On September 8-10 we gathered in Parsippany, New Jersey for a wonderful weekend of learning with a full slate of fantastic events! In addition to sessions with our Special Guest Faculty, Britt-Heléne Bonnedahl, the event featured classes led by Region 15 Faculty, performances by regional quartets, a VocalFest Chorus, and a Quartet Chorus. At Saturday night’s banquet we held a send-off celebration for our International 2023 competitors* and enjoyed special performances, we announced this year’s Member of Note honorees** and applauded our Golden Members (with 50+ years of SAI membership), and we cheered four chapter milestones***.
Our gratitude goes out to all those who made this day possible: Guest Faculty Britt-Heléne Bonnedahl; our Region 15 Faculty; Education Coordinator, Jean Schoenlank; Event Coordinator, Gretchen Danby; and the Regional Management Team.
The weekend also included a number of quartet happenings: A Quartet Showcase and Novice Quartet Contest on Friday night, Sing with the Champs to benefit Region 15 Young Singers Foundation during Saturday night’s cocktail hour, and Quartet Chorus performance of As Long As I’m Singing at the banquet. A special thank you to Kat Britt, Region 15’s new Quartet Coordinator – and to all of our performing / competing quartets, and to all of the past Region 15 champions who participated in the FUNdraiser.
Not able to attend VocalFest?
Were you there, but want to revisit one of the sessions?
We are pleased to announce that recordings are available for all of Britt-Heléne Bonnedahl’s classes.
See below for links to the recordings – and for related presentation decks and handouts.
(Thanks to Alexis DePersia-Norelli, Stephanie Ofshinsky, and Jean Schoenlank for capturing the videos.)
For those who registered and attended VocalFest in-person, you are welcome to rewatch for free!
For all others, you are able to view these videos gratis, but we are also accepting optional contribution via PayPal to help support regional programming. (Region 15 suggests a $15 contribution, but we invite you to donate what you can.)
CLASS 1 — VIDEO | Presentation Deck | Handout
Mental Training for Singers
CLASS 2 — VIDEO | Presentation Deck
Get Your Voice in Shape
CLASS 3 — VIDEO | Presentation Deck
Love What You Don’t Know Yet
CLASS 4 — VIDEO | Presentation Deck
What the Judges Want! Resonance, Sync, Continuous Vocal Line
CLASS 5 — VIDEO | Presentation Deck
Breathology
CLASS 5 — VIDEO
On the Risers with Britt-Heléne Bonnedahl (Warmups, For Once in My Life, How We Sang Today)
BONUS!
Breathing Meditation (Audio Only) — VIDEO
Sunday Morning’s Check-in with Intentions — VIDEO
Vocal Warmups — VIDEO
* Retired Master Director 700 Rönninge Show Chorus, Rönninge, Sweden
* Certified NLP-Practitioner [Neuro-Linguistic Programming]
* Certified Mental Trainer, with specialty in voice and language as a speech therapist
* Master Faculty Member, coach and vocal teacher specializing in teaching voice, mindset, directing leadership and communication
If you haven’t yet experienced the Rönninge Show Chorus, please watch this video, the last time Britt-Heléne directed them at an international competition before retiring.
* Region 15 Competitors at International 2023:
Greater Nassau Chorus * Sirens of Gotham Chorus
Illuminate Quartet * Harmony Quartet * VOCE Quartet * Lucille Quartet
** Watch for a separate news feature on our Member of Note 2023 honorees!
*** Chapter Milestones in 2023:
Twin County Chapter (1963) – 60 Years
Hickory Tree Chapter (1968) – 55 Years
Song of the Valley Chapter (1973) – 50 Years
Saratoga Soundtrack Chapter (2008) – 15 Years
Sirens of Gotham Chapter (2013) – 10 Years
If you attended VocalFest, but have not yet done so, please take a moment to fill out an Evaluation Form. Your feedback will help us better serve you!
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