VocalFest 2022: Together Again!
With Special Guest Faculty: Dr. Jim Henry
Friday, October 21 to Sunday, October 23
Sheraton Parsippany (Parsippany, NJ)
Update 10/23/2022
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend VocalFest 2022!
Our gratitude goes out to all those who made this day possible: Guest Faculty Dr. Jim Henry; our Region 15 Faculty; Education Coordinator, Jean Schoenlank; Event Coordinator, Kay Weiss; and the Regional Management Team.
How'd it go?
Please take a moment to fill out an Evaluation Form. Your feedback will help us better serve you!
Watch this space for additional after-event details, including handouts and other resources from the weekend, a feature on our Region 15 Members of Note, and more.
Save the date for a few Region 15 virtual events in the coming months...
(Dates subject to change.)
* December 16 — Region 15 Holiday Glow (Zoom)
* February 11 — Leadership Day with Guest Faculty Kim Wonders (Zoom)
In Harmony,
Your Region 15 Management Team
Update 10/10/2022
Registration Deadline Extended!
Individuals can still register for Classes Only** through Friday 10/14.
(**Package C / no meals)
Please use the Region 15 Google Registration Form to register for VocalFest.
Individual Registration – For anyone who is not a member of a Region 15 Chorus...
Each individual will:
* Submit the Region 15 Google Registration Form
-- Submit proof of vaccination [CDC does not include boosters in their definition of fully vaccinated. We are aligning with that.]
-- Submit signed waiver
-- Agree to email photo of negative rapid test result by noon on October 21 [Test to be taken within 24 hours of arrival.]
* Submit registration fees via PayPal.
See below for further details, including a link to the full VocalFest schedule with class descriptions.
Update 9/1/2022
REGISTRATION is now open! [Register by October 7]
For All Attendees (See additional details below for CHORUS vs. INDIVIDUAL submissions)
* Everyone will use the Region 15 Google Registration Form to register for VocalFest
* Google Form submissions due October 7
* See Covid Protocols outlined below
* Menus for Saturday banquet and Sunday breakfast available here
* Registrations are transferrable, but not refundable
* No on-site registration
For Region 15 Choruses
One representative for each chorus will submit the Region 15 Google Registration Form for the chapter.
* For this submission, chorus contact will need to prepare and submit the Group Registration Grid. (This grid supplies the Names, Registration Packages, and Vaccination Status for all attending members. If applicable, note any special dietary needs, dual chorus / quartet designations for badges, and any orders for the Blue Notes Breakfast [Region 15 Quartet Champions only].)
* Submitter will be asked to agree to the following:
-- You have verified vaccination status of attending members [CDC does not include boosters in their definition of fully vaccinated. We are aligning with that.]
-- You will submit signed waivers for all attending members
-- You will email confirmation that you have received negative rapid test results for all attendees by noon on October 21 [Test to be taken within 24 hours of arrival.]
* Group contact will submit chorus check to Region 15 (details on the Group Registration Grid)
* Click here for additional Registration Form Instructions
For Individuals (Region 15 Chapter-at-large or out-of-region members)
Each individual will:
* Submit the Region 15 Google Registration Form
-- Submit proof of vaccination [CDC does not include boosters in their definition of fully vaccinated. We are aligning with that.]
-- Submit signed waiver
-- Agree to email photo of negative rapid test result by noon on October 21 [Test to be taken within 24 hours of arrival.]
* Submit registration fees via PayPal.
HOTEL Booking Information [Book by October 1]
For All Attendees
VocalFest will take place at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel (199 Smith Road Parsippany, New Jersey 07054).
* Everyone is responsible for booking their own hotel rooms directly through the hotel.
* Book by October 1
* VocalFest rate is $141/night plus applicable taxes/fees
* Hotel cancellation policy applies
COVID Protocols for VocalFest
These protocols apply for all attendees:
* Proof of vaccination
* Sign and submit waiver form
* Email negative rapid test results by noon on October 21
* Follow indoor masking requirement when not actively performing or eating >> see update below
MASKING UPDATE 10/5/2022:
The current recommendations of the CDC and the State of New Jersey regarding mask protocols indicate that masks are not required in indoor settings; therefore, mask wearing at VocalFest will be strongly recommended but not required. That being said, the RMT will continue to follow the guidelines and masks may be required if, in the next three weeks, there is a spike in cases and/or local ordinance requirements change.
See below for the Event Schedule, outline of Registration Packages, details on the VocalFest Chorus and other Regional Music at VocalFest, and more about Dr. Jim Henry.
We're so excited for this in-person education weekend, and can't wait to see you there!
~Your Region 15 Events and Education Teams
Update 8/16/2022
We are pleased to share the following key information, to help you plan for VocalFest weekend, coming up in October!
Registration Form and Hotel Booking Details to be supplied by the end of August.
GENERAL INFORMATION
What? VocalFest 2022
When? Friday, October 21 to Sunday, October 23
(Events kick off Fri late afternoon, and wrap up around noon on Sun)
Where? Sheraton Parsippany (199 Smith Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054)
Why? To have a fun and rewarding time, learn from our regional faculty and Special Guest Faculty Dr. Jim Henry – and to mix and mingle in-person with wonderful and talented singers from across our region!
The schedule of events for VocalFest is now available! The weekend includes small and large group classes, VocalFest Chorus, a Quartet Showcase, Saturday Night Show & Celebration of International Competitors, boutique, and more!
(Charts and tracks are available in the Regional Music area of the Members Only Region 15 website, login required.)
* For VocalFest Chorus (open to all members of Region 15): That’s What Friends Are For
* For Quartet Chorus (open to members of Region 15 registered quartets): Happy Together
* For Tag sessions with Stephanie Ofshinsky – and informal tagging opportunities: See Region 15 Tag Library
* Regional Songs will be sung during transitional moments throughout the weekend! Songs are listed on the VocalFest Events Schedule.
The registration packages available will be:
A — Event Registration, Saturday Dinner, Saturday Love Gift Celebration, and Sunday Breakfast — $155
B — Event Registration, Saturday Dinner, and Saturday Love Gift Celebration — $140
C — Event Registration ONLY (no meals) — $80
D — Saturday Dinner, Saturday Love Gift Celebration (no classes) — $80
* Region 15 Chorus Members will register through their chapter. (One representative from each Chorus will collect and submit registration info from members, and will submit one collective form and payment to the region.)
* Region 15 Chapter-at-large Members and Guests from outside of the region will register individually.
HOUSING – Hotel booking details to come by the end of August
Our VocalFest hotel is the Sheraton Parsippany (Parsippany, NJ). The rate for our Sweet Adelines VocalFest 2022 block is $144 per night plus taxes and fees. As in the past, it will be the responsibility of each individual to book their own hotel room.
COVID PROTOCOLS – Waiver and full details to come by the end of August
(COVID protocols are subject to change between now and October 21, with the goal being the health and safety of all in attendance.)
The same safety protocols we used for our Regional Competition will be in place for VocalFest, including proof of vaccination, signed waiver (just one this time!), masking, and negative antigen testing prior to arrival in Parsippany.
All individuals planning to attend VocalFest will be required to sign one Waiver.
* Region 15 Chorus Members will submit waivers through their chapter. (One representative from each Chorus will collect signed waivers from attending members and submit collectively to the region.)
* Region 15 Chapter-at-large Members and Guests from outside of the region will submit their waivers individually.
At this point in time, Region 15 leadership has agreed that we will maintain the indoor masking requirement for all attendees when they are not actively performing or eating.
Be sure to visit this page for all of the latest information as it becomes available!
This promises to be an amazing weekend – you won’t want to miss it!
~Your Region 15 Events and Education Teams
Save the Date for
Region 15 VocalFest 2022
>> Live and in person! <<
WHEN: Friday, October 21 to Sunday, October 23
Watch this space for all details as they become available.
A 40+ year member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, Jim is a two-time BHS International quartet champion bass, with Gas House Gang and Crossroads, and a four-time international chorus champion director of The Ambassadors of Harmony. Jim Henry holds degrees in vocal music education, music theory, and music composition, including a Ph.D. in Music Composition from Washington University. He is currently Head of Choral Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Jim travels the world as a guest conductor, coach, clinician, teacher, and lecturer.
