Is it July yet?

The best barbershop choruses and quartets will converge in Orlando for BHS International July 1-8. Competitions kick off with the Quartet Quarterfinals, which will feature 55 quartets on stage on July 3-4.

Who will come out on top? Here are the top five preliminary scores from District contests:

1. Signature 

Sunshine District

Prelim Score – 92.0

Members: Will Rodriguez, Daniel Cochran, Matt Clancy, Dan Walz

With barbershop experience dating back to their teens, this barbersoul group finished 15th in their first international together in 2015. They quickly moved up to fourth place bronze medalists in 2016 and are now the reigning runners-up. Signature is riding high as they head to International. Known for their emotional delivery and big voices, could this be their year?

2. After Hours

Illinois District

Prelim Score – 90.0

Members: Tim Beutel, Drew Ochoa, Bryan Ziegler, Dan Wessler

Started at Bradley University 11 years ago, After Hours are the 2017 third-place International medalists, having placed in the top 10 multiple times. Two music teachers, a future music teacher, and a member of Voices of Liberty, the pedigree, experience, and talent is all there for this accomplished quartet and they are primed for a win this year.

3. Throwback

Sunshine District

Prelim Score – 89.7

Members: Paul Saca, Sean Devine, Alex Rubin, Michael Skutt

Fifth-place medalists at both the 2015 and 2016 International and last year’s fourth-place finisher, Throwback heads into this year’s competition with the third-highest score at the district level. No stranger to the barbershop world, Sean Devine was even mentioned by name in custom lyrics at the 2018 Midwinter. One of only four quartets to average over 90 last year, they are certainly a contender for the top honor this year.

4. Stockholm Syndrome

Society of Nordic Barbershop Singers

Prelim Score – 88.4

Members: Simon Rylander, Jakob Stenberg, Rasmus Krigström, Didier Linder

Finishing in sixth place at the 2017 International, they return to the U.S. with the fourth-highest overall score at the district contest level. The eighth-place finisher in 2016 formed out of Stockholm’s Zero8 and have been on a steady climb.

5. Category 4

Dixie District

Prelim Score – 87.3

Members: Tim Reynolds, Tim Brooks, Clay Hine, Kirk Young

Proudly coming in seventh place in 2017, this quartet has nearly 30 district championships and international medals among them. Baritone Clay Hine previously took home gold with the quartet FRED. Committed to tradition and whimsy, will they be able to break 90 in Orlando?

And of course, there are a lot of fan favorites going in without a top five prelim score. The Newfangled Four, Pratt Street Power, Artistic License, and Quorum all come in the top 10 and are definitely contenders for the top.

Whatever the result, we’re guaranteed an incredible week of singing and entertainment.