Wombat in Anaheim - Mark your calendars!
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:47 am
Okay, folks, I've got a few details for you. This summer I'll be in Anaheim with the Vocal Majority chorus, as part of the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Convention. The VM is competing for our unprecedented 12th gold medal (and 11th in a row), and I'd love for as many of you as can to be in the crowd cheering for me!
The convention runs from June 28 - July 5, and there are typically 10-11,000 people attending. The headquarters hotel of the convention will be the Anaheim Hilton (right next to the convention center, though we aren't using the convention center). I and the rest of VM will be staying and rehearsing at the Sheraton Park Anaheim, right next to the Hilton.
The competitions will be held at the Honda Center. Here's the line-up:
[INDENT]Wednesday, July 1 - Quartet Quarter-finals (2 sessions)
Thursday, July 2 - Quartet Semi-finals
Friday, July 3 - Chorus competition (2 sessions - VM sings #7 in the first session)
Saturday, July 4 - Quartet Finals[/INDENT]
For unlimited access to all competition sessions, you'd need a convention registration, which runs $175 -- however, closer to the convention dates they'll start offering single-day admissions to locals, and you can typically get into just the chorus competition for $30-40. (Watch the BHS websitefor details.)
But you can still get a lot of entertainment for free while we're in town. First, the Vocal Majority will be rehearsing on Wednesday evening beginning at 7 p.m., and then most of the day Thursday. We typically set up in a ballroom with 500+ chairs for spectators, and it's free and open to anyone (not just convention attendees) to come watch/listen. But be aware, sometimes our rehearsals become standing room only!
Second, with this many barbershoppers in town, there's impromptu singing everywhere. If you just hang around in the various hotels we're in, especially the Hilton headquarters, you'll hear a lot of fine singing. (And don't be surprised if it spills over into the streets and even in the parks!)
As for Disneyland, I'll be done with the convention on the 5th but will be staying with my family an extra few days to recuperate and sight-see. I won't be planning much in the way of actual get-togethers since time is limited, but if regulars here will let me know closer to time where I can find you I'll try to meet you and say 'hi'!
The convention runs from June 28 - July 5, and there are typically 10-11,000 people attending. The headquarters hotel of the convention will be the Anaheim Hilton (right next to the convention center, though we aren't using the convention center). I and the rest of VM will be staying and rehearsing at the Sheraton Park Anaheim, right next to the Hilton.
The competitions will be held at the Honda Center. Here's the line-up:
[INDENT]Wednesday, July 1 - Quartet Quarter-finals (2 sessions)
Thursday, July 2 - Quartet Semi-finals
Friday, July 3 - Chorus competition (2 sessions - VM sings #7 in the first session)
Saturday, July 4 - Quartet Finals[/INDENT]
For unlimited access to all competition sessions, you'd need a convention registration, which runs $175 -- however, closer to the convention dates they'll start offering single-day admissions to locals, and you can typically get into just the chorus competition for $30-40. (Watch the BHS websitefor details.)
But you can still get a lot of entertainment for free while we're in town. First, the Vocal Majority will be rehearsing on Wednesday evening beginning at 7 p.m., and then most of the day Thursday. We typically set up in a ballroom with 500+ chairs for spectators, and it's free and open to anyone (not just convention attendees) to come watch/listen. But be aware, sometimes our rehearsals become standing room only!
Second, with this many barbershoppers in town, there's impromptu singing everywhere. If you just hang around in the various hotels we're in, especially the Hilton headquarters, you'll hear a lot of fine singing. (And don't be surprised if it spills over into the streets and even in the parks!)
As for Disneyland, I'll be done with the convention on the 5th but will be staying with my family an extra few days to recuperate and sight-see. I won't be planning much in the way of actual get-togethers since time is limited, but if regulars here will let me know closer to time where I can find you I'll try to meet you and say 'hi'!
