As one of the privileged recipients of a scholarship from BABS for Harmony College, I packed my bags and headed down to the University of Worcester for the Bank Holiday weekend. I didn't really know what to expect but having experienced it first hand, I would definitely go again.

What became immediately clear on arrival was that for so many people, barbershop isn't just a hobby but a way of life and though we came from choruses the length and breadth of the land, we are all united by our interest in singing.

Harmony College did not disappoint. There was an incredible amount crammed into the three days - from the early morning vocal warm up exercises to the structured tuition sessions through to the singing until the small hours. Staying in the halls of residence, attending lectures in the day and socialising in the Union bar at night made it feel like a return to the halcyon days of student life.

The educational side was absolutely invaluable. It was the first time in years that the Basics of Singing course had run and yet you wonder how any barbershopper could get by without it. I learned some of the fundamentals - how to breathe properly, stand correctly and enunciate vowel sounds. It has made a world of difference to my singing.

Equally useful was the Discover Your Voice module which consisted of one-to-one tuition where we were encouraged to explore our vocal range and even practise a little vibrato! Although the coaches identified different areas for us to work upon, they were reassuringly consistent in the advice that they gave.

The show on the Saturday night was a particular highlight and featured a diverse range of talented performers from quartets to choruses. Another memorable moment was the pick and mix sessions. I took the opportunity to attend a Q and A session with a gold medal winning quartet (Pitch Invasion) and picked up tips on how to be the best.

The catering was superb, the people were friendly and I imagine that at the next convention I will have a host of familiar faces to look out for!

Harmony College has enhanced my performance and furthered my enjoyment of Barbershop. I would urge anyone reading this who is curious about the course to try it for themselves…and then thank me later!

Andrew Tymms Bolton