The Jersey Sound Chorus was chartered in 1962 with 28 members as Medford
Lakes Chorus and had a record membership of 107 in the 80s. In 1986 the chorus
changed its name to Jersey Sound Chorus and represents members from East
Pennsylvania, Central and South Jersey and the Jersey Shore. The Chorus is also
one of the top competitors of the 26 choruses in Sweet Adelines’ Region 19.
So what is it that we do?
We sing Barbershop. No we don't sing IN a barbershop where people get
their haircut. We sing Barbershop harmony. Barbershop harmony is a
true American art form along with jazz and the Broadway musical. No
instruments, just women’s voices singing a cappella four part harmony.
Our repertoire includes old-time classics, as well as pop, jazz, patriotic,
Broadway, and holiday favorites.
So how do we learn to sing Barbershop?
Our Director of course! Stephanie Brictson became Musical Director of
The Jersey Sound Chorus in May 2000. She successfully completed the Sweet Adeline Director Certification Program in 1999.
Music Education is high on her priority list and she does extensive coaching for both men’s and women’s barbershop quartets
and choruses up and down the Eastern Seaboard. She started her barbershop singing career in 1979 and has sung in numerous
quartets and choruses over the years and is a four-time quartet champion tenor in Sweet Adelines Region 15. Not only does
Stephanie share her “hobby” with her Barbershop family, she also shares it with her real family as she co-directs a Barbershop
Harmony Society Chorus with her father where her youngest son is a front row member. Ask her how that makes her feel and
she’ll tell you that life doesn’t get any better than that!!
So why is it I only remember 4 men singing Barbershop?
Well you would be thinking of a barbershop quartet. But it's not just
the men that stand around in groups of 4 and worship chords. Our
quartets can be seen performing throughout South Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Some quartets choose to go to
competition, and ours have performed proudly at both the Regional and
International levels!
What is Sweet Adelines
International?
We are a chapter of Sweet
Adelines International, 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, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden,
Wales, and the Netherlands. The organization encompasses more than 1,200
registered quartets and 600 choruses.
Where do you perform?
Everywhere we can! The
Chorus has performed throughout the Delaware Valley at such venues as Eagles
football games, Longwood Gardens and Trenton Thunder baseball games, as well as
area Women's Clubs, Masonic Lodges, and various charitable, cultural, and
community events. Our annual shows are also popular events.
How much music education
do I need?
Some of us have extensive music
training and some of us can't read a note. (Most of us are somewhere in
the middle.) But we all have a deep desire to learn to use our voices and
hearts to create and share beautiful music with each other and our
audiences. If you like to sing, come to any rehearsal or public
performance and talk to us.
How do I join?
The first step is to come to one of
our Wednesday night rehearsals. You will be warmly welcomed by all of our
members. The first night one of our assistant directors will listen to you
sing and determine what voice type you are -- tenor, lead, baritone, or
bass. When you're ready, we'll give you a couple of pieces of sheet music
and a learning tape. Our learning tapes allow you to hear the songs three
times each: as sung by all four parts together, then with your voice part
featured predominantly over the other three parts, and then once with your voice
part omitted (so you can give it a try without assistance). Then, just say
the word and you can try a practice quartet. The members of our practice
quartets will help you, over a series of weeks, to learn everything you need in
order to pass your audition. The process is friendly, easy, and fun!
Questions?
For engagements and membership information call (215)698-9461.
Our Director of course! Stephanie Brictson became Musical Director of
The Jersey Sound Chorus in May 2000. She successfully completed the Sweet Adeline Director Certification Program in 1999.
Music Education is high on her priority list and she does extensive coaching for both men’s and women’s barbershop quartets
and choruses up and down the Eastern Seaboard. She started her barbershop singing career in 1979 and has sung in numerous
quartets and choruses over the years and is a four-time quartet champion tenor in Sweet Adelines Region 15. Not only does
Stephanie share her “hobby” with her Barbershop family, she also shares it with her real family as she co-directs a Barbershop
Harmony Society Chorus with her father where her youngest son is a front row member. Ask her how that makes her feel and
she’ll tell you that life doesn’t get any better than that!!