Harmony Fest West FAQs

Type of post: Other item
Sub-type: No sub-type
Posted By: Pam Beatty Ringo
Status: Current
Date Posted: Mon, May 26 2025
HOTEL INFORMATION
What hotel is the festival held at?
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU
7 East University Drive, Tempe Arizona
Hotel website:
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU | Hotels in Tempe, AZ

What is the group rate?
Festival room rate is $139 per night plus tax.


How do I book a room?
Reservations can be made here.


What is the cutoff date for the group rate?
June 11, 2025


Is there parking at the hotel?
Self-parking is being offered to festival guests for $10 per night. Valet parking is available for $30 overnight.


Does the hotel offer WiFi?
Yes, complimentary WiFi is available at Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU for overnight guests. Select Guest loyalty members always enjoy complimentary WiFi at our hotels and resorts.


What is the check-in and check-out time?
Check-in is at 4:00 pm PST and check-out is at 11:00 am PST.


Are there restaurants available onsite?
There are several on-property restaurants and bars.  Click here for the complete list.  During the contest on Thursday and Friday we will also offer food sales outside of the contest area.


I have mobility issues – will it be difficult for me to get around?
The hotel is an accessible facility with ADA-COMPLIANT ROOMS available upon request.


All activities in the hotel and convention center are ADA accessible. If you are interested in ordering a scooter please call One Stop Mobility and they will deliver to the hotel.   602-493-0509.

Can I bring a service animal?
Yes, service animals are allowed at the hotel. But please email Allison at ICCManager@harmonyinc.org so that appropriate accommodations can be made. Please put HFW Service Animal Accommodation Request in the subject line.


What is the best airport to fly into?
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is 4.1 miles from the hotel (approximately 9 minutes).


Are there any transportation services?
Taxi service to/from PHX Airport: Approximately $23 one way. Public transportation options include Tempe Street Car, Light Rail, and Bus Service.


What is the weather like in Tempe?
In July, temperatures in Tempe average between 730 - 1060 degrees F | 23 – 41 C. You can get the most current forecast along with monthly temperature averages by clicking here.


Is there anything to do around the hotel?
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU is located near Scottsdale and Phoenix, convenient for visiting area attractions. Our AAA Four Diamond hotel is also located downtown, so you can easily stroll down Mill Avenue, or through the Arizona State University Campus. To help you explore the city of Tempe and the surrounding area, we’ve sought out the “must see” points of interest throughout the valley. You’ll find plenty of family-friendly activities like visiting the Phoenix Zoo, attending a sporting event at the ASU Sun Devil Stadium, taking in a show or concert at ASU Gammage auditorium, or enjoying the natural beauty of Arizona at the Desert Botanical Gardens when you stay at our Tempe hotel. Discover the perfect itinerary for your Arizona getaway.


For more information click here.

FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Important deadlines
Contest Entry: June 10
Draw for Order of Appearance: June 11
Hotel reservation cut-off: June 11
AEP Order: July 1


How do I register?
Contest Entry Form: Harmony, Incorporated HFW Participant Information Form

All Events Pass (AEP) / Ticket Purchase: https://www.harmonyinc.org/HFW-pass-order
     AEPs and/or tickets are required to attend any event during the Festival.

We ask that all choruses register their members at the same time vs having members register individually.

What is the cost to attend?
Attend Only (not performing):
  • $30 per day (Friday, Saturday)
  • Attendees may add the Saturday dinner / Showcase for an additional fee

Performance/Contest Entry Fees:
  • Quartet $40 and Chorus $65.
  • Deadline for entry is June 10.

All performers will also be required to purchase one of the following:
  • $50 - ONE DAY Pass (Friday OR Saturday)
    • One Contest (Quartet or Chorus)
    • Evaluations / Coaching
    • May add Saturday dinner and Showcase for an additional fee
  • $90 - TWO DAY Pass (Friday AND Saturday)
    • Two Contests (i.e., participate in one or attend the other, OR participate in both)
    • Evaluations / Coaching
    • May add Saturday dinner and Showcase for an additional fee
  • $165 - ALL EVENTS Pass
    • Thursday Classes and Welcome Reception
    • Two Contests (Quartet AND Chorus - attend and/or perform)
    • Evaluations / Coaching
    • Saturday dinner and Showcase

Will there be a curtain on the stage?
No, there is not a curtain on the stage. 

Will there be a ramp up to the stage?
Yes, there will be an ADA compliant ramp on one side of the stage for safe, easy access and exit.

How is the order of appearance determined?
A live drawing for the order of appearance will take place via Facebook in July. Information on how to watch the live drawing will be sent out once the drawing date and time is finalized. After the drawing, the order of appearance will be published on the Harmony Fest West web page and group contacts will be notified.

How do I find out when I am onstage and the pattern schedule?
The festival Contest and Judging Chair will send the contest pattern and related information to the contact listed for each contestant after the order of appearance is published and prior to the contest.

Who is on the panel?
We will have one panel judging both contests. This year’s panel includes:
ADM MUSICALITY PERFORMANCE SINGING
Linda Muise    Anne Bureau Diane Patterson Amy Patterson
Angie Morton Jay Dougherty Gary Steinkamp Lynn Randall

Where can I get contest scores after the contest?
You will receive a copy of the contest scores shortly after the contest ends. 


My chorus/quartet wants to rehearse before we compete.  Will there be rooms available?
All quartets and choruses will have an opportunity to rehearse prior to their contest day.  You will receive more information after the drawing for the order of appearance.

Will I get to practice on the stage before contest?
Quartets will be allowed to rehearse on stage on Thursday after the contestants briefing.  Choruses will be allowed to rehearse on stage Saturday morning before the chorus contest.


Can I bring personal belongings with me backstage before I compete?
We encourage all contestants not to bring your personal belongings with you in the pattern, as they will not be allowed backstage. If you must bring something, please make it small, consolidate chorus belongings etc. We will provide a table in a hallway that will be monitored by volunteers. You can drop your belongings on the table before going on stage and pick them up after you compete. 


What are the education classes?
Want to be a better singer? HFW is more than just a festival and contest. We are fortunate that our talented members and panel volunteer of their time to help us all become Harmony Stronger. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity during HFW.  Classes will be offered on Thursday and Friday and a complete schedule will be posted on our website once finalized. 


What is the Welcome Reception?
You don't want to miss this harmonious journey along the Tempe trail where we'll celebrate the expedition that brought us here through challenges, friendships and lots of fun! Join us Thursday evening at 8:30 pm in the Sun Devil Ballroom.


What is the Tag Contest?
Tempe Tag Contest: Join the Hijinks at Harmony Fest West

Friday, July 11 @ 7:30 PM | Contest Stage

Ready, set… TAG! Whether you're a seasoned barber shopper or brand new to the thrill of ringing chords, the Tempe Tag Contest is your chance to shine in spontaneous four-part harmony!
Grab three other tag-happy harmonizers (or find some at the registration table!) and throw together a group — any voicing welcome. The only rule? No more than two of you can currently sing in a quartet together. Choose a tag, give yourselves a fabulous group name, and prepare to wow our audience and panel of distinguished (and likely highly amused) judges.
  • Register your quartet in the Hospitality Room or right at the venue until 7:15 PM — but here’s the twist: all group names go into a hat, and you’ll be called to the stage on the spot!
  • Prizes? Of course. Bragging rights? You bet. And the winning group gets a spot on the Saturday Night Showcase!
Come for the chords, stay for the chaos — and don’t worry, we’ve got tags, resources, and new friends waiting for you. Sing in one group or ten — just bring your voice and your sense of fun!

Will there be evals?
Harmony Inc. provides an opportunity for all contestants to hear directly from our official judging panel. After the quartet and chorus contests you will have face-to-face interactions with our panel for feedback on your performance.  Evals for quartets are 20 minutes per category and for choruses 30 minutes per category.


What is the Master Class?
We are thrilled to have Sweet Adelines Master Director 700, Lori Lyford with us to share her insights!  Her class, Sing it and Mean it, explores how to be expressive physically, emotionally and lyrically. You don’t want to miss this opportunity on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm.


What is the Saturday Dinner and Showcase?
We'll wrap up our festival with one final adventure - a dinner and showcase like no other! It will be a celebration of where we've been and where we are going. All contestants who purchased either an AEP or the dinner will be given an opportunity to perform on stage and all attendees are encouraged to celebrate our journey by dressing as a tacky tourist (think sunhats, shades, maps and fanny packs)! Everyone is invited to attend the showcase, but anyone who purchases a dinner ticket will get priority seating.  Dinner includes:


Salad: Mixed greens, cherry tomato, cucumber, carrots, agave vinaigrette dressing
Entree: Spiced chicken breast, crushed potato, broccolini, chicken jus plus dessert.

OR


Salad: Mixed greens, cherry tomato, cucumber, carrots, agave vinaigrette dressing
Entree: Vegetable Stir Fry, seasonal vegetables, tamari sauce, jasmine rice plus dessert.