Convention FAQs
This page deals with your frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the schedule, the contests, and other events associated with our regional convention. Can't find what you need? Don't forget to try the Search box (upper right) to find all references to a topic as well.
Where can I find the official SAI Competition Handbook? The Competition Handbook is available by visiting this link: 2023 Competition Handbook. Here you'll find the rules and regulations that pertain to competition; this version replaces all prior handbooks.
What if my quartet or chorus has to withdraw from the contest? If your quartet or chorus has to withdraw, a written withdrawal notice (email is acceptable) must be received at International headquarters. A phone call is NOT sufficient. Please also notify Julia Mikulic / julielmikulic@gmail.com if you must withdraw; it will help us modify the traffic patterns!
Can choruses schedule breakfasts for Saturday morning in conjunction with their rehearsal? Yes, you can! More information here: 2023 Extras - Choruses
How will props be handled at our new contest venue? Props/riser chairs/other equipment can be brought over to the FICA Friday morning before the quartet contest starts for quartets and choruses, and also on Saturday morning before the chorus contest starts for choruses. All prop items will be stored backstage behind/next to the elevator. Chorus members are responsible for setting up and removing items after your contest set is over. All items must be removed from the building immediately following the chorus contest announcements.
What special awards are presented during the weekend? The list of awards, medals and certificates presented during our convention is long indeed! Please read on for more specific information.
Where can I find the official SAI Competition Handbook? The Competition Handbook is available by visiting this link: 2023 Competition Handbook. Here you'll find the rules and regulations that pertain to competition; this version replaces all prior handbooks.
What if my quartet or chorus has to withdraw from the contest? If your quartet or chorus has to withdraw, a written withdrawal notice (email is acceptable) must be received at International headquarters. A phone call is NOT sufficient. Please also notify Julia Mikulic / julielmikulic@gmail.com if you must withdraw; it will help us modify the traffic patterns!
Can choruses schedule breakfasts for Saturday morning in conjunction with their rehearsal? Yes, you can! More information here: 2023 Extras - Choruses
How will props be handled at our new contest venue? Props/riser chairs/other equipment can be brought over to the FICA Friday morning before the quartet contest starts for quartets and choruses, and also on Saturday morning before the chorus contest starts for choruses. All prop items will be stored backstage behind/next to the elevator. Chorus members are responsible for setting up and removing items after your contest set is over. All items must be removed from the building immediately following the chorus contest announcements.
What special awards are presented during the weekend? The list of awards, medals and certificates presented during our convention is long indeed! Please read on for more specific information.
Sweet Adelines International and North by Northwest Region 13 Awards
SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
SAI Awards are purchased by Region 13 and presented during the awards presentation following each contest.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST REGION 13 AWARDS
The following regional awards are purchased by Region 13 and presented to qualifying competitors during the contest weekend:
OPEN DIVISION:
Audience Choice and Bravo Awards
When there are at least two eligible* competitors in the Open Division, ballots will be distributed for the Audience Choice Awards for each contest to a maximum of 50 people in the audience. The award is presented to the competitor receiving the highest vote count from audience members. No criteria are established except the personal preference of the individual audience member. The voting forms will include instructions that those voting must be present for all competitors. The Regional Awards Chair will determine the best way to randomly distribute ballots to audience members at the beginning of each contest and collect ballots after each contest for tallying and reporting of results to the Competition Coordinator.
When there is only one eligible* competitor in the Open Division, a Bravo Award will be presented instead of the Audience Choice Award. There will be no audience voting for the Bravo Award. The recipients of the Audience Choice Award or the Bravo Award will receive a certificate and individual member ribbons.
* Choruses which have already qualified and have earned the right to compete in the current year’s international semifinals or Harmony Classic can perform in the Open Division, but they are not eligible for the Audience Choice or Bravo Award.
Novice Director Award
The Directors Coordinator presents the Novice Director Award Certificate at the Saturday Night Show of Champions. The chorus director meeting the following criteria will receive this award:
Novice Quartet Award
Individual certificates, are presented during the convention weekend to a novice quartet that meets the following criteria:
Most Improved Quartet Award
Individual certificates are presented during the convention weekend to the quartet meeting the following criteria:
Heart of the Northwest Award
The Heart of the Northwest is an award the Regional Management Team will give each year to a Region 13 member who displays enthusiasm and commitment and exemplifies all that is a Sweet Adeline. Chapters may nominate members for this award. The deadline for receiving nominations is January 15. Nomination forms are available on the website. The final decision will be made by the Membership Coordinator along with the last four winners of the award based on a review of the candidates submitted. This will be done prior to contest and the award will be presented during the competition weekend. All candidates, along with the award recipient, will be posted on the regional website after contest.
Starburst Award
The Region 13 Starburst Award is presented to the chorus achieving the greatest percentage increase in membership beginning February 1 of the preceding year to January 31 of the current year. A $100 gift from Region 13 is presented to the winning chapter. Honorable mention certificates are presented to the two runners-up choruses. The Region 13 Membership Coordinator presents the awards sometime during the convention weekend.
SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
SAI Awards are purchased by Region 13 and presented during the awards presentation following each contest.
- Region 13 will be printing certificates (using the SAI template) for our qualifying competitors.
- Region 13 will also be ordering and providing the following awards to qualifying competitors:
a. First Place Quartet – SAI medals
b. 2nd – 5th Place Quartets – SAI medals
c. Overall 1st-5th Place Chorus Champion – SAI medals
d. Division A 1st-3rd Place Chorus – SAI medals
e. Division AA 1st-3rd Place Chorus – SAI medals
f. Most Improved Chorus – SAI medals - Medals/Ribbons for new or noncompeting members, or replacements for lost medals/ribbons, may be purchased by the member through International Sales.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST REGION 13 AWARDS
The following regional awards are purchased by Region 13 and presented to qualifying competitors during the contest weekend:
- Audience Choice or Bravo Quartet and Chorus : certificates
- Novice Director: certificate
- Novice Quartet - individual certificates
- Most Improved Quartet - individual certificates
- Heart of the Northwest - certificate and memento symbolizing this award
- Starburst - certificate, $100 gift from Region 13, and wrist bands for chorus members; certificates to Honorable Mention recipients
OPEN DIVISION:
Audience Choice and Bravo Awards
When there are at least two eligible* competitors in the Open Division, ballots will be distributed for the Audience Choice Awards for each contest to a maximum of 50 people in the audience. The award is presented to the competitor receiving the highest vote count from audience members. No criteria are established except the personal preference of the individual audience member. The voting forms will include instructions that those voting must be present for all competitors. The Regional Awards Chair will determine the best way to randomly distribute ballots to audience members at the beginning of each contest and collect ballots after each contest for tallying and reporting of results to the Competition Coordinator.
When there is only one eligible* competitor in the Open Division, a Bravo Award will be presented instead of the Audience Choice Award. There will be no audience voting for the Bravo Award. The recipients of the Audience Choice Award or the Bravo Award will receive a certificate and individual member ribbons.
* Choruses which have already qualified and have earned the right to compete in the current year’s international semifinals or Harmony Classic can perform in the Open Division, but they are not eligible for the Audience Choice or Bravo Award.
Novice Director Award
The Directors Coordinator presents the Novice Director Award Certificate at the Saturday Night Show of Champions. The chorus director meeting the following criteria will receive this award:
- The director must be competing for the very first time at a Sweet Adeline International regional contest.
- The Novice Director’s chorus shall be competing in the International division.
- The Novice Director’s chorus scores higher at the regional contest than other choruses led by novice directors.
Novice Quartet Award
Individual certificates, are presented during the convention weekend to a novice quartet that meets the following criteria:
- Scores higher than any other novice quartet in the contest, with a minimum of 400 points having been achieved,
- No more than two (2) members of the quartet have previously competed at any Regional Competition.
- The Education Coordinator or her designee is responsible for calculating the information and presenting the certificates during the convention weekend.
Most Improved Quartet Award
Individual certificates are presented during the convention weekend to the quartet meeting the following criteria:
- Exhibits the greatest increase in total points over the previous year’s score when compared to other competitors,
- Must achieve a minimum score of 400 points,
- Must have competed the previous year with the same quartet personnel.
- The Education Coordinator or her designee will track the statistics and award the certificates during the convention weekend.
Heart of the Northwest Award
The Heart of the Northwest is an award the Regional Management Team will give each year to a Region 13 member who displays enthusiasm and commitment and exemplifies all that is a Sweet Adeline. Chapters may nominate members for this award. The deadline for receiving nominations is January 15. Nomination forms are available on the website. The final decision will be made by the Membership Coordinator along with the last four winners of the award based on a review of the candidates submitted. This will be done prior to contest and the award will be presented during the competition weekend. All candidates, along with the award recipient, will be posted on the regional website after contest.
Starburst Award
The Region 13 Starburst Award is presented to the chorus achieving the greatest percentage increase in membership beginning February 1 of the preceding year to January 31 of the current year. A $100 gift from Region 13 is presented to the winning chapter. Honorable mention certificates are presented to the two runners-up choruses. The Region 13 Membership Coordinator presents the awards sometime during the convention weekend.
Have another question? If you have a question that's not answered here, send us an email! We'll get back to you and may also put your query on this page for future inquiring minds.
