Region 17 is pleased to announce our fourth annual webcast for the 2019 Competition! More details about the Viva Acappella competition on May 17-18, 2019 can be found at the event page. The webcast is free and donations are gratefully accepted so we can continue to offer this to our community.
Links to the webcast, all of our competitors and their stage times and information about this year's webcasters are listed below.
Donations are accepted for this webcast by using our Pay Pay link -- found on this page. You do not need to be a member of Pay Pal to send us a donation. Links remain available after the event through International competition.
Send a Shoutout!
Send a Shout Out to your friends and family during competition!
Shoutouts are free and will be read during the competition for your favorite competitor. Use your shout out to encourage donations to our webcast and let your favorite competitors know you are in their corner!
Quartet Competition Times: Friday, May 17th
While we would love to have you stay for the whole contest, please allow yourself extra time before and after the listed on stage time of your favorite quartets and choruses so you don't miss them!
Emcee starts at 3:50pm EDT
| Pizzaz (mic testers) | On Stage: 4:05pm |
| .CALM | On Stage: 4:16pm |
| To Be Determined | On Stage: 4:27pm |
| Surefire | On Stage: 4:38pm |
| Ladies First | On Stage: 4:49pm |
| Ring True | On Stage: 5:00pm |
| Sublime | On Stage: 5:11pm |
| Lucille | On Stage: 5:22pm |
| Stand by Me | On Stage: 5:33pm |
| Party Favors | On Stage: 5:44pm |
| Resolution | On Stage: 6:40pm |
| Fast Forward | On Stage: 6:51pm |
| Cadenza | Withdrawn |
| Wicked | On Stage: 7:02pm |
| Sticky Notes | On Stage: 7:13pm |
| Note to Self | On Stage: 7:24pm |
| Shimmertones | On Stage: 7:35pm |
| Stay Tuned | On Stage: 7:46pm |
The quartet competition will have a 30 minute Intermission from approximately 6:00-6:30pm and will have additional performances by the outgoing champions and the Encore Club after the last contestant has competed. The awards ceremony will follow after that.
Chorus Competition Times: Saturday, May 18th
Emcee starts at 11:50am
| Coldwater(evalulation only) | On Stage: 12:05pm |
| Sounds of Pittsburgh (evaluation only) | On Stage: 12:17pm |
| Lake Effect Harmony | On Stage: 12:29pm |
| Voices in Harmony | On Stage: 12:41pm |
| Pride of Toledo | On Stage: 12:53pm |
| Greater Harmony | On Stage: 1:05pm |
| Dogwood Blossoms | On Stage: 1:17pm |
| Laurel Harmony | On Stage: 1:29pm |
| River Raisin | On Stage: 1:41pm |
| City of Flags | On Stage: 2:35pm |
| Buffalo Gateway | On Stage: 2:47pm |
| Indi-Anna | On Stage: 2:59pm |
| Maple Mountain | On Stage: 3:11pm |
| Battle Creek | On Stage: 3:23pm |
| Lake Ridge Legacy | On Stage: 3:35pm |
| Little River | On Stage: 3:47pm |
| Grand Rapids (open division) | On Stage: 3:59pm |
The chorus contest will have a 30 minute intermission from approximately 1:50-2:20pm. After the last contestant, there will be a short stretch break followed by a performance from the outgoing champions and the announcement of the awards.
Our Webcasters
Quartet Webcast
Our quartet webcasters are well known to members of Region 17.
Diane Porsch
Diane Porsch, Certified Showmanship Judge and International Faculty has been a member of Sweet Adelines International since January 1975.
Diane has enjoyed over 44 years of musical leadership in Sweet Adelines. Having served as Master Director of The Fox Valley Chorus from 1975-1985, The Riverport Chorus from 1985-1999 (with 5 regional championships under her direction) and currently the Buffalo Gateway Chorus from 1999 to present. Buffalo Gateway Chorus has earned three Region 16 Championships and 3 Wildcard invitations since 2001 and has placed in the Top Ten five times. In addition to directing Sweet Adelines choruses, Diane served as the front line director of all-male East Aurora Friends of Harmony BHS Chorus from 1999 to 2006.
In her work with Sweet Adelines, Diane has achieved many honors: In addition to her judging and faculty duties, she has served as Moderator of the International Faculty Coordinators, IES chair in 2003 and co-chair of the 2009 Side By Side directors' seminar. She also served on the International Board of Directors and as a member of the Education Direction Committee and served Region 16 in multiple leadership positions. She works with champion men’s and women’s choruses and quartets throughout the United States along with coaching, judging and teaching in England, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and Australia. Not surprisingly, her educational background is as a music major; having studied at both the University of Dubuque, Iowa, and the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
Diane's busy schedule is a breathless but fun existence as she spends most of her weekends in trains, planes and automobiles as she travels to and from coaching and teaching assignments worldwide. She is especially thrilled to be a part of Region 17 as the front-line director of Buffalo Gateway Chorus and as a part of the webcast team for the 2019 Region 17 Quartet Contest!
Please welcome, Diane Porsch.
Deb Ferenc
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Deb Ferenc has been with Sweet Adelines since 1994 and been active in the organization both musically and administratively. She has been a member of the award-winning, Greater Cleveland Chorus for 25 years and spent 9 years as a dual member of the Scioto Valley Chorus, Region. She also spent a season as a dual member with Region 17’s Flagship City Show Chorus.
She has been active singing in several medalist quartets through her 25 years as a Sweet Adeline. 4U, XS and TGIF. As a Regional Quartet Champion with TGIF in 2007 and 2011, she traveled to the International Stage in Las Vegas, Calgary and Houston.
In addition to holding every position at the chapter level, Deb has served on the Regional Board of Directors, the Regional Management Team (RMT), continues to serve for 24 years on the Convention Committee, has been the Regional Administrative Director for the past two years while Region 17 conducted the Regional Governance Pilot Program. Deb will return to her previous position as the Regional Team Coordinator for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
She also served two consecutive terms on the International Membership Committee. She remains active on the International level just finishing up with the Visioning Retreat Task Force and working now with the Chorus Growth Incentive Program Task Force.
Please welcome, Deb Ferenc.
Chorus Webcast
Our chorus webcasters are also familiar to Region 17. Most recently, they were half of Region 17's past champion quartet, Naturally Quartet.
Amy Ringley
A Sweet Adeline for 25 years, Amy is an Associate Member of the Greater Cleveland Chorus/Region 17, and Dual Member with International medalists, Scioto Valley Chorus/Region 4.
Having achieved the status of “Approved Director” in the SA International Director Certification Program, Amy is currently serving as Co-Director for The Region 17 Encore Club.
At Harmony weekends, she enjoys meeting with members of the Region while conducting PVI’s (Private Vocal Instruction) and coaching new Quartets. She has represented Region 17 at Sweet Adeline International Conventions with Regional Quartet Champions Park Avenue, Sundance, B.L.A.K. Velvet, and Naturally.
In Her professional life, Amy serves as an Activity Director for older adults adapting to Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairments…she and husband “Timman” reside in Massillon, Ohio with 100lb. “Ellie”… their three year old Golden Lab.
Please welcome, Amy Ringley.
Kathy Fazekas
Kathy Fazekas has been a Sweet Adeline since 1976 when she joined Cleveland East Suburban (CES) Chapter. She has been a member of Friendship VII Chorus in Region 4, Maple Mountain Chorus, Region 17, and is a charter member of Greater Cleveland Chorus in Region 17 where she sings today. She became a dual member of Scioto Valley Chorus (4th place International medalists) in Region 4, in 2010, and competed with them at International contest in New Orleans.
Kathy has been involved in Sweet Adelines both musically and administratively. She has held every chorus position EXCEPT treasurer and has served on Region 17’s Regional Management Team. She is a past Regional Team Coordinator and is currently the Team Secretary. Kathy has served as the quartet promotion coordinator for Region 17 and was a member of the regional education committee for many years. She serves as the vice- president of the Encore Club, Region 17’s regional quartet champ organization. Kathy is a 10 time regional quartet champ having competed at the International level with Park Avenue, Sundance, BLAK Velvet, and Naturally quartets. She can’t imagine her life without Sweet Adelines and all the wonderful friends she has made along the way.
Please welcome, Kathy Fazekas.
Amy and Kathy will be joined by Master Director, Jean Flinn:
Jean Flinn grew up in a barbershop home, and she sang in her first barbershop quartet when she was in 2nd grade. She became a member of Sweet Adelines International in 1974 when she joined the Village Belle Chapter. She has also been a member of the City of Flags Chorus. She has been a board member, a section leader, an assistant director, and an associate director. She has directed the Chippewa Valley Chorus, the Cuyahoga Valley Chorus, and is currently the Master Director of the Greater Cleveland Chorus.
Jean is a Certified Music Arranger, and is currently the Arranger Education Specialist for Region 17. She is also the Music Arrangements Coordinator for Sweet Adelines International. She has taught arranging classes, music theory classes, and Finale (music software) Classes at the regional level and at International Education Symposiums. She has also coached many quartets and choruses.
Jean is a retired music educator. She and her husband, Doug, have three children: Melissa, Ryan, and Kelley, and two granddaughters: Eleanor and Margaret. Melissa is an active member of Sweet Adelines International in Region 9.
Please welcome, Jean Flinn.
