Sing with us

We welcome all guests (singing or non-singing) to our weekly evening rehearsals. They take place on Tuesdays from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Ln, Portland (click for map). Please park in the upper parking lot, enter through the main gates, and follow the Bridge Town Sound signs.

Rehearsals are often followed by an "afterglow" (food, libation, more singing) that usually starts around 10:15 p.m. at a nearby pub or restaurant.

If you have more specific questions, please call us at 971-238-7664 or email info@bridgetownsound.org. 

FAQs

What is a visit like?  

If you come to visit us and would like to sing, you will be loaned a guest book with all the sheet music in it.  Most of the rehearsal involves singing on the risers as a chorus and receiving instruction and vocal coaching from our director, Iain Haukka. But the typical rehearsal also includes a variety of other activities including sectional rehearsals and tag-singing in quartets. Sometimes a visiting quartet comes in to entertain us. 

Are you accepting new singers? 

Yes! We request that guests attend at least three rehearsals before committing to an audition. If you attend three rehearsals and then decide that you're interested in becoming a member, our Chapter Development team will provide you with information about the chorus and the Barbershop Harmony Society, along with information about costs, benefits, and auditioning. 

If you decide to join us (and we hope that you do), we will schedule an audition for you with our music team, which will provide us with the opportunity to determine if you have the basic skills necessary to perform in the chorus.  The audition is casual and low-pressure, and we're there to support you throughout the process.

How much experience do I need?

You don't need decades of singing experience and you don't have to be able to read music to be a member (although music skills are certainly helpful). Formal music training is not a requirement to join Bridge Town Sound. Members come from all backgrounds and professions, but share the mutual joy of singing. As a member, you'll receive considerable education on how to successfully sing in the barbershop style and what you can do to maximize your personal potential.  Private voice coaching can be arranged on request.  As members, we are very supportive of each other in our combined effort to sing with excellence.

One of the things that sets Bridge Town Sound apart from many other choruses is the fact that each singer who performs in public as part of Bridge Town Sound has previously demonstrated the ability to sing each song accurately in regard to the notes, words, and breathing plan, without looking at the music. Whether as a chorus or in a quartet, we take pride in putting our best foot forward.

Everyone in Harmony:  The Portland Metro Chapter (Bridge Town Sound chorus) is committed to bringing harmony to the whole community and we welcome ALL interested persons to visit and check us out!