We are licensed by BHS!

The Barbershop Harmony Society has granted us a license to operate as the Northumberland Hills Chapter, effective April 16, 2015. That means we are now privileged to participate in the Society with limits and are covered by liability insurance of up to $2 million, a condition required by many venues in order for us to practice or perform there.

The license is for one year by which time we are expected to have fulfilled the requirements and apply for a Charter; this is something akin to the graduated licensing of drivers. The BHS License is like a learner's permit - operate the chapter with restrictions and under the oversight of our sponsor, the Peterborough Chapter. Once we become a chartered chapter, we can register Quartets with the Society, submit chorus and quartets in the District and Society contests and vote in Ontario District meetings; then we must incorporate in Ontario within 60 days. Gaining the charter is like passing the driving test and being entitled to drive on the 400 series highways without a fully licensed driver in the passenger seat.

To qualify for the charter, we have to attract new members to BHS (or reinstate former ones who have been out for more than two years) along with getting the chapter organized and prepared for incorporation in Ontario.