About Us

We are S.O.S.

Whether you are a student, business owner, experienced diva or a grandma (or all the above!), there is a spot for you in our chorus! We are a warm and friendly group of women with a shared passion for singing, for learning, and for performing!! This is the perfect opportunity to find quality “you time” and to gain camaraderie in a group of fabulous women who love to sing.

 

 

Past, Present and Future with SOS

SOS’s journey began in January 2010 with the gathering of eight women who had a vision of starting a Santa Rosa Sweet Adelines chorus . . . with Sharon Carlson as Director. After a few planning meetings, the first rehearsal took place in Sharon’s home in early April. During the following months the process of chartering a new chorus with the International organization evolved.

In September 2010 with 15 singers and our money ‘jar’ in hand, we took the bold step of renting our own rehearsal space. In record time (5 1/2 months), the chorus chartered in November 2010, and Song of Sonoma was official! Now it was time for growth in every way.

With the goal of giving lots of performance training and opportunity to the singers and to get the community to know about us, we held a free mini performance every six weeks. It worked! Singers continued to find and join us.

By April 2011, SOS competed in its first regional competition with 29 members; the group surpassed all expectations by winning 1st place in the small chorus division and 5th place overall. That’s an achievement! October 2011, marked the first show presented to a wildly enthusiastic audience. With a repertoire of 12 mostly choreographed songs, the SOS singers proved their talent and passion for the music and chorus were boundless. Growth continued.

Each competition has been a joyful experience. We grew from 8 to nearly 80 singers on that stage. Our competition goals gained us a regional win and our 1st competition at the International level in 2016. The chorus goals of reaching out into the community, marketing the chorus, and promoting barbershop music were met with events such as a flash mob, Christmas carol caravan, shows, performances at the local county fair, and a Barbershop Music Camp (the first in Sonoma County.)

COVID-19 brought in-person rehearsals to a complete halt. And the reality is, you can’t sing with other people on Zoom. We got creative, singing (on mute) with recordings. We got to know each other better through weekly storytelling of our lives. We took full advantage of the technology and had classes with our favorite coaches and other experts. And we were so very happy the first time we could stand in a great big circle in a parking lot and sing together! We got back together indoors (masked and vaccinated) in the summer of 2021 and back on the risers in January 2022. We are rebuilding our stamina, renewing our repertoire and reconnecting with an audience through mini-shows. Now is a fabulous time for new members to join!

We welcome guests every week. An exciting facet of our members: many of them are brand new to the art form we’re so passionate about. So much to be proud of with an energy and joy of shared musical experience that keeps the group moving ever forward.

 

Growth is limitless!

#100voices
​

Our Favorite Moments

“My favorite moment is Every time we are together singing. I enjoy it and I have noticed that I can be in a funk during the day but after rehearsal and driving home I have this smile on my face and the funky feeling is gone :-D” – Aurora
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:48:21-08:00
“My favorite moment is Every time we are together singing. I enjoy it and I have noticed that I can be in a funk during the day but after rehearsal and driving home I have this smile on my face and the funky feeling is gone :-D” – Aurora
Passing my audition. It was the first thing I have truly done for no one else but me in a very long time. I knew I had the support of every woman in the room and at home too. The feeling after I passed was amazing…and yes, I cried a little too – Tracy
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:51:31-08:00
Passing my audition. It was the first thing I have truly done for no one else but me in a very long time. I knew I had the support of every woman in the room and at home too. The feeling after I passed was amazing…and yes, I cried a little too – Tracy
So far I have no favorite moment because I enjoy everything from beginning to end.” – Nan
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:51:19-08:00
So far I have no favorite moment because I enjoy everything from beginning to end.” – Nan
“Sitting in the audience after SOS competed for the first time, with my daughter, Stephanie, my adopted daughter Aurora, plus my sister Shirley when hearing Song of Sonoma placed 1st place in Small Chorus.” – Suzy
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:51:08-08:00
“Sitting in the audience after SOS competed for the first time, with my daughter, Stephanie, my adopted daughter Aurora, plus my sister Shirley when hearing Song of Sonoma placed 1st place in Small Chorus.” – Suzy
“All moments are special. I get chills every time we sing.” – Victoria
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:50:47-08:00
“All moments are special. I get chills every time we sing.” – Victoria
“On stage, I love the applause, applause, applause!” – Sharon
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:50:35-08:00
“On stage, I love the applause, applause, applause!” – Sharon
“The first time SOS competed in Regional contest. That meant more to me then any other competition I’ve been in.” – Becky
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:50:24-08:00
“The first time SOS competed in Regional contest. That meant more to me then any other competition I’ve been in.” – Becky
“Every time I harmonize is my favorite Barbershop moment!” – Suzi
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:50:12-08:00
“Every time I harmonize is my favorite Barbershop moment!” – Suzi
“I love our shows. We go a little crazy sometimes with so many songs to prepare for, but we get em somehow. And it feels so good when we entertain.” – Ann
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:49:59-08:00
“I love our shows. We go a little crazy sometimes with so many songs to prepare for, but we get em somehow. And it feels so good when we entertain.” – Ann
“When the harmonies are so spot on that they raise goosebumps and everyone breathes an involuntary WOW!” – Pamela
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:49:49-08:00
“When the harmonies are so spot on that they raise goosebumps and everyone breathes an involuntary WOW!” – Pamela
“Too many favorite moments!! Hearing that chord that gives you goose bumps, learning new songs and NEW ways to sing. I guess my favorite moments are when a new woman gets that joyous look on her face when she hears that beautiful sound which is Barbershop. It is so much fun to witness that discovery that we have all had at one time.” – Molly
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:49:39-08:00
“Too many favorite moments!! Hearing that chord that gives you goose bumps, learning new songs and NEW ways to sing. I guess my favorite moments are when a new woman gets that joyous look on her face when she hears that beautiful sound which is Barbershop. It is so much fun to witness that discovery that we have all had at one time.” – Molly
“My first competition was pretty amazing. But I love when our sound locks in together, rings and gives me goosebumps. I love blending my voice with ALL the baritones around me.” – Cristin
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:49:22-08:00
“My first competition was pretty amazing. But I love when our sound locks in together, rings and gives me goosebumps. I love blending my voice with ALL the baritones around me.” – Cristin
“My first competition… I was so prepared, it was exhilarating, yet easy breezy! It was an amazing bonding experience and thrilling!” – Elizabeth
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:49:10-08:00
“My first competition… I was so prepared, it was exhilarating, yet easy breezy! It was an amazing bonding experience and thrilling!” – Elizabeth
“Being on International Stage.” – Shirley
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:48:58-08:00
“Being on International Stage.” – Shirley
“The very best moment in barbershop occurs when we are performing to a full house and our focus, excitement, and energy combine to cause that feeling of lift off! We become like a well oiled, self propelled machine that could fly if not restricted by walls and ceiling!!!” – Joan
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:48:49-08:00
“The very best moment in barbershop occurs when we are performing to a full house and our focus, excitement, and energy combine to cause that feeling of lift off! We become like a well oiled, self propelled machine that could fly if not restricted by walls and ceiling!!!” – Joan
“Seeing and feeling the joy that fills the room every time we sing together” – Helena
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:48:36-08:00
“Seeing and feeling the joy that fills the room every time we sing together” – Helena
“Ringing that perfect chord” – Linda
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:43:42-08:00
“Ringing that perfect chord” – Linda
“I truly enjoy performing in our community. Love having the ability for our family and friends to see what we are all doing on those Tuesday evenings!” – Pat
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:47:59-08:00
“I truly enjoy performing in our community. Love having the ability for our family and friends to see what we are all doing on those Tuesday evenings!” – Pat
“I love the harmonies. I’ve come close to tears with how powerful some if our songs are.” – Maureen
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:47:39-08:00
“I love the harmonies. I’ve come close to tears with how powerful some if our songs are.” – Maureen
“My favorite moment in barbershop so far was when our name was called for first place small chorus. Screaming with Aurora and my mom and looking back at Suzi crying with joy. That’s also the only thing I remember after our name was called.” – Stephanie
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:47:24-08:00
“My favorite moment in barbershop so far was when our name was called for first place small chorus. Screaming with Aurora and my mom and looking back at Suzi crying with joy. That’s also the only thing I remember after our name was called.” – Stephanie
“The fun and satisfaction of giving a fabulous performance with all my Sisters of Song.” – Sandra
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:46:59-08:00
“The fun and satisfaction of giving a fabulous performance with all my Sisters of Song.” – Sandra
“Bowing to have a medal put over my head!” – Lyndy
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:46:48-08:00
“Bowing to have a medal put over my head!” – Lyndy
“Giggling with my sisters on the risers AND singing a beautiful tune from start to finish with no stopping!” – Kathryn
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:46:26-08:00
“Giggling with my sisters on the risers AND singing a beautiful tune from start to finish with no stopping!” – Kathryn
“Placing first (in Small Chorus) our first time out with a brand new chorus! WOW” – Louise
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:46:15-08:00
“Placing first (in Small Chorus) our first time out with a brand new chorus! WOW” – Louise
“There have been many; first contest, first International, winning First Place small Chorus first year out with SOS, going to Adele’s with the girls, listening to the recording from Jim Arns coaching – memories for a lifetime.” – Pat
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:45:46-08:00
“There have been many; first contest, first International, winning First Place small Chorus first year out with SOS, going to Adele’s with the girls, listening to the recording from Jim Arns coaching – memories for a lifetime.” – Pat
“Winning 1st place was great!” – Jan
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:45:32-08:00
“Winning 1st place was great!” – Jan
“The moment of recognition that our amazing sound is in sync and the bells ring! and I am a part of all that!!! I could cry! I just think we are so awesome on every level as a chorus made up of amazing individuals. We are special!!! I believe God made us and He’s still painting the canvas!” – Terri
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:45:16-08:00
“The moment of recognition that our amazing sound is in sync and the bells ring! and I am a part of all that!!! I could cry! I just think we are so awesome on every level as a chorus made up of amazing individuals. We are special!!! I believe God made us and He’s still painting the canvas!” – Terri
“Going to contest with family and friends. That moment when you get off the stage and know – I did it!” – Lynda
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:44:57-08:00
“Going to contest with family and friends. That moment when you get off the stage and know – I did it!” – Lynda
“Every week it gets better and better” – Sharon
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:44:43-08:00
“Every week it gets better and better” – Sharon
“The first time I sang on stage in front of a large audience (in New Orleans). It was such a rush, and continues to be a wonderful experience every time I am given the opportunity to sing and perform.” – Christine
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:44:33-08:00
“The first time I sang on stage in front of a large audience (in New Orleans). It was such a rush, and continues to be a wonderful experience every time I am given the opportunity to sing and perform.” – Christine
“When our voices ring” – Carol
Song of Sonoma
2017-11-10T06:44:17-08:00
“When our voices ring” – Carol
0
0
Song of Sonoma

Nonprofit Status

Song of Sonoma Chorus is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization affiliated with Sweet Adelines International. EIN 38-3818955