 99.3
2007 Calgary, Alberta, Canada Luminous 390 97.5
2008 San Antonio, Texas Whole Lotta Harmony 373 93.3
2009 Nashville, Tennessee Vogue 370 92.5
2010 Seattle, Washington Royal Blush 390 97.5
2011 Houston, Texas The Fource 383 95.8
2012 Denver, Colorado GQ 397 99.3
2013 Honolulu, Hawaii no competition held
2014 Lowell, Massachusetts ClassRing 388 97.0
2015 Scottsdale, Arizona C'est La Vie 318 79.5
2016 Auckland, New Zealand The Ladies 378 94.5
2017 College Park, Maryland Adrenaline 375 93.8
2018 Tulsa, Oklahoma Hot Pursuit 387 96.8
2019 Manchester, England Duly Noted 382 95.5
2020–

2021

 no competition held
2022 San Antonio, Texas Valkyries[48]
2023 Richardson, Texas Cosmic 397 99.3

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Competition". Sweet Adelines International. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Leong, Tracey (7 November 2014). "Thousands Gathering In Baltimore For Largest Women's Singing Competition". CBS Baltimore. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  3. ↑ Leijonhufvud, Susanna; Nyberg, Johan (25 April 2014). Assessment of musical quality: a case study of achieving a World Champion title in chorus singing. Nordic Network for Research in Music Education. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  4. ↑ Blum, Joseph (2007). "XIV". Bedtime Stories: A Novel of Cinematic Wanderlust. Jake Spinner LLC. p. 127. ISBN 9780979981609.
  5. ↑ "Women Vocalists To Form 'Sweet Adelines' Group". The Miami Daily News-Record. 3 October 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 27 April 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ↑ "Women Will Form Sweet Adelines Inc". Joplin Globe. 3 October 1947. p. 12. Retrieved 27 April 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ↑ Stebbins, Robert (1996). The Barbershop Singer: Inside the Social World of a Musical Hobby. University of Toronto Press. p. 29. ISBN 9780802078292.
  8. ↑ 50 and Forward 1995.
  9. ↑ "Sweet Adelines Convention Cancelled". A Cappella News. 31 August 2005. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "Future Convention Dates". Sweet Adelines International. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  11. ↑ Shafer, Sheldon (13 February 2015). "Timeline set for huge convention center project". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  12. ↑ Mack, Steve; Rayburn, Dan (2005). "The Sweet Adelines Convention". Hands-On Guide to Webcasting: Internet Event and AV Production. CRC Press. p. 195. ISBN 9781136034268.
  13. ↑ "SweetAdsWebscast". Sweet Adelines International. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Convention Program: Baltimore 2014". Sweet Adelines International. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  15. ↑ Competition Handbook 2015, p. 12.
  16. ↑ Competition Handbook 2015, p. 11.
  17. ↑ Competition Handbook 2015, p. 13.
  18. ↑ Competition Handbook 2015, p. 27.
  19. 1 2 "Performance level guidelines" (PDF). Sweet Adelines International. December 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 May 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  20. ↑ Competition Handbook 2015, p. 37.
  21. 1 2 Pinvidic, Marcia (October 2012). "Competition Changes — Looking Ahead To 2014" (PDF). The Pitch Pipe. Sweet Adelines International. pp. 12–13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  22. ↑ King, Jewel. "Crown history". Coronet Club. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  23. ↑ "Crown photos". Coronet Club. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  24. ↑ "First International Champ from District: Gibson Girls Win Sweet Adeline Honors". The Pittsburgh Press. 24 October 1960. Retrieved 26 April 2015 – via Google Newspapers.
  25. 1 2 Competition Handbook 2015, p. 21.
  26. ↑ Competition Handbook 2015, p. 22.
  27. ↑ Competition Handbook 2015, p. 26.
  28. ↑ "Director Certification Program: Steps for Advancement" (PDF). Sweet Adelines International. August 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  29. ↑ "SAI Chorus Champions List". Barbershop History. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  30. ↑ "SAI Chorus Intl. Scores". Barbershop History. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  31. ↑ "Scores, Order of Appearances, Resources – Competition Information". Sweet Adelines International. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  32. ↑ Lovejoy, Marti (8 May 2006). "Sweet Adelines International Chorus Champions – Corrected History". Sweet Adelines Scores (Yahoo Group). Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  33. 1 2 50 and Forward 1995, pp. 137–138.
  34. 1 2 3 Comprehensive Barbershop Historical Trivia Compilation 2014.
  35. 1 2 3 4 "SAI Regional Records". Barbershop History. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  36. ↑ "SAI Chorus Regional Scores". Barbershop History. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  37. ↑ "Harmony Classic". Barbershop History. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  38. ↑ "Harmony Classic Historical Data" (PDF). Sweet Adelines International. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  39. 1 2 3 "Quartets". Coronet Club. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  40. ↑ "SAI International Quartet Champions". Barbershop Wiki. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  41. ↑ Lovejoy, Marti (24 November 2014). "Queens of Harmony-corrected". Sweet Adelines Scores. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  42. 1 2 "SAI International Records". Barbershop History. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Regional Competition Summaries" (PDF). Sweet Adelines International. 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  44. ↑ State, Creative. "| Rising Star Quartet Contest". sweetadelines.com. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  45. ↑ Porzel, Renée (19 February 2013). "Letter from the International Board President" (PDF). Sweet Adelines International. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  46. ↑ "| Past Rising Star Quartet Competition Results". sweetadelines.com. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  47. ↑ "SAI Rising Star Champions". Barbershop History. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  48. ↑ "Presenting... Sweet Adelines International Rising Star Quartet Champions". Sweet Adelines. Retrieved 8 November 2023.

Sources

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