Spectacular performances of barbershop singing as all-women choruses and quartets from across the UK and Netherlands compete in Nottingham to go to the World Championships in the USA.

Up to 1,500 women will be taking part in the Sweet Adelines International Region 31 Convention at the Royal Concert Hall on Friday, 9th May and Saturday, 10th May.

This international event comes to Nottingham for the first time and will include 21 choruses and 19 quartets, all hoping to impress the panel of international judges. One chorus and one quartet will win the opportunity to represent the UK and Netherlands in Las Vegas at the World Championships in 2015.

Sweet Adelines International is one of the largest singing organisations in the world with a membership of approximately 24,000 women who belong to more than 500 choruses and 1,200 quartets. It is made up of 35 Regions – mostly in USA and Canada – but also in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The Lace City Chorus, which is based in Nottingham and has around 90 members, has won the Region 31 contest four times and has represented the UK and Netherlands at World Championships in Detroit, Calgary, Nashville and Houston. This year they will be trying to make this hometown contest their fifth win. Two members of the Lace City Chorus are part of a quartet, called Fortuity, who won the contest last year.

Barbershop music is sung a cappella style in four part harmony. It includes ballads, classic songs, popular show tunes and mainstream music. Not only do the singers provide great entertainment, but also performances of high musical skill.

Audiences coming to see the contest will be encouraged to watch acts performing throughout Friday (from 3.30pm) and Saturday (from 11am), and in one category some will be able to vote for their favourite chorus. The judges will announce their final results at the end of each day.

The winning quartet will represent the UK and Netherlands at the World Championships in 2014 in Baltimore.

The winning chorus will represent the UK and Netherlands at the World Championships in 2015 in Las Vegas.

On Saturday 10 May from 8.15pm, there will be a Show of Champions where the winners of this year’s contests come together with last year’s winners to show barbershop entertainment at its best.

Friday, 9th May from 3.30pm – Quartet Competition £25

Saturday, 10th May from 11am – Chorus Competition £25

Saturday, 10th May from 8.15pm – Show of Champions £20