AHB Schedule & Electronic Dance Card Info
(Will be updated for 2024)
2023 AHB Schedule & Notes
(Modified 7-31-23)
Important Updates for the 2023 Rally -
Friday, August 11, 2023
So far, there have yet to be plans for organized public performances on Friday.
4:00 PM - Checkers gather in the New Castle section of the Grand Ballroom. They qualify to get their "Contest Qualification" cards signed.
4:30 PM - AHB Registration opens on the Lower Lobby level below the Hotel registration area (New Castle Foyer). Attendees register and begin to fill out their electronic Dance Cards and get "Contest Qualification" cards physically signed off. Wearing our traditional "Checker hats," checkers will evaluate the individuals' preparedness and sign-off cards. See Preparedness Process for details.
6:00–7 PM - Dinner in the New Castle section of the Grand Ballroom. Buy AHB Youth Scholars Raffle tickets to replenish and build our scholarship fund.
7:00 PM - Official Start. Welcome to the Brigade
General Meeting for all attendees in the Kent & Sussex sections of the Grand Ballroom. Overview by the President. Sing through the songs the Chorus will perform for the Big Show at Concord Mall.
7:00 PM - Contest Administrator begins the Quartet Draw process. NOTE: If you are not checked in with AHB by 7 PM, you must contact Doug Brown (908) 578-2457 or Jeff Porter (610) 202-7676 to be included in the contest draw.
8:00 PM - Announce the Quartet Randomizer 5000 quartet selections for the contest's first round.
9:00-10:00 PM - CANDIDATES (as noted on your badge) who have their qualification cards signed off and who wish to audition for AHB Membership acceptance will sing one designated song as a quartet with other Candidates or with an AHB selected trio in the Brandywine Room (next to the Fitness Center).
9:00 PM - Midnight - Get Dance Cards filled and "Contest Qualification" cards signed off.
Saturday, August 12, 2023
If you test positive for Covid, please stay in your room and immediately notify Paul Santino (646) 280-0342 or Doug Brown (908) 578-2457 to make arrangements.
7:30 AM - Breakfast opens til 9 AM in the Grand Ballroom. Attendees get "Contest Qualification" cards signed off and Dance cards filled.
9:00-9:50 AM - All meet in the Kent & Sussex sections of the Grand Ballroom, then split into AHB Business Meeting and Guest Chorus Rehearsal.
10:00 AM - Music Team (in the Wilmington Room) auditions groups looking to get a slot (up to 5) on the Big Show.
Music & Show Team Philosophy -
11:00 AM - Everyone meets in the Lower Lobby dressed in Show uniform. We will caravan to Concord Mall, 4737 Concord Pike (Route 202 ) Wilmington, to ensure no one is left behind. Park near the southwest entrance (old Sears store) and enter the mall near the Bonefish Grill. Once in the mall's central aisle, walk left to Center Court. We will gather in the Hollister space behind the fountain.
Noon- 12:50 PM - Perform Big Show in Center Court, Concord Mall.
2 Chorus songs (6 min), 2 Qtets (8 min), 2 Chorus songs (7 min), 3 Qtets (11 min), 1 Chorus song (4 min), plus First Take (15 minutes) Total run of Show =51 min
1 - 2:15 PM - Lunch on your own and return to the hotel. Note: There are restaurants in Concord Mall.
2:25 PM - "Contest Qualification" cards are verified before the contest begins.
2:30–5 PM - Contest - First Round in the Kent & Sussex sections of the Grand Ballroom. The Top 5 quartets will advance to the Finals along with two (2) Wild Card quartets randomly assembled from the rest of the contestants. The Contest Admin will assign all quartets' songs.
5:15–6:00 PM - First Take conducts a Master Class.
6:00–7:00 PM - Dinner in the New Castle section of the Grand Ballroom. Buy AHB Youth Scholars Raffle tickets.
7:15-8:15 PM - Final Round of Contest. 7 Contestants sing, and then First Take will do a 20-25 minute set as results are tabulated. Bronze, Silver & Gold quartet results get announced, and photos are taken.
10:30 PM - Pizza Party in the Grand Ballroom Foyer. Ballot collection begins for "The Singer" award. Continue showing your Dance Card app to Richard Cook for TRAMP Awards.
Sunday, August 13, 2023
If you test positive, please stay in your room and immediately notify Paul Santino (646) 280-0342 or Doug Brown (908) 578-2457 to make arrangements.
8 AM - Breakfast in the New Castle section of the Grand Ballroom. Buy AHB Youth Scholars Raffle tickets.
9:00 AM – Deadline for completed Dance Cards for TRAMP Award and drawing for two (2) 50% discounts. Ballots close for "The Singer" Award in the Grand Ballroom
9:15 AM - "The Singer" Award is announced in the New Castle section of the Grand Ballroom. Drawing for AHB Youth Scholars' Raffle (Free Registration) is done. There is no need to be present to win.
9:30 AM - Post-AHB Survey goes live. Safe Travels!
(Modified 7-31-23)
Important Updates for the 2023 Rally -
- Even if you feel fabulous, for the benefit of everyone else attending the Rally, please test yourself for Covid before you leave home. Then, pack a test or two for yourself to use on Saturday or Sunday morning, just in case you wake up feeling crappy. (CLICK HERE FOR COVID POLICY)
- Thanks to Del Merritt, we are implementing an electronic Dance Card integrating QR codes and photos again this year. (For AHB old timers, this replaces the Porter Board and the Dance Card) Instructions appear on the AHB website. CLICK HERE
- Our FREE 2023 Big Show features BHS Medalists First Take. We will perform for a Live audience at Concord Mall, 4737 Concord Pike (Route 202), Wilmington, DE, at Noon Saturday, August 12, 2023. We have asked our AXQHB, AHB, and BHS social media teams to promote the Show.
- Costume for the Show is business casual black and white with a splash of solid color for the neck (e.g. tie, neck kerchief, scarf, statement necklace). Please wear either "white on top, black on bottom" or a solid black one-piece outfit (dress or jumpsuit). Make sure to pack appropriate accessories for business casual (dress shoes, belt if wearing trousers, etc.) You can see examples here - - https://www.atlanticharmonybrigade.com/2019-rally.html ( highlight reel at time stamp 3:38)
- Thanks to Elizabeth Hillinck, you can add the AHB weekend event schedule to your device by clicking on https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=NGNhNTUwNTY0ZjEyNmY1OTc0ZmU5MTYzNWNmMWJmMzk3ZWVmZDUyNzQ0YTQxODU1ZDIxYWViMTNiY2JlODkwMUBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t and accepting the invite.
Friday, August 11, 2023
So far, there have yet to be plans for organized public performances on Friday.
4:00 PM - Checkers gather in the New Castle section of the Grand Ballroom. They qualify to get their "Contest Qualification" cards signed.
4:30 PM - AHB Registration opens on the Lower Lobby level below the Hotel registration area (New Castle Foyer). Attendees register and begin to fill out their electronic Dance Cards and get "Contest Qualification" cards physically signed off. Wearing our traditional "Checker hats," checkers will evaluate the individuals' preparedness and sign-off cards. See Preparedness Process for details.
6:00–7 PM - Dinner in the New Castle section of the Grand Ballroom. Buy AHB Youth Scholars Raffle tickets to replenish and build our scholarship fund.
7:00 PM - Official Start. Welcome to the Brigade
General Meeting for all attendees in the Kent & Sussex sections of the Grand Ballroom. Overview by the President. Sing through the songs the Chorus will perform for the Big Show at Concord Mall.
7:00 PM - Contest Administrator begins the Quartet Draw process. NOTE: If you are not checked in with AHB by 7 PM, you must contact Doug Brown (908) 578-2457 or Jeff Porter (610) 202-7676 to be included in the contest draw.
8:00 PM - Announce the Quartet Randomizer 5000 quartet selections for the contest's first round.
9:00-10:00 PM - CANDIDATES (as noted on your badge) who have their qualification cards signed off and who wish to audition for AHB Membership acceptance will sing one designated song as a quartet with other Candidates or with an AHB selected trio in the Brandywine Room (next to the Fitness Center).
9:00 PM - Midnight - Get Dance Cards filled and "Contest Qualification" cards signed off.
Saturday, August 12, 2023
If you test positive for Covid, please stay in your room and immediately notify Paul Santino (646) 280-0342 or Doug Brown (908) 578-2457 to make arrangements.
7:30 AM - Breakfast opens til 9 AM in the Grand Ballroom. Attendees get "Contest Qualification" cards signed off and Dance cards filled.
9:00-9:50 AM - All meet in the Kent & Sussex sections of the Grand Ballroom, then split into AHB Business Meeting and Guest Chorus Rehearsal.
10:00 AM - Music Team (in the Wilmington Room) auditions groups looking to get a slot (up to 5) on the Big Show.
Music & Show Team Philosophy -
- Being unprepared is NOT an option.
- The Music team's first responsibility is to the public that will see the Show. We will only put acts on the Big Show deemed worthy of providing high entertainment value to a general public audience.
- Uptunes and novelty numbers are preferable to ballads.
- In addition to any newly formed pick-up quartets, registered quartets (BHS, SAI, or HI) can audition to be part of the Show.
- VLQs or small choruses can audition to be part of the Show.
11:00 AM - Everyone meets in the Lower Lobby dressed in Show uniform. We will caravan to Concord Mall, 4737 Concord Pike (Route 202 ) Wilmington, to ensure no one is left behind. Park near the southwest entrance (old Sears store) and enter the mall near the Bonefish Grill. Once in the mall's central aisle, walk left to Center Court. We will gather in the Hollister space behind the fountain.
Noon- 12:50 PM - Perform Big Show in Center Court, Concord Mall.
2 Chorus songs (6 min), 2 Qtets (8 min), 2 Chorus songs (7 min), 3 Qtets (11 min), 1 Chorus song (4 min), plus First Take (15 minutes) Total run of Show =51 min
1 - 2:15 PM - Lunch on your own and return to the hotel. Note: There are restaurants in Concord Mall.
2:25 PM - "Contest Qualification" cards are verified before the contest begins.
2:30–5 PM - Contest - First Round in the Kent & Sussex sections of the Grand Ballroom. The Top 5 quartets will advance to the Finals along with two (2) Wild Card quartets randomly assembled from the rest of the contestants. The Contest Admin will assign all quartets' songs.
5:15–6:00 PM - First Take conducts a Master Class.
6:00–7:00 PM - Dinner in the New Castle section of the Grand Ballroom. Buy AHB Youth Scholars Raffle tickets.
7:15-8:15 PM - Final Round of Contest. 7 Contestants sing, and then First Take will do a 20-25 minute set as results are tabulated. Bronze, Silver & Gold quartet results get announced, and photos are taken.
10:30 PM - Pizza Party in the Grand Ballroom Foyer. Ballot collection begins for "The Singer" award. Continue showing your Dance Card app to Richard Cook for TRAMP Awards.
Sunday, August 13, 2023
If you test positive, please stay in your room and immediately notify Paul Santino (646) 280-0342 or Doug Brown (908) 578-2457 to make arrangements.
8 AM - Breakfast in the New Castle section of the Grand Ballroom. Buy AHB Youth Scholars Raffle tickets.
9:00 AM – Deadline for completed Dance Cards for TRAMP Award and drawing for two (2) 50% discounts. Ballots close for "The Singer" Award in the Grand Ballroom
9:15 AM - "The Singer" Award is announced in the New Castle section of the Grand Ballroom. Drawing for AHB Youth Scholars' Raffle (Free Registration) is done. There is no need to be present to win.
9:30 AM - Post-AHB Survey goes live. Safe Travels!