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VocalFest 2026 — Sheraton Parsippany
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS with Class Descriptions
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TIMEACTIVITYROOMDESCRIPTION
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Friday, September 18
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4:00 PMRegistration OpensGrand Foyer
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5:00 PMEarly Bird Mix and Mingle (1 hour):Grand BallroomMake some new friends from around the region! Chat, sing a tag or regional song, find a dinner buddy, and shop the fundraising tables ahead of the crowds.
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5:00 PMEarly Bird Regional Faculty Class (1 hour): Is this Contestable? [Jeanne Elmuccio]Florham ParkLearn about what you need to consider when choosing a song for contest.
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6:00 PMDinner on your own
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7:00-8:10 PMRegional Song: Send Your Love
Welcome and Nikki Blackmer Class 1 (1 hour): Sing a Tag with Me		Grand BallroomTags are a cornerstone of the barbershop art form—but in our busy schedules, we don’t always get the chance to sing them. This fun, interactive class brings that joy back! You’ll learn a variety of musically satisfying tags taught by ear, ranging from simple to more complex. Each one is a little gem, and none are overdone. Whether you're a seasoned singer or newer to tag-singing, this class is always a hit and sure to leave you smiling.
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8:15 PMVocalFest Chorus Rehearsal #1 (45 min): Don't Stop [Nikki Blackmer]Grand BallroomAttendees are invited to participate or observe this first rehearsal. Participants are asked to learn Don't Stop in advance. Chorus will perform Saturday night.
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8:15 PMRegional Faculty Class (45 min): “The Mystery of Developing Unit Sound” [Harriette Walters]Florham Park“Embracing Barbershop Style to see how creating higher levels of Unit Sound addresses and incorporates the many elements we continuously strive for.“
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9:00-9:45 PMNovice Quartet Contest! Grand BallroomNovice quartets (no more than 2 members who have competed at the regional level) are invited to participate with one song of their choice.
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9:45-10:15 PMQuartet Chorus Rehearsal #1: Happy Together [Kat Britt]Grand BallroomAll members of registered quartets and the Blue Notes who have learned the song Happy Together are invited to participate. Chorus will perform Saturday night.
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Saturday, September 19
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7:00 AMBreakfast on your own
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8:00 AMRegistration OpensGrand Foyer
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8:00 AMBlue Notes Meeting & RehearsalFlorham ParkAll members of the Blue Notes (Quartet Champion Chorus) are invited.
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9:00 AMWelcome and Roll Call with Alicia Caron and Evelyn Langenstein
Song by a medalist quartet		Grand Ballroom
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9:10 AMNikki Blackmer Class 2 (1 hour):
Wicked Warm-Ups: Wake Up Your Body, Mind, and Voice		Grand BallroomCome get energized! This high-participation class will get your body, breath, and voice fully engaged while exploring the why behind effective warm-ups. You’ll experiment with new ways to prep your instrument—physically, mentally, and vocally—so you’re ready to sing at your best. You will leave with practical tools and a take-home handout full of creative, effective exercises to keep your warm-ups fresh and purposeful.
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10:00 AMRegion 15: From Wishlist to Contract: Finding a Convention Home
Barb Wright and RCC members		Grand BallroomJoin Barb and her team as they pull back the curtain on Convention Decisions. Learn what it really takes to select a hotel, performance space, and plan a successful regional convention.
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10:45 AMStretch Break (5 min)
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10:50 AMNikki Blackmer Class 3 (1 hour):
Airheads: Breathe In. Breathe Out. Make Sound.		Grand Ballroom Think you know how breathing works for singing? Maybe… but there’s a good chance someone has given you advice that’s more myth than science!

Join us as we follow the journey from inhale to exhale to phonation and uncover what’s really happening when we sing. We’ll separate fact from fiction, explore how the body turns air into sound, and make the science of breathing easy to understand and apply.

Come curious, leave with a better understanding of your breath…and maybe with fewer “airhead” moments along the way!
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11:50 AMQuartet Chorus Rehearsal #2 (25 min): Happy Together [Kat Britt]Grand BallroomAll members of registered quartets and the Blue Notes who have learned the song Happy Together are invited to participate. Chorus will perform Saturday night.
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12:15 PMLunch on your ownHotel "Amuse" restaurant will be open or you can go off site.
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12:15 PMDirectors/Team Coordinators Lunch with Jenn Hunter and Harriette WaltersGrand Ballroom SouthAll Region 15 Chorus Directors and Team Coordinators/Presidents are invited.
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1:15 PMVocalFest Chorus Rehearsal #2 (50 min): Don't Stop
Directed by Nikki Blackmer		Grand BallroomAttendees are invited to participate or observe. Participants are asked to learn Don't Stop in advance. Chorus will perform Saturday night.
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1:15 PMRegional Faculty Classes (50 min each - Choose One):
1. Team vs. Ensemble Building: Why Both Are Important (Alexis DePersia-Norelli) Florham Park
2. Every Voice Matters:Harmony Begins w/ Belonging (Lori Britt Horvath & Colleen Christi Willett) Madison
3. Diphthongs, Secondary Diphthongs, and Vowel Pronunciation (Jeanne Elmuccio) Chatham
4. 20 Key Factors for Membership Retention (Evelyn Langenstein) Livingston
5. GVI (Group Vocal Instruction) (Patty Danner and Heidi Wilson) Morristown		Room assignments next to each classRegional Faculty Classes (50 min each - Choose One):

Class Descriptions are listed below at the end of the master schedule.		\
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2:05 PMBreak (10 min)
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2:15 PMSong by a medalist quartet
Nikki Blackmer Class 4 (1 hour):
Rhythm’s Gonna Get You: Understanding Rhythm, Groove, and Pulse		Grand BallroomWhat makes music feel alive and irresistible? In this class, we'll explore the core elements of rhythm that give music its drive and character. You'll learn to recognize downbeat vs. backbeat, understand the concepts of tempo, pulse, and accent, and dive into what musicians mean when they talk about groove - that magical element that makes music move.
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3:15 PMBreak (10 min)
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3:25 PM
Nikki Blackmer "Directors Class" (50 min):
Customize It!: Tailoring Arrangements to Your Ensemble
Grand BallroomSeen through the eyes of a Musical Director, this class dives into how you can adapt and rework an arrangement to perfectly suit your ensemble’s unique personality and performance level. We’ll explore creative approaches to customizing phrasing, dynamics, and vocal textures—helping your group bring out its best sound and expressiveness.
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3:25 PMRegional Faculty Classes (50 min each - Choose One):
1. Team vs. Ensemble Building: Why Both Are Important (Alexis DePersia-Norelli) Florham Park
2. Every Voice Matters:Harmony Begins w/Belonging (Lori Britt Horvath & Colleen Christi Willett) Madison
3. Core Values and Long Term Planning (Sabrina Doolittle) Chatham
4. 20 Key Factors for Membership Retention (Evelyn Langenstein) Livingston
5. GVI (Group Vocal Instruction) (Patty Danner and Heidi Wilson) Morristown		Room assignments next to each classRegional Faculty Classes (50 min each - Choose One):

Class Descriptions are listed below at the end of the master schedule.
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4:15 PMBreak
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4:20 PMRiser rehearsals:
HT - 4:20-4:45
SOS - 4:50-5:15
SOG - 5:25-5:50		Grand Ballroom
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6:00 PMHappy Hour/Sing with the ChampsGrand FoyerTime to mingle before the Regional Dinner and Show. Cash bar available.
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7:00 PMRegional Dinner (included with Registration Packages A, B, and D)
and Member of Note and Longevity Awards Recognition		Grand Ballroom
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8:00 PMSaturday Night Show: Celebration of International Competitors
VocalFest Chorus (Don't Stop)
Quartet Chorus (Happy Together)
Youth Chorus - Denville
Lucille - Morristown
Hickory Tree - Chatham
Yellow Brick Road-Madison
SOS - No room needed
942 - Florham Park
Sirens- No room needed
Distribution of love gifts for international competitors in Columbus, Ohio
End-of-Show Regional Song: How We Sang Today		Grand Ballroom


Saturday Night Show: Celebration of International Competitors
VocalFest Chorus (Don't Stop)
Quartet Chorus (Happy Together)
Youth Chorus - Denville
Lucille - Morristown
Hickory Tree - Chatham
Yellow Brick Road-Madison
SOS - No room needed
942 - Florham Park
Sirens- No room needed
Distribution of love gifts for international competitors in Columbus, Ohio
End-of-Show Regional Song: How We Sang Today
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Prep and holding areas for performers
Rooms are listed above - Use as desired
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10:00 PMInformal Tagging TimeGrand Foyer
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Sunday, September 20
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8:00 AMBreakfast (included with Registration Package A)Grand Ballroom
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9:00 AMWelcome
Song by a medalist quartet		Grand Ballroom
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9:15 AMNikki Blackmer Class 5 (1 hour):
Achieving Vocal Match: Step-by-Step Tools for a Unified Sound		Grand BallroomHow do we actually get our voices to match? In this class, we’ll tackle that timeless question with clear, practical, and easy-to-follow strategies. You’ll learn a step-by-step approach to improving vocal blend, focusing on tone, resonance, vowel shape, and more. Whether you’re in a quartet or a chorus, these tools will help you create a more unified, cohesive sound in a way that’s efficient, accessible, and immediately applicable.
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10:15 AMBreak (15 min.)
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10:30 AMNikki Blackmer Class 6 (1 hour): Top 10 Things I Wish I'd Known EarlierGrand BallroomIn this fun and practical class, she will share the 10 “aha” moments she wishes she’d known when she first started her own singing journey. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced singer, these insights are designed to take the guesswork out of singing, helping you reach a better sound and find more ease, confidence, and consistency.
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11:30 AMSing: How We Sang Today - Official End to Vocal Fest
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Regional Faculty Breakout Sessions
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Both1. Team vs. Ensemble Building: Why Both Are Important (Alexis DePersia-Norelli)Florham ParkCome move, play, and get to know yourself and fellow singers better as we explore team and ensemble building activities and how they help us to be both stronger community members and performers!
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Both2. Every Voice Matters: Harmony Begins w/ Belonging (Lori Britt Horvath & Colleen Christi Willett)MadisonHow Belonging strengthens culture, membership and musical excellence. Practical strategies for building connection, trust and engagment.
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First Session3. Diphthongs, Secondary Diphthongs, and Vowel Pronunciation (Jeanne Elmuccio)ChathamExplore the importance of common vowel pronunciation and how they impact sound, synchronization and word recognition. Recognize the eight main diphthongs and wonder about what secondary diphthongs might be.
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Both4. 20 Key Factors for Membership Retention (Evelyn Langenstein)LivingstonIn this session we will identify & discuss 20 Key Factors that can help Membership Coordinators/Teams build strong, thriving choruses !!
Learn new strategies for taking care of long-time or rookie members.
Whether you're a membership coordinator, part of the team or just want to find out how to help members of your chorus feel more at home, join me for some great conversation and great resources
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Both5. Group PVI (Patty Danner and Heidi Wilson)MorristownParticipants are invited to engage in an interactive group vocal lesson. All are welcome to attend and bring a recording device if desired .
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Second Session6. Core Values and Long Term Planning (Sabrina Doolittle)ChathamLearn what you value and turn those things into a plan! Discover ways to identify and implement core values and goals as an individual, quartet or chorus.
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