Barbershop in Germany

Barbershop in Germany (abbreviated BinG or BinG!) is the association for barbershop music in Germany. It was founded in October 1991 and has an official alliance with the US-based Barbershop Harmony Society.^[1][2][3]

Barbershop in Germany
Also known as	BinG
Genres	A cappella Barbershop music
Years active	1991–present
Website	www.barbershop.de

Konzerthaus Dortmund, at which BinG has held contests

Any representative of a German barbershop quartet or chorus can become a member of BinG, and individuals may also join as supporting members.^[4] The association began with two quartets and eight choruses.^[3] As of May 2020, membership included about 40 quartets, 20 choruses, and 800 individuals.^[5]

History

In 2001 BinG celebrated its 10th anniversary with a grand concert in the concert hall of the University of Münster. The country's first barbershop quartet, Sour Krauts, which had formed locally in 1963, performed at the anniversary concert.^[1]

Barbershop Blend became Germany's first ladies barbershop chorus in 1984, and Erster Kölner Barbershop Chor followed in 1987 as the first German men's barbershop chorus.^[1][6]

Julia Moldenhauer holds the position of first chairwoman of BinG.^[7] Manfred Adams was a former president, having held the role in much of the 1990s and resuming leadership in 2004 until resigning in 2016.^[8] Adams is the musical director of the Ladies First chorus from Dortmund.^[1]

Champions

BinG organizes a biennial Barbershop Music Festival, which includes national and "World Mixed" championships for quartets and choruses.^[9] The association's national champions are:

Year	Chorus	Quartet	Venue city	Ref
2024	BinG! Youth	Veto	Dortmund	[10][11]
2023	Harmunichs	Chord Cracker	Dortmund	[12][13]
2022	Festival cancelled		Dortmund	[14]
2020	Festival cancelled		Dortmund	[15]
2018	Harmunichs	SomeSing	Munich	[16][17]
2016	Harmunichs	Klangküsse	Munich	[18][19]
2014	Ladies First	Tonikum	Dortmund	[20]
2012	Ladies First	Klangküsse	Dortmund	[21][22]
2010	Ladies First	Klangküsse		[23][24]
2008	Ladies First	Klangküsse		[25][26]
2006	Harmunichs	Inflagranti		[27]
2004	Barbershop Blend	Inflagranti		[28]
2002	Ladies First	Splash!		[28]
2000	Ladies First	Take Four		[29]
1998	Ladies First	Splash!		[28]
1996	Ladies First	Take Four		[28]
1995	–	Take Four		[28]
1994	Ladies First	Take Four		[28]
1993	Ladies First	Viertakt	Cologne	[1]