Pan-Pacific Convention (Barbershop)
Pan-Pacific Conventions (Pan-Pac) are run every three to four years within Australasia, organised by Barbershop Harmony Australia (BHA) and Barbershop Harmony New Zealand (BHNZ). The purpose of the convention is to encourage barbershop singing across countries and cultures within and bordering the Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Japan, West Coast USA and Canada, Southeast Asia & the other islands in Oceania). This is achieved through contests that provide the opportunity for contestants to attain International Qualification from their respective affiliate or district, and to provide opportunities for educational, social and recreational activities such as a Harmony College.
When first devised in the 1990s, the plan was to have a triennial convention with the hosts shared by New Zealand, Hawai'i, and Australian choruses. Since 2017, BHA and BHNZ governs and shares in hosting the convention through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016.[1] Hosting of Pan-Pac’s by affiliates and districts outside Australasia could happen with both affiliates’ endorsement, which is the case in 2026.
Since 2017, affiliate and district contests are run within the Pan-Pac’s contest. For example, the quartet highest ranked in Australia in the Pac-Pac contest are named BHA’s Opens Quartet Champions. This is achieved by having for each affiliate contest their own Administrative Judge, while Pan-Pacific Administrative Judges manage the overall contest.
Awards
Usual Pan-Pacific medals and trophies are given to the top 5 Quartets and top 5 Choruses. Named Trophies include:
- The Orloff Trophy - Highest scoring Mixed Harmony Quartet
- Pan-Pac Mixed Chorus Trophy
- Pan-Pac Small, Medium and Large Chorus Trophy
- Pan-Pac Opens Chorus Champions Plaque
List of Pan-Pacific Conventions
Ed. | Year | Venue & City | Theme & Notes | Pan-Pac Champion Quartet | Pan-Pac Champion Chorus | Archived Website | Logo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10th | 2026 | Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA | FWD 80th Anniversary Fall Convention | Pan Pac 2026 | |||
9th | 2023 | Victory Convention Centre Auckland, New Zealand |
Delayed in 2020, 2021, & 2022. Headline Quartets: Instant Classic & GQ |
5th Melody | Vocal FX | Pan Pac 2023 | |
8th | 2017 | ICC Convention Centre Sydney, Australia |
Harbour Harmony Special Guest: Deke Sharon |
Blindside | Vocal FX | Pan Pac 2017 | |
7th | 2014 | Michael Fowler Centre Wellington, New Zealand |
Sounds Capital Headline Acts: OC Times, Westminster Chorus |
The Establishment | Vocal FX | Pan Pac 2014 | |
6th | 2011 | Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Brisbane, Australia |
River Harmony Headline Quartet: Storm Front |
Alliance | Vocal Evolution | Pan Pac 2011 | |
5th | 2008 | Hawaii Theatre Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA |
Great Pacific Harmony | Hi-Fidelity VLQ: Double Shot |
The Pride of Auckland | Pan Pacific 2008 | |
4th | 2004 | Christchurch, New Zealand | Headline Quartet: Metropolis | Musical Island Boys | The Blenders | ||
3rd | 2001 | Melbourne, Australia | Southern Cross | The Blenders | |||
2nd | 1998 | Hawaii Theatre Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA |
Garden City Sound | City of Sails | |||
1st | 1994 | Auckland, New Zealand | Garden City Sound | City of Sails |
References
- ↑ New Memorandum of Understanding signed between BHA and BHNZ, Fri, 15 Apr 2016.