DRAFT PAGE
Region 19 Convention and Competition
Thursday, April 3 - Saturday, April 5, 2025

updated 11-15-24
THIS YEAR'S LOGO
The Lehigh Valley Chorus is proud to be your Host Chorus for the 2025 Convention! 

As Sweet Adelines, we gather every spring to compete among friends, but also to forget our troubles and burdens for a few days. Getting on that stage really sets us free ~ free to be who we are, showcase everything we’ve worked so hard to  accomplish. This year we want our fellow sisters in harmony to remember that the sky's the limit this weekend! Go out there, relax, and enjoy the ride: Up, Up and  Away we go!
DEADLINES
​​COMPETITOR INFORMATION
INTERNATIONAL ENTRY FEES AND DEADLINES:
  • Quartet entry fee is $125
  • Chorus entry fee is $200 
  • Please note that the International entry deadline (Quartet: February 3/Chorus: February 4) is 60 days prior to the contest date (April 4/April 5). 
  • Open Division competitors will be in the random draw with International Division competitors.
  • Evaluation Only competitors will compete first. 
  • If you register for competition after the 60 day entry deadline, you will have an additional $100 fee added onto your registration. As well as the late fee, your chorus/quartet will not be entered into the initial draw for order of appearance which takes place 55 days prior to competition. A secondary draw two weeks later will be done for any late entrants. 
  • No entries will be accepted after the late entry (45 day) deadline - no exceptions! 
  • Please note: in addition to the Quartet/Chorus Entry Fee, each performer must purchase an All Events Badge (Regional Convention Fee)

​NEW THIS YEAR! Helpful instructions from SAI on how to register for competition:
ORDER OF APPEARANCE (OAP):
QUARTETS:
  • Your quartet's name and personnel must be registered (SAI Quartet Page) with International Headquarters no later than January 16, 2024 to be eligible to enter to compete or perform for evaluation in this year's Regional Competition.
  • Quartets registering after January 16 will be assessed an additional $50.00 processing fee and must be registered prior to your region’s late entry date (45 days prior to the regional quartet contest date, February 18, 2025).​
  • ​Members may now compete in up to two different quartets during the same regional contest, as long as they are in different competition divisions (e.g., one quartet in the International Division and one in the Open Division).
    • No more than two members per quartet may compete in the second quartet in the same regional contest.
VIDEO EVALUATION:
  • Any quartet or chorus, including prospective choruses and current champion quartets and choruses, may submit a video recording for Evaluation Only or Open Division by the official panel at a regional competition by so indicating on the entry form submitted to the Competition Department at IHQ.
    • For more information, see the SAI Competition Handbook, Section VI: Video Evaluation Guidelines.
  • Video submissions are subject to the standard entry fees ($200 for choruses, $125 for quartets). Late entry fees also apply if entry forms are received after the entry deadline.
  • Video submissions must be submitted digitally to Stephanie Everett, Competition Coordinator, by March 29, one week prior to the Regional Competition
    • The Song Information Sheet confirming your song choices, the Open Division Cue Sheet (Open Division Competitors ONLY), and the List of Competing Members form (choruses only) must also be submitted.
    • If a chorus or quartet is not able to submit their video digitally, please contact Stephanie Everett before May 1 for additional options.
COMPETITION RECORDINGS:
  • Video recordings for each competitor’s performance are available for purchase. Information and digital links will be distributed to the contact information provided on the Performance Video Request Form a few days after contest weekend.
  • Audio recordings are no longer distributed in CD format with each competitor's score sheet packet; any competitor who does not order a video download of their performance will receive an audio download a few days after contest weekend.
  • This year there will be no Director videos available for purchase.
  • Before sharing your performance video please make sure you have obtained permission from Sweet Adelines International.
SEATING:
Region  19  has the  same  General  Seating  policy as last year. Per  the  Regional  Standing  Rules  (Section  VII:  Regional  Convention,  G1),  VIP  seating  will  be  available  for  past  Region  #19  International  Champion  Quartets,  current  Region  #19  Regional  Quartet  Champions,  current  and  past  International  Presidents,  previous  International  Chorus  Champion  directors,  Region  #19  RMT,  RCSC  committee  members  (including  past  RCSC  for  two  years),  and  visiting  dignitaries. Members of the 2024 Most Improved Chorus will be assigned VIP seating for the 2025 Regional Contest. Those  with  special  seating  needs,  and  their  caretakers,  if  necessary,  will  also  be  accommodated  (this  request may be found on the Regional Convention Registration form). 
PURSE BAGS (CHORUSES)
  • Please make sure that you bring your chorus bags to the chorus briefing.
  • Each chorus is responsible for providing its own purse bags labeled with the chorus name.
PATTERN WALK-THROUGH
  • All In-Chapter Hosts will be taken through the pattern on Friday morning (refer to the Schedule of Events).
  • See the Pattern section for a video of the pattern walk through and pattern maps
PHOTOGRAPHY
  • All photography orders and fees for posed images are due in advance -- deadline: March 5.​​
  • Digital downloads will be available on the photographer's website post-convention.
  • It is important to include detailed costume descriptions on the order form. The photographer uses this information to match each proof with the order. Orders without descriptions may be considered incomplete. 
  • Pictures will be mailed directly to each chorus or quartet approximately six weeks after competition; therefore, a shipping charge and tax is required on ALL photo orders. 
  • Any non-competing quartet may also order photos. You will be contacted with a scheduled time slot for you to report to the photography room.
  • CHORUS PHOTOGRAPHY NOTES:
    • WILL BE DONE ON STAGE AGAIN THIS YEAR, and the photographer will be shooting from the video platform. 
      • Your chorus should have a pose prepared
      • As the lights go down after your performance, you should immediately strike your pose. 
      • All chorus members will be responsible for making sure their face is in a window so it can be seen in the photo, as well as looking toward the video platform. 
      • When the lights come back up, the pose should be held until the lights go down again. 
      • When the lights go down the chorus may release the pose and exit the stage.
    • Remember the photographer must take a picture wide enough to fit the chorus:
      • This means there might be space at the top and bottom of your photo.
      • For better results, smaller and mid-size choruses should stand close together.
      • Mid-size choruses who are not using every step on the risers may consider doing so just for the photo pose if they prefer the 8x16 or 10x20 prints.
      • It is recommended for the larger choruses that an 8x24 or 10x30 photo be selected. 
      • See the second page of the order form for suggested sizes.
PERMISSION TO POST VIDEOS:
  • By being a competitor in any 2025 Regional Competition, you have been granted permission to post the Sweet Adelines International video recording of your performance, only after your performance has been adjudicated.
  • It is understood that you have obtained all applicable licenses and/or permissions from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC for your chorus or quartet. Sweet Adelines International reserves the right to revoke this permission for any reason.
  • For specifics regarding social media copyright/licensing rules and regulations, please consult these entities. Sweet Adelines International and Region 19 appreciate your conscientiousness regarding copyright matters. 
  • This means that choruses and quartets, by submitting their regional entry forms and signing the releases in the entry forms, have been given permission to post their contest videos after adjudication at contest, assuming that they have obtained all the appropriate licenses.
    • They will not need to reach out to HQ for permission.
    • If there happens to be some question as to the timing of sharing their video, they are of course encouraged to reach out to Sweet Adelines International.​
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS:
  • Only those awards designated by the International Organization may be announced or presented within the framework of the Regional Quartet and Chorus Competitions

Eligibility:
  • ​To be eligible to win ANY award based on performance, the contestant must have a total score of 400 points ("C+" level) or above with the exception of the Most Improved Award which does not require a minimum score.
  • Any chorus/quartet that chooses to submit a video entry in lieu of competing in person is not eligible for International division awards.

Midsize (AA) and Small (A) Chorus Divisions
  • In addition to the current standard chorus competition, internationally sponsored chorus competitions will include the following divisions:
    • Small (Division A) Chorus 12 – 25 competing members on stage
    • Midsize (Division AA) Chorus 26 – 50 competing members on stage
  • Medals will be presented to the first-, second-, and third-place choruses in both divisions. 
  • ​The five highest scoring first-place choruses among all of the small (A) and midsize (AA) divisional winners will be invited to the subsequent year's International Harmony Classic to compete in a small (Division A) chorus competition and a midsize (Division AA) chorus competition, respectively.
    • The maximum number of singing members on stage for Division A (small) choruses has been increased to 40 and for Division AA (Midsize) to 75 for the Harmony Classic. The Board recognizes that once a chorus wins an opportunity to compete at the International level, this is used as a membership recruitment opportunity. The rule change supports a chorus' opportunity to grow, but still maintains the integrity of the two divisions. This rule change does NOT affect regional competitions. Small choruses still compete with 12 - 25 singing members and midsize choruses with 26 - 50.
REGIONAL AWARDS:
Audience Choice/Bravo Award
  • The Audience Choice/Bravo Award is a regional award available to Open Division Quartet and Chorus competitors selected by the audience. It is to be awarded prior to the announcement of official results. If there is only one eligible competitor, the Bravo Award is given.
  • ​Information on the Open Division may be found on SAI’s website here (SAI member login required) – includes FAQs, judging criteria, and scoresheets. 
Regional Novice Quartet Award
  • The purpose of this award is to honor the highest scoring Novice Quartet in Region 19 each year.
  • A novice quartet may have no more than two members who have competed, either together or separately, in any Sweet Adelines Regional or International Quartet Competition, including Rising Star and Diamond Division, or in any quartet competition hosted by Harmony Inc. or BHS and its affiliates. The Novice Quartet Award will be presented to the highest-scoring qualified novice quartet. ​
Platinum Quartet Award
  • To be eligible for the award, the quartet must be the highest scoring of all qualified senior quartets, (all members aged 55 or over) and score 400 or above. 
Most Improved Quartet Award
  • The purpose of this award is to recognize the quartet which shows the most improvement over the 2024 Region 19 Competition.
  • In order to be eligible for this award, quartets may only have one personnel change since last regional Quartet Competition.
Janet Ashford Most Improved Chorus Award
  • The purpose of this award is to recognize the chorus which shows the most improvement over the 2024 Region 19 Competition.
SHOW OF CHAMPIONS:
  • The Saturday Night Show lineup, schedule, and time allotments cannot be determined until contest results are released. 
  • Those eligible to perform will be:
    • Host Chorus
    • 1st Place Small Chorus (Division A)
    • 1st Place Midsize Chorus (Division AA)
    • Quartet Audience Choice/Bravo Award Winner
    • Chorus Audience Choice/Bravo Award Winner
    • Novice Quartet
    • Platinum Quartet
    • Most Improved Chorus
    • Most Improved Quartet
    • Region 19 2025 Quartet Champions
    • Region 19 2025 Chorus Champions
  • The schedule for performers will be distributed directly after the chorus contest.
  • All performers are to arrive in costume. 

DOCUMENTS AND FORMS

  • Sweet Adelines International Competition Handbook 
    • Each year Sweet Adelines International makes updates to the Competition Handbook and distributes them to the Chapter Team Leadership/Presidents and Directors and registered quartets. Choruses and quartets are strongly advised to carefully review the most current publication of the Competition Handbook 
  • Chorus Entry Form (Sweet Adelines International website -- Member Login required)
  • Quartet Entry Form (Sweet Adelines International website -- Member Login required)
  • Open Division Cue Sheet: Chorus
  • Open Division Cue Sheet: Quartet
  • ​Chorus List of Competitors
  • Links to Google Forms (Region 19 website -- Members Only Login required)  THESE ARE NOT READY FOR 2025
    • ​Includes the following forms:
      • Chapter Housing Coordinator
      • Registration for Chapters and CAL/MAL
      • In-Chapter Host
      • Quartet and Chorus Video Download Order
      • Rehearsal Request Time
      • Video Billboard Ads
      • ​Quartet Award Eligibility
      • Quartet and Chorus Special Assistant Request
      • Quartet and Chorus Final Pose
      • Song Information Sheet
      • Quartet Photography Form
      • Chorus Photography Form
      • Webcast Questionnaire for Competitors
PATTERN AND BACKSTAGE INFORMATION
Ser: Update intro and video title
  • There will only be one riser configuration, utilizing 11 sets of inverted risers. According to International Guidelines, 11 sections should comfortably accommodate 120 chorus members.
  • There will be two handheld mics and one stationary mic available for those doing Open Division.
  • Complete instructions, a time schedule, the order of appearance, and a traffic pattern will be sent to Chorus Presidents and/or Team Coordinators, Directors, and Competing Quartets a few weeks before contest weekend. 
  • View the Pattern Walk Through Video below:

PATTERN MAP

Click here for the floor plan of the Lancaster Convention Center
HOUSING & ENVIRONS
Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square
25 S. Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
717-239-1600

SALLY: NEED PRICES AND LINK
HOUSING PROCESS:
  • This year, each chapter will appoint a Housing Coordinator who will submit information for their chapter (SALLY: DO YOU HAVE THIS YET --> see Documents and Forms), and work with Region 19's Housing Coordinator, Sally Kelly, to reserve rooms for chapter members.
  • Non-chapter registrants (e.g., Chapter-at-Large and non-Region 19 attendees) should contact Sally Kelly, Housing Coordinator, to book rooms no later than February 27. Please note that the housing deadline has passed and our room block AND the hotel is completely full.
​
​HOTEL INFORMATION:
  • All standard rooms include a complimentary mini-refrigerator, flat screen TV, alarm clock, iron and ironing board, safe,  hair dryer, and two free parking spaces in the attached garage. 
  • Credit cards accepted: MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover, and Diners Club. Personal checks are not accepted by Marriott Bonvoy. 
  • NOTE: Room fees may not be divided among guests by the hotel at check-in or check-out. Please work out payments among roommates.
  • Based on hotel room occupancy on the previous night, rooms cannot be guaranteed to be ready upon arrival until the 4:00 PM published check-in time. The hotel will make every effort to have rooms ready as soon as possible; however, standard check-out time is 12:00 PM for departing guests, and all rooms must then be cleaned. If you plan to arrive before 4:00 PM, and if your assigned room is not ready, the hotel CANNOT change room assignments. There will be a place provided for you to store your luggage, so you may attend the scheduled activities until your room is ready.
  • SALLY: Is this the same? Basic high-speed internet fee: $11.95 per day. Enhanced high speed internet fee: $16.95.
    • NOTE: In addition to other benefits, all Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Members receive free basic high-speed internet. If you would like to receive free wifi, you are encouraged to become a member by going here (only the chorus member providing the credit card information to reserve the room is required to be a member to receive the free basic service, but then all those in the room may use it).
  • NO signs may be hung on room doors or in the elevators under any circumstances!

PARKING:
  • Each room reservation includes two (2) free parking spots in the attached garage.
  • Entrance to the garage is 28 S. Duke St. Lancaster, PA 17603. Standard on-site parking fee is $2 hourly, $19 daily.
  • For anyone not staying at the hotel overnight and planning to stay for more than eight (8) hours, there will be discounted parking tickets available for $10.00 (Sally is this still the same?)
    • To obtain a discounted parking ticket, keep the normal parking ticket provided when pulling into the garage. BEFORE leaving the event, stop by the Region's registration desk to pick-up a discounted parking coupon.
    • When leaving the garage, you will insert the normal parking ticket, followed by the discounted parking ticket and then you will be charged $10.00.

DINING OPTIONS:
Please click here to view Lancaster Marriott's webpage regarding dining options.

ATTRACTIONS & SHOPPING:
Please click here to view Lancaster Marriott's webpage regarding local attractions and shopping.

HOSPITALITY SUITES:
In addition to the Regional Afterglow Party, a limited number of our function spaces were available Saturday night for chorus hospitality suites for $100. All function spaces have been booked.
JUDGING PANEL
​Sound: Mary Rhea
Music: Kay Bromert
​Expression: Joan Boutilier
Visual Communication: Renee Porzel (Panel Chair)
Panel Secretary: Heather Reimnitz
REGIONAL CONVENTION STEERING COMMITTEE (RCSC)
Region 19's Mission Statement:
A women’s organization dedicated to musical excellence and the development of leaders through education, camaraderie, and performance of a cappella harmony in the barbershop style.
Region 19 Standing Rules
Region 19 By Laws
2024 photographs courtesy of Angell Photography
Most photographs pre-2024 courtesy of JB Photographers