Jan 1, 2013 3 min read

A local chapter of Sweet Adelines International, a global organization of female vocalists, plans on participating in the annual Global Open House on two Mondays in January.

The Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus will host two open house nights, at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 and 28, for any women interested in joining or simply learning more about the chorus. Patricia Martin of Canonsburg has been a member of the Sounds of Pittsburgh for almost 36 years.

“The open house gives women a chance to visit us and get a lesson in what we do,” Martin said. “Choruses across the world invite everyone under the sun – women – who love to sing.”

Interested singers don’t need any formal training or past experience, just a passion for singing and a desire to be a part of the chorus.

“We’re trying to get people interested in a hobby that’s good for you, fun, healthy and supportive,” Martin said. “Our prayer list gets longer every week because we’re all so supportive of each other. It’s a wonderful hobby.”

Originating in 1974, the Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus practices at Coraopolis United Methodist Church in Coraopolis and features vocalists from parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, including several singers from Washington County.

“We’ve sponsored three or four quartets from the Peters Township area that have been quite successful,” Martin said.

One of the main goals of the open house is to encourage younger women to learn about the organization.

“We’re really trying to get young people interested in the arts that the school districts have taken away,” Martin said. “Music, art, those are the first things to go, and we want them to see what we’re all about.”

The Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus is only a chapter of Sweet Adeline International, whose members span the globe in more than 500 choruses in U.S. and 14 other countries. Any female vocalist looking for an outlet to perform is welcome to join the Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus.

The international organization sponsors competitions at the national and international levels. The Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus has competed and won at both levels, representing their district six times in international competition, most recently in Nashville in 2009.

Besides becoming part of the group and the chance for national and international recognition, the organization offers classes in everything from music arrangement to breathing techniques while singing.

The Sounds of Pittsburgh and its members come from as far as North Canton, Ohio and Morgantown, W.Va., to sing for the chorus.

“Sweet Adelines’ motto is ‘Harmonize the world,’ and that’s really what we’re trying to do,” Martin said.