When is the Chorus Check-in?

Choruses are required to check-in and present needed paperwork on Thursday, March 26 between 6:00 and 6:45 PM EDT.  This should be done by the chorus president/team coordinator or director.  The Chorus Briefing will include the Official Inspection.

 

We request that all chorus directors and leadership participate in the Official Inspection and mic testing to serve as the large, mid-size and small choruses. We will begin with the large chorus at 7:00 PM, and then move to mid-size and then small chorus under the direction of the panel chair.

 

When is the Chorus Briefing?

The Chorus Briefing will begin immediately following the Official Inspection by the Judging Panel Chair on Thursday, March 26, 2026 (anticipated to be about 8:00 PM EDT).

 

Will there be a walk-through of the chorus pattern?

Chorus leaders or anyone concerned about the pattern will be encouraged to walk through the pattern on their own time. There will be no formal walk-through.

 

1. You will not have a hostess to guide your chorus through the pattern. We will provide you with your pattern starting time, when your chorus should be outside your assigned warm-up room. Your chorus will make their way to the area outside the warm-up room on their own at their own pace.

 

2.  We suggest that each chorus bring a collapsible wagon (or wagons depending on the size of the chorus) to carry all chorus belongings through the pattern. Each member is requested to bring a gallon-size ziploc bag that each competitor can put their AET and personal items into. These bags will be put in the wagon(s). Choruses will be responsible for having members keep up with the wagon(s) throughout the pattern. There will be a designated spot backstage for the wagon(s) to be parked while the chorus is on stage. The person(s) responsible for the wagon(s) will need to retrieve the them after the performance and take them to the chorus meeting place to return individual bags. THE REGION DOES NOT PROVIDE WAGONS/BAGS.

 

3. Once you leave the warm-up room, your chorus will be directed to walk to the pre-stage area via the stairs, escalator, or small elevator. The competition staff asks that the small elevator be reserved for only those competitors who cannot use stairs or escalators. There will be signs and volunteers to direct traffic. The pre-stage area remains in the same location as in years past.

 

How do we handle riser chairs?

Riser chairs, riser buddies, etc. (of any description) must be brought to the competition hall by Friday evening. Whoever will be positioning the chairs/buddies on the risers during the competition needs to meet with the Stage Manager or her designee after the Chorus Briefing. A rehearsal of placing and removing the chairs/buddies needs to be completed Friday evening. Chairs/buddies may be left in the back-stage area.

 

What about special needs?

If any of your members have special needs (use a wheelchair, use a riser chair, etc.) please be sure to note that on the Regional Chorus Registration. This information will be consolidated into a list and a copy of this list is provided to the pattern volunteers and the on-stage crew. It really helps for all of them to know what is coming next.

 

Are there restrooms available in the chorus pattern?

Restrooms are located in the hallway outside of the chorus warm-up rooms, and adjacent to the pre-stage area.

 

Where does the chorus pattern start?

The Chorus Pattern will start at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center on the 2^nd floor outside the warm-up rooms (Rooms 1&2 and 4&5). There will be no busses or hostesses available.

 

What is the pre-stage area?

The pre-stage area is a section of Event Center II that is adjacent to the competition hall, separated by an air wall. Restrooms are in the adjacent hallway. Water, mirrors, hair spray, tissues, etc. will be available in the pre-stage area. There will be room for the chorus to line-up in the pre-stage area. There will be a coat rack and a dressing room in the pre-stage area for dual members competing with multiple choruses. Please be as quiet as possible; you will be able to hear the competitor who is on stage.

 

What to do with personal items while on stage?

Each competitor is responsible for bringing an individual gallon-size ziploc bag for personal items. Bags should have your name and Chorus listed on the outside, with your AET (name badge) easily visible inside. If the AET is clearly visible, it can serve as the marking of name and chorus. Each Chorus will use wagon(s)/bag(s) to transport personal items through the pattern. NO WAGONS/BAGS ARE PROVIDED BY THE REGION.

 

When will chorus photos be taken?

Official photos will be taken on stage. Candid photos will be taken during the performance and will be available through the photographer’s website 30 days after the competition.

 

How does a chorus enter and exit the stage?

From the pre-stage area, choruses will be directed to the stage door. Someone from the stage crew will open the stage door and guide the chorus to the stage. Choruses will enter the stage through a set of curtains from stage right. The stage lights will be dim as the chorus is positioned on the risers. When the chorus is ready, the director will nod to the stage manager. When the judges are ready, the emcee will go to the podium. As the emcee says the name of the chorus, the lights on stage will come up to full strength. There will not be a curtain in front of the risers. At the end of the performance, after the director accepts applause, the chorus will get in position for the official chorus photo. After the photo, the lights will be dimmed, and the chorus will exit the stage on stage left (walking towards the podium and then through the side curtains). The stage crew will escort the chorus to the exit.

 

What does a Chorus do after competing?

The stage exit door will take competitors into a hallway that leads to the main lobby of the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The entrance to the competition hall will be immediately to the right. The food area is in the lobby. The restrooms are just past the main lobby.  The Director and/or President/Team Coordinator need to go to the webcaster desk located in the back of Event Center I. The webcasters will interview them, and this is their opportunity to say hello to family and friends who are watching the webcast.

 

 

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