Japan Barbershop Harmony Association
The Japan Barbershop Harmony Association (JBA) is a barbershop organisation in Japan. It was founded in 2024 with the aim of supporting Barbershop Singing in Japan.
History
JBA dates its history of Barbershop music within Japan back to the 1980s. An early chorus that was founded was the Tokyo Barbers in 1992. However, for the first 40 years, it had no overarching organisation other than the disparate choruses and quartets scattered across the country. Some choruses and quartets did make appearances at the Pan-Pacific Convention when they were run.
In the early 2020s, more collaboration between Barbershop clubs was happening. In 2023, Womens Chorus The Harmonix presented a concert featuring LoveNotes and Lemon Squeezy.[1] In that same year, the country had it's first Barbershop Chorus Festival in Tokyo featuring six choruses, organised by the Tokyo based chorus The Lockers.[2]
JBA was founded in 2024. In August 2024, it had its first local convention, the Japan Barbershop Convention in Yokohama. It was held during the Japan Vocal Music Festival, and had significant support from then Interim CEO Steve Denino by sending BHS certified Judges to run the contest. The winners, the quartet Vagabonds and chorus The Lockers were invited by BHS to represent Japan at the 2025 International Convention in Denver, Colorado.[3]
The second Japan Barbershop Convention was held in Yokohama. The Association is working towards becoming an affiliate.
Organization/Governance
Chapters
Competitions
National Champions
2025
- Quartet Champion - F.F (78.8%)
- Chorus Champion - Ensemble Reed (77.8%)
2024
- Quartet Champion - Vagabonds (74.9%)
- Chorus Champion - The Lockers (72.7%)