SET 2026 (August 20-23) is almost here!

We can't wait to welcome you to an unforgettable weekend of education, inspiration, connection, and fun!

Located right on beautiful Lake Spenard, our spectacular venue, The Lakefront Anchorage captures the spirit of Alaska with its rustic Klondike-style charm, breathtaking scenery, and warm hospitality. Enjoy spacious accommodations, relax by the water, and savor fresh local seafood and regional specialties at the hotel's restaurants. It's the perfect backdrop for a weekend that promises to be every bit as memorable as the destination itself.

Scan to register for SET, PVIs, and the Wednesday Night Mixer!

Book your hotel rook: The Lakefront Anchorage

•SET Group Rate: $365/night, use GROUP CODE: 2608SUMMER (Note: Double occupancy rates without the group rate are $665/night)

•Dates: 8/19/26–8/23/26

•Limited discounted rooms available for Wednesday (8/19)

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What does SET 2026 look like? 

Here's a rundown of the packed, bucket list weekend!

Wednesday August 19, 2026
Before SET officially begins, join us for a relaxed evening of food, fellowship, and fun!

Swap cruise stories, reconnect with familiar faces, meet new harmony friends, and enjoy a delicious spread of heavy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, while taking in the excitement of what's ahead. Open to all SET attendees, cruise participants, chorus members, family, and friends.

Wednesday August 19, 2026:  6:00-8:00 pm
Lakefront Anchorage Hotel-Reddington Ballroom
Tickets: Just $35 per person
Purchase your tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-set-in-anchorage-alaska
Food items will include Vegetarian and Gluten Free options.

Whether you've known each other for years or are meeting for the first time, you'll leave feeling like family. 
Don't miss the unofficial start to SET 2026!

Thursday, August 20, 2026 - Official kick-off!

Thursday, August 20, 1:00 pm: PVIs and Quartet coaching begins. There are a few private individual PVI slots still available, go to SET registration to purchase. All quartet coaching slots have been booked.

4:00–6:00 PM — KICK OFF! And when we say kick off, we mean KICK OFF!
We're launching SET 2026 with two unforgettable hours of connection, culture, harmony, and fun!

The evening begins with our keynote duo, Slam-Dunc, leading an engaging icebreaker designed to make us laugh and get to know one another better. Slam-Dunc is teaching 10 classes for our education weekend!
Then we're thrilled to welcome special guest faculty member and local music therapist Katie Husvar, who will guide us through a unique interactive experience, and no strings attached! 
 

Then, get ready for a truly Alaskan experience! Local Native drummers and dancers will share their rich cultural traditions through music, storytelling, and performance. Attendees may also have an opportunity to browse and purchase authentic handcrafted Alaskan artisan goods.
 

To conclude our kickoff celebration, Slam-Dunc returns to teach us a tag and lead us singing a regional song. It's the perfect way to start a weekend. After the kickoff, go outside and enjoy the daylight, you are in the land of the Midnight Sun after all!
 

For an in-depth look at each SET class, click here for the full schedule.

    Friday, August 21, 2026
Slam-Dunc kicks off the day with three classes in a row!

Break for lunch.

After lunch, you have three incredible class options by regional and guest faculty. 
Special guest faculty, Local Anchorage Music Therapist Katie Husvar, and Culture of Belonging Faculty, Cherie Letts, will be teaching: When music meets belonging: Neurodivergence & the transformative power of singing. 
Debra Aungst: Conflict as a Catalyst for Creativity
Peggy Benton: Stepping Up Front: Basic Conducting and Musical Leadership

Slam-Dunc returns in the afternoon for back to back general sessions. 

Be sure to check out the full class descriptions using the schedule link above. 

Break for dinner, but don’t go far, the Friday Night general session is another, first time ever event at SET.
Friday Night general session:
7:00 pm- Local theater and former Alaska Sound Celebration Melodrama Director David Block presents Act Like You Mean It! Under Glass Session-Two different VLQ’s; 1 VLQ working with: It’s the Music that Brings Us Together. The other VLQ working with: Come on and Sing. This inaugural event is an educational opportunity to explore new dimensions of expression in performance. David will work with each VLQ, first the ballad group and then the uptune group, to demonstrate alternative ways to convey the message of a song through nonverbal acting and storytelling. 

Watch your email for information on how to enter the drawing to be selected to participate in one of the VLQ’s. Registration and drawing will be done by voice part, and there will be two spots for each part in both songs.

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Slam-Dunc kicks off the day with three classes in a row!

Break for lunch. Saturday lunch is included with your SET registration.

After lunch, you have three incredible class options presented by regional faculty:
Peggy Benton and Melanie Cross: Melodrama Magic – Exploring the Mystique behind a Successful Run.
Jan Smallwood: Raise More Than Money: Creative Fundraising That Builds Your Chorus
Paula Davis: Judging categories and levels: Unraveling the mysteries.
4:30 pm: Break for dinner-on your own

For an in-depth look at each SET event, click here

Saturday Night: 
6:00 pm-house opens-grab a drink and mingle with your friends!
6:30 pm- Novice Quartet Extravaganza! Much more on the requirements and sign-up coming soon! 
7:00-9:00 pm: Another first time ever event! A FULL SHOW, open to the public!

Featuring:

Choruses: Alaska Sound Celebration, Fairbanks Frontier, Midnight Sons Chorus (BHS)

Quartets: Rewind, Touchstone, Bonfire, WhyNot and Fairbanks Frontier 

Advance general admission tickets are $15. Available now on Zeffy or use this QR Code 

 

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 2026 convention website 

The 2026 North by Northwest Region 13 Convention took place April 23-26 at the Spokane Convention Center, Spokane WA.

Future Contest Dates

2027  -  May 13-16  -  The Davenport Grand Hotel, Spokane, WA

2028  -  May 18-21  -  The Davenport Grand Hotel, Spokane, WA

To visit past Region 13 convention results, click here.

 

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Learn more about North by Northwest Region 13

Welcome to North by Northwest Region 13! We hope you enjoy looking around our website and if you're ever "in the neighborhood" we hope you'll visit one of our amazing chapters. You can find more information about us by clicking the links below.

• Region 13 Chapters Map
• Region 13 Chapter-at-Large Information
• Youth Education Outreach Fund
• Heart of the Northwest Award
• Media
• Tag Writing Contest 
• Join the Region 13 Team

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Culture of Belonging

Our region is diverse and full of individuals with a variety of experiences, talents, and identities, each with their own unique story. When we unite, we can pool together all our backgrounds to create something truly magical. Together, we are stronger! The Region 13 Culture of Belonging Committee (CoB) is dedicated to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment where every member and chapter feels seen, heard, and valued. We believe that a true sense of belonging comes from listening, learning, and supporting one another. Whether you have ideas to share, concerns to raise, or simply need someone to talk to, we are here for you. Our mission is to create space for open dialogue and meaningful connection -- because everyone deserves to feel like they belong.

If you, your quartet or chorus would like to talk with, or have something to share with the Culture of Belonging Committee, send an email to [email protected] with your name and contact information and they will get back with you as soon as possible.