Choirs and Choral Groups in the Puget Sound area (Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Bellevue, Bellingham)

Ancora
Size: 12 to 16 women
Style: Challenging repertoire from all periods, with a focus on tuning and blend. Mostly a cappella.
Rehearses: Capitol Hill
More info: http://www.ancorasings.net

BlueStreet Voices Jazz Ensemble
Size: 24 members
Style: Jazz
Rehearses: Seattle and Bellevue (Tuesday evenings)
More info: http://bluestreetvoices.com or 206-361-5726

Cappella Romana
Size: 8-24 members
Style: Professional vocal ensemble; Greek and Russian vocal works and European early music
Rehearses: Seattle, with series at Town Hall Seattle
More info: http://www.cappellaromana.org/

Choir of the Sound
Size: 80+ members
Style: Wide range, from classical to "pops"
Rehearses: Shoreline
More info: http://www.choirofthesound.org/

Choral Arts
Size: 30 members
Style: wide range of demanding choral music
More info: http://www.choral-arts.org

Choral Sounds Northwest
Size: 85 members in main chorus, plus a second 30 member ensemble.
Style: Wide range, from Renaissance to Baroque to Classical to 20th century.
Rehearses: Burien
More info: http://www.nwassociatedarts.org/csn/

City Cantabile Choir
Size: Unknown
Style: wide range of local and international music, including AfroCeltic and Brazilian.
More info: http://www.scn.org/arts/ccc/

Columbia Choirs
An organization of choirs for children and young adults.
Rehearses: Seattle, Redmond, Renton, Lynnwood, Auburn
More info: http://www.columbiachoirs.com/

Compline Choir
Size: About 16
Style: Plainsong (religious)
Rehearses: Seattle, St Marks
More info: http://www.complinechoir.org/

Dunava
Size: 7 to 10 women
Style: Balkan and East European folk music
Rehearses: Seattle
More info: http://www.dunava.org

Endolyne Children's Choir
Size: Varies. Three different choirs based on age and experience.
Style: Music education and performance opportunities for children.
Rehearses: West Seattle
More info: http://www.endolynechoir.org/

The Esoterics
Size: 24 to 60 members, depending on music being performed.
Style: 20th and 21st century choral a cappella
Rehearses: Capitol Hill
More info: http://www.theesoterics.org

Essence
Size: 8 members, mixed
Style: Jazz a cappella, with big-band influence
Rehearses: Capitol Hill
Auditions: any time
More info: Contact J. Frank Trujillo at 206-720-7164

Finnish Choral Society
Size: About 20
Style: Finnish choral music and more.
Rehearses: Whittier Heights (Between Greenwood and Ballard)
More info: http://www.finnsnw.com/FCS/index.html

Magnolia Chorale
Size: About 36
Style: Wide range, including Classical, Folk, Pop, Jazz, and Showtunes, usually accompanied.
Rehearses: Magnolia
More info: http://www.magnoliachorale.org

Market Street Singers
Size: 35
Style: Wide range, easy to demanding.
Rehearses: Market Street (of course), in Ballard
More info: http://www.marketstreetsingers.org/

Medieval Women's Choir
Size: 50 or more women of all ages
Style: Medieval
Rehearses: Greenlake
More info: http://www.medievalwomenschoir.org/

Metropolitan Glee Club
Size: About 30 women
Style: Wide range, classical to popular.
Rehearses: Alki, West Seattle
More info: http://www.seattlegleeclubs.org/

Northwest Boychoir
Size: about 150 boys, age 6 to 14
Style: Wide range. Rigorous musical training for young vocalists
Rehearses: University District
More info: http://nwchoirs.org/

Northwest Chamber Chorus
Size: about 40 members
Style: Primarily Classical
Rehearses: Phinney Ridge, Seattle
More Info: http://www.northwestchamberchorus.org

Northwest Chorale
Size: 60+ members
Style: Classical, with orchestra. Non-profit chorale to raise money to feed the poor.
Rehearses: Lake City
More info: http://www.nwchorale.org/

Northwest Girlchoir
Size: unknown, with young women ages 8 to 18.
Style: Wide range. Musical training for young vocalists. Scholarships available.
Rehearses: Main choir rehearses in Sand Point. Sister program rehearses in Bellevue.
More info: http://www.northwestgirlchoir.org/

Northwest Vocal Project
Size: 30 men, ages 14 to 30
Style: A mix of updated Barbershop and modern men's choral a cappella.
Rehearses: Seattle and Bellevue
More info: http://www.northwestvocalproject.com/

Offbeats Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Size: 16 members, men and women
Style: Variety of four to eight part charts, with jazz, swing, blues, and other styles.
Rehearses: Phinney Ridge
More info: http://www.seattlegleeclubs.org/

Opus 7
Size: about 24 members
Style: Concentrates on 20th century music, but not limited to that era
Rehearses: St. James Cathedral, Seattle
More info: http://www.opus7.org/

Pacifica Children's Choirs
Size: Several groups of children, from 1st through 12th grade.
Style: Wide range.
Rehearses: Seattle
More info: http://www.pacificachoirs.org/

Pacific Sound Chorus
Size: Over 130 women
Style: Barbershop (Sweet Adelines)
Rehearses: Lake Union
More info: http://www.pacificsound.org/

Phinney Neighborhood Chorus
Size: About 60
Style: "A hodge-podge of world music with a folk bent."
Rehearses: Phinney Ridge
More info: http://phinneychorus.org/

Prelude Glee Club
Size: about 10
Style: Popular, classical, show-tunes -- no audition.
Rehearses: West Seattle
More info: http://www.seattlegleeclubs.org/

Renaissance Singers
Size: 10
Style: "Comprised of ten singers, the ensemble offers a fresh approach to early music while contributing to a vital niche in Seattle's arts community."
More info: http://www.therenaissancesingers.com/

Seattle Bach Choir
Size: About 36
Style: Founded in 1984 to focus on Baroque composers, its repertoire has expanded to include many periods and styles.
More info: http://www.seattlebachchoir.org/

Seattle Children's Chorus
Size: 200+ boys and girls, ages 7-20, in four performing levels
Style: wide range, focusing on sacred, classical and folk; treble and SATB
Rehearses: Shoreline and Everett
Auditions: call for info
More info: 206-542-5998 or www.seattlechildrenschorus.org

Seattle Chamber Singers
Size: 60+ members
Style: Classical. Affiliated with Orchestra Seattle
More info: http://www.osscs.org/

Seattle Choral Company
Size: 75 to 150 members of all ages
Style: Orchestral and a cappella choral music
Rehearses: University District
More info: http://www.seattlechoralcompany.org/

Seattle Contemporary A Cappella
Size: About 20 members - Now Auditioning
Style: Pop, Jazz, purely a cappella and vocal percussion
Rehearses: Seattle Area (Thursdays)
More info: http://www.seaacappella.weebly.com

Seattle Girls' Choir
Size: Varies by choir level. Ages range from 6 to 18.
Style: Wide range, with focus on Classical. Six progressive levels of choirs, each appropriate in content, program, schedule and teaching style for the age of the girls in the choir. Education program features training in music theory, sight singing, vocal training, performance skills, and more.
Rehearses: North Capitol Hill
More info: http://www.seattlegirlschoir.org

Seattle Jazz Singers
Size: 8 singers plus combo
Style: Jazz
Rehearses: Edmonds Community College
More info: http://www.seattlejazzsingers.com/

Seattle Jewish Chorale
Size: About 40
Style: Repertoire reflects the wide spectrum of Jewish experiences and choral traditions—from Italian Renaissance psalm settings, classical choral/orchestral works and Israeli pioneer songs to jazzy Yiddish theater music, contemporary “Jewish gospel” and Middle Eastern fusion.
Rehearses: Wedgewood
More info: jewishchorale@live.com or view description on Jewish Federation site.

Seattle Men's Chorus
Size: About 250 men
Style: A nationally respected gay men's chorus, performing a wide range of music. The largest community chorus in North America.
More info: http://www.seattlemenschorus.org/

Seattle Peace Chorus
Size: 45 members
Style: wide range of music, promoting peace and harmony
Rehearses: Wallingford
More info: http://www.seattlepeacechorus.org/

Seattle Pro Musica
Size: 60 members
Style: Award-winning, nationally acclaimed choral group, performing a wide range of music from Medieval to 21st century.
Rehearses: South of Madison Park
More info: http://www.seattlepromusica.org/

Seattle Seachordsmen
Size: unknown, but quite large.
Style: Barbershop. Seattle chapter of SPEBSQSA.
Rehearses: Queen Anne
More info: http://www.seachordsmen.org/

Seattle Welsh Choir (Côr Cymraeg)
Size: Unknown
Style: A mixed choir for adults (SATB), that sings traditional and contemporary music in the Welsh language
More info: http://www.scn.org/people/welsh/corcymrg.html

Seattle Women's Chorus
Size: Over 200 women.
Style: "Our choral performances are full-scale productions that combine the region's leading professional talents with nationally-known guest artists to create events that expand the possibilities of choral performances and have enormous popular appeal." Associated with the Seattle Men's Chorus.
More info: http://www.flyinghouse.org/swc/

Sno-King Community Chorale
Size: 72+
Style: classical to pop music, with three performances each school year (Edmonds Community College) with guest artists at each performance. Holiday concert for 2004 will be December 11, 2004, 7:30pm at Edmonds Center for the Arts, 4th & Daley St., with the Meadowvale High School Chamber Choir.
Rehearses: Edmonds Community College
More info: http://www.sno-kingchorale.org

Sounds of Music Chorus
Size: 10 to 15, mostly seniors
Style: Eclectic - oldies from the '30's, pop, showtunes, etc.
Rehearses: Lake City
More info: 206-784-3567

SVEA Male Chorus
Size: About 20 men
Style: Originally formed to preserve music of Scandinavia, now performs a wider range.
Rehearses: Swedish Cultural Center (Swedish Club), Queen Anne
More info: http://www.swedishculturalcenter.org/Events/groups.htm

Swedish Women's Chorus
Size: 20
Style: Swedish, both traditional and current, as well as music encompassing other styles and genres.
Rehearses: Swedish Cultural Center (Swedish Club), Queen Anne
More info: lutequist@hotmail.com, 206-789-3716, or http://www.swedishculturalcenter.org/Events/groups.htm

Sound of the Northwest
Size: 30 members
Style: African American Spirituals
Rehearses: Mondays, 7 pm St. Clements Episcopal Church, 1501 32nd Ave South, Seattle
More info: http://www.culturalpursuits.org/sound.html or CulturalPursuits@comcast.net

The Tudor Choir
Size: 10 to 30 singers, depending on repertory
Style: Emphasis on Renaissance, early American, and English choral music
More info: http://www.tudorchoir.org/

Vocalpoint! Seattle
Size: 45 young men and women, 7th - 12th grade
Style: Strong reputation for its music revues built around special themes in rock ‘n’ roll. They also perform major choral works with the Northwest Boychoir.
Rehearses: University District
More info: http://nwchoirs.org/

Eastside (Bellevue, Kirkland, Renton, Issaquah, Mercer Island) (11 listings)

a cappella Joy Chorus (formerly Lakeside Chorus)
Size: About 16 women
Style: Barbershop (Sweet Adelines)
Rehearses: Bellevue
More info: http://www.acappellajoy.org

Bellevue Chamber Chorus
Size: about 25 members of all ages
Style: Classical and "pops"
Rehearses: Bellevue
More info: http://www.bellevuechamberchorus.net/

The Cascadian Chorale
Size: 50 members. A subset of 15 form the Cascadian Singers, a chamber choir that has additional performances.
Style: Classically oriented, plus seasonal music. Has composer in residence.
Rehearses: Bellevue
More info: http://www.cascadianchorale.org/

Con Brio Women's Choir
Size: about 35 members, hoping to grow to 50
Style: Wide range of music from sacred, classical music to music from around the world. Tour once a year, will be attending choir competitions beginning 2004.
Affiliated with Columbia Choirs (above, in the Seattle section)
Rehearses: Redmond. Auditions required.
More info: http://www.columbiachoirs.com/conbrio.php

Eastside Girls Choir & Youth Ensemble
Size: unknown, ages 5 to 18
Style: Wide range, including Broadway musicals, classical, folk, and contemporary, with focus on musicianship skills and proper vocal technique.
Rehearses: Medina
More info: http://eastsidegirlschoir.com/

Style: Vocal jazz from the 30's & 40's, Broadway musicals, folk songs, wide range

Rehearses: Thursdays in Issaquah Sept. to June. No auditions, but ability to sight read and match pitch essential

More info: http://www.issaquahsingers.com/, Dorothy Hay, Director, 425-413-4414 or Tara Michaels, 425-557-2840

Jubilee Singers
Size: About 12
Style: African-American Spirituals
Rehearses: Unknown
More info: http://www.jubileesingers.org/

Kirkland Choral Society
Size: 65-80
Style: wide range of choral music
Rehearses: South Rose Hill, Kirkland
More info: http://www.kirklandchoralsociety.org/

Lake Washington Singers
Size: 24-36 Women
Style: Varied. Classical, Folk, Jazz, Show tunes, easy to moderately challenging, usually accompanied. (SSA) Nonprofit group: Concert proceeds support 3 yearly scholarships for local high school students intent on continuing their vocal education.
Rehearses: Bellevue, Monday evenings. Seasonal (mid-Jan to mid-May, and mid-Sept to mid-Dec). First three rehearsals each season are open to prospective new members with no audition.
More info: http://www.lakewashingtonsingers.org or 425-458-4521

Master Chorus Eastside - formerly Issaquah Chorale
Size: about 50 members
Style: wide range, from Madrigals to Classical to American folk songs
Rehearses: Issaquah
More info: http://www.masterchoruseastside.org

Northwest Sound Men's Chorus
Size: 50 Men
Style: Barbershop
Rehearses: Bellevue
More info: http://www.nwsound.org/

Breath of Aire
Size: 60+ members, ages 16 - 75
Style: Wide range, including inspirational, classical, a cappella & orchestral, Broadway, gospel, spiritual, contemporary Christian. Non-profit group does many benefit concerts to help others.
Rehearses: Kent (Two Saturday mornings per month, visitors welcome)
More info: http://www.breathofaire.org

Cora Voce
Size: About 70
Style: Wide range of demanding music. The singers, many from out of state, study their music on their own, then come together for a week of rehearsals before the performances.
Rehearses: Auburn
More info: http://www.coravoce.com/

Evergreen Women's Chorale
Size: 20-25
Style: Classics to Broadway, no extended works
Rehearses: Kent (Panther Lake Community Church)
More info: (253) 839-1437

Federal Way Chorale
Size: 50+
Style: Classical, plus Jazz and more
Rehearses: Federal Way
More info: http://www.fwchorale.com

Harmony Kings Men's Barbershop Chorus
Size: 40-50 singers
Style: Barbershop
Rehearses: Federal Way
More info: http://harmonykings.org/

Jet Cities Chorus
Size: About 60 women
Style: Women's barbershop, part of international "Sweet Adelines" organization.
Rehearses: Federal Way
More info: http://www.jetcities.org/

Maple Valley Community Choir
Size: Varies
Style: Primarily holiday music
Rehearses: October through December in Maple Valley
More info: MGlaser591@gmail.com or krissyriggs@comcast.net

Masterworks Choral Ensemble
Size: 85+
Style: wide range, from classical to Broadway
Rehearses: Olympia
More info: http://www.mce.org/, or call 360-491-3305

Northwest Repertory Singers
Size: about 50 men and women
Style: from classical to folk
Rehearses: Tacoma
More info: http://www.nwrs.org

Olympia Choral Society
Size: 70+
Style: Wide variety
Rehearses: Olympia/Lacey area
More info: 360-705-6462 or http://www.olympiachoral.org

PLU Choral Union
Size: 93-voice mixed choir
Style: Variety of classical literature. Community chorus affiliated with Pacific Lutheran University.
Rehearses: Tacoma
Auditions: Held in June of each year.
More info: http://www.pluchoralunion.org/

Puget Sounders
Size: Unknown
Style: Barbershop.
Rehearses: Tumwater
More info: 360-491-8370 or via the South Puget Sound Community College community education website

Rainier Chorale
Size: 65+
Style: wide range, including classical, jazz, pop
Rehearses: Kent
Auditions: Beginnings of calendar quarters. See website for more info.
More info: http://www.rainierchorale.org/

Rainier Youth Choirs
Size: about 25-30 members per group
Style: A non-profit organization with several groups for ages 8 - college, offering training based on Kodály's methods. Affiliated with Rainier Choral Arts. Wide variety of music, including folk songs, classical, world songs.
Rehearses: Covington (Kent)
Auditions: In August and December
More info: http://www.rainieryouthchoirs.org

Spirit of Sound Singers
Size: 50+ women
Style: Barbershop (A performing-oriented chorus, as opposed to a Sweet Adelines competition chorus, though many of their singers are also Sweet Adelines members.)

Rehearses: Federal Way

More info: Contact Phyllis Domingo (phyllispd@comcast.net) or Phyllis Sandel (sandelsings@comcast.net)

Tacoma Barbershop Harmony Chorus ("The Totem-Aires")
Size: About 35 men
Style: Barbershop
Rehearses: Unknown
More info: 253-752-5135, http://www.evg.org/~totemair/

Tacoma Master Chorale
Size: Unknown
Style: wide range
Rehearses: Unknown
More info: 253-565-6867
Associated with the Tacoma Musical Playhouse: http://www.tmp.org/

Tacoma Youth Chorus
Size: 250 in five choir levels, ages 8 to 18, boys and girls
Style: Wide range; musical training for talented young singers
Rehearses: Weekly, September through June
More info: http://www.tacomayouthchorus.org

Tahoma Girls Choirs and Tahoma Boys Choir
Style: A rigorous, yet positive, approach to choral music for girls and boys aged 7 to 20 from throughout the South Puget Sound region.
Rehearses: Parkland
More info: http://www.tahomachoirs.org/

Tapestry Singers
Size: 25+
Style: "We explore the world of popular songs, ragtime, folk music, songs from the shows, operettas, and seasonal favorites."
Rehearses: Puyallup
More info: http://valleyartsunited.org/

Vivace! Choral Program
Size: varies by choir level, ages 9 through 18.
Style: Wide range, with emphasis on classical. Three choir levels for students in grades 4 through 12, exploring age/experience-appropriate music. Includes summer camps, and a Cathedrals Tour Program, which gives upper-level students the opportunity to sing in famous acoustic halls in the region and across the country.
Rehearses: Graham (southeast of Tacoma), at Frontier Jr. High
More info: http://vivacechoral.com/

Allegra
Size: 14 or more women
Style: Classical to modern choral arrangements, some technically challenging, focusing on blend and tone. Associated with Sarabande and Dolcissima ensembles under the same director. Audition required.
Rehearses: Bellingham, Thursday evenings
More info: http://www.bellinghamsings.com

An-O-Chords
Size: unknown
Style: Barbershop
Rehearses: Anacortes
More info: 360-675-8386

Cantabile of Skagit Valley
Size: About 16
Style: "from Renaissance motets through 18th century Baroque and Classical works, and Romantic-era part-songs; to masterworks of the 20th century, and new pieces featuring living composers that are culturally diverse and international in scope."
Rehearses: Mt Vernon?
More info: http://www.cantabileofskagitvalley.org/

Dolcissima
Size: 14 or more young women, ages 14 - 21.
Style: Classical to modern choral arrangements, some technically challenging, focusing on blend and tone. Associated with Allegra and Sarabande ensembles under the same director. Audition required.
Rehearses: Bellingham, Tuesday evenings
More info: http://www.bellinghamsings.com

Everett Chorale
Size: 100 members
Style: Wide range of music, mostly accompanied
Rehearses: Everett
More info: http://www.everettchorale.org/

Harmony Northwest Chorus
Size: About 35 women of all ages
Style: Barbershop (Sweet Adelines)
Rehearses: Mt Vernon
More info: http://harmonynorthwest.org/

Kulshan Chorus
Size: 75 - 90 members
Style: Wide range of music from all over the world
Rehearses: Bellingham
More info: http://www.kulshanchorus.org

Mount Baker Toppers Barbershop Chorus
Size: About 25 men
Style: Barbershop
Rehearses: Bellingham
More info: http://topperschorus.org

Mount Baker Youth Choir
Size: Has a Preparatory Choir and a Concert Choir, with 15 - 20 youths in each. Ages 6 to 18.
Style: Wide range, with a different style or theme each semester.
Rehearses: Bellingham
More info: http://www.mbys.org/

Sarabande
Size: 14 or more women.
Style: Classical to modern choral arrangements, some technically challenging, focusing on blend and tone. Associated with Allegra and Dolcissima ensembles under the same director. Audition required.
Rehearses: Bellingham, Monday evenings
More info: http://www.bellinghamsings.com

Skagit Valley Chorale
Size: 70 - 80 members
Style: Wide range, including classical, Broadway, spirituals, sacred choruses, and patriotic tunes.
Rehearses: Mt. Vernon
More info: http://www.skagitvalleychorale.org/

Snohomish Children's Choir
Size: 40-50 youths, preschool through grade 12
Style: Wide range.
Rehearses: Mill Creek Elementary, Mill Creek
More info: http://www.snohomishchildrenschoir.com

Whatcom Chorale
Size: 100+ members
Style: Wide range, including classical, folk, hymns, spirituals
Rehearses: Bellingham
More info: http://www.whatcomchorale.org/

Windjammers
Size: About 20 men
Style: Barbershop
Rehearses: Snohomish
More info: http://evg.org/~windjammers

Bainbridge Chorale
Size: 50-100 mixed chorus
Style: Varies – major classical works, Northwest composers, themed concerts. Intermittent theory classes offered before rehearsals.
Rehearses: Bainbridge Island
More info: http://www.bainbridgechorale.org or 206-780-2467 (780-CHOR)

Grand Olympics Chorus
Size: 32 or more women
Style: Barbershop (Sweet Adelines)
Rehearses: Sequim
More info: http://www.grandolympicschorus.org/

Island Chordsmen
Size: unknown
Style: Barbershop
Rehearses: Friday Harbor
More info: 360-378-0830

Kitsap Chordsmen
Size: About 30 men
Style: Barbershop
Rehearses: Poulsbo
More info: http://www.singkitsap.org/

Kitsap Pines Chorus
Size: Unknown
Style: Barbershop (Sweet Adelines)
Rehearses: Bremerton
More info: http://www.kitsappines.org/

Lyrica, Ladies Choral Ensemble of Puget Sound
Size: 30 women
Style: Wide range, from classical to folk, patriotic to Broadway. Performs across western Washington.
Auditions: Required. Call for more information.
Rehearses: Port Orchard
More info: (253) 312-6074

Northwest Women's Chorale
Size: About 16
Style: Wide range, from classical to folk to opera
Rehearses: Port Angeles
More info: http://www.nwwomenschorale.com

Olympic Peninsula Men's Chorus (formerly the Strait Men)
Size: 30 Men
Style: Barbershop
Rehearses: Sequim
More info: http://opmenschorus.com/

Peninsula Men's Gospel Singers
Size: About 16 men
Style: Gospel
Rehearses: Port Angeles?
More info: http://www.pmgospelsingers.com/

Port Angeles Community Chorus
Size: Unknown
Style: Unknown
More info: Unknown

Vashon Island Chorale
Size: About 60
Style: Mostly classical, some Broadway/Pops.
Rehearses: Vashon Island
More info: http://www.vashonislandchorale.org/

Vashon Voices
Size: About 20
Style: Broad range, from jazz and pop standards to broadway hits, folk songs, and light classics.
Rehearses: Vashon Island
More info: http://www.vashonvoices.org/

Whidbey Community Chorus
Size: 80 members
Style: Wide range, from classical to pops.
Rehearses: First United Methodist Church (Sunday evenings)
More info: http://www.whidbeycommchorus.org/

Another good resource is the American Choral Directors Association. The site for Washington state is here: http://www.wa-acda.org/

Original content on this page © 2003-2009 Tom Cooper
though most choir descriptions came from their websites or their directors.