Fremont, California • March 14-17, 2024
Tickets go on sale January 1 • Early-Bird pricing until February 16 • Advance sales end March 6
• SEATING IS LIMITED - we encourage you to REGISTER EARLY!
About
Join us for the Far Western District Spring Convention! This in-person event will be held at the Gary Soren Smith Center at Ohlone College located on Mission Boulevard in Fremont, California. Get ready for a weekend filled with incredible music, exciting performances, and unforgettable memories. Whether you're a seasoned barbershop enthusiast or simply enjoy harmonious melodies, this convention is perfect for everyone. Come and experience the joy and camaraderie of the barbershop community. Don't miss out on all the fun! Come to the Far Western District Spring Convention!
The International Quartet Preliminary is open to all quartets. We will qualify quartets for the International Quartet contest in Cleveland, Ohio during this event.
For each division we will award Quartet and Chorus champions, Novice and Senior Quartet champions, Plateau A/AA/AAA Chorus champions; Youth and Super Seniors Quartets can compete at this event, but awards for these classifications will not be given until all five FWD division contests have completed. Additionally, this event will be used to qualify quartets and choruses for the Fall District contests coming up in October.
EXCLUSIVE to the 2024 FWD Spring Convention: Dan Wessler, Director of The Westminster Chorus, will direct a special chorus composed of anyone who wishes to sing under his direction. More information on that below.
We always welcome groups that would like to perform but are not interested in the contest. Our audiences are the best around, and our judges are there to help every group achieve its goals. Please join us at the event most convenient for you: we would love to see you!
All events are open to men's, women's, & mixed quartets/choruses.
Hosted by the Peninsulaires, Palo Alto - Mountain View Chapter.
ALL EVENTS ARE RESERVED SEATING
*** ADA Seating ***
ADA Compliant wheelchair spaces (labeled '-W') are available for those with special needs as well as adjacent companion seats (labeled '-C'). Use Promo Code "ADA" to unlock those seats for selection.
Advance Registration closes Tuesday, March 6 at 11:59 PM
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15 March 2024122 downloads
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19 February 2024289 downloads
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19 February 2024246 downloads
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17 February 2024455 downloads
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16 February 2024197 downloads
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16 February 2024137 downloads
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28 December 2023193 downloads
Hotel
Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley (HEADQUARTERS)
- 46100 Landing Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538
- Convention rate: $149, book by March 6, 2024
- Distance to venue: 5.2 mi
- RESERVATIONS
Set 10.7 miles from San Jose Mineta International Airport, this sophisticated hotel is 5.2 miles from our contest venue at Ohlone College.
The upscale rooms have Wi-Fi (fee) and 49-inch flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels, plus desks, coffeemakers and minifridges. Upgraded rooms have access to a lounge with free continental breakfast and evening appetizers. Suites add separate living areas with pull-out sofas.
Freebies include Wi-Fi in the lobby and parking. There's a stylish Californian restaurant and bar, an indoor pool, and a 24/7 fitness center, along with 19 meeting rooms and a business center.
Check-in time: 4:00 PM
Check-out time: 11:00 AM
Contest Venue
Gary Soren Smith Center for the Fine and Performing Arts
G. Craig Jackson Theatre
Ohlone College Fremont Campus
- 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont, CA 94539
- Distance from HQ hotel: 5.2 mi
The G. Craig Jackson Theatre is a 405-seat proscenium style theatre, set up for music, theater and dance performances. The space is engineered to have variable acoustics to complement the reverberation needed for orchestras and choirs to zero reverberation for standard theatrical presentations.
All Seats Reserved
pdf Reserved Seating Chart (184 KB)
ADA Compliant wheelchair spaces (labeled '-W') are available for those with special needs as well as adjacent companion seats (labeled '-C').
Use Promo Code "ADA" to unlock those seats for selection.
VIP Seating is offered to current FWD members of AFWDC, AIC, AISQC, FWD Hall of Fame, FWD Judges, and FWD Past Presidents. They may each bring one guest. Members of those groups will receive a special Promo Code to unlock VIP seating when purchasing their tickets
Dignitary Seating is offered to officials including Convention Chairman, Convention Honoree, member os the FWD BOD and DMT, and representatives from BHS and Harmony Foundation. Similarly, they will receive a Promo Code to unlock the Dignitary seats when purchasing tickets and may also bring one guest.
Convention Registration Rates
All Chorus and Quartet contestants must register at the Competitor rate.
"Non-Competitor" includes non-competing members, family, and guests twelve years and older.
If you are singing in the NorCal Harmony Collective (NCHC) you MUST register as a "Competitor".
If you are ONLY singing in the "Everyone Welcome Chorus" you can register as a "Non-Competitor".
All Events Registration (plus ticket fees) | Early-Bird Order by Feb 16 |
Regular Feb 17-Mar 6 |
On-Site Mar 15-16 |
Competitor Chorus and/or Quartet Competitor |
$60.00 | $75.00 | $100.00 |
Non-Competitor Non-Competing Member or Guest, 12+ years |
$35.00 | $50.00 | $75.00 |
Child Non-Member Child under 12 years |
Free | Free | $25.00 |
Single-Event Tickets for non-competitors will be available On-Site for $40.00 each event:
Quartet Semifinal • Chorus Contest • Quartet Final & Encore Performances
* Advance Registration will close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, March 6.
Important Dates & Deadlines
01-Jan-2024 (Mon) |
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16-Feb-2024 (Fri) |
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05-Mar-2024 (Tue) |
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14-Mar-2024 (Thu) |
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15-Mar-2024 (Fri) |
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16-Mar-2024 (Sat) |
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BOD & HOD Meetings
Date | Time | Meeting | Location |
14-Mar-2024 (Thu) | 7:00 PM | FWD Board of Directors (BOD) and District Management Team (DMT) Spring Meeting | TBD |
15-Mar-2024 (Fri) | 1:00 PM | FWD House of Delegates (HOD) Spring Meeting | TBD |
Chapter Leadership Training
Leadership Training at the Spring Convention!
Are you new to being on your chapter's board?
Are you interested in being on your chapter’s board and want to find out more?
The following FREE classes will be offered from 9:00am - 11:00am, Friday 3/15:
- President with Kenny Rios, FWD President
- Secretary with Bud Case, long-time Chapter Secretary
- Treasurer with Rich Owen, past FWD Treasurer
- Vocal Production with Laura Pallas Singer - "The Road to 'A' Level Singing"
Space for these classes is limited. Please SIGN UP to reserve your spot -- first come, first serve!
All classes will be held at Ohlone College, Building 3. See the convention schedule for specific room assignments.
Download the Class Materials:
NorCal Harmony Collective (NCHC) - EXCLUSIVE!
EXCLUSIVE to the 2024 FWD Spring Convention!
Dan Wessler, Director of The Westminster Chorus, will direct a special chorus composed of any member of any Division chorus who wishes to sing under his direction. Dan and Convention Chairman Dave Kocharhook cut a 4-minute video introducing the plan...
We are calling this special chorus the NorCal Harmony Collective (NCHC). It is anticipated to be a mixed chorus. This is NOT the mic tester chorus. The men and women singing in NCHC will be in the flow with competing choruses. NCHC is not a chartered BHS group therefore there will not be a “formal” score and the chorus cannot qualify to move on to the District Convention in October 2024. However, they can receive feedback from the judges.
Dan has chosen two songs: My Little Buttercup and That Old Quartet of Mine. Access to learning tracks and charts will be provided to those that register to sing in the chorus (see button below). They will have access to an online platform called TrackWrangler where they can play any combination of voice parts, loop specific sections of a song they find challenging, record and listen to themselves, and even submit a recording for feedback (should they so desire).
We’re also going to set up a series of Zoom sessions to review and work on the music. The Peninsulaires used such sessions during the COVID shutdown to rehearse parts for a mixed virtual chorus. We will use a similar process for NCHC to help singers become familiar with the songs. This is significant because the chorus will have a limited amount of time with Dan prior to the performance at the Convention. Using the virtual sessions will help singers to become comfortable with the specific arrangements for the two songs. More data about the process will be provided to those interested in participating in the chorus.
For That Old Quartet of Mine, we are using the learning tracks created by Tim Waurick. They are of very high quality. However, the arrangement Tim sang against (also written by Lou Perry) is NOT the arrangement accessible from the BHS site. In other words, don’t download the copy from BHS. Once a singer has registered to be part of NCHC, a link to the correct chart will be provided.
Note: If you are singing in the NorCal Harmony Collective (NCHC) you MUST register for the convention as a "Competitor" since the chorus will receive evaluation and feedback from the judges.
Everyone Welcome Chorus
While some choruses may not be planning to compete, we know that many of our members would enjoy singing a couple of songs from Polecat songbooks on stage before a welcoming audience. To facilitate that we are organizing an "Everyone Welcome Chorus" to perform as the Mic Testers for the chorus contest.
As the name implies, everyone is welcome to participate – Far Western District members and friends of Far Western District members whether or not your chorus is performing. There will be no evaluation of the chorus. We will sing, simply because it is enjoyable to sing before an enthusiastic audience.
There will be an all-chorus practice on Saturday morning before the chorus contest. See the convention program/schedule for time and location.
Note: If you are ONLY singing in the "Everyone Welcome Chorus" you can register for the convention as a "Non-Competitor".
Jordan Johnson will be directing the chorus, and he has chosen two classic "Polecat" songs:
- The Story of the Rose (Heart of My Heart)
- Sweet and Lovely (That's What You Are to Me)
You'll find them both in the Barberpole Cat Songbook Vol. I
Afterglow
Afterglow
The Afterglow is where all quartets and choruses, whether they competed in the contest or not, are invited to sing for a friendly crowd in a casual atmosphere. It's sort of a "cast party" where the whole barbershop family is invited. Pick-up quartets are sure to ensue, and there is a good chance you will get pulled in to sing a tag or two!
- Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley, Sunol & Ardenwood rooms
- 46100 Landing Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538
- Cash Bar available
Where To Get Help
Convention Registration
We are using Eventbrite for ticketing this event, and you will find answers to most questions on their website.
Please take care when making your registration, as the information you provide will be used to print your convention name badge.
After making your purchase, to edit order information like your name or email address, go to “Tickets” in your Eventbrite account. Choose the order you want to update and click “Edit”.
- Login to your Eventbrite account. Then go to "Tickets".
- Select your order.
- Click “Edit”.
- Save your changes.
TIP: You can also use this method to transfer a ticket to someone else. If you sell a non-competitor ticket to a competitor they can "upgrade" it on-site at the registration desk for a $35 fee.
IMPORTANT: All changes/transfers must me made PRIOR to the close of advance registration. Once the name badges have been printed, any correrctions must be made manually on-site and are subject to a $10 badge re-print fee.
By the way, you can also go to "Tickets" to print your tickets (in case you lost the email).
For further help and questions related to event/convention registration, please contact the REGISTRAR.
Contest Entry
How do I enter my quartet or my chorus in the CONTEST?
Contest entry is handled on the BHS Member Center website:
- Go to the BHS Member Center (members.barbershop.org)
- Login to your account
- We recommend you watch the instructional video on contest entry available on the main dashboard
- Click 'Manage My SCs' from the top menubar
- Select your Quartet or CHORUS (not chapter) from the list
- In the upper right corner, click 'Enter a Contest/Festival'
- Follow the guided instructions.
FAQs, Walkthroughs, and How-To Videos
Some key points:
- All competitors must be dues-paid members of the Society.
- Quartets must be registered with the Society before they are eligible to compete, and be current with their annual quartet registration fee.
- Quartet registration and renewal is done through the BHS Member Center. Login and look for 'Register or Reinstate a Quartet'.
- All competitors must purchase an All-Events Registration to the convention in which they are competing (done HERE on this website).
Where to get Help:
- For help and non-technical questions related to the Contest, please contact the DRCJ.
- For technical help with the BHS Member Center and Contest Entry, please contact the Society at:
- Phone: (800) 876-7464
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- For help with Registering (tickets) for the CONVENTION, please contact the Registrar.
Hotel Reservations
Hotel reservations are made directly with the hotel, either on their website or by phone.
For help related to HOTEL RESERVATIONS, please contact the hotel directly.