Panhandle Regional Festival

The Sunshine District’s First Official Barbershop Singers’ Retreat

The Emerald Coast Chorus, with the help of the Sunshine District of the Barbershop Harmony Society, organized a retreat in 1989. We, the Emerald Coast Chorus, are proud to have been able to continue this tradition every year since. The event consist of a 3-day singing retreat which includes individual choruses from the Panhandle area, a combined chorus of all attendees and quartet singing at Camp Timpoochee, East of Niceville. We always conclude the event with a show. This year's show at the end of this event is going to be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday September 20th at Our Redeemer Catholic Church just North of the mid-bay bridge (see map)

In the months leading up to the the retreat, each chorus rehearses separately. First, the choruses work on 2 pieces to be performed by each chorus. Saturday, each chorus rehearses these two songs for the show with the aid of the vocal coaches. Saturday night, they perform their two songs as contest pieces for a sellout crowd.

The district supports the event with excellent chorus and quartet coaching and a guest quartet.

Saturday evening's performance is capped by a collection of songs by the combined Timpoochee Chorus (about 80 men on stage together), which practices together several hours Friday evening and Saturday morning. Each chorus director leads the chorus in one song.

After the show, many chorus members and some audience members stay for an extended evening around a fire, singing together and getting better acquainted until the wee hours of the morning.

Most of the Timpoochee participants spend the weekend at Camp Timpoochee. After breakfast Sunday morning, the participants return to their respective homes.