This isn't actually from a contest, but rather from a show featuring previous quartet champions (you'll notice the gold medals they are wearing). The other men behind them on the stage are some of the other past champions that are performing on that show. This was the AIC show from the 2016 international convention.

Context for anyone interested: Ringmasters is a Swedish barbershop quartet who's the first non-american quartet to win the International Quartet contest back in 2012. This performance is from the 2016 AIC Concert, a concert with past champions. At that time they already were champions (see the medals in their chests). The crowd behind them is formed by other quartet champions. The crowd in front of them consists only of barbershoppers, so these people know how incredible what they're doing is. At that time, Ringmasters was formed by (left to right): baritone Emanuel Roll, bass Martin Wahlgren, lead tenor Jakob Sternberg, and tenor Rasmus Krigström. Martin, however, has been replaced by Didier Linder since 2018.

I was in the front row for this performance. The audience was enraptured for the entire performance. That's typical for a barbershop performance. The audience is very respectful of the performers, and the crowd saves (usually) their reaction for the very end. At this point, we were at the edges of our seats waiting to hear what would come next.

That lead held his note out for 20 seconds twice in one arrangement! Fantastic control!

Music City Chorus in Nashville would love to have your voice, Brad. Thank you for posting this and hope to see you at a rehearsal soon. :)

There is a simple reason we Barbershoppers have that "continuous" flow sound (i.e. someone always singing) ... we have no instrumentation to fall back on. So we have to have that "forward motion" someone and we use the voice to do that. So rarely will you hear all 4 parts breaking together. It happens at time, but not often. If you watch a full Barbershop chorus perform, you will really hear this constant forward motion and wall of sound. It's also part of the reason you hear so much straight tones. The whole point of good Barbershopping is to "lock the chords" and let them "ring" (hear the overtones). This is incredibly hard, if not impossible, to do with vibrato in any one of the voices. If the lead is singing a melody line by himself/herself and the other 3 parts are just "oooo'ing" under him/her, you may get a little dramatic vibrato in there, but as soon as all 4 parts are going again it will overwhelming be straight tones so the chords can lock. Lastly, the reason you heard the audience give that little chuckle at that 11:10, is because of the tag fake out. Typically, Barbershop songs would have ended after that big build (i.e. the tag), but the arranger of this song pulled a fast one and faked the audience out, who are predominately Barbershoppers, with give a faux tag ending. It simply isn't something you hear done in Barbershop songs, so it was a nice twist and Ringmasters pulled it off BRILLIANTLY!

As a barbershopper, thanks for showing us the best of out artform!

YES! I've been waiting for some more reactors to find this! Modern barbershop is a deep well of awesome! Don't miss the choruses as well as the quartets. Westminster is a good one to start with. As to the crowd, this was filmed at a show held at an international Barbershop convention/contest, so the audience was primarily barbershoppers and they knew what skill it took to do this.

Lucky Old Son - Crossroads is a must watch if you're interested in more barbershop.

Thjs is the pinnacle of mens voices blending in such a way that control is the utmost perfection

So excited to see this one! They are a Swedish group and this song is one of my favorites!!

Two of the things that really separate Barbershop singers from singers of other genres, is there ability to hold straight tones for long periods of time, and the relationship between the baritone singer and the harmony. If you were to take a normal quartet song and arrange it on a piano you would get four lines of music that stay in their Lane and don't cross over and they're in harmony with each other. But in Barbershop sometimes the baritone is higher than the lead and sometimes they're lower. The baritone Harmony is what makes Barbershop harmonies special.

I saw this very performance live. It was amazing. I'm a long time Barbershopper and they were fantastic.

At this point, they had already won. This is a command performance to their peers at the competition. This is the finest Barbershop performance of all time by the very best - The Ring Masters.

Part of the performance that is judged is their emotiveness, their ability to convey emotion with more than just their voice.

This performance is just so great! The Newfangled Four and Instant Classic are some of my favourite barbershop groups if you're looking for more.

I used to be in a college Barbershop quartet. (Nowhere near as good as those guys) But it was always a high to be one of the guys who helped achieve those kind of chords that would make your scalp tighten. Very gratifying.

I’m so happy you’ve discovered this. It’s just pure talent and not enough people have seen them perform .

Guess I've found another musical rabbit hole to get lost in! I had some brief exposure to Barbershop and Sweet Adelines in high school, but never kept up with it. The progression evident in this group's performance is amazing. The harmony and dynamics are ridiculous! So good!

We are taught breath control in Barbershop. International convention is something worth experiencing. I’ve been to two.

In case you didn’t notice they were wearing gold medals around their necks which means they were the international championship quartet that year!!!!

In the summer the Barbershop Harmony Society has “Harmony University” and typing as scholarship opportunities for folks like you who are wowed but not experienced in the style. Also, the contest audiences are about the most supportive bunch you’d ever have the pleasure to sing for.

Since you like Ringmasters, please check Stockholm-based choir Zero8 singing Amazing Grace, featuring Emanuel (the baryton from R) as soloist and Rasmus as its conductor.

YES! I've been singing Barbershop for 4 years now and it's just about my favorite thing to do ever. It's great to see you so amazed by it! When the Lead dude was holding that long note at the end (in the so-called Tag) that is called a Post, which is quite common in Barbershop. It makes for some really interesting sounding harmonies. If you want to see some more of this stuff I can recommend checking out the all-female quartet GQ (specifically their rendition of How Great Thou Art, which in my opinion is amazing beyond comprehension) or some of the stuff by Vocal Spectrum (another top world-class quartet, their Tenor is unbeatably awesome), maybe their version of Go The Distance from Hercules or Good Vibrations (I can recommend that if you want to hear some inhuman high notes). There also is some incredible choral work in Barbershop, there I can recommend checking out Westminster Chorus and the Ambassadors of Harmony. Or of course you could have a look at the work I've done with my various choruses over the years, there are two videos from the Barbershop Music Festival 2018 as well as the recordings from the Bing! A Cappella Youth Camps 2019 and 2021. Of course that won't be even remotely near that level but it would definitely be cool to see you check that out. Cheers!

The men behind are past Champions!

So glad you got to listen to and watch this spectacular performance

It is a rough crowd… almost everyone in the audience sings Barbershop, so they know what they are listening to, and For, and know a Champion performance when they hear/experience it! It is THIS level that all Barbershoppers train for and strive to achieve.

Welcome to my world - Ringmasters and Dirty Loops - ALWAYS fabulous! And both have basses with wild hair!!!

It's funny me from classical world having the same reaction as you. I know all the technical names for what they do, but it is the intonation, they are so spot on, every chord is so pure I am just amazed. And the crazy chord changes and sometimes a random chord in the middle. Check out the tenor Jacob holding notes for like 17 seconds, high notes on another video, amazing. They are Swedish so english is not even their language. I'm even impressed with your song, at first I thought country then the power chords and I thought rock? I don't know this music. I always liked country over other kinds cuz it seemed to have more integrity that just pop music. I'd have to call it country power rock, I like pipe organ music so I like loud music. I have Patsy Cline records, that's about it. Anyway, loved your reaction so much, they are almost too amazing, how do they hit those notes and change chords like that? Jeez man

I highly suggest some Vocal Spectrum (barbershop). Particularly their Aladin Medley

Holy Cow!!!! That was incredible a standing ovation from me 👏👏👏👏👏

You should listen to Crossroads - Lucky Old Sun performance and Rural Route 4 - Yes Indeed. Both of these songs have a held note at the end that's actually held longer than the one in this song.

This was actually from an exhibition of previous championship winners that is held every year during the international convention/competition.

Wow that was incredible!!!

Incidentally, if you want to hear some real incredible barbershop and get your Voctave fix, check out their cover of “A Million Dreams” from the “Greatest Showman”. They collaborate with the Dallas Vocal Majority.

Speechless. If they aren't the champions I don't think I'd make it through the winner's performance. What talent!

Drew is so sweet and humble - he himself is singing in one of the best Barbershop quartets, too. You should also note: the arrangement was done by Aaron Dale. His arrangements are incredible!

some incredible gems I can think of on the spot - Vocal Spectrum - Aladdin Medley, Ringmasters - Smile, GQ - Something tells me I'm into something (happy together medley), GQ - Their hearts were full of spring, GQ - Sampson, GQ - Put your arms around me, Keepsake - Blue Skies, Vocal Spectrum - When I see an elephant fly, Vocal Spectrum - I wanna be like you, Vocal Spectrum - Music of the night, Vocal Spectrum - Good Vibrations, Vocal Spectrum - Go the Distance, Vocal Spectrum - Tonight, tonight, After Hours - Come what may, After Hours - Take on me, After Hours - Butter outta cream, Instant Classic - How could I ever know, Instant Classic - If I may, Crossroads - Lucky old sun, Crossroads - Little patch of heaven, Crossroads - Via dolorosa, Max Q - You can fly

That false tag gets everyone the first time.

Goosebumps!

I'm watching all of the reactions to the original video to see if they're all as impressed as I am. So far sooooo good.

Now you need to check out Drew’s championship quartet! Note: Tony DeRosa, who left Voctave last year, is a 3-time Barbershop quartet Int’l champ, and Tiffany and Ashley are also top Sweet Adelines. Maybe even 1-2 others in Voctave.

As a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society you should react to Vocal Spectrum (any song will do, they are all amazing), Crossroads (lucky old sun is their best song ever), Newfangeled Four (either any song is fine but I suggest reacting to cottage for sale), also don't forget the barbershop choruses (Ambassadors of Harmony is my personal favorite, though I sing with them so I might be a little biased lol). Check these out. You can thank me later!!!

I recommend checking out Main Street (lead tenor is Tony DeRosa from Voctave) and New Fangled Four. They like to mix in some comedy to their performances.

If you like this one you should check out their video of you’ll never walk alone/climb every mountain and also It is well with my soul.

You MUST watch Crossroads sing "Lucky Old Sun" This was done during competition and at the end they KNEW they nailed it. Unfuckingbelievable

been watching you for awhile brad and i love everything you react to but this is next level. I love barbershop and i’m glad this is the first one you react to, Vocal Spectrum is another amazing barbershop quartet that i think you should check out!

I'm sorry this is the first barbershop video you listened to - literally everything else in barbershop is a step down from this

If you would like another really great treat listen to them doing you’ll never walk alone/climb every mountain it is truly spectacular!!!!!!!

Definitely heardk aspects of "Hellfire". Bruddah Sam knows which quartets are the best.g

I wish he would react to vocal spectrum specifically there go the distance cover

Hey nice reaction once again, Brad! I love that Drew introduced you to barbershop, & I hope to see a few more barbershop reaction videos in the future! If you're looking for another good one, I'd recommend Storm Front's performance of "Lida Rose" (their 2010 performance of it is the best one in my opinion)

Pleeeaase check out Tim Waurick! He's a BEAST!!

They're good but that hair do has to go! LOL! So who won? These guys should have. My youngest son and three friends within his high school chorus formed a barb quartet and they were pretty good, they were asked to be in the annual Show by the Florida Quartet Association. I was a proud mom!!!

I loved watching your reaction. I love barbershop music. But I don't know of blacks or minority are yet accepted in those circles. I am going to find out at a chorus rehearsal this year. B-Y

If you haven’t already, you should check out their performance of “Smile”. That ending 🫣🤫

you need to see Drew's Quartet do The Next Ten Minutes from The Last 5 Years. as technically perfect as it gets!

Best reaction video of this performance, hands down. You capture the energy of most listeners (myself included) perfectly. Well done, brother!

I searched for this and am so glad I found this video

Check out Vocal Spectrum doing the Aladdin Medley…..it’s INSANE!!

Did you realise that you now have exactly double the amount of subscribers as displayed in this video?😉 Congrats, man!🎉

Hey, I didn’t know you were in Nashville!

You kinda started at the Top of the Barbershop Harmony ladder, Brad. This arrangement, so wonderfully sung by these Int'l Champs, has many, many chords that aren't usually found in bbs songs. In fact, iirc, many years back, when I was amongst the Chosen (!!), there were a limited number of chords and chord configurations that could be Used in an arrangement. It's wonderful to see thing have evolved, musically!

AIC is the Association of International Champions! Everyone in the Chorus behind them is in a Championship Quartet. They are ALL the Best of the Best! With few exceptions EVERYONE in that audience sings Barbershop. Look at Ambassadors of Harmony Chorus. Look at 4 Voices singing Lazy Bones. Keepsake singing Once Upon A Time. Gas House Gang singing Beethoven 5th, Eine Klein Nacht Musik, Erie Canal, and everything else… Look up Nightlife singing Basin Street Blues and expect to get hot and sticky while they sing it! Same arranger did the arrangement for Lazy Bones. Then…. CHECK OUT TIM TRACKS. Tim Warwick sings in Gold Medal Championship Quartet, Vocal Spectrum, and he makes learning tracks for a living. Look up EBB TIDE it will blow your mind!

Hey Brad if you are in the mood for more barbershop, check out Tim Waurick. He sings all 4 parts in barbershop harmony. His range is fantastic and the harmonies just vibrate through the computer.

This is just what they do. Every time. Check out Drew's quartet, After Hours.

Also, check out ringmasters version of you’ll never walk alone/climb ev’ry Mountain medley it’s fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

Fucking incredible.

You should definitely check out Crossroads singing Lucky Old Sun. Also After Hours singing any of their contest songs. Oh also After Hours singing Take On Me.

Martin is the original Bass and was kinda let go in a somewhat difficult phase for the personell. He is a fabulous Bass and the quartet is not the same with their new Bass. Still a mighty fine quartet but not as good (IMO). This is one of the most iconic arrangements in the barbershop world and as a result performed by this quartet like no other. I am pretty sure that most barbershopperes have not tried to replicate this arrangemengt as it is quite difficult, and the Ringmasters kind of made it there own and out of respect most have left this one alone. I love your reaction, these guys are one of the best and you are loving it just like 1000's of other is a blessing. Thank you for sharing. You should try this one out. Choruses (Choirs) sing thgis style too. If you haven't already been asked, this for me is the best performance ever in contest (85 years of annual International contests) on any stage by any barbershop group in the World. I don't believe anyone before or since has performed at this level. Enoy my new friend and barbershop 'appreciator'. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iN2Fns2Bute6qYE.html

Here is another of my favorite quartets. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/erSdipell5jaYKc.html

Great reaction Brad! So few reactors have reacted to this. QoFy, Sam & Tara Simon have, and now you, but that's about it. I highly reccommend Vocal Spectrum next with "Go the Distance!"

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

You need to look up new tangled four ( hello my baby)

IM ONLY ONE YEAR LATE TO THIS VIDEO

Drew Ochoa is a god!! 😅 check out his quartet After Hours too

Main Street quartet is also very good and entertaining. Check them out!

if you like good harmony that's not barbershop check out Homefree

That's barbershop! Not that straw hat crap from 100 years ago.

English is not their native language.

They don't have to be a tough crowd. These guys are tops in the world. Barbershop is a magical brotherhood. Don't miss Gas House Gang kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z-B2ophevKrKkZs.html Also classic barbershop is a must listen. kzfaq.info/sun/PLcwXdNVvSNbiCTL9xZ_BUOxFK3eIsW0kQ

Welcome to the barbershop quartet world, aka the science of natural harmonics!