06/02/2026
This Tuesday, we are going back in time, all the way to April of 2008, where four gentlemen won their first gold medal as one of the most iconic quartets in the public consciousness: The Ringmasters.
These men attended Adolf Fredrik's Music School & Stockholm's Musikgymnasium, both incredibly high profile music schools in Sweden. Armed with their musical knowledge, they took the stage in Sweden, winning Gold at the Nordic Barbershop Quartet Contest in Stockholm. Having reached the pinnacle of accolades that the SNOBS had to offer (the Society of Nordic Barbershop Singers), they set their sights on the United States of America, the motherland of Barbershop.
Coached by the legendary Doug Harrington, The Ringmasters won the Barbershop Harmony Society International Collegiate Championship in July that very same year. In 2009, they placed fourth in the world. In 2010, they went to International with pieces written by Harrington, eking out third place.
In 2012, they hit the International competitive stage again, this time in Portland, and won the gold singing "I Love Being Here with You,' "Lazybones," and "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea."
That same year, they were the highlighters for our show here at The West Sound Chorus, and from what I hear it was truly a wonderful night.
Pictured from left to right are the original members of the Ringmasters with their World Champion trophies:
Emanuel Roll, Baritone
Martin Wahlgren, Bass
Rasmus Krigström, Lead
Jakob Stenberg, Tenor.
So where are they now?
In December of 2018, Martin Wahlgren stood down as Bass to focus on his family and other professional commitments. He was replaced by Didier Linder, in the second picture.
In January of 2026, Emanuel Roll retired from quarteting with the Ringmasters to focus on being an active father, leaving a baritone shaped hole in the quartet. The founding Lead, Krigström moved down to Baritone, while their founding Tenor, Stenberg, moved down to Lead. They called up Victor Nilsson of Lemon Squeezy fame (2025 International Champions) to be their new tenor.
They finished their first tour together as the modern Ringmasters in December of 2026, third picture.
