San Diego Chorus Awarded OSP Grant from the City of San Diego's Commission for Arts and Culture7/11/2025  JULY 2025 - The San Diego Chorus is proud to announce the award of a Fiscal Year 2026 Organizational Support Program Grant, provided by the City of San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture through the Office of Cultural Affairs. As a local nonprofit performing arts organization, this critical support helps keep four-part a cappella harmony vibrant, visible, and accessible to singers across the region. The San Diego Chorus has long distinguished itself as a passionate, award-winning advocate for music, education, and community engagement. Each year, the San Diego Chorus reaches more than 30,000 audience members through local, regional, national, and international performances and competitions. Grants and other financial support help offset the rising costs associated with world-class music education, performance programming, and competitive excellence. Founded in 1951, the San Diego Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is known for its award-winning performances of four-part harmony in the barbershop style. A two-time International Chorus Champion, the ensemble entertains audiences with a broad range of musical genres enhanced by its signature vibrant choreography. Under the leadership of Master Director and Sweet Adelines International Faculty member Kathleen Hansen, the Chorus remains committed to local education, entertainment, and competition. The Chorus welcomes women and non-binary treble singers who share a love of music and a commitment to personal and musical growth—regardless of age, race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender expression. Weekly rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings in Room 207 of the Casa del Prado building in Balboa Park. Additional information is available at SanDiegoChorus.org. The San Diego Chorus is deeply grateful for the ongoing support of the City of San Diego and looks forward to continuing its mission to spread harmony throughout the city and region through community events and performances at every opportunity.
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 June 2025 – The San Diego Chorus is proud to announce its acceptance of a Wild Card invitation to compete in the 2026 Sweet Adelines International Competition, following a strong performance at the 2025 Region 21 Golden West Contest and Convention, held in April 2025 in Redondo Beach, California. Established in 1952, the San Diego Chorus earned second place in the region with a score of 659, placing them fifth internationally based on global results released by Sweet Adelines International. This outstanding achievement secured the chorus one of a limited number of Wild Card invitations to the international stage in Columbus, Ohio, in October 2026. The order of appearance for the international competition will be determined by random draw, expected to take place in August. The San Diego Chorus is no stranger to international success, having placed 7th in the world at the 2024 competition in Kansas City, and having twice earned the title of International Champion in 1975 and 2001. Preparing for international competition is an extensive undertaking, with choruses typically investing 12 to 24 months of preparation. This includes personal practice, weekly rehearsals, sectionals, and intensive vocal and visual coaching. As a member-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the San Diego Chorus relies on thousands of volunteer hours from its members, along with financial support from fundraising, performances, and grants. The chorus is a proud multi-year recipient of the Creative Communities San Diego Funding Award, granted through the City of San Diego’s Cultural Affairs Division. In 2026, 32 choruses from around the world will compete at the international level. Performances are adjudicated by four judges, each specializing in one of the following categories: Sound, Music, Expression, and Visual Communication. Each category allows for a maximum of 100 points per song, with a total possible score of 800 points per performance. In addition to chorus competitions, the event includes quartet contests, culminating in the International Women’s Quartet Finals, which crowns each year’s Queens of Harmony. Founded in 1945, Sweet Adelines International is dedicated to preserving and advancing the American art form of four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. With over 25,000 members, 1,200 registered quartets, and 600 choruses worldwide, it is one of the largest singing organizations in the world, focused on musical excellence and education. The San Diego Chorus welcomes treble singers year-round through a self-paced “soft” audition process. Interested singers are invited to begin their audition journey at any time. Rehearsals are held weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 PM to 9:45 PM in Room 207 of the Casa del Prado, located in beautiful Balboa Park.
 July 2025 — The San Diego Chorus is delighted to welcome back acclaimed performance coach Cy Wood. A respected figure in the barbershop world, Cy serves as a judge in the Performance Category for the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS). Cy is the past Executive Director of the Young Professionals Choral Collective (YPCC) and a versatile creative artist and coach. Cy’s journey has taken him across the country—from performing and producing in New York City for nearly a decade, to teaching music and theatre for seven years at Butler Tech School of the Arts in Ohio. His professional portfolio includes Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, special events, national tours, and more. Most recently, Cy and his husband relocated to Palm Springs, California, beginning a new chapter in his artistic career. A third-generation barbershopper, Cy began his barbershop journey at age 15 with the Idaho Gateway Chorus. While in college, he sang baritone with High Flight, a collegiate quartet that won the Rocky Mountain District contest and placed 12th at the 2006 International Competition. In 2012, Cy joined Voices of Gotham (VoG) in New York City, where he quickly rose to leadership as baritone section leader, board member at large, and eventually the chorus’s Choreographer and Presentation Leader. His creative work has been showcased on the international stage and in venues such as Carnegie Hall. After moving to Ohio, Cy sang with Southern Gateway Chorus, a BHS Top Ten chorus, where he also contributed as a music team member and Performance Director. Cy’s quartet experience includes singing baritone with baritone with MixTape, the 2024 Johnny Appleseed District champion quartet based in Ohio. Previously, he sang with On Tap, which won the Mid-Atlantic District Northern Division contest in 2014 and placed 7th at the MAD District contest. The quartet entertained audiences until disbanding in 2015.
As part of its ongoing commitment to artistic excellence, the San Diego Chorus regularly hosts member-exclusive coaching sessions, especially in the lead-up to competition season. Currently ranked 2nd in Region 21 Golden West, the Chorus has accepted a Wild Card invitation from Sweet Adelines International to compete in the International Chorus Semi-Finals in Columbus, Ohio in October. of 2026. The San Diego Chorus will be one of 32 choruses performing on the international stage, presenting a barbershop ballad and uptune. Each performance is scored by four judges across the categories of Sound, Music, Expression, and Visual Communication, with a maximum of 800 points available. Choruses that place in the top 10 will advance to the Finals, where they will perform a 15-minute entertainment package blending traditional barbershop with contemporary a cappella. Cy is one of several world-class coaches working with the San Diego Chorus this year as the group sharpens its contest and entertainment packages. Master Director Kathleen Hansen emphasizes the value of working with multifaceted coaches during this critical phase of preparation: “There are endless facets of musicality and performance that we fine-tune concurrently in preparation for competition,” says Hansen. “Multi-dimensional coaches like Cy bring valuable insight and guidance to our singers as we continue to raise the bar on musical excellence in preparation for performance and competition."
The San Diego Chorus is delighted to welcome coach Sandy Marron to their 2025 Winter Recharge. Sandy has served as the Musical Director of Lions Gate Chorus in Vancouver, British Columbia since 1991. She is a Certified Sound Judge and Faculty Member of Sweet Adelines International. Under Sandy's direction, the Lions Gate Chorus is known for creative, high-energy performances that are relatable, humorous, and heartfelt. Marron's extensive training in classical piano (Grade X Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto), Bachelor degrees in Psychology and Music Education from the University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada), and vocal jazz & classical choral singing and conducting have all contributed to her success as a dynamic leader in the choral world. In November 2023, Sandy led her chorus to achieve the highest honor in Sweet Adelines International when they won the title of 2024 WORLD CHAMPIONS - a dream she has held for 32 years. Sandy is a Master 700 Director in the Director Certification Program, the highest designation possible in Sweet Adelines. In addition to her role as the Musical Director of Lions Gate Chorus, Sandy is a professional choral coach, traveling the world to help groups prepare for competitions.
Sandy sang tenor with Brava!, 2004 International Quartet Champions, Canada's very first “Queens of Harmony”. The singers of Brava are active members and leaders in Lions Gate Chorus. With Lions Gate’s recent world championship, Sandy became one of a select group of musical leaders who share the title of international chorus champion director and international quartet champion singer. Prior to singing with Brava, Sandy sang with Glow quartet, the 2016 International 9th Place Medalist. Sandy is married to Tim Marron, a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, an active singing coach and stage & screen actor. Sandy and Tim live in White Rock with their kitties, Robert & Cora. Their older son Connor lives in Phoenix, Arizona and their younger son Austin lives in White Rock with girlfriend Sophia. Both young men are also barbershop singers. The San Diego Chorus hosts Recharge weekends for Chorus Members bi-annually. Recharge weekends are part of ongoing investments to develop musical and performance excellence. The 3-day events are coaching intensives, featuring Guest coaches from across the U.S. and internationally. The San Diego Chorus was recently awarded the 7th place International Medal at the 2024 Sweet Adelines International Chorus Competition in Kansas City. The chorus is now preparing to take the stage in April of 2025 for regional competition.
The singers of the San Diego Chorus will be harmonizing throughout the San Diego region this Valentine's Day to deliver Singing Valentines. The offering is a favorite with audiences and singers alike, presenting a memorable, heartwarming way to send a musical greeting to loved ones. Each Singing Gram includes a choice of two songs performed in four-part a cappella harmony. Delivery is available via live performance (which includes Valentine's Candy and a card!) or across the U.S. by phone. All Singing Valentine's include a personal message from the sender. Orders are processed securely online, making it easy to provide delivery details.  Senders may choose two songs from three timeless favorites: Let Me Call You Sweetheart, It Had to Be You, and You Are So Beautiful. Although most senders prefer a live a cappella performance, phone delivery is a great alternative for loved ones who live further away. "Singing Valentines give us a unique opportunity to share our music with the community," says San Diego Chorus Team Coordinator Pam Murray. "Our singers enjoy every moment and really have fun with it! We've been part of many special moments like proposals, anniversaries, and military families being reunited." As a nonprofit performing arts organization, Murray says that Singing Grams are one of many efforts year-round to offset rising costs. "We're always looking for valuable ways to fundraise. which helps us continually raise the bar on the level of musical education, performance, and competition that we're known for," Singing Valentine Grams are delivered to a diverse range of locations. Among them are residences, businesses, restaurants, senior communities, schools, and events. The two-song mini-performances may be scheduled for delivery between 9 AM - 9 PM PST. It is recommended to book your Singing Gram early, as capacity and time slots are limited.
Watch this video to know what to expect when you visit during an Open House. JANUARY 15, 2025 - The award-winning San Diego Chorus of Sweet Adelines International will host open auditions on Wednesday, January 29th from 6:45 PM - 9:45 PM. The chorus is currently ranked 7th worldwide, and performs 4-part barbershop harmony and contemporary a cappella music. The local, nonprofit performing arts organization is seeking singers of all voice parts with some level of musical background. Although not a prerequisite, members often have backgrounds in choral or solo singing, ensembles and musical theater. Performances incorporate both music and movement, with select members earning a position on the front row, an exciting spotlight opportunity for musicians who love to sing and dance. The event will be hosted in Room #207 of the Casa Del Prado Building in Balboa Park. Women and non-binary treble harmony singers are encouraged to attend. Interested singers should RSVP to reserve a spot. Guest singers are invited to be active participants in rehearsal throughout the evening, beginning with physical and vocal warmups. Informal vocal assessments are incorporated to help visitors identify their ideal voice part. The event also includes an educational breakout session offering answers to frequently asked questions and insight to the choral group's rich and award-winning 70+ year history. Visitors receive details about the year-round soft audition process, membership, and history of the San Diego Chorus and Sweet Adelines International. Guests who successfully complete the audition process are paired with a chorus mentor and have the support of a year-long Rookie program designed to help singers build relationships and navigate their first year of membership. A glimpse behind the curtain of the San Diego Chorus's recent travels to Kansas City for International Competition.
"The San Diego Chorus provides high level musical education that helps our singers grow as musicians, performers and competitors," says Musical Director Kathleen Hansen. "We continuously strive to refine our skills and expand repertoire to ensure that we are a dynamic and cutting-edge choral organization within performing arts spaces at the local, regional and international level." The organization recently placed 7th internationally in October of 2024 at the Sweet Adelines 76th Annual Convention & Competition. Contestants must first rank regionally to qualify for the international stage, preparing unique semi-finals and finals packages for competition. "It's an exciting time to join the San Diego Chorus," says Hansen. "We are currently focused on this spring's Region 21 Competition. It's an ideal event to help new singers contextualize the competitive facet of our organization. Our intentional approach to musical excellence integrates valuable vocal production and performance coaching at all stages of preparation. It's one of many ways we invest in helping our members grow and develop as musicians." A fun, "fast-forward" look at a year in the life of a chorus member. Nicole Knox sings lead with the San Diego Chorus. In January of 2019 she attended a Guest Open House, without any expectations. "It had been a while since I last sang with a choral organization, and at the time I wasn't even sure what all was involved. I just knew that when I entered rehearsal, there was such tangible, positive energy there," Knox recalls. "Then they began singing! It was all over for me at that point - I loved every note and dove headfirst into membership and have never looked back. My life is so much richer for being part of this organization." The San Diego Chorus will soon celebrate it's 75th anniversary. The organization is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Membership is open to women and non-binary treble singers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people of varied religions. If you would like to learn more about singing with the award-winning San Diego Chorus, RSVP for the January 29th Open House and the Chorus New Member Team will be standing by to greet and guide you every step of the way.
The San Diego Chorus welcomes interested women and non-binary singers to visit and participate in our open weekly rehearsals anytime, year-round. Several times a year, we host a Singer Open House, a special evening designed to help prospective members experience the joy of singing 4-part a cappella harmony and learn more about our vocal assessment and self-paced, "soft" audition and membership pathway. If you plan to visit during a Singer Open House or any other rehearsal, please RSVP to let our team know so we can be standing by to greet you. Here are some helpful answers to frequently asked questions from guests and prospective members. Our goal is to provide a welcoming, inclusive experience that makes you feel right at home from start to finish. If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please reach out so we can ensure your visit is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Frequently Asked Questions
 ENJOY A SHORT PERFORMANCE If you visit during a Guest Open House, we'll invite you to take a seat in the audience so that our singers may perform a few of our favorite numbers for you to enjoy. This is a great way to get a sense of our overall sound and how music and movement work together for our chorus.
NOVEMBER 3, 2024 - The San Diego Chorus returned from the 76th Annual Sweet Adelines Convention & Competition ranked 7th Internationally. Approximately 76 of San Diego's 80 members took the stage in the Semi-Finals, competing against 33 other a cappella choral organizations worldwide. Semi-Finals contest packages are timed and typically feature two songs - an uptune and a ballad. These pieces are arranged and performed in the classic, 4-part a cappella harmony that is a hallmark of the barbershop style. A panel of eight judges evaluates each performance intensely, focused on four key areas that uphold the core tenets of this American art form. San Diego Chorus's scores in the Semi-Finals phase placed them within the top ten, which secured their position in the International Finals. Finals packages showcase each chorus's musical excellence and personality, blending a barbershop number with several contemporary a cappella numbers that feature dynamic arrangements brought to life through creative themes, choreography, costumes, and scripting. The San Diego Chorus Semi-Finals package included the 1918 ballad Smilin' Through, with music and lyrics from Arthur A. Penn and Ed Waesche. This specific version featured a revitalized and never-before-performed a cappella arrangement by Joey Minshall. The chorus's uptune, A Wonderful Day Like Today, is from the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd, and was also arranged by Joey Minshall, The San Diego Chorus Finals package opened with the Jeremy Johnson arrangement of The Greatest Show from the 2017 film The Greatest Showman. The ballad, I Will Never Pass This Way Again (1972, Ronnie Gaylord) was originally arranged in the traditional barbershop style by Clay Hine, and later refreshed by his daughter, Melody Hine. Next up was the crowd favorite I Will Survive (1978, Dino Fekaris / Freddie Perren) a high-energy number most commonly associated with artist Gloria Gaynor, featuring a new arrangement from Rowena Harper. The set concluded with a jubilant rendition of OneRepublic's I Lived (Noel Zancanella / Ryan Tedder). This energetic and memorable finale was arranged by Jeremy Johnson and truly reflects the heart and spirit of this unique chorus. The San Diego Chorus was unique within the competition based on successful efforts to expand chorus membership in recent years, which resulted in nearly 30% of singers being first-timers to the International stage. Choral organizations like many sectors within the performing arts were deeply affected by the pandemic, experiencing impacts to both membership and funding. In recent years, the San Diego Chorus has opted to focus recruitment efforts on expanding diversity in a holistic sense - with a goal of membership that reflects population trends within the San Diego region. The result has breathed new life into the chorus, attracting singers of all ages, ethnic and racial backgrounds, differently-abled individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Participation in an SAI Chorus competition entails approximately 18 - 24 months of focused preparation encompassing vocal and visual coaching, weekly rehearsals, sectionals, and personal practice. Throughout this competitive cycle, the San Diego Chorus has welcomed esteemed coaches from around the country, including:
Chorus members are required to qualify both vocally and visually in several phases to participate in regional and international competitions. Judges within Sweet Adelines International complete a rigorous, multi-year training and qualification track that includes experiential prerequisites, testing, training, and trial scoring in multiple environments. Upon completion and with appropriate recommendations, candidates are eligible for consideration as a Certified Judge. Once certified, Judges commit to ongoing musical education and training as well as regular involvement in regional and international competitions to keep their certification current. The 2024 Sweet Adelines International Chorus Judging Panel was as follows:
The week-long competition and convention also featured the 2024 Quartet Semi-Finals and Finals as well as the Harmony Classic, a competition for midsized choruses with membership ranging from 31 - 60 members. Attendees enjoyed a diverse offering of musical education sessions, with well-known vocal leaders, many of which include small group singing, coaching under glass, and more. Recent recaps and full performances for all divisions and phases of the competition are available for viewing on Sweet Adeline's YouTube channel. 
 The San Diego Chorus was founded in 1951 and is a two-time International Championship organization, earning the titles in 1975 and again in 2002, under the direction of Marvin Yerkey and Kim Vaughn respectively. Throughout the nearly 75-year lifespan of the organization, the organization has won multiple awards at varying levels including within Region 21 Golden West. Region 21 is recognized as one of the most competitive within SAI, encompassing approximately 16 choruses across southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawaii. The San Diego Chorus is currently under the direction of Kathleen Hansen.
The San Diego Chorus is traveling to Kansas City, Missouri for the Sweet Adelines International (SAI) 2024 SemiFinals. Currently ranked 5th worldwide, the chorus will take the stage as competitor #1 on Thursday, October 31st at approximately 10 AM Central Time. Single and All Events Passes are available on site at Registration, and a LiveStream of the competition is also available for purchase. 
The San Diego Chorus performing a number from their 2024 Entertainment Package. Choruses must rank within the top 10 worldwide to perform their entertainment set. Ranking is based on the results of the Region 21 Golden West 2023 Contest, where the singers placed 2nd with a score of 674. The region, which is largely recognized as one of the most competitive within SAI, encompasses approximately 16 choruses across southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii. Region 21's Harborlites Chorus under the direction of Pam Pieson will also compete in the Chorus SemiFinals and OC Sound Chorus will compete in the Harmony Classic category for Small to Mid-Sized Choruses under the direction of Bonnie McKibben. In August of 2023 Master Director Kathleen Hansen accepted a coveted Wild Card invitation on behalf of the San Diego Chorus for the October 2024 contest. Thirty-two choruses from around the world have qualified for international competition in 2024. Contests are adjudicated by a double panel of eight judges, each of whom intensively evaluate one of the four categories that comprise the overall score: Sound, Music, Expression and Visual Communication. Every competing organization has the potential to earn 100 points per category per song. The total possible points available for a performance is 800.  The San Diego Chorus was awarded a score of 674 in the Region 21 2023 Contest, which earned them a coveted Wild Card invitation to International Competition.
Choruses that rank within the top 10 earn a chance to present an entertainment package in the Finals for the championship title. The 15-minute Finals package showcases the musical excellence and personality of each chorus, blending a barbershop number with several contemporary a cappella numbers that feature dynamic arrangements complimented by exceptional staging, costumes and scripting. The finals will take place on Saturday, November 2nd from 11:30 AM until 5:30 PM Central time. At the conclusion the 2024 Chorus Champions will be announced. Participation in an SAI Chorus competition entails approximately 18 - 24 months of focused preparation encompassing vocal and visual coaching, weekly rehearsals, sectionals and personal practice. Throughout the course of this competitive cycle, the San Diego Chorus has welcomed esteemed coaches from around the country, including:
Chorus members are required to qualify vocally and visually in several phases to participate in regional and international competition. The San Diego Chorus was founded in 1951 and is a two-time International Championship organization, earning the titles in in 1975 and again in 2002, under the direction of Marvin Yerkey and Kim Vaughn respectively. The 2024 Sweet Adelines International Chorus Judging Panel is as follows:
The week long competition and convention also features the 2024 Quartet SemiFinals and Finals, when one quartet will be crowned Queen of Harmony. Attendees also have a broad range of options for musical education sessions, coaching-under-glass and more. The Coronet Club, an exclusive affiliated organization comprised of past Queens of Harmony recipients, presents the crowns, which are unveiled yearly. The nonprofit will also host the Coronet Club Show on Saturday evening following the Finals. The fun-filled evening welcomes the newly crowned Queens of Harmony to the stage via the CHAMPION STRUT. The show continues with performances from past championship quartets. The 2024 event welcomes special guests The Starlettes and 2023 Barbershop Harmony Society's International Champion Quartet, Midtown. Tickets to the Coronet Club Show require a separate, advance purchase. The event may be enjoyed anywhere via live stream.
San Diego, CA, October 27, 2024 – The San Diego Chorus of Sweet Adelines International Is delighted to present That Holiday Show on Sunday, December 15th. This year's seasonal performance is hosted at the Arbor Room of the La Mesa Community Center. Doors open at 5:30 PM for the Silent Auction and the curtain rises on the Holiday performance at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available for purchase online. 
Featuring Casual, Cabaret Style Performances, Holiday Sing-Alongs, a Silent Auction, Homemade Treats and More This year's seasonal celebration will mix things up with casual, cabaret-style a cappella performances from the San Diego Chorus and featured quartets and ensembles. Guests will enjoy holiday sing-a-longs, a silent auction, homemade treats and more! The San Diego Chorus is currently ranked 7th worldwide and returned from International Competition in early November. Ticket sales and proceeds from the silent auction help to offset musical education, coaching and travel costs for the chorus, which is a local, nonprofit 501(c)3 performing arts organization. 
 Silent Auction bidding opens at 5:30 PM, which features donated experiences and items from area merchants as well as collectible artwork, jewelry and more. Bidding closes during intermission and items are available for pickup at the conclusion of the event. The San Diego Chorus will continue it's long-standing partnership with the Marine Corps' Toys4Tots program this year. Audience members are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate. Toys will be collected at the performance and distributed through Toys4Tots to disadvantaged youth throughout San Diego County.
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CONTACT
619-796-5162 MAILING PO Box 33365 San Diego, CA 92163 NONPROFIT EIN 501c3 95-6095457 AFFILIATIONS Region 21 Golden West Sweet Adelines International COPYRIGHT San Diego Chorus © 2023 All Rights Reserved TERMS & CONDITIONS |
OPEN REHEARSALS
Weekly on Wednesdays 6:45 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. Plan a Visit REHEARSAL LOCATION Casa Del Prado, Room 207 Balboa Park San Diego, CA 92101 Detailed Location Information SINGING HOLIDAY GRAMS 45 |
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