Berkeley Parents Network: Adult Singing Groups & Choruses

Berkeley Parents Network

Adult Singing Groups & Choruses

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Groups, Clubs, & Teams > Adult Singing Groups & Choruses

June 2003

I'm looking for a smallish choir or group to sing with. I''m particularly interested in Jewish music, but not exclusively. I've heard of Ellen Hoffmans Broadway Singers...does anyone have any info on how to get involved in her group? I can read music and sight sing quite well. I'd prefer a group with some music skill. I've been in Bella Musica before and really loved that. Right now I think i want something smaller. I'm currently in ''Women Singing Rounds'', which is really fun, but not quite what I'm looking for ultimately. I love my synagogue choir and would like to try something else in addition to that. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. PS I live in the East Bay (Richmond. Convenience and time is important so I am not able to travel too far to rehersals...so not the far reaches of Oakland or SF or beyond. June

I am a member of the Berkelely Broadway Singers. We are a 75-member chorus, directed by the talented, creative and funny Ellen Hoffman. We sing mostly Broadway tunes, plus jazz, blues, Latin and other popular music. We do free concerts and have had audiences of over 300 people. Our concerts are a lot of fun for singers and audiences; besides audience sing-alongs, there's always something unexpected, like tap dancing or jitterbugging. We are looking for experienced choral singers, especially tenors, basses and people of color. Nancy

Dec 2002

Does anyone know of an adult chorus in the east bay (preferably Oakland) which is not religiously affiliated? I haven't sung with a group since high school, but always loved it and would like to try it again. Thanks! Linda

Berkeley Broadway Singers has been performing for Berkeley Community groups since 1998. Just recently they had two performances, one in November and another December 7th, featuring music of Richard Rodgers and other Broadway show tunes. This chorus is directed by Ellen Hoffman (I don't have Ellen's phone number, but if you are interested, call my mother- in-law, Joan, for more information. She is one of the singers and loves it. I believe they meet once a week. zeze

The Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra is an unauditioned chorus of close to 200 people of variable skills. The group puts on three concerts each season (Fall and Spring) of major choral works, usually with orchestral accompaniment. The productions are outstanding. This is possible, even though the concerts are free and open to the public, because of the tuition paid by the chorus members and large amounts of volunteer effort.

If your skills are such that you would prefer to be in an auditioned chorus, Bella Musica is a small chamber group that does some more challenging works, some world premieres for example, mostly without orchestral accompaniment. The group produces 2 high-quality concerts each season.

You can obtain more information about either by calling the Director, Arlene Sagan, at 510-525-5393. BCCO has concerts this and next week-end. Nori

The Linwood Community Chorus is lead by the wonderful Libby McLaren (of the well-known duo, Flower & McLaren). I love to sing, but hadn't sung in a group since high school, but last summer at Cazadero Family Camp I was fortunate to participate in a choral class taught by Libby McLaren. I learned about her Community Chorus and met several members. It seems like a great group with an interesting repetoire. I'm planning to join in January (they have 3 sessions in the year) The Linwood Chorus meets on Sunday afternoons at the Children's Hospital Research Institute (near MLK and 58th). The next session begins January 12th. Here's the web address: http://www.flowerandmclaren.com/chorus.html =Natasha

You may want to check out the Oakland Symphony Chorus, nice group, that will need a lot of people for their Elijah performance in May in the Paramount theater. Call: 510-456-4199 to schedule auditions, check out www.oakland-sym-chorus.org. If you're not in for an audition, the Berkeley Community Chorus is something to start out with: www.bcco.org. Rehearsals for Brahms requiem will start in January. Kitty

My husband has sung with the Berkeley Community Chorus for a few seasons and enjoys it -- they are a non-audition, non-sectarian chorus which sings one classical work each semester, about 100 people. They rehearse in the First Cogregational Church on Dana, and you can go hear their performance this Sunday (15th) at 4pm or next Sat (21st) at 8pm at St Joseph the Worker Church on Addison at Jefferson. Mozart's Mass in C Minor. (They sing at churches and the music is usually a mass, but I swear, they aren't affiliated with any of them!) Next season they're doing Brahms Requiem. I've been to hear them lots and they are a fun group -- I recommend it! deb

There are quite a few adult community choirs in the Bay Area! My husband and I are members of (and in fact met in) the UC Alumni Chorus, which is directed by the UC Choral Ensembles (the student choir at Cal) director and rehearses on campus. Our membership is mostly Cal alumni, but faculty, staff, grad students, alumni of other UC campuses and a limited number of ''none of the above'' are welcome. Auditions are held in January and August. More info available at http://www- ucchoral.berkeley.edu/ucchoral/alumni/

Other groups with which I am vaguely familiar are the Berkeley Community Chorus, the Contra Costa Chorale, and the Oakland Symphony Chorus. There are many smaller ensembles as well, usually with a somewhat narrower repertoire focus. Holly

Check out our chorus - Linwood Project Community Chorus directed by Libby McLaren. We rehearse at the CHORI building (Children's Hospital Research building) on MLK in Oakland. Rehearsals are Sundays from 2:30 -5. This is a non-denominational, heart-felt, expertly led, close knit group. Libby is inspiring, funny and compassionate. We do a variety of music which includes spirituals and songs from different cultures. Winter session begins January 12th. The cost is $180. Libby can be reached at (51)482-9479 or at flowerandmclaren AT hotmail.com Jan

You might want to check out the Oakland Symphony Chorus. Magen Soloman is the conductor. They are not religiously affiliated, although much symphonic choral music is religious (they most recently performed the Bach Cantata No. 140 (''Wachet Auf'') and the Stravinsky Mass). You can check them out at www.oakland-sym- chorus.org or call 510-465-4199. Pam

Have you tried the Contra Costa Chorale? http://www.planck.com/CCC.htm Melissa

My mom is in a great non-religious chorus in Oakland called The Linwood Project Community Chorus. Contact Libby McLaren at (510) 482-9479 or at flowerandmclaren AT hotmail.com. Laurie

Berkeley Broadway Singers is a 75 singer chorus focusing on Broadway, jazz, blues, and popular music, and is directed by Ellen Hoffman. BBS gives free concerts in the Berkeley/Oakland area, and also performs in institutions for isolated audiences. This is a mixed level chorus, striving for musical balance and diversity. Currently, the chorus is seeking more basses, tenors, and singers of color. For more information and an audition, email singbroadway AT yahoo.com Lisa

I have been a member of a wonderful chorus calls the Anything Goes Chorus with Ellen Robinson. It meets on Wednesday nights from 7:30 pm 9:30 pm Oakland. She also has a group in San Francisco (don't know the details) This is a great group of people and Ellen is a terrific director and teacher. No audition or ability to read music is required; just an interest in singing and having fun doing so. We perform twice a year in the springtime. One performance is for family and friends, the other is for an Oakland nursing home. If you want more information, please feel free to e-mail directly, or call Ellen Robinson at 482-9520. Happy singing! Shoshana

Berkeley Community Chorus is great. Not religious, sings 2 big concerts a year. monica

What about the Berkeley Community Chorus? The only religious affiliation they have is that they rehearse and perform in church spaces. They require no auditions, and Arlene Sagan is a wonderful director. I sang with them for six years before I had my kids, and I loved their spirit. Their concerts are free (donation suggested) and there always is a sing-along at the end. Former BCCO member and fan

I joined the Distaff Singers two years ago after seeing a notice about the group posted in the Announcements newsletter. Distaff is a non-audition, women's chorus that performs one benefit concert annually with a mix of contemporary and classical choral pieces. It's totally low-pressure and has a wonderful music director. The group has a new website up with lots more info; the address is http://distaffsingers.org/. darcy

Oakland Symphony Chorus is one possibility. They rehearse once a week in the evenings. The repertoire is mostly classical. Great group! Rachel

The World Harmony Chorus meets downstairs in the Julia Morgan center on College Avenue on Tuesday nights. The director, Daniel Steinberg collects and arranges amazing and dynamic music from Africa, Cuba, France, Italy, American shape note and more. There are about fifty people in Berkeley and a similar number meet in Mountain View on Monday nights and join up for concerts. There's a big variation in ability, but the results are great, and anyone who's comfortable with it can have a solo part occasionally. His website is at www.instantharmony.com fiona

Dec 2002

I have been enjoying reading the thread about non-religious adult choral groups in the East Bay. I love to sing, too. The Berkeley Broadway Singers sounds fabulous! However, I would have to do something closer to home due to scheduling restraints. I live in Walnut Creek and would love to find something similar (at least non-religious) in the Walnut Creek/Lamorinda area or environs. Know of anything? Thanks. Lori

VOCI women's chorus (http://www.angelfire.com/la/VOCI/) rehearses in Orinda. There are about 20 women in the group; membership is by audition. They're a really nice group of people and they do an interesting mixture of music ranging from Renaissance to music by living composers. Nomi

I sing with a women's chorus, Voci, that rehearses in Orinda on Wednesday nights. We are not religious, but much of the music is religious just because that's what was written. We sing pretty serious music, our last concert was all Baroque. We sing a wide range of styles, the next concert will be American music. We are looking for women of all voice parts, but especially altos. If you'd like more info, please e-mail me and I'll get you the contacts. Joan

I have been looking into a singing group as well in the Walnut Creek area. Here's what I found: Sweet Adelines of Diablo Vista-- ''learn basic vocal skills and four-part harmony while singing jazz, bluses, show tunes & barbershop favorites'' call 925-687-0520. Also, Diablo Women's Chorale 682-3769 or angelfire.com/ca/dwchorale I believe there is also an Orinda Women's Chorale (may not be the right name). Linnea

April 1999

The Oakland Symphony Chorus is a group you might consider. Their usual rehearsals are at St. Peter's in the Rockridge Area of Oakland, around Lawton/Broadway. They mostly perform large choral works, often in conjuction with the Oakland/East Bay Symphony (conducted by Michael Morgan). I sang with them for a season about 10 years ago, and right now I am performing in their 40th Anniversary Gala (they invited all their Alums to sing some of the pieces--the performance is April 10, 8 pm, at Holy Names College). Normally, one auditions in the summer for the season, which runs from late August or early September through June. Call 428-3172 for more information or to get information on Auditions. Also, there used to be a Berkeley Community Chorus. I've never performed with them, nor do I know what their current status is. My understanding is that their entrance requirements are considerably less stringent than OSC, for instance.

From: Veronica

La Pena at 3105 Shattuck Ave (tel 849-2568) has a community chorus. I don't know if that is what you are looking for when you say singing group, but they are pretty good and do some really interesting stuff. There is more information on their monthly calendar.

From: Eartha

I'm not sure what kind of a singing group you are interested in, but I'm part of a gospel choir which is call the Bay Area Music and Arts. If you are interested in joining, please email me. I also saw an ad at the gym which I picked up it was asking for singers to join a group and I think they are gearing toward R&B, but the lady's name is Sara Hunter and her number is 510-763-1032, you can tell her that I gave you the number. I plan to call her too I think if I don't too much on my plate from my other choir. Good luck!! Thanks.

From: piroth

There's a community chorus in El Cerrito called the Contra Costa Chorale - they practice at Hillside Comm. Church on Navalier Street on Monday nights... (they're not affiliated - they just rent the space for rehearsal.) I saw/heard them perform at Hilltop Mall at Christmas time...they were very good, and it seemed like a fun group. Good luck

From: Wendy

To the person looking for a singing gorup: I sing with the Contra Costa Chorale, which meets at the Hillside Community Church in El Cerrito. It is a wonderful group and has many members from North Berkeley. We have just begun working on Haydn's "The Seasons," which is a delightful piece of music. The Chorale will perform this piece with the Kensington Symphony in June. The chorus manager's name is Lucy and she can be reached at 527-2026. Rehearsals are on Monday nights 7:15-9:45PM.

From: RXSHELLY

If you're interested in Rounds Singing for Women, there's a great class that meets weekly for 6 weeks (with 2 weeks off, then a new session). It's run by Kay Eskenazi, and you can reach her by email at yogaprops AT sfo.com (she also runs a yoga prop business). Address it to her, and inquire about the Berkeley group (she also has an SF group). The Berkeley group meets on Tuesday eves, from 7:15-8:45pm. She can tell you the location (not hard to park). Her phone number is (415) 285-9642, in SF. I've been taking her classes for over 3 years, and really love it. It's not difficult, though it can be challenging, and she's very welcoming and appreciates new singers as well as experienced singers. Right now my life is so full I'm taking a little break from it, but I miss it very much! The cost is $10/class (or $60 for 6 weeks).

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