Sing in Harmony - Community singing in including San Jose, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties

Dedicated to the Joys and Benefits of Singing Together

Singing with a group of friends is not only a fun, creative and rewarding way to spend some time but more and more studies are showing the various health, social and general well being of group harmony singing. Here are some places in your community where you can sing.

Choruses in the South Bay

Choral Project

The Choral Project, founded by Artistic Director Daniel Hughes in 1996, has been hailed by San Jose Mercury News as "a Bay Area jewel," stating that "there is nothing subtle about why this is one of the best choirs you will ever hear." This group of multi-talented singers has earned an outstanding reputation for performing high-level choral literature and bridging the gap between text and music, singer and spectator. The mixed-voice ensemble has performed throughout the world in concert performances and choral festivals to great acclaim. They are widely recognized for presenting and preserving great works of choral literature from a wide range of traditions from around the world that express the region's diversity. The group is equally committed to innovative and dramatic presentations, as well as promoting the choral art through the premieres of new works by Stephen Schwartz, Richard Burchard, Eric William Barnum, and Joshua Shank, to name a few.

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Peninsula Women's Chorus

The Peninsula Women's Chorus (PWC) is a Palo Alto-based, 50-voice women's choir performing high-quality classical and contemporary music in the Bay Area and many parts of the world. Since its founding in 1966, the Peninsula Women's Chorus has been committed to excellence in the performance of diverse and challenging choral literature for women's voices, and is recognized as the premier vocal ensemble for women in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hometown: Los Altos Hills, CA

South Bay Singers

The South Bay Singers perform music of all types. Whether you enjoy classical oratorios, catchy show tunes, or anything in between, you will find singing those and a myriad of other styles at our rehearsals and concerts.

Hometown: Morgan Hill, CA

Cypressaires

The Cypressaires is one of over 800 chapters in the United States and Canada that make up SPEBSQSA, the Barbershop Harmony Society. We have been singing the "old songs" since the chapter was formed in 1956. We meet weekly to learn new songs, rehearse old ones, prepare for special performances and have fun! Our current membership is 38 men from ages 12 to 85.

Hometown: Monterey, CA

Sunnyvale Singers

The Sunnyvale Singers is a community chorus which presents classical and contemporary choral music in two major concerts each year at the Sunnyvale Community Theatre. In addition, we sing at retirement homes and many other venues

Hometown: Sunnyvale, CA

Pacific Voices

The popular and powerful Pacific Voices is a 70-voice community chorus that specializes in the preservation and innovation of sacred choral and folk music from traditions around the world, composed over the past eight centuries. Founded in 1994 by award-winning conductor and composer, Josh Gitomer, for over 21 years the choir has performed to critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences at venues throughout the Monterey Bay area. Pacific Voice's eclectic repertoire is sung in some 15 languages, with styles ranging from Gregorian to Gospel, Kirtan to Celtic, Baroque to Barbershop, and Renaissance to Rock.

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz Chorale

The Santa Cruz Chorale, a non-profit organization founded in 1983, performs a wide-ranging repertory including works from the 15th century through music of our time. It was founded and initially directed by Mary Lynn Place Badarak, Lecturer for the Department of Music at UC Santa Cruz, as a community based volunteer adult chorus, as it continues today. In addition, the Chorale has made two international tours: the first to Northern Italy and Croatia, and the second to Spain, both under the leadership of Paul Vorwerk.

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA

Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus

The Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus (SVGMC) was originally called the Liedermann Gay Men's Chorus of San Jose. A group of ten men formed the Chorus on June 29, 1983. The Chorus sang its first full-length performance under the direction of Robert B.Welton on June 16, 1984 as part of San Jose's Gay Pride Celebration. SVGMC takes great pride in its record of community appearances, and has proudly performed at GALA Festivals in 1989, 1992, 1996, 2000 (Co-Host), 2004, 2008 and 2012. The Chorus is happy to support the fine efforts of other non-profit organizations and government bodies in our communities.

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Peninsulaires

The Peninsulaires is dedicated to sharing the joy of barbershop harmony through community outreach as we demonstrate our artistry, improve our musical expertise, create a sense of pride in our members, and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood with our fellow barbershoppers.

Hometown: Sunnyvale, CA

Cantiamo

Cantiamo! is a highly select vocal ensemble with a reputation for bold programming, beauty, passion, precision, and vitality. Drawing from the medieval period through the avant garde, Cantiamo! has made Bach the cornerstone of its literature. Cantiamo! has performed some of the greatest masterworks of all time including Bach's St. Matthew Passion and Mass in B-minor, the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610, Mozart's Requiem and Schoenberg's Friede Auf Erden. Contemporary works have included Morten Lauridsen's Les Chansons des Roses, Fire Madrigals, and Lux Aeterna, Frank Martin's Messe, the Pezzetti Requiem, and Corigliano's Fern Hill. Cantiamo! has performed numerous times at ACDA and MENC conferences.

Hometown: Aptos, CA

Monterey Peninsula Choral Society

The Society presents two themed concerts annually, featuring popular music in the spring and a holiday program in December. We differ from other local choruses by providing an environment in which both novice and experienced singers can develop their skills, and by presenting a variety of music rather than all-classical pieces.

It is our mission to provide a pleasurable choral singing experience for our members and audiences, and to offer opportunities for our members to grow musically.

Hometown: Monterey, CA

Serendipity Choir

The Serendipity Choir has been spreading joy throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years. We sing because we enjoy it and have fun doing it. We love singing for very receptive audiences throughout the Bay Area's Unity and Religious Science churches, other denominations, and retirement communities. We sing twice a month on Sundays at religious services throughout the Bay Area.

Hometown: Los Gatos, CA

Fun Times Singers

The Fun Times Singers is a community chorus that provides music education, performance opportunities, group singing, and socialization with others who enjoy singing. While a professional performance that delights our audience is our goal, we want to have fun doing it. We sing songs that delight the ear and the soul. We sing a variety of music with the exception, for the most part, of classical. Examples are contemporary and standard pop music from the movies and Broadway (from early to the present). We also sing patriotic songs, spirituals, folk, etc. Our holiday concert is a mix of Hanukkah, Christmas, and secular inspirational songs of the season.

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Bay Area Showcase Chorus

Bay Area Showcase Chorus is a vibrant, award-winning ensemble of women singers committed to creating musical magic in every performance. We embrace healthy competition and enjoy finding creative ways to share our passion for 4-part harmony in the barbershop style. We are dedicated to continuous improvement in a joyful environment of mutual respect, friendship, and fun.

The 100+ women who are members of the chorus commute from as far away as Vacaville and Santa Cruz to sing with us. Members include business and professional women, homemakers, retirees, and students. Women and girls of all ages are welcome

Hometown: Santa Clara, CA

Resounding Achord

Resounding Achord Productions was founded by a group of singers and choral enthusiasts in 2012 as a service organization with the mission of "building our community through song." Resounding Achord is a 40-voice mixed choir based in San Jose, CA, conducted by Artistic Director Kristina Nakagawa. One of the core values of the organization is to produce accessible programs for wide audiences. Our repertoire ranges from early classical music to modern popular standards.

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Mission Valley Chorus

Mission Valley Chorus is a group of women singers with a rich history spanning over 60 years of history as a chapter of Sweet Adelines International Region 12. Our dedication to harmony, and to our Director Angela Suraci, and to each other shapes the chorus as we make music together. We love to learn, sing, compete, and perform our four-part a cappella harmony, and we love to do all those things while having fun!

Hometown: Los Gatos, CA

Gold Standard Chorus

Organized in October, 1989 (shortly after the big earthquake), the Gold Standard Chorus has had many local performances and participated in District competitions. We've sung along the route at a few Wharf-to-Wharf races, Scotts Valley's Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies, various residential facilities, and at two annual concerts. We also do annual Valengrams (singing Valentines) deliveries, and, most importantly, have a good time singing.

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA

Inspire Choir

The Inspire Choir is a non-audition, heart-led, joy-based community chorus based in Monterey and Big Sur, CA. This diverse group of 40+ members sings uplifting group harmony songs and chants learned by oral tradition from around the world. All voices are welcome and absolutely no music or singing experience is required. We are a non-performance-oriented group. We sing because we love to sing together.

Hometown: Big Sur, CA

Rainbow Women’s Chorus

Rainbow Women's Chorus (RWC), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization since 2001, was founded in October 1996 as a project of Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus (SVGMC). San Jose didn't have a women's chorus and SVGMC started the ball rolling. RWC's first performance was as guests of SVGMC.RWC has also put an emphasis on outreach, singing all over the Bay Area, at venues such as San Jose City Hall, Santa Clara County offices, World Aids Day, San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose Opera (Lobby holiday performance) Genentech and Oracle Corporations' diversity celebrations, as well as in churches, at festivals, in celebrations, weddings and funerals.

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Ching Ching Chorus

Ching Ching Chorus has been singing beautiful music and performing in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1981. The chorus covers a range of repertoire from classical to contemporary. Membership is open to any person with a passion for singing.

Hometown: Santa Clara, CA

Crystal Children's Choir

Crystal Children's Choir was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1994. Since then, it has grown into a 1,000 member organization. The choir's mission is to strive for choral music excellence by providing choral music education to children and blending the best of Eastern and Western musical traditions.

>Crystal Children's Choir has toured Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America, and has performed at prestigious venues including St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican, Taipei National Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Davies Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Beijing Concert Hall. Crystal Children's Choir also received numerous invitations to perform in the CMEA Convention and the 2004 National Kodaly Educators Conventions. In 2006, the choir was selected to perform at the MENC 60th National Conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Crystal Children's Choir also made two appearances at the ACDA Western Division Convention in 2002 and 2006 and was honored to p

Hometown: Cupertino, CA

Schola Cantorum (Mountain View)

Founded in 1964 by the late Royal Stanton, the chorus has commissioned and performed numerous premieres, including works by Alva Henderson, Dirk Damonte, Joseph Jennings, Libby Larsen, Kirke Mechem and Theodore Toews. Collaborations with more than 30 musical organizations have included the Vince Guaraldi Trio, Wesla Whitfield and Michael Greensill, Chanticleer, The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, Coro Hispano de San Francisco, Rejoice Gospel Ensemble, The Nuclear Whales Saxophone Orchestra, The Whole Noyse, Menlo Brass Quintet, the San Francisco Symphony, Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra and Redwood Symphony - a testament to the group's versatility and professionalism.

Hometown: Mountain View, CA

Silicon Valley Boychoir

The Silicon Valley Boychoir for boys (ages 7 and up) rehearses in downtown Palo Alto and consists of four levels: beginner through high school.

Mission statement: To train boys in the choral art with an emphasis on music literacy and the highest artistic standards. Boys will learn life-long skills and go forth into the world as skilled tenors and basses and leaders in their future choirs.

Silicon Valley Boychoir offers boys an opportunity for excellent vocal training, music literacy, and artistic achievement while supporting families with flexible scheduling. Each singer receives personal coaching in a supportive environment.

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

Aurora Singers Palo Alto

The Aurora Singers is a non-profit community chorus of about sixty mixed voices. We are based in Palo Alto, but our choir members come from around the Bay Area and beyond. We prepare two concert programs each year. Our December program draws from winter and holiday music of all cultures, and our Spring concert is always devoted exclusively to American music of all genres - folk, spirituals, pop, classic, standards, show tunes - anything made in America!

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

California Bach Society

The California Bach Society, a 30-voice chamber chorus, has established a reputation for its interpretations of Renaissance and Baroque choral music. Specializing in historically informed performances since 1998, the choir has shared the stage with such early music luminaries as Magnificat and members of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and was a featured concert presenter at the 2000 Berkeley Early Music Festival.

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

Santa Clara Chorale

The Santa Clara Chorale is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) arts organization dedicated to enhancing the skills of choral singers and extending the knowledge and appreciation of choral singing and its tradition to new singers and audiences.

The Chorale brings together knowledgeable, amateur singers from a range of ages and backgrounds to study, rehearse and perform major choral works.

We strive for a quality of performance that challenges the chorus, attracts outstanding soloists and develops an appreciative audience.

Hometown: Santa Clara, CA

Ensemble Continuo

Ensemble Continuo is a classical chamber choir based in Mountain View, California.

Hometown: Mountain View, CA

Vivace Youth Chorus

Founded in 2003, by Peggy Spool and a group of dedicated parents, Vivace Youth Chorus is a high-quality choral program for children ages four to eighteen. Youth from throughout the Silicon Valley participate in our 6 choral levels. The chorus offers a program that balances vocal training, music theory, and performances. Upper level choirs take part in choral festivals and tours. All choristers gain exposure to various musical genres, from traditional folk to classical, jazz, and contemporary. The chorus collaborates with area composers and musicians, as well as with other ensembles including San Jose Symphonic Choir, Opera San Jose and Mission City Opera.

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Valley Chorale

Based in the Silicon Valley of California since 1968, the Valley Chorale performs 15-20 concerts per year -- everything from sacred & classical music to mini versions of Broadway musicals! Twenty to thirty singers are chosen by audition. Strong emphasis is placed on voice production for the best possible blend and ensemble sound. A portion of the memorized program is sung a cappella, to feature the beauty of the human voice. Musical growth for singers is a priority goal in an atmosphere of pleasant camaraderie. The group's special charm is its warmth and enthusiasm.

Hometown: Sunnyvale, CA

Symphony San Jose Chorale

The Chorale, directed by Elena Sharkova, has become known in the Bay Area and beyond for its eclectic mix of concert programs: from choral-orchestral masterworks to contemporary, jazz, and folk-inspired compositions. As the chorus-in-residence for the recently renamed Symphony San Jose (https://www.symphonysanjose.org/) , the Chorale performs regularly with world-renowned vocal and instrumental soloists and conductors on stage of the historic California Theater in San Jose.

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Santa Cruz Peace Chorale

Our chorus is made up of folks just about like you. We support our activities and expenses with season-long pledges. Dues are on a sliding scale; no one is turned away due to finances or experience. We are a non-auditioned mixed-voice community chorus of peace and justice activists. People who have trouble hearing/matching pitch may be asked to do extra work or confer with the director for determination of appropriate learning tools/environment.

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA

Cantabile Youth Singers

Cantabile's history begins at the Mountain View Community School of Music and Art, where there was a program called the Peninsula Children's Chorale. While a part of the Community School, the choir grew, excelled, and participated in a variety of unique performance opportunities. In 1994, founding Artistic Director Signe Boyer left the Community School to create Cantabile Youth Singers; the adult choir, the Baroque Choral Guild, sponsored Cantabile - lending us vital support to get started.

The program began with three levels and 25 students: Preparatory, Intermediate and Concert Choir. These twenty-five singers rehearsed at the same Foothills Congregational Church we rehearse in today. Signe Boyer was the Artistic Director and driving force for Cantabile during our first ten years. She moved Cantabile through many milestones to establish the choir as an important participant and leader in the Bay Area choral music community. Fostering and sharing her lifelong passion for music education for children, she gave the singers and their families the gift of belonging to a choral community and shared that gift with the larger Silicon Valley community.

Many founding families and a very dedicated Board helped move Cantabile toward growth and expanded performance opportunities. Here are some highlights of performances and tours during Signe's Artistic Directorship of Cantabile:

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

iSing Silicon Valley

iSing Silicon Valley champions girls as artists through exceptional musical experiences. iSing brings together more than 300 1st-12th grade singers in Silicon Valley, offers them rigorous musical and vocal training and the opportunity to premiere commissioned works, collaborate with acclaimed artists, record albums, and tour the world. Celebrated for the gorgeous vocal blend and joyous singing of its choirs, iSing has quickly built a deeply committed musical community in the Bay Area - while earning awards and recognition on national and international stages.

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

I Cantori di Carmel

I Cantori di Carmel is a volunteer chorus that seeks excellence in choral performance. Our programs include major choral works as well as lesser-known jewels of the choral repertoire.

I Cantori di Carmel (Our Italian name means: The Singers of Carmel) has been bringing choral classics to the Monterey Peninsula since 1981. We perform concerts twice annually, in the spring and fall, at the Carmel Mission Basilica and other venues. Approximately every three years we embark on a European concert tour where we have the opportunity to sing in magnificent cathedrals, churches, and concert halls. Often we coordinate with choirs in our host countries for shared performances.

Hometown: Monterey, CA

New Choir

The New Choir was founded by the Music Director and Conductor, Eileen Chang, in August, 2000 and is composed of about twenty five singers from the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The New Choir is an auditioned chamber choir performing choral works from all genres. The choir has been conducting regularly scheduled performances in the Bay Area since its founding.

Hometown: Sunnyvale, CA

St Ann Choir

In addition to the complete year's cycle of Gregorian chant for Sunday Mass, the choir also performs medieval and Renaissance motets and polyphonic Mass settings for holy days and other feast days. Please join us Sunday for Mass at 12 noon - and holy days as announced - at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Waverly at Homer in Palo Alto, California, and for Latin Vespers in Gregorian chant at 6:15 p.m. at St. Ann Chapel, Melville at Tasso in Palo Alto, California. All events are Catholic services. Everyone is welcome. No cost, of course. The St. Ann Choir is not affiliated with the St. Ann Chapel Choir, the professional group that performs music for the 11 AM Anglican Sunday liturgy at The St. Ann Chapel.

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

Bay Choral Guild

The Bay Choral Guild is a 40-voice, auditioned chorus based in Palo Alto with singers from around the Bay Area. BCG's outstanding musical ensemble and rich repertoire are the foundation for innovative programs that bring works together in new and unusual ways. Our concerts offer both audiences and singers the opportunity to enjoy fresh and exciting choral music experiences, and balance enjoyment of the music with new insight and understanding.

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

Peninsula Harmony Chorus

Peninsula Harmony Chorus is a community a cappella (voice only) mixed (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) chorus centered in Los Altos, California. We've been singing together for over ten years. We were founded in 1999 by Paul Prochaska, as one of the Urban Harmony voices of the Contemporary A Cappella Association (CASA). We welcome singers of any age who enjoy singing and who agree with our mission of "Creating harmony through harmony," bringing the special power of music to people in all walks of life in our community. We believe that music brings great therapeutic value in life both for the singers and those who just listen. We also believe in inclusiveness. Everyone can sing!

Hometown: Los Altos, CA

Voices in Harmony

VIH's repertoire is diverse and encompasses music from the classics to jazz, contemporary to patriotic, pop and traditional choral selections. Voices in Harmony was founded in 2006 is based in San Jose, California, under the masterful musical direction of Dr. Greg Lyne. Under his leadership, VIH has rapidly become one of the finest a cappella choruses in the world. In July 2008, it traveled to Nashville, TN, to compete in the annual International Choral Competition of the Barbershop Harmony Society, its professional organization, and achieved a 3rd Place Bronze Medal. The competition pits the top 30 choruses of more than 800 choruses around the world.

Hometown: San Jose, CA

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