Who We Are
Founding Assembly, 15.11.2025
The Swiss Association of Barbershop Singers (SWABS) is a non-profit cultural association founded on November 15, 2025, at our founding general assembly in Biel/Bienne. SWABS brings together singers, quartets, and enthusiasts from across Switzerland who practice barbershop harmony—a distinctive vocal music style characterized by four-part a cappella singing with close harmonies and ringing chords.
We deeply value community and believe that singers are stronger together. SWABS aims to create a productive and warm environment where everyone can improve, find opportunities to practice, and enjoy barbershop singing. Whether by simplifying contacts between quartets, organizing community events, facilitating collaborations, or sharing each other's projects, SWABS works to strengthen the bonds within the Swiss barbershop community.
We love barbershop and want to see more singers discover and embrace this art form. Beyond supporting dedicated barbershop groups, SWABS aims at creating opportunities for existing choirs and vocal ensembles to incorporate barbershop into their repertoire and explore this unique singing style.
SWABS is Switzerland's official association within the international barbershop community. We are recognized and backed by the World Harmony Council and work directly with partner organizations including Barbershop in Germany and the Barbershop Harmony Society. This allows us to facilitate access to international competitions, connect with world-class coaches from around the globe, and enable meaningful exchanges with barbershop communities worldwide.
As a newly founded association, we are still building and refining our programs and services. We're learning, growing, and working step by step to bring these opportunities to the Swiss barbershop community.
Les Bardinal's
Our Mission
SWABS exists to promote and develop barbershop harmony as a vocal music art form in Switzerland.
Build a Community
We connect passionate barbershop singers across Switzerland, creating a warm and productive environment where quartets can meet, collaborate, and share their musical projects. We believe singers are stronger together.
Support Development
We provide access to coaching sessions, workshops, and world-class international coaches through our partnerships with the World Harmony Council, Barbershop in Germany, and the Barbershop Harmony Society. Singers of all levels can improve their craft in an encouraging environment.
Encourage Diversity
Barbershop is not a one-gender art form. We want more diversity and include everyone in this art form, and are eager to follow the German model of mixed barbershop. Everyone is welcome and appreciated as they are.
Facilitate Performance and Competition
We organize concerts, showcases, and community events to give quartets regular performance opportunities. As Switzerland's official representative in the international barbershop community, we facilitate access to international competitions and exchanges.
Grow the Art Form
We introduce barbershop harmony to new singers and help existing choirs and vocal ensembles incorporate barbershop into their repertoire. Through outreach and public events, we work to expand the Swiss barbershop community.
Connect Switzerland to the World
We serve as the central point of contact for barbershop in Switzerland and as the bridge to the global barbershop community, enabling meaningful international collaborations.
And You?
Join us in celebrating and growing barbershop harmony in Switzerland. Whether you're a singer looking to join our community or want to support our mission, there's a place for you.