Here are a number of frequently-asked questions that we get:
In addition to our Monday night rehearsals throughout the year, there is an annual show in the fall.
We also participate in a Sweet Adelines regional competition in the spring, and have an annual weekend retreat to focus on preparing for competition.
We perform around our area several times a year for local festivals, business events, retirement communities, as well as participating in Christmas and arts festival events.
There are also optional educational events throughout the year. Most are day-long and entail no overnight travel.
You will need to spend some time outside of rehearsal on individual learning and practicing various skills.
Sweet Adelines is a great value when compared to many other hobbies. There are costs involved for membership (dues) as well as some related costume, educational, and travel expenses. As you go through the membership process, we can discuss these costs in more detail.
As you visit our rehearsals with the intention of membership, our Director will work with you on voice placement, and our Music Coordinator will work with you on an audition song. Prospective members generally audition within 4-8 rehearsals. Our director will determine if you have passed your audition. Membership applications are voted on by the chorus.
It doesn't hurt! Actually, barbershop is ensemble singing. The goal is to have the 4 voice parts blend, to create the tight harmonies and overtones, with no one voice sticking out. Women who are accustomed to solo singing sometimes have to make vocal adjustments to sing in the barbershop style. To learn more about barbershop, click here.
Printed sheet music is available for all of our songs. We are also fortunate to have learning CDs made for us by our Associate Director, Laurie Smith. The CDs model each voice part as well as blended tracks so that you can practice against all the other voice parts. The combination of the two are used to learn the notes, words and breath plan. Our weekly rehearsals work on musical skills and unit sound, as well as expression and a visual plan.
For more information and benefits of membership, please check out our prospective member brochure here: Sweet Adelines Brochure
