The 5th Wheel; TOP 25 Quartet POWER RANKING

There are quartets within the Barbershop Harmony Society whose performance qualities represent our art form at the highest level possible. Some work hard to win competitions, while others strive to put on entertaining shows. Throughout the year, quartets will take time away from their families to do extra-curricular activites such as free coaching clinics at mini-HEPS, Harmony Explosion camps or travel around the world to perform as ambassadors to the Society. The 5th Wheel feels it’s necessary for these quartets to be recognized for the time and efforts they give to the hobby.

The 5th Wheel, with support from The Harmonizer, is creating a “Top 25 Quartet Power Ranking.” Similar to college football rankings (excluding the crappy BCS format), the idea is to offer awareness to our Society members as to which quartets are having the largest impact in bringing positive and impressionable attention to the art form of barbershop harmony. The results from this poll will be published in the near future.

A team of highly experienced quartet members (Past medalist "has-beens") have been chosen to be the voters in this poll. However, we need your help. As you can imagine, we don't know every detail about a quartet and all of their accomplishments over the past year. You have the opportunity to help supply that information to the voters.

Here's a list of criteria to consider, in no particular order:
1. Competition Results
2. Number of shows per year
3. Release of Media (CD, DVD, websites, blogs, myspace)
4. TV & Radio Performances
5. Any work with outside affliliates (BABS, SNOBS)
6. Harmony Explosion Camps
7. Donations
8. Positive Society Representation
9. Mini-HEP Schools
10. Active as a chapter quartet?

Just because a quartet finishes first at International doesn't mean they claim the top spot in the Power Ranking. Elements such as exposure, media and positive representation will have a strong effect on the ranking.

Which quartets qualify? Any active quartet, including past champions. Remember, we are talking about the best of the best, at present time.

Where can I go to supply my information? A list of quartets which we consider to have the best chances of making the Top 25 are listed at http://www.top25quartets.blogspot.com/

Can you tell me more about the blog? The blog- http://www.top25quartets.blogspot.com/ will be a source for information to help the voters pick the Top 25 quartets in the world. It is open to the public to visit and leave comments for each individual quartet. Just find the quartet you want to leave information about and click on "comments" under their name. The voters will visit the site and read what you wrote.

>>>Suggestion, if your quartet is listed on the blog, you had better add some comments ASAP! This is an opportunity to plug your quartet! If your quartet makes the Top 25 it will be published for thousands of readers.<<<
The 5th Wheel understands the hardwork and dedication these quartets have given. If you have the time, please take a moment to visit the blog listed above and share some thoughts about how that particular quartet affected you.

Voters have until November 9th to turn in their list. Happy voting!

Photos courtesy of Dan Proctor and photgraphed by Lorin May