Heights Barbershoppers are best in the U.S.

Heights High's award-winning Barbershoppers (from left): Devin Davis, Wyatt Sudduth, Michael Carder, Ian Teunissen van Manen, Joseph Nicoletti, Orion Brock, Michael Judge, Vaughn Young, Shawn Reed, Ravi Lesser, Graham Ball, Garth Bennett and Joshua Perelman-Hall. 

The Heights High Barbershoppers scored a high note at the International Youth Chorus Barbershop Festival, taking first place in the nation and second place internationally in their division. Vocal music director Craig McGaughey, 13 students and several chaperones attended the competition on Jan. 31 at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, Calif.

Unlike many of the groups competing, the Heights Barbershoppers perform without their director in front. “When the boys are on stage by themselves, they build more trust and confidence and they have to really listen to each other,” said McGaughey.

The fierce competition featured groups from all over the U.S. and Canada—many with up to 80 members. The judges were very impressed with the Heights vocalists. After the performance, the judges reviewed their scoring with the young men, citing areas where the group excelled and making suggestions for ways to improve.

In addition to receiving detailed feedback from the official judges, the group also listened to and received critiques from several award-winning barbershop groups.

“The input the boys received was invaluable,” said McGaughey. “This is a journey, as they are learning the technical and performance skills that will make them top-notch singers and performers.”

While most of the five-day trip was focused on learning, there was also time for teaching. Heights alum Scott Mandel,the vocal music director at Pacoima Middle School, invited the Heights vocalists to perform for and mentor his students.