The hills are aliiiive . . .

March 8, 2013 2:39 PM

Looking to get involved with a singing group in the Bay Area (SF, East Bay or North Bay). I took weekly singing lessons as a teenager and haven't had any instruction since then, so I'm probably not too awesome at this point (and I can't really sight read), but I am really eager to get back in to it.

I don't mind paying a small monthly or yearly fee to be part of the group. I googled for singing groups, but I'm not sure how comprehensive the results are, as some groups may not have much of a web presence.

I am pretty open in terms of styles of music, but would like to stay away from church-y/inspirational/easy-listening kind of stuff, which unfortunately seems to be what this group near me sings. Otherwise I'm ok with musical theatre, pop, bluegrass, classical, etc. Oh, and I'm a woman (I know there are gender-specific groups).

I'd prefer a group that requires a real commitment and holds performances, not a get-together-and-sing-for-fun kind of thing. I saw this question, but it's a bit old at this point, and the poster was looking for something a bit different.

I considered singing lessons, but (a) money is tight and I am already taking violin lessons, and (b) I'd definitely like to sing in a group. I also looked at the local community colleges, but their chorus classes meet in the mornings on weekdays, and I have a job.

Do you have any suggestions of specific groups I should check out? Or other resources I should look at? And any ideas how I can gauge the rigor of a group's auditions? I know many groups require auditions, and I don't know if the fact that they require an audition means that they are looking for very high caliber singers, or if they're just making sure you can carry a tune and sound halfway decent.

posted by imalaowai to sports, hobbies, & recreation (7 answers total)

I'm choir-lover who is also looking for a singing group in the Bay Area! Here are a few I've found in my research. Haven't joined them yet due to my schedule:

* World Harmony Chorus: http://instantharmony.com/chorus.html
* Distaff Singers: http://distaffsingers.org/
* Bay Area Showcase Choir (Women's) http://www.singharmony.org/
* Oakland Symphony Chorus: http://www.oaklandsymphonychorus.org/

And here's a large list: http://www.choralarchive.org/Directory/choruses.html
posted by starpoint at 2:44 PM on March 8

Based on some experience with the Berkeley singing scene, I have a sneaking suspicion that if you were to contact the director of any college or university alumni chorus in the area, they might let you sing with them, even if they don't generally allow unaffiliated members. It's not a surefire method by any means, but it's probably worth a shot.
posted by Diagonalize at 2:52 PM on March 8

This is a pet peeve of mine - almost no amateur musician needs to "sight read" (perform from sheet music you have never seen before), but many people use that term to denote any ability to read music and learn a piece from a written score. That IS a very useful skill, and it is not very difficult to acquire. It just takes some practice.

An audition, though, may require "sight reading" in the more restricted sense in which I was taught to use the term.
posted by thelonius at 3:03 PM on March 8

What about barbershop? You can seach for the closest chorus or quartet here. No skills necessary. Mrs. jquinby did Sweet Adelines for quite a few years. It's competitive, and many of the folks are quite serious w/r/t rehearsals and so on.
posted by jquinby at 3:17 PM on March 8

I'm not too familiar with Marin/Sonoma groups - but Berkeley is just across the San Rafael Bridge: Sacred and Profane (I'm a former member).

Then there's Soli Deo Gloria in Alameda - strictly sacred classical music, which is a long way from 'church-y/inspirational' in my opinion.

Otherwise, most of my resources are in the South Bay.
posted by DandyRandy at 3:29 PM on March 8

I have several friends who perform with Conspiracy of Venus. It's definitely a real commitment and I've seen them perform several times. Auditions are required, but it's more of a take everyone who is reasonably skilled process.
posted by psycheslamp at 3:29 PM on March 8

one more: Contra Costa Chorale
posted by TDIpod at 6:11 PM on March 8