From Friday September 12th to Sunday September 14th 300-plus people (a record!) gathered in East Hanover, NJ for our Training Region 15 Annual Xcursion (yes, that's what TRAX stands for).  This year our guest faculty was Jean Barford, of the International Champion Chorus Gem City, who taught us that one of the best ways to be a better chorus member is to take some time and focus on our own voices - and she gave us some wonderful exercises to help with just that!

Our chorus had 30+ representatives, a very strong showing, eight of which sang with the Regional Star Chorus on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  What a great way to get to know more of the talented members of the other chapters in our region and to give back to our region the best way we know how - in song.

Speaking of talent and song, lets not forget about the Wacky Quartet Contest on Sunday morning.  This year marked the first appearance of this event at TRAX.  The foursomes could not have more than one member of any registered quartet, were encouraged to sing parodies, and the wackier and wilder the better!  Harmony Celebration’s newly formed "Learners Permit" competed with a parody entitled "If I Give My Car to You" and took 2nd place with their dazzling comedic and vocal styling’s.  Way to go girls!

All in all it was a wonderful weekend of harmony and community.  Our hostess chapter, Liberty Oak amazed us with their hospitality as well their talent.  And our Regional Management Team made sure that all the details of the weekend, especially our Hawaiian themed send-off for our competitors A.K.A. and Hickory Tree were nothing short of wonderful.

A big thanks to all involved – see you next year!