Latest News


  • Singing Valentines are Back!
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, Feb 7 2019
    Singing Valentines are Back!

    Surprise Your Sweetheart This V-Day!



     

    Need a fresh idea for your special someone this Valentine's Day? Hire a Barbershop Quartet! Deliveries made in the Santa Barbara, Ventura, Camarillo, and Simi Valley areas.


    Book Online Now!
  • Save the Date: September 15, 2018
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, Jun 11 2018
    Save the Date: September 15, 2018

    Save the Date!

    September 15, 2018: Pacific Sound brings the Newfangled Four to Santa Barbara


    Pacific Sound is beyond excited to feature the Newfangled Four to the Marjorie Luke Theater for our 2018 Annual show. They are one of the most entertaining quartets in the society today, flooring audiences with their incredible singing and spectacular showmanship. They will join Pacific Sound as well as Carpe Diem Chorus, the Dos Pueblos High School Jazz Choir, and other chapter quartets. Tickets will be available soon, so stay tuned to the website and our Facebook page for up to date information.



    The Newfangled Four is a barbershop quartet based in sunny Southern California.
    Formed in the fall of 2012, this foursome quickly bonded through their involvements
    with the Westminster Chorus and Masters of Harmony, two well-renowned choruses in
    the Barbershop Harmony Society. Each with their own levels of musical and barbershop
    experience, it didn't take long for this quartet to start building a repertoire of challenging,
    yet exciting arrangements. The quartet was fortunate enough to become the 2013
    International Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Champions and the 2013 Far Western
    District Quartet Champions. In 2014, they received the Dealer's Choice Award for being
    the highest scoring debut quartet of the year, and in July 2017, placed 9th in the
    International Quartet Contest. Over the years they have developed a reputation not only
    for their fine singing and showmanship, but also for their work and involvement in the
    youth movement and are fortunate enough to travel across the country promoting the
    barbershop art form as clinicians and educators. Entertaining audiences is their priority,
    and they are constantly striving to be the next best thing!
  • A Night of Harmony
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, Apr 2 2018
    A Night of Harmony
    Join Pacific Sound Chorus and other wonderful a cappella groups to celebrate a beautiful evening of harmony. High school age children and younger get in free, so bring the whole family! 

    Tickets are available through the link on the event calendar.
    Attachment:
  • SB Questionnaire: Mike McGee
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, Sep 5 2017

    The S.B. Questionnaire: Mike McGee

    independent.com/news/2017/sep/04/sb-questionnaire-mike-mcgee/
    By Roger Durling

    “The stage forces you to sing — act — perform,” Mike McGee tells me. “Over time [on stage], I became more confident in myself and who I am as a person.” McGee — who was born and raised in Goleta — discovered the joy of performing at the age of 14. Last July, Main Street, his barbershop quartet won the Gold Medal at the International Barbershop Quartet Contest where they competed against more than 50 other groups from around the world. Main Street and Mike McGee will be the feature performers at the upcoming Pacific Sound Chorus show on September 16th at the Marjorie Luke Theatre. Coming full circle, Mike is the original founder of Pacific Sound Chorus - the championship men’s barbershop chorus in our area — and was recently made its new director.

    McGee attended Dos Pueblos, where he focused on the performing arts — mostly singing. In 1990, right after graduating, he became a performer with the Dapper Dans, the barbershop quartet that performs not only on Main Street at Disneyland, but also at the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. “The first time I performed [at Disneyland], Mike Eisner sat down to watch us,” he recalls. “It was a bit intimidating to have the CEO of the company watching you.”

    Eventually McGee switched from performing at Disneyland to stage managing there. He worked for Magic Music Days (now known as Disney Performing Arts) where students get the opportunity to perform in the park. After three years there, he moved to Viacom where he worked in production doing episodic television, including shows such as Diagnosis Murder and Resurrection Blvd. The whole time, he continued to sing with a barber shop quartet called Metropolis. McGee traveled the world and performed every other weekend with the group. “I’ve never had a formal education,” McGee tells me, but through his membership in the Barbershop Harmony Society he was able to take active programs in music education and performance

    When McGee married, he moved to Tallahassee, Florida, and in 2010, Tony DeRosa, music director of the Dapper Dans suggested he came down and audition again. “When you become a Dapper Dan you go through 3 weeks of Dapper Dan University,” he says. “In that process you learn 15 organ chime songs and about 25 choreographed routines as well as scripted dialog. It’s pretty intense.” This time, McGee trained in two different roles, baritone and lead. Speaking of the experience, McGee says that “as a performer at Disney, the magic is real.” “You see the changes in people, and they believe in it while they’re there. It’s quite remarkable.” He remained in this second stint with Disney for several years, eventually becoming an entertainment manager at the resort in charge of different events.

    One day he had lunch with DeRosa and asked him if the Dapper Dans would ever be able to compete in contests. But, “the Dapper Dans are more nostalgic,” says McGee, so we decided to form a new quartet [featuring former members of the Dans] called Main Street.” Main Street qualified for the 2011 International Barber Shop convention along with 55 other quartets from around the world — everywhere from Sweden to New Zealand. After three rounds in which each group sings two songs, the field is narrowed to just twenty groups, and then to ten. After the round of ten, the judges tabulate the scores and choose a winner. In 2011 Main Street took fifth place, and in 2012, they placed fifth again. For the next three years — 2014, 2015, and 2016 — they came in third. “After 2016 we were burnt out of competing,” he recalls.

    “We discussed it and decided the next year, 2017, would be our final one” McGee says. For their final set they chose “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin. “It was very emotional for us for we connected with the song,” he says. “The audience felt the love amongst the quartet.” This time, Main Street came in first and won the gold medal.

    In January 2017, Mike got a call from Pacific Sound Chorus’ director Kelly Shepard to say he was moving to Australia and asking if he would he take over.

    Mike McGee takes time away from harmonizing to answer the Proust Questionnaire.

    Which historical figure do you most identify with?

    Walt Disney. Despite running into constant obstacles and nay-sayers along his path he stayed dedicated to his vision.

    What do you like most about your job?

    Offering the opportunity for people to escape reality and enjoy a fun filled show of music, humor and family entertainment. A chance to step away from incendiary topics we face every day in the news and social media.

    What is your idea of perfect happiness?

    I love traveling with my family. Visiting foreign locations and sharing experiences with people whom I love is important to me.

    What is your greatest fear?

    Rejection. Specifically, as an artist I am very cautious about assuming that people will accept the work I have created. Even when they show positive expressions of appreciation, I’m still doubtful.

    Who do you most admire?

    People who can find a happy balance between work and family.

    What is your current state of mind?

    Elation! Recently I experienced a childhood dream come true and I am still trying to process the experience.

    What is the quality you most like in people?

    Positive inclusion. Allowing those close to them (at work or at home) to have a voice in the decisions or ideas they face. That’s a sign of a strong leader.

    What is the quality you most dislike in people?

    Hypocrisy. I’m intolerant to those who criticize others and yet don’t “walk the walk” themselves.

    What do you most value in friends?

    Loyalty.

    What is your most marked characteristic?

    Kindness and a positive attitude. Life is too short to have negativity as your partner. I choose not to allow hateful influences, such as those found in social media to saturate and dictate my life.

    Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

    “It is what it is.” Nothing like stating the obvious.

    Which talent would you most like to have?

    Playing the piano. I took a few lessons when I was a child, but didn’t have the patience to practice. I regret it now.

    If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

    Be more assertive and stand up for my beliefs and opinions.

    What do you consider your greatest achievement?

    I’m currently developing a project that will help children in education. I’m proud of what our team has accomplished and the potential it has for greater youth outreach.

    Where would you most like to live?

    Assuming Santa Barbara never existed, I would choose Colorado. I love the Rocky Mountains, the forests and change of seasons.

    What is your most treasured possession?

    My iPad. My entire life is contained in this 9 x 12 contraption! If there was a fire in the house I would run for the iPad!

    What makes you laugh the most?

    Fail Army videos, specifically clumsy animals. Something about dogs falling that makes me LOL, providing they weren’t hurt in any way. #petadisclaimer

    What is your motto?

    “Don’t make a decision based on fear.” — George Lucas

    What is your greatest extravagance?

    After work I like to relax on my 90-ft Ocean Alexander yacht docked in the harbor and treat myself to a fine Opus One.

    On what occasion do you lie?

    See that last question regarding the yacht? Well, I don’t drink wine.


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  • Guest Night July 31, 2017
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, Jul 24 2017
    Guest Night July 31, 2017
    Join us at Good Shepherd Church for a fabulous guest night under our new director, Mike McGee. Follow the link on the flyer to obtain sheet music and learning tracks. 
  • GREAT job, fellas!
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, Oct 19 2016
    Gentlemen,

    I am so very proud of the performance you gave at the FWD Fall contest last weekend!  You put on stage one of the finest performances that I've ever seen from you.  You sang from the heart and you performed with authenticity! You should be proud of the work you did leading up to that performance as well.  I worked you hard over the past few weeks and that work paid off!

    Our next rehearsal and Guest Night is an opportunity to take us to the next level.  We really need to build our membership significantly.  More guys means more ideas, more input and more creativity for an active chorus like us!  More guys means more income from memberships, ticket sales and fund-raising.  More guys means more people spreading this great hobby!  I can't stress enough how important it is for EVERY guy to bring at least one guest.  MORE is even better!  And please get those flyers out into the community!  Who knows what sort of Kismet is waiting out there!

    I hope you will continue bringing your A game to the next season of rehearsals and performances, too!  This will ensure that those who come to our rehearsals will want to return, be committed and help us in our continuing quest for excellence.

    I'm looking forward to seeing you all on the 24th and meeting all our new guests!

    Proudly,

    Kelly


     
  • Guest Night - Monday, Oct. 24th!
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, Oct 17 2016
    Guest Night - Monday, Oct. 24th!
    Come visit Pacific Sound Chorus on Monday October 24th at 7:30PM to experience what it is like to sing 4 part harmony! Many of our members can attest to the fact that it only takes 1 time to be hooked. Bring a friend as well! We don't want to keep this experience a secret from any men that want to SING! If you plan on coming, please drop a line to membership@pacificsoundchorus.org or call us at 805-312-6439. We hope to see you there!
    Attachment:
  • Save the Date!
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, May 23 2016
    Save the Date!
    YouTube Video URL:
  • Barbershop at '84 Olympics
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, Apr 11 2016
    Back in 1984 a quartet of mine, Santa Barbara Sound, had the distinct privilege of singing for the crowds at the rowing venue at Lake Casitas for the 1984 Olympic Games.

    This article appeared in the Harmonizer and while cleaning off my desk this weekend, I ran across this copy and thought you might enjoy it...
    Attachment:
  • VENUE CHANGE FOR A CAPPELLA SHOWCASE
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, Apr 5 2016
    VENUE CHANGE FOR A CAPPELLA SHOWCASE….
     
    As I announced last night, the guy got the chance to rent out the Hollister Ave Event Center to someone who would pay four times what we'll pay, so he switched us to the Butler Event Center in Montecito, which is the old Café Del Sol, right on the bird refuge at the edge of Montecito.  Frankly, it's probably a better location for the 100+ people we will have at the event…the other venue held 300 people!  Maybe next year…
     
    Anyway, here's the new flyer.
     
    It's important to tell everyone in the chorus for sure but also you have to reach out to everyone you've told about the event or invited to attend the event.  I know…it's a hassle…  I'm not pleased with the extra work but looking on the bright side, it's a chance to reconnect with everyone about how much fun this will be and in the long run, it's a better venue.
     
    iBTW...start using our new website.  It's much better and easier to navigate than anything we've used in the past. 

    Task for today: You all need to respond and say you'll be attending this event,

    In Harmony...,
     
    Brent
     
  • Show how much you care this Valentine's - With a song!
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, Jan 27 2016
    This Valentine's Day, show a loved one just how much you care with TWO heart=felt serenades! We'll be delivering these serenades as quartets on February 12, 13, and 14th along with a card and a fresh red rose. Contact Monty at 800-353-1623 to book yours today!
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  • Pacific Sound Volunteers at the Unity Shoppe Telethon
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  •  Date Posted: Sat, Dec 12 2015
    Pacific Sound performed on the Unity Shoppe Telethon, which airs in Santa Barbara as a fundraiser for the services they provide year round. They aim to prevent homelessness and welfare dependency by supplementing basic necessities such that people can afford to pay monthly rent and utilities. They offer classes on topics such as computer skills, merchandising, and customer relations to prepare people for the work force. They also offer year-round free grocery and clothing stores so people can acquire basic needs. Visit the Unity Shoppe online at http://www.unityshoppe.org/.
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