Buckeye Invitational

April 27, 2020 January 25, 2026

dbayliss

In 1995, my chorus placed 3rd in the Mid-Atlantic District contest in Ocean City, MD. We earned an invitation to the Buckeye! What an honor.

In 1996, the Heart of Maryland Chorus was invited to participate in the Buckeye Invitational by placing third in the annual Mid-Atlantic District Contest. This mini-convention invites only the 3rd place finishers from each district across the country.

While most members and guests traveled together by charter bus, we chose a different route—we followed along in our camper.

Camping with Erica was already part of our routine, and bringing our own space made the long weekend far more manageable. Familiar schedules and surroundings mattered, and the camper allowed us to keep things comfortable and predictable.

The Buckeye Invitational was an annual barbershop festival and competition hosted each August by the Singing Buckeyes in Columbus. Open to both men and women, the event was designed for choruses and quartets that placed third in their respective district contests—just short of qualifying for International.

Its goal was simple and generous: to offer performers a chance to experience the spirit, scale, and camaraderie of an International-level competition without the pressure of advancing. For us, it became a meaningful blend of music, family, and adaptability—another example of finding ways to keep living fully while caring for Erica.