Santa Cruz Barbershop

It’s Dessert Time! Don’t Miss Out!

lynda — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:15:39 +0000

Yes, it’s that time again, our annual Cabaret show in Felton, including our World Famous Homemade Dessert Buffet! What, you mean you never heard of us? You’ve never seen our local Barbershop Chorus and Quartet showcase? You’ve never wrapped your lips around our homemade desserts? Well, you can remedy that on June 2nd in Felton! Come for the music, stay for the dessert, and have a GSC Good Time!

Who: The Gold Standard Chorus and Friends
What: The Annual GSC Cabaret and Homemade Dessert Buffet
When: June 2, 2012, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Where: Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9, Felton, CA
Why: Why Not?

Please join us, and invite your friends.

Download the Cabaret Flyer Here

What desserts, you may ask? Come back in a couple of days – we’ll have a list!

Bragging Rights!

lynda — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:51:07 +0000

Constellation Takes Fourth Place at Division Contest

: Constellation (l to r) Mark Torrance, tenor; Bill McCain, lead; Jordan Johnson, bass; Allen Takahashi, bari.

We are very proud to announce that Constellation, a quartet out of our own Gold Standard Chorus, took fourth place in the Northwest Division of the Barbershop Harmony Far Western District contest held in Woodside, CA on Saturday, April 14. Mark Torrance (tenor), Bill McCain (lead), Jordan Johnson (bass, who also directs the chorus), and Allen Takahashi (baritone) scored within three percentage points of first place on a 600 point evaluation scale. Their score qualified Constellation to compete at the Far Western District (CA, AZ, NV, HI, and Southern UT) contest to be held in October in Mesa AZ.

GSC Quartets Make Good in Ripon

lynda — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:20:12 +0000

Sunday Best, Coastal Blend, and Beginners Luck compete at Ripon, CA

On Saturday, February 25th, the small town of Ripon, CA, again hosted the Far Western District NorCal Novice Quartet Contest. Seven mixed-voice quartets, six men’s quartets, and two high school quartets gave the enthusiastic audience a great show of lively barbershop harmony, and everyone had a wonderful day.

The GSC was well represented by three mixed-voice quartets – Sunday Best, Coastal Blend, and Beginners Luck. Beginners Luck, also known as Lynda Williams (tenor), Ian Blackwood (lead), Allen Takahashi (baritone), and newest chorus member and Membership VP Jack Gordon (bass) took the stage first, following last year’s First Place novice contest winners First Strike (who headlined the 2011 Sing For Your Life show in Santa Cruz). Beginners Luck placed 5th in the mixed voice division and 8th overall.

Next up from the GSC was Sunday Best, featuring Lara Pacheco (tenor), chorus President Nick Roberto (lead), Trudi Mock (baritone), and chorus Director Jordan Johnson (bass). The audience was delighted, and Sunday Best placed 2nd in the division and 2nd overall.

Finally, we heard Coastal Blend, with Dale Summer (tenor), Ian Blackwood (lead), Nancie Barker (baritone), and Dan Jett (bass). This entertaining quartet took 4th place in the mixed voice division and 7th overall.

After the contest was completed, each quartet received an evaluation of their performance from one of the judges, then everyone moved to Mountain Mike’s Pizza for “afterglow” – the traditional post-performance party that barbershoppers all over the country enjoy. We heard some great singing, met some fabulous folks, and generally had a wonderful, full day of singing, listening, and performing.

It’s Valengram Time Again! Treat your Sweetie!

lynda — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:23:30 +0000

The Ringtones Quartet delivers a Valengram to a lucky lady

Surprise your loved one with a Singing Valentine delivered by a Barbershop Quartet from The Gold Standard Chorus! Your sweetheart will receive two great old-time love songs in barbershop harmony, a romantic rose, and a customized Valentine card from you. And for that special touch, you can sing to your sweetheart with our quartet backup – call for details! We will deliver to residences, businesses, hospitals, restaurants, etc. within a 20-mile radius of Santa Cruz on both Sunday, Feb. 12th and Tuesday, Feb. 14th. Your Valengram will be scheduled upon receipt of payment.

Who: Your Sweetheart (or Mom, Dad, parents, siblings – anyone you love!) and a barbershop quartet from The Gold Standard Chorus
What: Personal delivery of a Valengram (Valentine Singing Telegram)
When: Sunday, Feb. 12 noon to 7:00pm, and Tuesday, Feb. 14 9:00 am to 8:00 pm (Other delivery times may be available – just ask us!)
Where: Your Choice – home, office, restaurant, hospital, it’s totally up to you
How: Call Valengram Central – 688-0909

Cost: $40 before Feb 7th, $45 from Feb. 8th to Feb. 14th

Reserve now - availability is limited and slots fill up quickly! (Checks or Money Orders made out to Gold Standard Chorus)

It’s Never Too Early to Think About Valentine’s Day

lynda — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:18:13 +0000

Yes, it’s that time again. Every year, the Gold Standard Chorus makes quartets available to deliver “singing telegrams” for Valentine’s day; we call them Valengrams! We are gearing up for Valentine’s Day 2012, are you? Just think of it – a loving surprise for your sweetheart in the form of a memorable Singing Valentine by The Gold Standard Chorus. Your special someone will be serenaded by a top-quality barbershop quartet, presented with a long-stemmed rose, a button, and a card with a personal message from you. Have it delivered at home, at work – or anywhere in the Santa Cruz area (within 20 miles).

So watch this space for further details, and get ready to give the gift of song to the one YOU love!

Come On Down to Capitola!

lynda — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:23:48 +0000

Come on out to Capitola tomorrow night, Wednesday, 12/14/12, to enjoy an evening of caroling by the Gold Standard Chorus. We’ll be easy to find at the Capitola Mall and Trader Joe’s behind the mall. Meet up with us here:

6:00 – 6:15 pm meet and warm up at Aegis on Soquel Ave. in Aptos
6:15 – 7:00 pm Informal concert for residents at Aegis
7:15 – 7:30 pm Sing at Capitola Mall by the fountain
7:30 – 7:45 pm Sing at Capitola Mall by Santa’s Village
8:00 – 8:15 pm Sing at Trader Joe’s, Capitola
8:30 – ??? – Afterglow (Location TBA) – come sing some “tags” with us!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sing For Your Life 2011 – Nov 6!!

Lara — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:46:14 +0000

Our biggest school fundraiser yet is almost here!! To support vocal music in our county’s schools, we produce this benefit concert each year. With ten schools participating and award-winning young quartet, First Strike, as special guests, 2011 promises to be the best year ever!

When: Sunday, November 6, 2011
Matinee: 1:00 pm
Evening: 7:00 pm

Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
307 Church Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Box Office Phone: 831-420-5260

Matinee: 1:00 p.m.

Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School

Monterey Bay Academy

Santa Cruz High School

Scotts Valley High School

Soquel High School

Evening: 7:00 p.m.

Aptos High School

Monte Vista Christian School

Pacific Collegiate School

San Lorenzo Valley High School

St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School

Guest quartet (Matinee & Evening): First Strike, 1^st Place 2011 Far Western District Northern California Novice Quartet Contest

Tickets: $15 advance / $20 door – Limited VIP $20 advance / $25 door (12 & under free w/ adult). scbarbershop.org & santacruztickets.com. More information: 831-252-0066

Want to help some more? Click here to become a sponsor!

Since 2003, these benefits have raise over $45,000 to support vocal music in our county schools.

Learn 2 Sing 4 Free

Lara — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:59:22 +0000

6 Free singing lessons starting August through September 28. No strings attached - nothing required but your attendance and enthusiasm.

NO previous experience necessary! Group lessons led by experienced vocal instructors.

Weds August 24……..Santa Cruz H.S. Music Room
Weds August 31……..Santa Cruz H.S. Music Room
Weds Sept 7………….Santa Cruz H.S. Music Room
Weds Sept 14…………Santa Cruz H.S. Music Room
Weds Sept 21…………Santa Cruz H.S. Music Room
Weds Sept 28…………Santa Cruz H.S. Music Room

Please call Gerry Stone for details – and to reserve your seat – at 335-2201.

It’s Summertime!

lynda — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 05:30:57 +0000

We had a wonderful time last month at Felton Community Hall singing for an audience of appreciative listeners at our annual Cabaret show. We’d like to thank everyone who attended for helping us have such a great success! Look for us again soon!

And if you didn’t get enough, you’re welcome to come visit us any Wednesday night from 7:00PM to 9:30PM, at the Kirby school, 425 Encinal Street in Santa Cruz (near Costco and Harvey West Park). NOTE! While the chorus doesn’t take a summer vacation, our practice hall does! Watch this space for times and locations to be announced soon. Until then, you can still find us at Kirby School.

It’s Music Time Again!

lynda — Sun, 08 May 2011 20:31:29 +0000

The Gold Standard Chorus clowning for the camera at the Far Western District Spring Convention in Santa Clara, CA on March 19, 2011

Yes, it’s that time again. For an event that’s sure to please the whole family, come see the Gold Standard Chorus and guest quartets performing old favorites and new sounds throughout the evening at our Cabaret show in June. The chorus is better than ever, and recently performed by special invitation at the Far Western District Spring Convention and Competition in Santa Clara, CA. Don’t miss it!

And as if the great close harmony of barbershop singing wasn’t enough, included in the price of the ticket is homemade dessert – all you can eat! Cookies like Iced Lemon, Iced Spice, and Oatmeal/White Chocolate Chip. Cakes like Chocolate Brandy and Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Brownies, Sour Cream Raisn Pie, and Strawberry-Banana-Raspberry Tryfle and so many more! Think you can handle it?

Who:      The Gold Standard Chorus
What:     Annual Summer Cabaret Show
When:    Saturday , June 4, 2011
Where: Felton Community Hall
6191 Highway 9
Felton, CA
Tickets: $20, children under 12 free

Watch this space for more announcements throughout the summer!