 The Countdown is On On Thursday, October 29, the San Diego Chorus will return to the International stage as Contestant #6 in the 2026 SingUnited International Chorus Semi-Finals in Columbus, Ohio, joining outstanding choruses from around the world for one of the premier competitions in four-part a cappella harmony. For the San Diego Chorus, the return comes just two years after an outstanding 7th-place International finish in 2024, and during a milestone year as the organization celebrates 75 years of harmony, education, performance, and community in San Diego. The Chorus earned its invitation to the 2026 International competition following a strong showing at the 2025 Region 21 Golden West Contest and Convention. A second-place regional score of 659 placed San Diego as the highest-scoring Wild Card among choruses worldwide, securing one of the coveted Wild Card invitations to Columbus.
A First Look at What the San Diego Chorus Is Bringing to Columbus Local audiences recently got an exciting preview of what is headed to the International stage. At their recent Annual Show, “With a Little Help from Our Friends,” on September 27 at the MiraCosta College Concert Hall, the San Diego Chorus debuted both its Semi-Finals and Finals competition packages to a wildly enthusiastic hometown audience. The show brought together an impressive community of a cappella performers, including Pacific Coast Harmony and award-winning quartets Uproar, SoloVoce, and Ready, Willing & Mabel. For the Chorus, the afternoon also represented something bigger: one of the final opportunities to present months of preparation to a live audience before taking that work to Columbus. Preparing for International competition is an extensive undertaking. Competitive choruses invest countless hours in individual practice, weekly rehearsals, sectionals, vocal and visual qualification, and intensive coaching designed to refine every element of the performance.  How International Competition Works For those who have never experienced an International Chorus Competition, this is much more than simply choosing the group that “sounds best.” Semi-Finals performances feature two contrasting songs, traditionally an uptune and a ballad, performed in four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. Every element of those performances is evaluated by a highly trained judging panel. Eight scoring judges, two in each discipline, evaluate performances across four categories:
Each scoring judge may award up to 100 points per song, creating a maximum possible score of 800 points for a two-song Semi-Finals performance. Judges themselves complete a rigorous, multi-year training and qualification process that includes education, testing, trial scoring, and practical experience. Certified judges continue their education and remain actively involved in the adjudication program to maintain their credentials. Meet the 2026 Judges The competition panel is chaired by Jana Gutenson, with Thérèse Antonini and Kelli Hinton serving as Panel Secretaries, Diane Porsch as Resource Judge, and Pattee Bender as Page. SingUnited's 2026 International Judging Panel includes:
And Then There Are the Finals ... The goal on Thursday is simple, even if achieving it is anything but: finish among the top ten choruses and earn a place in the International Chorus Finals. Finals give competitors an entirely different canvas. Rather than the traditional two-song Semi-Finals format, Finals packages allow choruses greater freedom to showcase their musical identity and personality through creative themes, contemporary a cappella music, staging, choreography, costumes, scripting, and, of course, plenty of ringing chords. In 2024, San Diego advanced to this stage before ultimately finishing 7th in the world. San Diego audiences who attended the September Annual Show already know that this Chorus has a Finals package waiting in the wings. Now we just have to earn the chance to perform it. International Competition in San Diego's 75th Year As they prepare to take the International stage, the timing of this contest feels especially meaningful to San Diego Chorus members. The San Diego Chorus was founded in 1951 and has spent three-quarters of a century pursuing musical excellence while building community through four-part a cappella harmony. Along the way, the Chorus has earned two International Championships, in 1975 and 2001, along with numerous regional and international honors. Generations of singers have carried the San Diego name onto stages around the world. This October, another chapter begins. Dozens of singers will travel from San Diego to Columbus carrying months of rehearsals, coaching, personal practice, laughter, friendship, and determination with them. They’ll also carry 75 years of history, and the voices of everyone who helped build it. Contestant #6. Thursday, October 29. Columbus, Ohio. The San Diego Chorus is ready to bring the ring!
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 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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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.
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
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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 SingUnited International COPYRIGHT San Diego Chorus © 2026 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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