The Alliance
The Alliance is part of the Greater Central Ohio Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. They are an all-voices chorus dedicated to providing an inclusive environment for all those who love to sing, regardless of their race, gender identity, sexual orientation or musical background. The Alliance is the first and only all-voices barbershop chorus in Central Ohio.
The Alliance's mission is to empower exceptional people of ALL gender identities on their path to discovering their best-singing selves through education, competition, mutual support, and inclusive fellowship.
In Spring of 2025, The Alliance received two district level awards in the Johnny Appleseed District (JAD), the small chorus award and the most improved chorus award.
In Fall of 2025, the chorus put up their highest score to date as an all-voices ensemble, qualifying them to represent the Johnny Appleseed District at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s international chorus competition in St. Louis, MO in July of 2026.
History
The Alliance Chorus formed in 1999 as an all-male ensemble with the objective of performing four-part barbershop harmony at the highest possible level. As an all-male ensemble The Alliance won the JAD chorus contest eleven times, placed in the top ten at the BHS chorus competition 14 times, three of those times as a top five medalist.
In 2022, after the Barbershop Harmony Society’s introduction of the Everyone in Harmony Initiative and opening society membership too all genders, The Alliance renewed their values and became an all-voices chorus. The Alliance continues to strive for excellence today in everything we do. The Alliance is the first all-gender barbershop chorus in central Ohio.
Director
- Founding Director - David Calland (1999 - 2018)
- Interim Co-Directors - Nathan Ogg & Evan Boegehold (2018 - 2019)
- Director - Rich Lapp (2019 - 2021)
- Director - Jay Dougherty (2021 - 2023)
- Interim Director - Brian O'Dell
- Director - Nathan Ogg (2024)
- Current Director - Brian O'Dell (2025 - present)
Contest Placement
International
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 14th | 13th | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 6th | 6th | 6th | 8th | 8th | 5th | 7th | 8th | 12th |
District
Member of the Johnny Appleseed District.
| 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | --- | --- | 1st | --- | --- | 1st | --- | 1st |
- 2008 JAD changed the format of the district chorus contest. Under the new system the JAD Chorus Champions must sit out for two years before competing again.
- 2014 JAD changed the format of the district chorus contest. Under the new system the JAD Chorus Champions must sit out for one year before competing again.
- 2016 JAD changed the format of the district chorus contest. Under the new system the JAD Chorus Champions do not sit out before competing again.
See Also
External Links
- Official website
- Barbershop Music Database: contest history