Thanks to our 10,200 guests for a wonderful convention!
Click here for some FREE events that took place during the convention
Montréal was thrilled to welcome you!
The Island City Chorus is pleased to be your host for the SPEBSQSA International Convention and Contest for 2003.
There are no SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) cases in Québec, and there haven't been any! Check here for more information.
You're coming to Montréal! One of the oldest cities in North America, Montréal is the largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris, and yet, the most bilingual city of Canada (with an irresistible accent!), giving it a distinctive European flair, unique to this continent. Witness the mix of centuries-old and new architecture. Cobblestoned streets and chic boulevards. And one colourful quartier after another.A magnet for world travelers and one of the world's most exciting urban getaways, few cities can compare with Montréal. The city owes its unique character to history and Montrealers have made their city a warm, welcoming destination. As for culture, whether it's in performance arts or the visual arts, classical or cutting-edge, Montréal leaves nothing to be desired, save encore. Each season boasts its own sensations: the International Fireworks Competition, the Montréal International Jazz Festival, the Just for Laughs comedy Festival, the World Film Festival, the Montréal High Lights Festival and so much more! Symphony, ballet, opera, drama, art galleries, museums, summer concerts and many other reasons to celebrate, are all part of Montréal's diversified cultural tradition and famous "joie de vivre" ... à la Montréal."
Thank you very much to our 500 volunteers who helped during the convention.Click here for the qualifiers for the chorus and quartet contests.
Click here for the singing order for the chorus and quartet contests.
Click here for the scores for the quartet and chorus contests.
The Convention Headquarters hotel was the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, 900 René-Lévesque Boulevard West, Montréal.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Room reservations HAD TO be made using the housing form registered delegates received through the SPEBSQSA Headquarters, or which appeared in the The Harmonizer.
Check out the page. They got into the French flavour of Montréal! And the show rocked!
Some of our members have written reviews of restaurants where they would eat, and places to see while here in Montreal. They are meant as a suggestion guide for your use.
Get your Official Souvenir Montreal 2003 Convention Pin! $5.00 US
Available from any member of your host chapter, and at the registration area!
Graphics by the The Afterglow Lounge
Thanks to all the people in the Red and White volunteer polo shirts. They were happy to give you a hand.
RV and Camping Information click on this link
How about traveling by train? VIA Rail has offered a special fare!
Flying in? Here are some shuttle tips. Montreal YUL Airport Shuttles, taxis and Limos are described.
Do you have teenagers? Check out our BarberTEENS Activities!
Need a babysitter? Here is a certified service to consider. Babysitting Denise Miller
Golfers, to get some information on golf courses click on this link
Information you need to know:
Please be considerate of others when attending events where you come in close contact with others. Perfumes, colognes and other scents can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Please do not wear them when attending rehearsals, contests and similar events. Your co-operation is appreciated.
Named the Molson Centre prior to Sept. 1, 2002
The Contest will take place at the Bell Centre, Home of the Montréal Canadiens.
What to bring to Montreal? Here are some tips from Tourism Montreal. A list of things to bring [A PDF file] A web page with a list of things to bring.
The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal will be taking place at the same time and Montréal will really be jumping!
We are very excited to announce that there will be Barbershop at the Festival! Acoustix, our 1990 International Champions will be featured at Scène du Maurier / Radio-Canada of the Festival, on Wednesday, July 2, thus exposing thousands of Montréalers to our great style of music.
The Montréal Just for laughs Festival will be taking place from July 10 - 20, 2003 and Montréal will really be laughing!
SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS! Visitors to Canada are entitled to claim a refund of the Canadian Goods and Services Tax (GST), and should save their receipts. The Hospitality Desk at the Convention will have the forms required, as will all the convention hotels.
Do I need a Visa to visit Canada? If you are a U.S. citizen, no, you do not.
For information click on this link to go to the Government of Canada web site
.
If you are from most other countries where barbershop is sung, probably not, but to be sure you can click here to check.
CROSSING THE BORDER
From the U.S. Department of State's Consular Affairs site.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: When entering Canada from the United States, U.S. citizens must show either a U.S. passport or proof of U.S. citizenship and photo ID. U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for a stay up to 180 days. Anyone with a criminal record (including a DWI charge) should contact the Canadian Embassy or nearest Canadian consulate before travel.
For further information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Canada at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001, tel. (202) 682-1740, or the Canadian consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Juan or Seattle.
CONSULATE LOCATION: A U.S. Consulate General is located at:
Montreal, Quebec, at 1155 St. Alexander Street, telephone (514) 398-9695; emergency-after hours (514) 981-5059; fax (514) 398-0702. The consular district includes southwestern Quebec with the exception of the six counties served by the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa.
Customs and Duty Free Allowance for Visitors
All persons entering Canada must fill out a declaration for Canada Customs.
Each visitor over the age of 19 may import, duty free, a maximum of 40 ounces (1.1 litres) liquor or wine, or 288 ounces (8.5 litres) of beer or ale, up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 8 ounces (200 grams) of tobacco.
Revolvers, pistols, and fully automatic firearms are prohibited entry into Canada.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Many governments, including Canada's, have initiated procedures at entry and exit points to prevent international child abduction, including requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission of the parent(s) or legal guardian not present for the child's travel. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry and departure.
For further information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to the U.S. State Department Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/abduction_canada.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.HEALTH ISSUES
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.
Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation, and adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs Home Page.EXHIBITORS AND CONTESTANTS BRINGING EQUIPMENT:
Please check with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency as soon as possible, to ensure easy entry into Canada and return to the U.S.A. or your home country. Contact SPEBSQSA Headquarters to get the appropriate information on the 2003 International Convention and Contest, so you can make your own arrangements.RESTAURANTS: We will have a restaurant guide to eating places where you can get a quick bite, or a sumptious meal. Stop by the Hospitality Desk at the Headquarters Hotel (Fairmont Queen Elizabeth,) and pick one up!
Come and visit with us before or after the convention. We would love to have you join us at one of our rehearsals. Here is a map to help you find us.
Want to know who has qualified to be in the competition? Here is a list of the choruses and quartets, and here is a the order of appearance.
Looking for directions to get to Montreal? Here is a map that will get you started.
Are you confused by Metric temperatures, distances and weights. Here is a Metric Conversion chart to help you out.
Here is a Live-cam view of Old Montreal.
We are looking forward to being hosts to the world in 2003. We want you to be here for the best time you ever had!
For more information about Montréal and the 2003 International Convention and Contest, email us!
Driving to Montreal? Here are some driving hints. [humour]
Map| Headquarters Hotel| Montreal Tourist & Convention Bureau| Restaurants| Bell Center Seating| SPEBSQSA Main Page | Quartet Qualifiers | Chorus Qualifiers |Metric conversion
Webmaster - Murray Phillips
© Island City Chorus 2003
