Contestants area

Contestant Calendar        

Convention 2026

Competitor paperwork and information

 

Contest Entry Forms 2026

Please note that due to the introduction of new scoring software this year, there will be further steps to take on a different platform following the entry deadline, for which instructions will be sent to the email contacts soon.
 

Other Useful Resources for contestants
 

Contest draws

LABBS Chorus Contest

MW1:  TBD
MW2:  Steel City Voices
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Quartet Prelims 2026

20th/21st June
Contest venue: Blue Coat School, Coventry

 

HQ Hotel: Holiday Inn, Hinckley Road, Coventry CV2 2HP

Draw - All Quartet Contests - Saturday

MW1: TBD
MW2: TBD
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Contest Entry

The entry deadline was Sunday 1st March, which is the date that will be the same each year going forward.

 

Information for Quartet contest participants - key points

  • All quartet contests are part of the same prelims draw. Depending on the number of entries, we may need to conduct the contest over 2 days.
  • Relevant full information and paperwork to be returned will be posted on this page, so please check back regularly to make sure you've done everything in good time before each round in the contest cycle.
  • The results and draw for quartet semi-finals will take place shortly after the close of the prelims contest.
  • Coaching sessions for Quartets with a place are likely to take place on Sunday 21st June, the contest timetable will be drawn to allow for this.
    • If you withdraw from coaching having booked, you will receive a full refund if your place is taken by another quartet, otherwise the notice period you give may affect the percentage refunded. Cancellations within six weeks of the event will not be eligible for any refund unless the space is filled by another quartet on the waitlist.

Other Information

  • We expect contestants to be familiar with the contest rules (note that an update will be published for the 2026 contest cycle by the end of February). 
  • Contestant classes include: (see prelims page for more details and eligibility criteria):
    • LABBS Women's Quartets competition, which serves as a qualifying round for convention
    • LABBS Mixed Quartets, in collaboration with BABS and SA Reg31, which serves as a qualifying round for convention
    • LABBS Novice Quartets (Awarded at Prelims)
    • LABBS Senior Quartets (Awarded at Prelims)
    • Open Youth Quartets (Awarded at Prelims)
  • Non-contestant classes:
    • Perform for unpublished score and evaluation only
    • Sing for the joy of performing to an audience (no score or eval given)

Contest Rules

Contest rules - these will be updated for the 2026 contest cycle by the end of February, please check to see if any changes affect you!

Contest & Judging Handbook - Including category descriptions detailing what judges are looking for. 

It is also recommended to check your songs are in line with the advice on the Good Taste page, provided by the Performance Category.

Contest Entry Classes

Choruses
Sing for Joy
Sing for Joy contestants will be included in the contest draw, and will perform two songs for ‘the joy of performing for the audience only.’ The judges will put down their pens, sit back, and enjoy your performance. The songs you perform need not be completely within the rules, but should be a capella. No score or evaluation will be given. There is a 20% discount on the contest entry fee for choruses opting to 'Sing for Joy'.

Sing for Evaluation
Evaluation only contestants will be included in the contest draw, but will not be shown on any scoresheet. An evaluation will be provided in the same manner as competing contestants. Songs need to be within the contest rules.

Quartets

Details as on the Prelims page, Quartets may also opt to Sing for Evaluation, or Sing for Joy as above, at Prelims, Plus:

Past gold medallists
Women’s and Mixed Quartets will be able to apply to sing for a score for nomination to BHS in 2026. These quartets will sing 4 songs in 2 separate performances at Prelims, and need you to register and enter contest at the same time as other contestants. You should have a reasonable expectation of achieving the qualifying score which is currently 78% but is subject to annual review by the BHS.

Other convention-related forms and useful information for LABBS members

Score histories - Look up what you scored in previous years and track your progress (or use to look for song ideas!).

Scoring summaries - Written by LABBS judges, a handy guide to skillsets usually experienced at each level and what you might need to work on and improve, to become better singers and performers and score higher in contest.

Trophies & Awards - A guide to the trophies and awards on offer in LABBS contests and the criteria for each.
 


Is this page missing some vital information? Let us know... email web@labbs.org.uk