1st Annual YouthCUE Spring Celebration

March 6-7, 2026
First Baptist Church Gadsden
Gadsden, Alabama

This 24-hour event is packed with great music-making. We begin at 6:30pm on Friday with check-in and Gathering in the Sanctuary, rehearse Friday evening and end the day at 8:45pm.

Overnight in lodging of your choice. Some rent Airbnb properties, some stay in hotels. We will suggest properties close to the venue.

On Saturday we begin with section rehearsals at 9am, rehearse with mass choir, have a lunch break provided by YouthCUE, more rehearsal time Saturday afternoon, add in the (WONDERFUL) professional chamber orchestra at 3pm, sing the Celebration Concert at 4:30pm, and are on our ways back home by 5:30pm.

However you plan your group’s participation, it is essentially a retreat, but so much more than that because of the quality of the music we are able to produce in that short time! Typical participation number for the weekend is 110-130 student singers. Even if you have only a few students to bring, the Gadsden Spring Celebration will be an exciting event for them to experience!

Registration/Administration Fee

This fee reserves your choir’s spot in the festival and is due at the time of registration.

  • $100 per choir – Register by October 1, 2025
  • $200 per choir – Register by November 15, 2025
  • $300 per choir – Register after November 16, 2025

Register by October 1 to save 50% on your Registration Fee!

Please note: This is a Registration Fee and not a deposit. Participation fees (see below) are separate from and in addition to the nonrefundable Registration Fee.

Participation Fee

This fee is for each individual attending (students, counselors, and directors).

  • $52 per participant – Paid by January 16, 2026
  • $67 per participant – Paid after January 16, 2026

INCLUDED:

  • All celebration activities
  • Celebration tee shirt
  • Saturday lunch
  • Rehearsal snacks

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Lodging
  • Anthem packets
  • Meals other than Saturday lunch
  • Transportation
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
6:30pm Check in and Gathering (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mass Rehearsal 1(Sanctuary)
8:45 End for the evening. Groups on their own for the rest of the evening.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
9:00am Section rehearsals
10:05 Mass Rehearsal 2 (Sanctuary)
11:30 Lunch – provided by YouthCUE
12:20pm Mass Rehearsal 3 (Sanctuary)
1:30 Water/restroom break
2:00 Mass Rehearsal 4 in Sanctuary (logistics)
2:50 Quick break – reenter Sanctuary in silence
3:00 Mass Rehearsal 5 with Chamber Orchestra (Sanctuary)
Concert run-through from beginning to end
4:00 Break with snacks for singers and players provided by YouthCUE
4:30 Celebration Concert
5:25 End of Celebration / Travel safely!

Recordings for rehearsal will be provided directly to directors at a later date.

Anthem Composer Ordering Information
God Will Sing (SATB) Heather Sorenson Brookfield Press: 012625651
Psalm 139 (SATB) Allen Pote Chorister’s Guild: CGA610
All Things New (SATB) Elane Hagenberg Beckenhorst Press: BP2253
Who But the Lord (SATB) Craig Courtney Beckenhorst Press: BP2112
Ancient Words (SATB) Mary McDonald Hope Publishing: HP.C6236
Bound for the Promised Land (SATB) Mack Wilberg Oxford UP: 780193525580

Ready to Register?

  1. Complete the Registration Form here.
  2. Estimate the number of participants attending. This number isn’t final, but it helps with planning.
  3. Submit the form.
  4. YouthCUE will send you an invoice for the Registration Fee once your form is received.
  5. In early January, YouthCUE will confirm with you your final participation count and send a Participation Fee invoice. Payment is due by January 16 to avoid the increased fee.