REGIONAL WEEKENDS... VIRTUALLY!
From classes to contests to afterglows...regions made it happen
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n March, Sweet Adelines International announced the cancellation of regional competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite their sadness, Sweet Adelines around the world responded to the news with support for their leadership and for each other. And in Sequoia-Pacifica Region #11, a little something more...Plans for the first-ever Sweet Adelines virtual regional weekend! Their example inspired others, and that is how Sweet Adelines and barbershop fans got to virtually sample a bit of the unique style of regional conventions around the world. Here are some of the creative ways regions organized virtual events for their members!
and choruses in order of appearance, celebrated longevity and other awards, and shared a video tribute to their directors. “This was a way for us to get back into the spirit of what we’re all about and to have a good time,” said Communication Coordinator Heather Reimnitz in a video message at the end of the weekend. “Hopefully it took everybody’s minds off of things that are going on in the world. There will be another time when we can get together and sing and hug each other and have a great time with one another.”
Region #1 • Virtual Festival
Region #11 Communication Coordinator Debbie Curtis and Marketing Coordinator Jennifer Zucker along with the RMT and convention committee created the first “non-contest weekend.” Through their hard (and fast!) work, Region #11 brought 60+ years of traditions to members and guests via Zoom and Facebook Live. Using their convention program as a framework, Region #11 created virtual versions of every event and tradition their region had planned. Using past performance videos, photos, and new recordings made using a cappella apps, they featured quartets and choruses in their order of appearance on what would have been contest day. They also offered an education class presented by their four judges and the panel secretary discussing each judging category with a live Q&A at the end and an afterglow for around 50 visitors via Zoom. They moved their traditional Sunday morning brunch from the ballroom to the living room, hosting it virtually. Regional awards and recognitions were presented, and they held a rose ceremony, a Region #11 tradition of remembrance for members who have died over the last year.
Activities were offered every day from April 24-26 for Region #1’s Virtual Festival via Facebook Live and YouTube. Friday and Saturday, quartets and choruses were featured, along with special messages from then-President Patty Cobb Baker and thenPresident-Elect Joan Boutilier. A Zoom afterglow was held on Saturday night, with a “meet the judges” panel hosted by Karen Sweeters on Sunday. Their festival was enthusiastically attended (virtually) by visiting members of Region #16.
Region #5 • 2020 Vision Made Virtual For several weeks in April, Region #5 posted each chorus and quartet in their order of appearance on their Facebook page, with a short history of each one, photos, and sometimes video. They included a slideshow of their convention’s vendors so members could order online! Their 2020 Vision culminated in a live webinar with their judges Jean Barford, Mary Ashford, Dale Syverson, Ruth Ann Parker, Panel Secretary Marilyn Cox, 2020 Education Coordinator Annette Wallace, and Official Panel Liaison Ellen Hartz.
Region #8 • Virtual “Contest” The first weekend in April, Region #8 transferred all convention activities to their Facebook page, where they introduced quartets
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| July 2020
Region #11 • The Non-Contest Weekend
Region #12 • Heroes of Harmony Region #12 celebrated Heroes of Harmony with virtual quartet and chorus introductions, among other activities, via their YouTube channel. Members of the region’s judging panel sent video messages about their categories which were posted throughout the weekend. Events Coordinator Mary Mamer said
