Manchester University Barbershop Singers (MUBS)
The Manchester University Barbershop Singers are a student-led society based at the University of Manchester (UK). They comprise a male-voice chorus (Mantunian Way) and a female-voice chorus (Ultraviolet). Bother choruses also combine to make the (MUBS Mixed Chorus)
History
The Manchester University Barbershop Chorus was founded in 2010 under the esteemed leadership of Antoine Kaiserman. From 2011-2012 the chorus expanded under Tom Jarvis and Matt Church and boasted around 15 regular singers. In October 2012 Pippa Goodall set up a Ladies' Barbershop Chorus, and in mid-2013 the two choruses combined to become an official society - the Manchester University Barbershop Singers.
In 2012, some members of the mens chorus competed as members of Sheffield's Hallmark of Harmony in the BABS National Chorus Competition in Southport, gaining a Bronze medal, before going one better in 2013 in Bournemouth and coming second. In 2014, Hallmark of Harmony won Gold, with some Mantunian Way members competing with them.
In 2014 MUBS went to the BABS convention for the first time, with Mantunian Way competing in the chorus competition finishing in third place with a chorus of 29 men under the direction of Ben Ferguson. MUBS has returned to perform at BABS convention each year since, notably coming 7th in 2016 under the direction of Seb Marshall.
For the last few years, some members of Ultraviolet have competed on stage with Stockport's Crystal Chords, coming 4th in the 2015 LABBS Chorus competition and 3rd in 2016.
Both choruses rehearse regularly during University term times and are available to book for concerts in the Greater Manchester area.
The 2017/18 academic year marked MUBS' 5th anniversary as a competing society, and Mantunian Way went on to compete in the 2018 BABS Convention, achieving 7th place, winning Division 2, and receiving the Cambridge Scroll trophy for the Most Improved Chorus.
Current Musical Directors
Mantunian Way: Ciaran Wilson
Ultraviolet: Róisín Peberdy
MUBS Mixed Chorus: Ciaran Wilson
Past Musical Directors
Mantunian Way/MUBC:
Ultraviolet (neé Amethyst Cappella):
Associated Quartets
- Emerald Guard (2013 BABS Quartet Champions)
- Mach 4 (2012 BABS Quartet Silver Medallists and 2012 BHS Collegiate Contest competitors)
- Tagline (2018 BHS 2nd Place Next Generation Varsity Quartet, 2015 BABS Quartet Champions, 2014 BABS 4th Place Quartet, 2013 BABS Youth Quartet Champions, 2013 BHS Collegiate Contest competitors)
- Encore (2011 BABS Youth Contest 2nd Place)
- Harmonopoly (2015 BABS Youth Contest 2nd Place)
- 4 on Demand (2016 IABS International Contest 2nd Place)
- Northern Quarter (2018 BABS Youth Quartet Champions)
- Buzzword (2017 BABS Quartet competitors)