We are happy and proud to announce that Chris Robertson is the new director of the Inland Empire Chorus. We look forward to many years of fun, laughter and music. If you are thinking about visiting, this would be a good time to start! 

Recently several members of the Inland Empire Chorus attended the 2016 Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition in Las Vegas, NV. In addition to listening to our organization’s regional winning quartets and choruses, we had the privilege of working in the Harmony Boutique at the Queens’ Court. We assisted in selling International Champion Quartet CDs and tickets for the Coronet Club Show.

Since everyone wanders into the Harmony Boutique sometime during the week, it's a great way to say hello to friends, and even be treated to a surprise song by a champion quartet.

The Inland Empire Chorus of Riverside, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, sponsored our 9th Harmony Stars Day on Saturday, October 8, 2016. This event is part of the Sweet Adelines International (SAI) Young Women in Harmony program which is endorsed by NAfME.

Over 75 young women from several high schools in the Inland Empire participated in the day-long educational event, culminating in a performance that showcased their accomplishments.  

Everyone looks forward to the Double Quartet Contest at Region 21 Summer Regional. This is a novice event, in which eight women temporarily create a double quartet to perform and entertain with humorous parodies. Good quality barbershop harmony is expected and judged as part of the lighthearted contest. Regular Sweet Adelines scoring is used but the judges don’t have to be official trained judges, and many people believe they can be bribed with M&Ms. Although winning the First Place trophy for best singing is rewarding, nothing matches the excitement of winning the Golden Banana, the trophy given for the funniest and most entertaining performance.

Recently, members from several Region 21 choruses attended Camp Sea Breeze in San Diego, CA, for a weekend of education, performance and fun. The visiting faculty person was Karen Breidert, the 2015 Sweet Adeline Lifetime Achievement recipient.

There were many opportunities for attendees to sing together and benefit from Karen’s immense knowledge and skills, as well as her entertaining style of teaching.

With the most members in attendance, Inland Empire Chorus won a one-hour coaching session with Karen Breidert on Saturday afternoon. WOW! It’s amazing what Karen can do working with a chorus on just a few measures. We are energized and ready to apply what we learned to the rest of the song! 

Inland Empire Chorus recently welcomed several guests and a few former members at our Open House. To begin the evening, Parfait Quartet, 4^th place regional medalists, presented an introduction to barbershop music.

Using the information they had heard, guests chose voice parts and joined the chorus on the risers to sing several songs. In honor of the Fourth of July holiday, chorus members dressed in red, white and blue. There were refreshments for all, and door prizes for the guests.

Everyone enjoyed the evening and based on the positive feedback, we expect to see some new faces at our next rehearsal.

If you missed our open house, you can visit any week. We love what we do and want to share our love of singing with you!

Inland Empire Chorus held its Installation Dinner on May 17th. This is our annual event to publicly recognize all those who contribute so much to our chorus. Without the dedication of time and talents of these remarkable women, the chorus could not function. It was an evening to celebrate our accomplishments and enjoy dinner, singing and laughing with friends.

The retiring Board was recognized and the 2016-2017 Board installed by MARNAC the Magnificent.

The 2016 Region 21 Competition was held on May 14th at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. Inland Empire Chorus performed Kiss Me One More Time and Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You. We were awarded medals for third place in our division, and fourth place overall.

These regional competitions are an opportunity for quartets and choruses to perform for the judges and entertain the audience. This is also a weekend to hang out with longtime friends, make new ones and enjoy our love of singing.

Inland Empire Chorus is RECHARGED after a weekend of coaching with Jim Arns. Jim directs the Melodeers Chorus, has earned the title of Master Director 700, and enjoys an international reputation as a clinician, vocal coach, and music arranger.

IEC members enjoyed applying all of the education that came our way. Long-time members and those who have just started on this barbershop journey with us benefited from Jim’s knowledge and dedication to excellence, which gave everyone the confidence and motivation to excel.

The Inland Empire Chorus welcomed nine guests to our Global Open House on Tuesday, January 26. Our fabulous marketing chair, Marge Baillod Yeager, worked long and hard to get advertising in the local newspaper, local community circulars and on all of our social media. The members also spread the word to all of our friends. It is always invigorating to watch guests participate in learning about our unique art form. Here’s hoping they catch the “bug” that makes us all keep coming back for more!

Two guests from this event, plus another guest who visited us later in the year, have caught the bug! We have three new members going to the Regional Contest with us in May!