Pacific Empire Chorus offers women two membership paths
Full Member or Associate Member.
Full Membership
Each Full Member shall make every effort to attend all rehearsals, retreats, coaching sessions, sectionals, performances and any additional scheduled meetings. If a member has three consecutive absences, the Communications Coordinator will ensure that a letter of concern is sent outlining appropriate action to be taken by the member.
Music: A member's music is considered on loan while she belongs to the chapter (unless she purchased her own music from International Headquarters). It must be used for rehearsal purposes only and returned when her membership terminates.
Costumes: Each member shall be required to provide the standard costume(s) of the chapter and maintain them in a condition suitable for appearance with the chorus.
Tapes: Repertoire tapes are available. It is each member's responsibility to turn in repertoire tapes for updating whenever needed.
Performances: Each chorus member shall make every effort to attend all performances and any additional scheduled meetings. The Musical Coordinator shall set standards to assure that each performing member is vocally and visually prepared. The Musical Coordinator shall have the final decision in determining who will appear on stage.
Associate Membership
The privileges and restrictions afforded to an Associate Member are as follows:
Attendance, music taping, choreography, and costume requirements are waived.
Competition or performance with the chorus is not permitted, however an Associate Member may compete in a quartet.
Participation in chorus rehearsals and activities is welcome, but not required.
Associate Members retain full voting rights.
Associate Members may be appointed as Managers or Committee Chairpersons, however cannot be elected or appointed as a Coordinator to the Management Team.
An active mail folder will be maintained and Associate Members will receive all chorus correspondence and distributed materials.
Pacific Empire Chorus welcomes women who love to sing and are striving for excellence.
Below are answers to questions that guests often ask:
Barbershop harmony is a style of unaccompanied singing with three voices harmonizing to the melody. The lead usually sings the melody, with the tenor harmonizing above the lead. The bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes and the baritone provides in-between notes, either above or below the lead to make chords (specifically, dominant-type or "barbershop" sevenths) that give barbershop its distinctive, "full" sound.
Probably the most distinctive facet of barbershop harmony is the phenomenon known as expanded sound. It is created when the harmonics in the individually-sung tones reinforce each other to produce audible overtones or undertones. Barbershoppers call this "ringing a chord." Singing in a quartet or chorus and creating that "fifth voice" is one of the most thrilling musical sensations you'll ever experience, leading to goosebumps the size of golf balls.
Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances.
This independent, nonprofit music education association is one of the world's largest singing organizations for women. "Harmonize the World" is the organization's motto.
The international membership of nearly 30,000 women, all singing in English, includes choruses in most of the fifty United States as well as in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden and the Netherlands. The organization encompasses more than 1,200 registered quartets and 600 choruses.
The first step in becoming a member of Pacific Empire Chorus is a musical evaluation. You will be given a learning tape of your part and a copy of the current evaluation song. When you feel comfortable with the music, you'll sing in a practice quartet. The practice quartet is comprised of chorus members who will be singing with you. You can sing with the practice quartet as many times as you like. When you feel comfortable holding your part in a quartet, it will be time for your musical evaluation. The music team will evaluate correct notes, words, and listen for the barbershop style. You will then be given a membership application. The application will be presented to the Management Team and the chorus for approval.
As a member of Pacific Empire Chorus, you'll pay monthly dues to the chorus and Sweet Adelines International. Additional expenses include costumes, make up, and lodging at competitions/events out of the area. There are also optional Chorus, Regional, and International events that occur throughout the year. The cost for these events varies and you may participate in them as your time and budget allow. For a detailed list of the exact cost of the items mentioned above, email us or join us at rehearsal any Wednesday evening, 7:30 p.m.
No. Members in the Pacific Empire Chorus range from women who cannot read a note of music and have never sung before to accomplished musicians with degrees in music.
PEC is very flexible and recognizes that each of us have busy lives outside of chorus. To accommodate different needs, there are several membership options. Associate Member status has no attendance requirements, while a competing membership puts a priority on attendance.
Women in our chorus range in age from 17 to 85, but each has a heart that stays young through singing and camaraderie in the Pacific Empire Chorus.
The Pacific Empire Chorus performs in a variety of events, ranging from local holiday performances to international competitions attended by thousands. The chorus is very active in the community and in the Sweet Adelines International organization. There are many excellent leaders in the chorus who organize fundraisers, shows, performances, membership drives, educational forums, and social events.
The chorus rehearses year round on Wednesday nights at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building in Petaluma, California. Rehearsals begin at 7:30 p.m. and end at 10:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to attend rehearsals and actively participate in the art of a cappella singing.
Our membership chair is happy to help arrange carpools with members who live in your area. To arrange for a ride to a rehearsal, call (877) 722-0087.
