The college music scene is hotter than ever -- with hits like "Coney Island Baby" and "Sweet Adeline" at the top of the list.

Twenty-four quartets from across North America will be singing the old songs (and some that are new) when they square off in the finals of the ninth-annual MBNA America Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest Friday, July 7 in Kansas City. The contest is being held in conjunction with the 62nd-annual convention of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America.

Preliminary contests were held throughout North America from March to May. The winning quartet will receive a $4,000 cash prize, and be crowned the collegiate champion.

"College men have musical interests and talents beyond hip hop," said SPEBSQSA Public Relations Specialist Reed Sampson. "Barbershop harmony is music that anyone can make, just for the fun of it. It's a lifelong hobby."

Previous college champions have enjoyed touring careers and have continued to be active in the barbershop world. Members of retiring champion Station 59 from the University of Florida in Gainesville will be on hand to assist with this year’s medal presentation.

The contest is sponsored by MBNA America Bank of Wilmington, Delaware, issuer of the SPEBSQSA VISA and gold MasterCard, which feature the distinctive Norman Rockwell painting of a barbershop quartet.

Print stories and photographs, and video and audio feeds featuring top contenders and contest footage will be available. Contact local affiliates for footage, or contact barbershop puiblic relations at 816-421-6800 x 4784 for further information.