Overview
Founded in 2009, SingStrong is a weekend-long a cappella music festival, featuring groups from around the world performing every style under the sun, from barbershop to doo-wop, pop to jazz, beatbox to overtone singing and beyond. Profits support music programs and the fight against Alzheimer's Disease.
But we know your experience is about more than just the amazing performers. That's why we've gone out of our way to make sure the entire weekend flows smoothly for you. Read this page for a narrative, or skip to the bottom for a summary schedule.
All concerts and classes take place in one building, Adelphi's Performing Arts Center 1 South Ave Garden City, NY 11530. No running around from building to building, or worse, driving from class to concert.
All afterglows take place at the hotel. Stay up late. Have fun. Take the elevator "home". No driving!
Parking at the concerts and classes is free and plentiful. No parking tickets. No meters. No worries.
And if you stay at the Hotel, we provide a FREE SHUTTLE. So you don't even need to drive.
Coming from out of town? Easy!
Fly in to either John F Kennedy Airport (JFK) or La Guardia Airport and take a taxi directly to the Hotel.
Your Weekend Pass (VIP, Adult or Discount) provides access to all shows and classes. Plus, Weekend Passes offer tremendous savings over buying tickets individually.
Or, if you prefer, purchase a ClassPass for access to all classes, and then separately purchase just the concert tickets, a la carte.
If you happen to be competing at SingStrong's HS Competition or the ACA-Idol Competition, each member of the group needs either a Weekend Pass or a ClassPass. There are no other fees to apply or compete.
Ready for your first SingStrong event?
Friday's ACA-Idol Pro & Collegiate Competition begins at 7PM. Groups compete in fast-paced, 10 minute sets for $1,000. Celebrity judges give witty, live, on-mic commentary. As an audience member, you get to vote by celphone. (No cumbersome paper ballots to slow down the show.) Or perhaps you'd like to compete?
Every seat in the house has clear, unobstructed line of sight to the entire stage. And our stadium seating policy allows you to sit with friends, as you like, regardless of when you each purchased your tickets.
After the concert, join performers and attendees for food and drinks for a meet-and-greet afterglow. Socialize and network, but don't stay out too late on your first night, because Saturday's a big day!
Saturday 9:00 AM, head on over to SingStrong and enjoy free parking onsite. You'll be greeted with smiles as you register, meet other attendees and hear groups starting to sing already.
9:30 AM classes begin, generally two or three at a time, on a variety of a cappella-related topics such as beatboxing, arranging, copyright, recording, directing and much more. Simultaneously, groups enjoy free coachings with professional talent, focused on the issues that matter to you.
Between the classes, coachings and concerts, there are many performance opportunities for singers and groups of all levels. In addition to the two competitions, you might perform as part of a class, or in the Spotlight Showcase Concert. Perhaps you'll be a pre-show lobby performer, or perform on the mainstage with The SingleSingers.
The SingleSingers is a group open to all attendees. You learn your 20 minutes of music in advance, rehearse for a few hours on Friday and Saturday and then perform on mic, on the mainstage, at the Saturday Matinee, typically to a standing ovation. Members range from pro to amateur, and middle school to octogenarian. Pre-Registration is required.
Grab a bite nearby while you listen to groups perform at the Spotlight Showcase Concerts, or head into town for a broader variety of food choices. But don't spend too much time there, because you'll want to return in time to catch high school's rising stars at 2pm.
Saturday at 2 PM The High School Competition begins. HS groups from all over compete in 8 minute sets for trophies, and receive private, written critiques from experienced a cappella and choral professionals. The Single Singers will also perform during the judges' deliberations.
Following the concert, classes and coachings continue until about 5:30 PM.
Then quickly refresh, grab dinner and prepare for an incredible evening of cutting edge performances.
7:00 PM The First PRO Concert begins, featuring these groups.
8:30 PM The First PRO Concert ends and the Charity Auction begins in earnest! Attendees can get great deals on a wide variety of goods and services, from new cameras to romantic get-ways, massages to karate lessons, discounts on a cappella recording and arranging to jewelry and beyond, there's something for everyone.
Best of all, 100% of the proceeds support the fight against Alzheimer's Disease. Each year we raise thousands for this worthy cause. Perhaps you'll even donate something yourself!
At 9:10 we wrap up the final countdown of the auction and start opening doors to the next concert. The night is still young!
9:30 PM The Second PRO Concert begins featuring entirely different acts. Almost all the audience members from the first show also attend the second. It's too tempting to miss!
11:30 PM It's time to enjoy the Open Mic Afterglow. Groups and singers perform into the wee hours. Your group may take the stage, or perhaps you'll jump up and join in harmony with one of the headliners. This is a great time to strut your stuff or just have fun.
Eventually, at some point, you may get some sleep. Or maybe not.
Either way, for many of our late night revelers, the next morning comes a little early. But with a bit of breakfast at the hotel, we know you'll rally.
Sunday at 9:30 AM head over to SingStrong and enjoy free parking onsite.
10 AM Classes and coachings begin.
2 PM The third and final Pro Concert begins, featuring new groups, as well as encore sets from one or two of Saturday's groups.
4:30 PM (approx) SingStrong comes to a close.
Join attendees as they linger, wearily and joyfully, at local eateries, fondly recalling the weekend's highlights, and accepting friend and follow requests on their favorite social media.
Fill out a survey where you let us know what you loved and where we can improve. Tag yourself (or perhaps try in vain to untag yourself) in photos from the weekend. And let out that huge sigh that says, "That. Was. Awesome."
Incredible harmonies. Lifelong friendships. The time of your life. All for a worthy cause.
That's SingStrong.
9:30 AM classes begin, generally two or three at a time, on a variety of a cappella-related topics such as beatboxing, arranging, copyright, recording, directing and much more. Simultaneously, groups enjoy free coachings with professional talent, focused on the issues that matter to you.
Between the classes, coachings and concerts, there are many performance opportunities for singers and groups of all levels. In addition to the two competitions, you might perform as part of a class, or in the Spotlight Showcase Concert. Perhaps you'll be a pre-show lobby performer, or perform on the mainstage with The SingleSingers.
The SingleSingers is a group open to all attendees. You learn your 20 minutes of music in advance, rehearse for a few hours on Friday and Saturday and then perform on mic, on the mainstage, at the Saturday Matinee, typically to a standing ovation. Members range from pro to amateur, and middle school to octogenarian. Pre-Registration is required.
Grab a bite nearby while you listen to groups perform at the Spotlight Showcase Concerts, or head into town for a broader variety of food choices. But don't spend too much time there, because you'll want to return in time to catch high school's rising stars at 2pm.
Saturday at 2 PM The High School Competition begins. HS groups from all over compete in 8 minute sets for trophies, and receive private, written critiques from experienced a cappella and choral professionals. The Single Singers will also perform during the judges' deliberations.
Following the concert, classes and coachings continue until about 5:30 PM.
Then quickly refresh, grab dinner and prepare for an incredible evening of cutting edge performances.
7:00 PM The First PRO Concert begins, featuring these groups.
8:30 PM The First PRO Concert ends and the Charity Auction begins in earnest! Attendees can get great deals on a wide variety of goods and services, from new cameras to romantic get-ways, massages to karate lessons, discounts on a cappella recording and arranging to jewelry and beyond, there's something for everyone.
Best of all, 100% of the proceeds support the fight against Alzheimer's Disease. Each year we raise thousands for this worthy cause. Perhaps you'll even donate something yourself!
At 9:10 we wrap up the final countdown of the auction and start opening doors to the next concert. The night is still young!
9:30 PM The Second PRO Concert begins featuring entirely different acts. Almost all the audience members from the first show also attend the second. It's too tempting to miss!
11:30 PM It's time to enjoy the Open Mic Afterglow. Groups and singers perform into the wee hours. Your group may take the stage, or perhaps you'll jump up and join in harmony with one of the headliners. This is a great time to strut your stuff or just have fun.
Eventually, at some point, you may get some sleep. Or maybe not.
Either way, for many of our late night revelers, the next morning comes a little early. But with a bit of breakfast at the hotel, we know you'll rally.
Sunday at 9:30 AM head over to SingStrong and enjoy free parking onsite.
10 AM Classes and coachings begin.
2 PM The third and final Pro Concert begins, featuring new groups, as well as encore sets from one or two of Saturday's groups.
4:30 PM (approx) SingStrong comes to a close.
Join attendees as they linger, wearily and joyfully, at local eateries, fondly recalling the weekend's highlights, and accepting friend and follow requests on their favorite social media.
Fill out a survey where you let us know what you loved and where we can improve. Tag yourself (or perhaps try in vain to untag yourself) in photos from the weekend. And let out that huge sigh that says, "That. Was. Awesome."
Incredible harmonies. Lifelong friendships. The time of your life. All for a worthy cause.
That's SingStrong.
Day and Time |
Event |
Description |
Ticket Needed to Attend |
FRI 7PM |
Collegiate and Semi-Pro groups compete for $1,000. ACA-Celebrities judge live, on mic! The audience votes by cell phone! Rules. |
||
FRI 11PM |
Attendees meet for fun and networking! Sorry no HS students please! |
No SingStrong tickets needed. This event is independently run by the bar or restaurant. |
|
SAT 8AM |
HS Orientation |
HS groups start their day earlier than the other attendees with programs just for them. HS Schedule. |
|
SAT 9:30PM - 5:30PM |
Classes and coachings begin and run all day! Open to the public. Typically classes cover everything from beatboxing to recording techniques, performance coaching to good vocal health, arranging to improv and more! |
||
SAT 2PM |
The top HS groups compete for awards and the Single Singers (an open a cappella group anyone can join) perform! Rules for the HS Comp are here. Your HS group can APPLY to Compete in the HS Competition here. See the schedule a HS Competitor would follow here. |
||
SAT and SUN Usually at 1PM |
Concerts scattered throughout the day! |
||
SAT 7PM |
|||
SAT 8:30PM |
Last 40 minutes of the Silent Charity Auction are when things really heat up! All proceeds support the fight against Alzheimer's! |
No SingStrong tickets required! |
|
SAT 9:30PM |
Concert with professional acts from around the world. These are different performers than in the 7PM show! Most people see BOTH the 7 and the 9:30 show and they take in the FREE Silent Auction in the middle! |
||
SAT 11PM |
OPEN MIC AFTERGLOW where any group or singer can hop on the mic just for fun! No HS attendees please! |
No SingStrong tickets needed. This event is independently run by the bar or restaurant. |
|
SUN 10AM-1PM |
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SUN 2PM |