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When Kim Vaughn first walked into a Sweet Adelines rehearsal, she didn’t expect it to change her life. Talked into attending by her mother—under the threat of losing babysitting privileges—she imagined “a bunch of old ladies singing badly in ugly costumes.” What she found instead was music that resonated so deeply that she instantly knew she had found her fit. “I felt like I had come home,” Vaughn remembers. “I thought: This is my place, these are my people.” That moment marked the beginning of a journey now spanning five decades, during which Vaughn has transformed from a reluctant recruit into one of the most celebrated and influential figures in the Sweet Adelines International community.
A Career of Firsts Vaughn’s accomplishments are unmatched in their breadth. She is a three-time International Quartet Champion and Queen of Harmony, having earned gold with High Society (1976), Savvy (1988), and A Cappella Gold (2001). She sang lead when the San Diego Chorus was named International Champions in 1975, and later, as director, led the same chorus to their second International Championship in 2001. Her musical excellence is complemented by her leadership: nearly 30 years as the director of the San Diego Chorus, a Certified Sound Judge, a Master Faculty member, and recipient of the 2014 Sweet Adelines International Lifetime Achievement Award. Vaughn was also named to the Region 21 Hall of Fame and has been designated a Master Director 700, recognizing the highest levels of musical achievement. Finding a Voice, Finding a Calling From the earliest days, Vaughn was drawn to the power of barbershop harmony. “I was one of those altos who was always too loud,” she laughs. “Suddenly, I could be a lead!” She was quickly handed leadership responsibilities as well—first as a section leader, then as a quartet member—discovering a natural aptitude for guiding others. Her early quartet experiences, particularly with High Society, proved pivotal. When the group unexpectedly placed fourth at their first International competition, the medal was more than an accolade. “It’s funny how you step up to it,” Vaughn recalls. “If I’m going to be a fourth-place international medalist, I better know what I’m doing.” From that point forward, she immersed herself in learning—attending every coaching session, every school, every class. “I never missed anything. I just wanted to know everything as fast as I could.” A New Season of Leadership Vaughn never set out to be a director. But when Connie Noble, then interim director of the San Diego Chorus, offered to swap responsibilities, Vaughn realized she had both the skills and passion to lead. Her three decades at the helm were transformative—for the chorus and for her. “I grew so much as a director,” she reflects. “The thing I had to work out the most was the people skills part of it—realizing how much it matters to appreciate the individual, to say thank you, to build confidence. The more confident the singers are, the more confident the director is.” Though she once thought quartets would always be her first love, Vaughn discovered the chorus brought a deeper fulfillment. “The chorus actually took place number one instead of the quartets. It became my primary thing.” A Teacher, a Judge, a Mentor As Vaughn’s experience grew, so did her role as educator and mentor. Coaching choruses and quartets worldwide, she became known for her clarity, encouragement, and ability to prioritize. “The payback is not the money you earn from coaching,” she says. “It’s what happens when the singer gets it. When they come back they're so excited because they understood—and not only that, they realized they could successfully do it.” Her role as a Certified Sound Judge added another layer of influence. “Judging is a different skill set,” she explains. “You have to evaluate, write clearly and succinctly, but kindly. And you have to be helpful—in six minutes, on two songs. It’s an interesting combination of skills.” For Vaughn, judging was never about prestige but about responsibility: “I do it because I think it’s important to advance our art form.”  Sound Judge in Region 1
 Judy Pozsgay, Vickie Mayberry and Kim Vaughn clearly having zero fun. The Power of Mentorship Vaughn is quick to credit those who invested in her—particularly coaches Joni Bescos and Carolyn Butler. Joni was pragmatic and precise; "Carolyn was deeply emotional and singer-focused. “They shaped me in such different ways,” Vaughn reflects. Beyond formal mentors, she also drew inspiration from peers and role models across the Sweet Adelines world, learning leadership, kindness, musicality, and resilience. Her philosophy is simple: Invest in others. “It has always bothered me when people are successful and then walk away,” she says. “You learned all this—why not pay it forward? The only successful pyramid scheme in the world is education. If I know and I teach you, now we both know. Then we both teach. That’s how everybody gets better.”  Kim coaching the Scottsdale Chorus with Aaron Dale.
Family, Harmony, and Joy For Vaughn, Sweet Adelines is more than music—it is family. “I don’t think we have a clue when we join that we are joining a family,” she says. Over the decades, that family has celebrated her triumphs, supported her through hardships, and filled her home with love. Holidays at the Vaughn house often included singers who had nowhere else to go. “It just becomes second nature,” she says. “There’s a place for all of us.” That sense of belonging and joy remains her deepest takeaway. “Joy is what I still feel about Sweet Adelines,” she reflects. “It has brought me enough joy for several lifetimes.”
Looking Ahead Now, as she reflects on her half-century milestone, Vaughn is focused less on her own legacy and more on the future. She delights in the passion and skill of new members, their bravery, and their willingness to push boundaries. “They want everything—and I don’t blame them a bit. Let’s do everything!” Her message to the next generation is equal parts encouragement and challenge: embrace growth, experiment, and give back. “Whatever they can think of that they want to be, they really can. We need new ways of looking at things. That’s why I love to hear what they have to say. If there’s anything I can do to help them, I want to do it.”  Region 11 Judging Panel
A Legacy in Full Voice From reluctant recruit to international champion, from section leader to master director, from student to mentor, Kim Vaughn’s 50 years with Sweet Adelines is a story of transformation—of herself, of her chorus, and of the art form she loves. “I didn’t know when I joined that I was going to change so much,” she says. “But I did. Completely changed. Better than I ever thought I could be.” And that may be Vaughn’s greatest gift to Sweet Adelines: Proof that through harmony, hard work, and community, transformation is possible—for singers, for leaders, and for the organization itself.
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 Diana began her 50-year journey with Sweet Adelines the same year as Kim Vaughn. When Diana Riley first heard the Santa Monica Chorus sing on Valentine’s Day more than five decades ago, something inside her shifted. “I was hooked the first moment I heard them,” she recalls. “I didn’t care what people said — I knew I was going to sing.” That spark ignited a journey spanning 50 years with Sweet Adelines International — a journey filled with harmony, leadership, travel, and friendships that have sustained her life in and out of music.
 Diana Riley was honored at a luncheon to celebrate 50 years of Sweet Adelines Membership in September of 2025. Voice Discovered, Confidence Found Diana didn’t arrive at Sweet Adelines with a confident voice. “All my life, I had been told I couldn’t sing,” she says. “But when I auditioned, they told me, ‘You’re a bass. You can sing — you just weren’t singing what they wanted you to sing.’” It was validation she hadn’t expected. While she experimented with other parts — lead and baritone — bass became her lasting home. Her musical background gave her a foundation to build on: orchestra with an emphasis on cello.
Raised on Rhythm and Rodeo Though she didn’t step onto the risers until adulthood, Diana had been steeped in showmanship since childhood. Her grandparents met while performing with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, traveling the country with rope tricks, whips, and stunts. Her parents followed as professional entertainers, touring with the WesternAires. Her father performed with Bob Hope for U.S. troops during World War II. Diana’s father even began as a Western stuntman — his first role was flying off a horse at seven months old. “I was the kid backstage living in a trunk,” she laughs, recalling her upbringing surrounded by costumes and performers. That immersion gave her confidence under bright lights and comfort onstage. As a young woman, she trained and performed on the cello, even performing Aaron Copland’s *Billy the Kid* with the San Jose Philharmonic — while also dancing in the same production. Movement, as much as music, shaped her artistry and later gave her the courage to audition for the front row in several choruses, where choreography is as vital as vocal power. “I miss the movement and dance part,” she admits. “That was always such a joyful piece of performing for me.”   Diana most recently competed internationally with the San Diego Chorus in Kansas City in 2024.  A Village of Song Her Sweet Adelines journey took her through multiple choruses — Santa Monica, Simi Valley, ChannelAires, Verdugo Hills, and San Diego — across both Region 11 and the (then) newly formed Region 21. Wherever she landed, she found more than music: she found community. “The people are so incredible,” Diana says. “They helped me raise my two kids. I’d bring them to chorus, or quartet rehearsal, and everyone just pitched in.” In Simi Valley, her chorus wasn’t just a singing group but a village. “We put on weddings. We had a baker, a lady from Hawaii who did all the flowers, and of course, the entertainment. We sang for everything. It was an incredible chorus.”
Stages Across the World Diana competed internationally numerous times, including multiple trips to Hawaii and performances with choruses that reached the top ten. International travel became one of the hallmarks of her barbershop career. She toured Scotland and Wales, with her mother by her side. “We’d get in, and within an hour we’d have to be ready for a gig. My mom was handing me costumes and makeup. I don’t know how people managed without their mothers,” she laughs. Trips to Japan and China followed, expanding her circle of friends worldwide. “I’ve met so many people internationally. Even if you only see them for a few days, those friendships last. It gives you a broader sense of people and the world.”  Quartets, Sisters, Lifelong Bonds Diana has sung in many quartets, but “Girls’ Night Out” remains the dearest. “We were all brand new - we even won the novice quartet award,” she recalls. “We had so much fun together," she says. Decades later, they still meet regularly. Other quartets came and went, sometimes formed around mother and daughter duos, but what mattered most were the bonds created. “They’re lifelong friends. Those connections never fade.”
 Leading With Purpose Beyond singing, Diana’s leadership has left an enduring mark at every level of Sweet Adelines. In her choruses, she served in nearly every imaginable role — from Board President and Membership to Business Development, Fundraising, Events, Front Row Choreography, Makeup, and Costuming. “The only jobs I never touched were finance and secretary,” she laughs. “Those skills definitely weren’t in my wheelhouse.” At the regional level, she coordinated transportation for conferences and oversaw videotaping of educational sessions, turning them into valuable resources for choruses. “I really enjoyed the regional work,” she says. “It made me feel like I was contributing to something bigger than myself.” For Diana, leadership is about more than titles or tasks — it’s about ensuring the vitality of the organization she loves. “It takes all of us being willing to contribute beyond the singing,” she emphasizes. “That’s how our organization continues to be diverse, dynamic, and growing.”  From Rigid Rules to New Rhythms Over 50 years, Diana has seen the organization transform. “It was more rigid back then,” she reflects. “Now we’re more fluid, more accepting. The changes in culture, costuming, and makeup have been good for us. The growth has been very educational.” She also believes the pandemic, though difficult, sparked innovation. “COVID actually helped us learn to use the internet to recruit and connect,” she explains. “Now we’re bringing in younger members, even people in their twenties. That wasn’t happening when I started.” Still, she sees room to grow. “I’m an advocate of seeing all choruses do more sing-outs — small groups in public spaces. That type of visibility connects us to people and opportunities. We need to be out there, exposing people to our art form and community.”  The Joy That Keeps Her Coming Back Even after decades of late-night rehearsals and long drives, Diana finds renewed joy in singing. “I always feel better after rehearsal,” she says. “Even when I’m tired, the chorus lifts you up.” She acknowledges the challenges — her commute is over an hour — but the music and community make it worthwhile. “The support is fantastic. I try to invite as many people into Sweet Adelines as possible. I just wish my home chorus were a bit closer these days.” When she looks back, it’s clear what Sweet Adelines has given her: a life rich in harmony, friendship, and purpose. “It’s made my life bigger,” she reflects. “I have friends around the world, confidence in myself, and memories I wouldn’t trade for anything.” Fifty years may seem like a long time, but for Diana Riley, it’s simply been life lived in four-part harmony.
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."
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 presents "ONE IN HARMONY,” on Saturday, September 28th at 7 PM. The show features performances from OC Sound and the San Diego Chorus in addition to featured quartets. The event will be hosted at the MiraCosta College Concert Hall in Oceanside, CA. Two-time International Champions the San Diego Chorus will present a dynamic program of 4-part a cappella harmony, including selections from their current competition and entertainment packages. The chorus, under the direction of Kathleen Hansen, is currently ranked 5th worldwide, and will compete in the Sweet Adelines International (SAI) Semi-Finals later this fall in Kansas City. OC Sound Chorus, under the direction of International Queen of Harmony Bonnie McKibben will also present selections from their competition and entertainment repertoire. The chorus will compete in the International Harmony Classic for small to mid-sized choruses this fall, and was selected as a 2025 Wild Card Competitor. The show, which also includes performances from select guest quartets, also features a silent auction benefitting the nonprofit performing arts organization. Doors open at 6 PM, and the curtain rises at 7 PM. TICKET INFORMATION
EVENT VENUE MiraCosta College Concert Hall 1 Barnard Dr Concert Hall Oceanside, CA 92056 SILENT AUCTION The event includes a Silent Auction, which serves as a fundraiser for the nonprofit, performing arts organization. Proceeds help offset the costs associated with competition coaching and preparation. The auction features a wide range of items including art, jewelry and collectibles as well as gift cards and experiences from area merchants and partners. Arrive at 6 PM shop the Auction early and get your bids in on items from these vendors and more:
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The San Diego Chorus is delighted to welcome back coach Ryan Heller to their Fall 2024 Recharge event September 6 - 8th. Ryan is the Director of Alamo Metro Chorus in San Antonio, Texas, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International. With his trademark exuberance, Ryan is as energy-driven as the sound and performances that he inspires from each musician! A "barbershop brat," Ryan joined the Barbershop Harmony Society as a high school freshman, singing with then Evergreen District champs, Vocal Gentry. Under Ryan's past leadership, the Pride of Portland Chorus won regional championships each cycle of competitions, making six appearances on the international stage with five top ten finishes. In April of 2013, Ryan received his Master Director 700 award when Pride of Portland Chorus took first place at our regional contest, with a record-breaking score of 701 points. Heller also holds the title of the Artistic Director and Conductor of Chorus Austin in Austin, TX. Chorus Austin has been honored with numerous awards, including the 2018 Austin Critic’s Table Award for Best Classical Performance, and the 2017 Dale Warland Singers Commission Award from Chorus America. Past positions include Music Director / Conductor of the Southwest Washington Symphony, and Co-founder / Conductor of Portland Vocal Consort and the Columbia Chorale of Oregon.  Ryan's vibrant career also includes frequent engagements as Musical Director / Chorusmaster of musical theater productions throughout the West Coast, including Sweeney Todd, Annie, Brigadoon, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, The Magic Flute and La Cenerentola. In 2016 Heller served as Conductor for the world premiere opera The Canticle of the Black Madonna; He has appeared or recorded with numerous groups, including the Austin Symphony, Portland Opera, Rose City Chamber Orchestra, William Hall Master Chorale, Capella Romana, Astoria Music Festival, and Broadway Rose Theater Company. He has had the pleasure of touring with several ensembles throughout the USA, Europe, New Zealand, and China.  Ryan was the Co-Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Portland Vocal Consort, one of Portland, Oregon’s, premier professional choirs, and spent a decade as the Conductor / Artistic Director of the Southwest Washington Symphony; In 2001, he Co-Founded the Columbia Chorale of Oregon, a group he led until 2010. Heller has led ensembles across the United States with appearances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Chicago’s Symphony Hall. He has toured internationally in Italy, Germany, New Zealand, Finland, Estonia, Sweden and, China, where he led combined choirs from Texas at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing and at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.  Heller holds a Master of Music degree in Conducting from Portland State University and his Bachelor’s of Music degree in Conducting from Chapman University. The San Diego Chorus hosts Recharge weekends for Chorus Members bi-annually. The 3-day events are coaching intensives, featuring Guest coaches from across the U.S. and internationally. The San Diego Chorus is currently ranked 5th Internationally and recently accepted a Wild Card invitation from parent organization Sweet Adelines International. The Chorus will take the stage as contestant #1 in the Quartet and Chorus Semi Finals in Kansas City in October of 2024. The San Diego Chorus will be one of 32 competitors performing in the International Semi Finals, presenting a barbershop ballad and up tune. Contests are adjudicated by four 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. Choruses that rank within the top 10 earn a chance to present a second entertainment package in the finals for the championship title. The 15 minute finals package blends a barbershop number with contemporary a cappella numbers. Heller is one of several world-class coaches the San Diego Chorus will work over the next year as they prepare for competition.
August 31, 2024 - The San Diego Chorus was among 10 regional barbershop choruses and 20 quartets from across two states that performed at the 2024 Music on the Porch Day. The event took place on Saturday, August 31st, 2024 from 2 PM to 5 PM at 4th of July Park in Harmony Grove, Escondido. More information is available online. Music on the Porch Day, which is hosted by SoloVoce Quartet, is celebrating it's 5th year in 2024. The quartet is the 2024 Region 21 Golden West third place medalist quartet and was named quartet champions in 2023. Members hail from three regional choruses and include Tenor Kim Alley, Lead Tracey Sandberg, Baritone Jennifer French and Bass Marina Hayden. The original southern California Music on the Porch Day, Barbershop Edition, was launched in 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. With no shows or performance opportunities for choruses or groups, SoloVoce decided to create their own stage. The foursome delivered performances at two outdoor San Diego locations to small but enthusiastic crowds. From that point, the outdoor festival-style performance has gained momentum each year, with the 5th anniversary landing as the largest lineup to date. 
The 2024 schedule included the following musical organizations and groups: 2024 FEATURED CHORUSES
2024 FEATURED QUARTETS
The event is affiliated with International Play Music on the Porch Day, which connects musicians in 70+ countries and over 1,000 cities worldwide  The San Diego Chorus was among 10 regional a cappella choruses to take the stage at the 2024 Music on the Porch Day on August 31, 2024 in Harmony Grove, California.
 San Diego Chorus double Quartet the Splitsville Sirens was awarded the Golden Banana for their parody set at the 2024 Region 21 Summer Seminar.
 Vista Hills Chorus includes several singers from the San Diego Chorus and is directed by San Diego Chorus member Melanie Jewell.
 Harmony, Inc. Chorus the California NoteCatchers performed at the 2024 Music on the Porch Day. The group is directed by San Diego Chorus member Kayla Rodgers.
September 14, 2024 - The San Diego Chorus is delighted to welcome coach Dan Wessler to our upcoming rehearsal on August 14th. Dan is a barbershop arranger, singer, and chorus director who currently resides in Long Beach, California. Wessler has been arranging for barbershop quartets and choruses since 2011. Dan’s songs are frequently performed on the Barbershop Harmony Society contest stage at both the district and international level, to high acclaim. He writes contestable and performance arrangements for various groups around the world, a number of which have been published by Hal Leonard. Dan Wessler holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Conducting and Literature from University of Colorado Boulder (2023) and a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from Western Illinois University (2012). He is currently the Musical and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles based Westminster Chorus, four-time International Barbershop Chorus Champion and 2009 Choir of the World Champion. Dan also sings with After Hours, the 2018 International Barbershop Quartet Champion, with whom he travels and sings frequently, inside and outside of the United States. He is a frequent clinician at barbershop chorus festivals, and teaches courses internationally at barbershop educational events. Dan also currently serves on the adjunct faculty of Concordia University Irvine, teaching undergraduate choral methods. Before moving to Southern California, he served as Director of Choral Activities at Freeport High School in Freeport, Illinois from 2012-2020.
 With an average score of 95.6%, Westminster Chorus was recently awarded the 2024 BHS International Chorus Champions The San Diego Chorus hosts member-only Coaching Events for singers multiple times a year, particularly when preparing for competition. The chorus is currently ranked 5th Internationally and has accepted a Wild Card invitation from parent organization Sweet Adelines International. The Chorus will take the stage as contestant #1 in the Chorus Semi Finals in Kansas City in October of 2024. The San Diego Chorus will be one of 32 competitors performing in the International Semi Finals, presenting a barbershop ballad and up tune. Contests are adjudicated by four 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. Choruses that rank within the top 10 earn a chance to present a second entertainment package in the finals for the championship title. The 15-minute finals package blends a barbershop number with contemporary a cappella numbers.
San Diego Chorus Among Performers to Take the Stage in HARMONY ROAD on Sunday, September 8th8/12/2024 
Monday, August 12, 2024 – San Diego Chorus is among a cappella performance groups invited to take the stage on Sunday, September 8th at 3PM in Sun Harbor’s “HARMONY ROAD.” Hosted at Balboa Park’s historic Casa del Prado Theater in San Diego, California, the exclusive afternoon performance features three award-winning barbershop choruses and two quartets in one exclusive show that you won’t want to miss! Nine-time international Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) Chorus Champions Masters of Harmony will present musical selections from their recent performances with the Normandy Freedom Chorus at the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in France. Two-time Sweet Adelines International Chorus Champions the San Diego Chorus is currently ranked 5th worldwide. The singers will present selections from their upcoming competition and entertainment packages, which will debut on the international stage in Kansas City later this fall. Special guest quartet performances include Region 21 Golden West's 2023 Quartet Champion and current third-place medalist SoloVoce, and 2023 Southeast Division Quartet Champions Motley Q. Seating is limited, reserve your tickets online today! Ticket Information:
 Hosts San Diego Sun Harbor Chorus
MARCH 2024 - The San Diego Chorus is thrilled to welcome coach Cy Wood. Cy is a judge in the Performance Category for the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS). Currently, he sings baritone in MixTape, a BHS quartet based in Ohio that is the current champion for the Johnny Appleseed district. He also serves as Executive Director for the Young Professionals Choral Collective (YPCC) as well as a creative artist and coach. He moved to Ohio to teach music and theatre at Butler Tech School of the Arts, which he lovingly did so for 7 wonderful years. Before that, Cy worked in New York City for nearly a decade as a professional actor, producer, special events coordinator, and creative director. Some shows that he has been involved with include current and past Broadway, Off-Broadway, Special Events and National Tours. Cy is a third-generation barbershopper. He joined the Idaho Gateway Chorus when he was just 15 years old. While studying in college, Cy joined High Flight singing baritone, a competitive collegiate quartet. Though they were together only a few months, they won the Rocky Mountain District collegiate contest, and later went on to place 12th at the 2006 International Competition. Wood joined NYC's acclaimed chorus Voices of Gotham in 2012 and quickly became the baritone section leader as well as a board member at large. In 2013, Cy was asked to be VoG's Choreographer and Presentation Leader. He has had his work performed on the international stage as well as many stages in North America including Carnegie Hall. Since moving to Ohio, Cy has performed with a BHS Top Ten Chorus, Southern Gateway Chorus where he also served on the music team and was the Performance Director.
In addition to his active coaching and chorus lifestyle, Cy was the baritone of On Tap. This quartet won the Mid-Atlantic District Northern Division Contest in 2014 and 7th place at the MAD District competition. On Tap entertained their audiences until their disbandment in 2015 due to two of the members moving away from NYC. The San Diego Chorus hosts member-only Coaching Events for Chorus Members multiple times a year, particularly during competition preparation cycles. The chorus is currently ranked 5th Internationally and has accepted a Wild Card invitation from parent organization Sweet Adelines International. The Chorus will take the stage as contestant #1 in the Quartet and Chorus Semi Finals in Kansas City in October of 2024. The San Diego Chorus will be one of 32 competitors performing in the International Semi Finals, presenting a barbershop ballad and up tune. Contests are adjudicated by four 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. Choruses that rank within the top 10 earn a chance to present a second entertainment package in the finals for the championship title. The 15 minute finals package blends a barbershop number with contemporary a cappella numbers. Wood is one of several world-class coaches the San Diego Chorus will work over the next year as they prepare for competition. Master Director Kathleen Hansen notes that the organization is preparing to perform on the Region 21 Golden West Stage for evaluation in April. "There are so many facets of musicality and performance that we fine-tune concurrently in preparation for competition," Hansen says. "Multi-dimensional coaches like Cy bring valuable insight and guidance to our singers as we refine our contest and entertainment packages for the International stage."
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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 45 |
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