Interested in singing with the San Diego Chorus? Here's what you can expect.

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, which is 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 special needs in regards to accessibility, please reach out so we can ensure you visit is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
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Frequently Asked Questions

​WHAT TO WEAR

Dress comfortably in clothes that support movement and deep breathing. Avoid anything hot or constraining. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

​WHERE TO GO

We rehearse in Room #207 of the Casa del Prado Building in Balboa Park. This building is next door to the Casa del Prado Theater, across the courtyard. Plan ahead for parking, which can be tricky. Find more details about our rehearsal location, parking and download a map here.  The Casa del Prado offers accessible parking and an elevator, making our second floor rehearsal space accessible for all.

SAY HELLO

Be sure to RSVP on our website to let us know you're coming. Our New Member team will be standing by to greet you outside of room 207. We'll answer questions and guide you through your visit.

GUEST MUSIC

We'll check out a Guest Music binder for you to reference during rehearsals.  Please be sure to return yours at the end of the night. If you decide to move forward in your audition process, you'll also receive a Guest Log in to access a special section of our Members Only website that offers music and learning tracks.

WARM UPS

We begin every rehearsal with stretching and gentle body movement to physically prepare our bodies for singing and alignment. It's a great way to shake off the day, stretch out tired muscles and prepare for excellent posture on the risers. After physical warm ups our focus shifts to guided vocal warm ups. Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.
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 VOCAL ASSESSMENT

We'll share some background about the qualities and structure of vocal parts in barbershop music, and conduct an informal vocal assessment to help you identify which part may be the best fit with your range.
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PARTICIPATE IN REHEARSAL

The best way to experience our music and culture is by jumping right in! Once you've identified a vocal part, we'll help you find a spot on the risers near a helper who sings the same vocal part.
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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.
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PATHWAY TO MEMBERSHIP

​Ready to take the next steps? We're here to help every step of the way! Learn more about how our vocal assessment and audition pathway work. Our year-round, soft audition process allows you to move at your own pace and includes lots of opportunities for help - just ask! 
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

​The San Diego Chorus believes that every voice matters. We welcome singers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from varied religions. Learn more about our intentional approach to creating a diverse, inclusive and welcoming culture.
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WHAT AM I SAYING YES TO?

​Membership in the San Diego Chorus involves growth as a musician, performer, competitor and SO much more! Keep reading to learn more about the exciting and unique facets of our chorus culture, what a typical year may look like and much more.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicole Knox sings with Nick of Time A Cappella Quartet and is a member of the San Diego Chorus, where she was named the 2023 Sweet Adeline of the Year. A fractional Chief Marketing Officer by trade, she encourages organizations and singers by sharing her time and expertise in support of best-in-class brand, marketing and communications.

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ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO CHORUS
Founded in 1951, the San Diego Chorus of Sweet Adelines International performs award-winning, four-part harmony in the barbershop style. Twice named International Chorus Champion of Women’s Barbershop Harmony, the nonprofit performing arts organization entertains in many musical genres along with its signature vibrant choreography. Led by Master Director and Sweet Adelines International Faculty, Kathleen Hansen, the San Diego Chorus is dedicated to local education, entertainment and competition. The Chorus welcomes women and non-binary treble singers who share a love of music and dedication to personal and musical growth regardless of age, race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender expression. Rehearsals are held weekly on Wednesday evenings in Room 207 of the Casa del Prado building in Balboa Park. Additional information can be found on their website at SanDiegoChorus.org.

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ABOUT SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL
Sweet Adelines International is a musical force in the United States and around the world. The organization is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma where it was founded in 1945. This nonprofit music education organization is one of the world's largest singing organizations for women, encompassing more than 25,000 members, 1,200 registered quartets, and 600 choruses in the United States, Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Wales. More information is available on the International Web site by visiting SweetAdelines.com.