Who is competing? Where do I go? What can I do? This is your (not exhaustive) list of what to do visiting Belleville for the 2019 Ontario District Spring Convention, April 12th to 14th. Hosted this year by our international chorus competition representatives, the Toronto Northern Lights, there are 27 competitors across 6 contests this year.
This convention, the contest performances will be held at Centennial Secondary School – 160 Palmer Road Belleville, ON K8P 4E1, where registrations will also be available for purchase during Friday and Saturday. The headquarters hotel is Fairfield Inn and Suites – 407 N Front St, Belleville, ON, K8P 3C8. For more details regarding directions and accommodations, visit http://ontariosings.com/sconvention/directions-and-accommodations.
The Harmony Kings from Seaforth return to contest, after a year and a half off. The last competition they attended was the 2017 Fall Chorus contest. The Twin City Harmonizers return to the stage this year, along with the Scarborough Dukes of Harmony, the Royal City Ambassadors, and A Cappella Niagara. The Kingston Townsmen return to the contest stage under new direction. The East York Barbershoppers did not compete last Spring, but they did compete in the Fall contest. The Ottawa chapter is not returning this year, though their director, Sean Mueller, will be directing the Joe and Jane Barbershopper Chorus to open the chorus contest. The 7 choruses will compete for the district trophy this Spring, and to cool the mics, International Seniors’ Quartet Champions DoubleDouble will sing! It’s an event you don’t want to miss. To find out about the Joe and Jane Barbershopper Chorus, as well as what music is being sung and to get learning materials, visit http://ontariosings.com/sconvention/joe-barbershop
The quartet contest on Friday night will feature some familiar names and some new ones! Returning to the contest after a year off creating an album, Yonge Guns are thrilled to be back. They are joined by quartetting veterans Playback, and Ontario’s own nobility, The Aristocrats. In addition from Toronto, we have Sync or Swim, Flashpoint, and reigning mixed quartet champs Ripple Effect. Hot off their Novice Quartet win in the Fall, Quiet, I’m Sleeping returns to the stage, along with their Ottawa chorus mates in Meta, and Barbershop Therapy. From Hamilton (and in some cases, Toronto, Barrie, etc. – you know how it is) come a plethora of quartets (3 of which include Peter Dennett; nice! That guy loves quartetting!) in all contests (I think… will confirm post-convention). We have Halton County Gong Show, The After Party, The ‘Town Criers, and True North Four. Then competing in the mixed contest, Dually Noted, House Tour, Mix Dup, Wednesday Works, and She’s With Him. Nice lineup, Hamilton! From East York, Brass Monkey returns to the stage, and to open the contest up, a quartet from Sweet Adelines International, Glisten, will warm up the mics. See all of the competing quartets and the order of performance at http://ontariosings.com/sconvention/singing-order.
If you are looking to register for the convention to watch one or more events, click here or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/m?oeidk=a07efv551ni39dc89bd&oseq=&c=&ch