Harmony Fusion Chorus, a women’s a cappella barbershop show chorus, will host a special open rehearsal night Sept. 18 to welcome new singers of all ages, backgrounds and cultures.
“We are looking to add to our chorus of women who love to sing and are enthusiastic about performing, competing and improving their vocal skills,” membership chairwoman Joanne Morrison said.
“If you have a good ear for music, we want you. Sight-reading music is not required. We have many methods for learning our songs,” she added.
Harmony Fusion Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International (SAI), is open to singers of high school age and above. It meets from 7-10 p.m. every Monday in Hayward.
“We welcome visitors to every rehearsal, but September is a good time to start with us as we begin preparing our holiday music and working on our contest song package for our annual regional competition in Reno next May,” Morrison said. “We are especially interested in attracting singers from the East Bay’s many cultural communities.”
The special rehearsal evening will begin with a meet-and-greet followed by vocal warm-ups, when visitors are invited up on the risers with the chorus members. Guests will learn to sing “tags” — the last two phrases of a song in true barbershop style.
“We want our visitors to experience what it’s like to be one of us,” board president Sarah Owen said. “Barbara, our director, is wonderful to sing for. She is very serious about the chorus, and she has a sense of humor that keeps it fun.”
Director Barbara Vander Putten, a SAI-certified director and member of the SAI Region 12 coaching faculty, has directed Harmony Fusion Chorus (formerly Harmony Crossroads Chorus of Pleasanton) since March 2006. Since then the chorus has regularly earned medals at the annual SAI regional contests.
“A main element of our mission statement is community outreach,” Vander Putten said. “For me, that is especially true with respect to young performers. Each year we try to include at least one youth group in our shows.”
The open rehearsal evening is 7-10 p.m. Sept. 18, at the Hill and Valley Women’s Club, 1808 B St., Hayward, just off Interstate 580. For more information, call 373-0210.
