About PEC

The award-winning Pacific Empire Chorus is a women's performance and competition chorus singing four-part, a cappella harmony in jazz, pop, rock and barbershop styles. Membership includes women from all walks of life who come from eight different north-bay counties.

Rehearsals are attended by women who travel individually and in carpools to Petaluma, California on Wednesday evenings.

Members range in age from their early twenties to eighty and come from a wide range of occupational backgrounds. The chorus provides a supportive environment for women who want to develop their musical skills -- while some members sight read music, others learn by using audio learning tapes.

Jan.jpg Jan Gervais, Certified Master Director

As the Director of Pacific Empire Chorus since 1980, Jan has demonstrated a commitment to musical excellence and achievement. She has guided the Pacific Empire Chorus to three top-ten finishes in Sweet Adelines International competitions since 1993.

Jan has expanded the a cappella repertoire of the chorus to include Jazz, Pop, and Rock as well as Barbershop. Women travel from several surrounding counties to be part of her award-winning chorus.

Jan is a Certified Judge in the Expression Category, a member of the regional musical faculty, coaches quartets and other choruses, and travels extensively to judge competitions for Sweet Adelines International.

Under the direction of Jan Gervais, Pacific Empire has moved from a 23rd place finish in 1985 to three "top-ten finishes" in Sweet Adeline International chorus competition since 1993. Each international chorus competition features thirty regional winners from around the world who are rated and judged in categories of music, sound, expression, and showmanship.