Membership

Last Updated on Friday, 19 March 2010 22:14 Written by Warren Garfield Sunday, 19 July 2009 05:06

Are you a guy who often finds himself singing along with the car radio (unless it’s talk radio--then we might have a problem), tape or CD? Find you can’t experience a shower (bath or rain--doesn’t matter) without bursting into song? Are you looking for a creative outlet that doesn’t involve blisters, bruises, or bandages?

We have a solution for you.

Join the Valleyaires and sing to your heart’s content. Come by any Wednesday evening to one of our rehearsals and hear what you’ve been missing heretofore. We meet at:

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
14646 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA
(One block west of Van Nuys Blvd. on the south side of Sherman Way)

 {showdirections:destination=14646 Sherman Way Van Nuys CA United States} 

Warm-ups start at 7:00 pm, and we sing until 10:00, unless you insist on singing longer--there is usually an afterglow at Denny’s about two blocks east on Sherman Way.

If you decide you like what you hear, becoming a member is a relatively simple process. We ask you to attend at least three rehearsals as our guest--no obligations whatsoever. If you are unsure what part you sing, we’ll give you a trial voice placement to determine where best you fit: Tenor, Lead, Baritone, or Bass. Whenever you feel comfortable, you are welcome to join us on the risers to sing. Don’t be intimidated by the great sounds you hear--most of us are pure amateurs, and many don’t read music. And everyone’s a bit intimidated at first-- it’s natural. You may be coerced, but no one will force you to sing until you are ready.

After your third, or fourth, or whatever visit, whenever you feel properly prepared, we ask you to audition. You will be asked to sing a song, either a Polecat number from the Barber Polecat Book (we’ll give you a copy of the book along with a learning tape as soon as you decide Barbershopping is for you), or any other song you feel comfortable with. You sing along with three other guys, in a quartet, for the director and voice part section leader. Don’t let this intimidate you; we just need to know that you can carry your part.

After you successfully pass the audition, we finalize your voice placement, and give you an application for membership. As soon as you complete the application and return it with a check to cover dues for the first six months, the application goes to the board for final approval. Once approved, you get your music, get fitted for a uniform, and sing! You will have joined one of the finest musical organizations in the Barbershop Harmony Society, and are destined for years of enjoyment. And not one blister.

If you have any questions not covered here, feel free to leave a message on our Singline, 818-994-SING. Or…just stop by. The worst that can happen is that you will be thoroughly entertained!