At a wedding reception in Tiburon in 1980, a discussion took place about "why not get a group of guys together once in a while to sing college songs, and the like." John Doherty, Joe Bacheller, Ray Jasek and Tom Behrens were attending. Former Tiburon mayor Al Kuhn and his wife, Joy, hosted the wedding for one of their children. The idea caught on, and an evening was picked to meet at Del Mar School. A few phone calls were made, and a piano was available in the music room.

In February 1981 the first meeting of what became the Tiburon Men's Chorus was held in the music room at Del Mar School. A gaggle of more than 20 voices showed up. Professor Hy Krongard, who had been teaching vocal music and music appreciation for years at College of Marin and at Del Mar School and was a respected member of the musical community, became the first conductor.

Type: Male Choral Community  Hometown: Tiburon

Audition policy: The MMC rehearses weekly and is a non-credit course at the College of Marin.

The Marin Girls Chorus was founded by Martha Wall, in 1988, in response to a parent's request that Marin County offer something akin to the San Francisco Girls Chorus. In 1992, a Boys' Chorus was added, as well as a Junior Chorus for the youngest singers, and the name was changed to the Marin Girls and Boys Choruses. The Boys' Chorus proved difficult to support as a separate entity; so, in the fall of 1997, the name was changed once again, this time to the Marin Children's Chorus. In the fall of 2008, the chorus returned to its roots as the Marin Girls Chorus, as a treble-voice chorus that encompasses well over 100 finely trained singers in four levels.

Type: Mixed Choral Childrens  Hometown: Multiple rehearsal sites throughout Marin

Audition policy: Any girl who wants to sing can join! No audition required

The Lighthouse Singers is a interdenominational community-based gospel choir in Marin County, California. Directed by Dr. Steven Roberts, the choir's repertoire includes both traditional & contemporary gospel music. For over forty years the choir has excited audiences throughout the U.S.A. in both multi-faith and multi-racial church services, community service performances, inspirational gospel workshops & national gospel conventions. The Lighthouse Singers choir has been acclaimed for its beautiful harmonies, rich sound, and inspiring presence. These qualities earned the Lighthouse Singers honors for at the Gospel Academy Awards, held annually at Oakland's Paramount Theater.

Type: Mixed Gospel Community  Hometown: San Rafael

Audition policy: Our rehearsals are open. We welcome singers (of all experiences) interested in joining our group to come to an open rehearsal. No audition is required. As is traditional in gospel, we learn songs by listening to our director play the parts--soprano, alto, tenor & bass. No musical scores are used.

We are the longest performing male a cappella chorus in Marin County, with over 65 years of great barbershop style singing. We perform at numerous events throughout the year, including our sellout annual show (typically at the Marin Civic Center's Showcase Theater), the Marin County Fair around Independence Day, San Rafael Pacifics home baseball games, and at traditional Holiday sing-outs in the community. As the local Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, we also participate in Far Western District and Division Conventions and Contests along with other FWD choruses. We are dedicated to good fellowship, fun, and fine choral harmony

Type: Male Barbershop Barbershop  Hometown: San Anselmo

Audition policy: Our rehearsals are open to the public and to potential new members. Why not drop by for a memorable experience !

An a cappella Chorus (SATB Arrangements), Specializing in Classic Rock, Doo-Wop, Pop and Jazz Standards. Formerly known as Urban Harmony, Marin Harmony Chorus has been in existence for 21 years. The group was founded by Ed Cohn of the Edlos and previously directed by Rebecca Jones. Daria has been the director for the past 7 years. A prize-winning contestant at the Marin County Fair in 2010, Marin Harmony is a fun-loving community who brings joyous entertainment to libraries, retirement communities and various events in Marin County.

Type: Mixed Contemporary Community  Hometown: San Rafael

Audition policy: Reading a plus but not a requirement. Must have a good ear, pitch and ability to blend well.

Founded in 2024, College of Marin Vocal Jazz is the newest ensemble in the College of Marin music department. Its members come from a wide range of singing and performing arts backgrounds, and include degree-seeking students, high school students, and community members. Building on their successful summer debut at Studio Fourth Street in San Rafael, the ensemble is establishing a reputation in Marin County for dynamic performances of high-quality jazz, blues, and popular music arrangements. College of Marin Vocal Jazz is directed by Dr. Laura Wiebe, director of choral and vocal music at the College of Marin.

Type: Mixed Vocal Jazz  Hometown: Kentfield

Ross Commons singers is a small SATB vocal ensemble based in Marin. For over 50 years, Ross Commons has been performing throughout the Bay Area with a varied repertoire of music that spans the early 1900s through the 1980s in the styles of swing, pop, and jazz. Our four-part harmony is enhanced with choreography, costuming, and props, and always spiced up with a bit of mischief. As a self proclaimed, "eclectic" musical group, we have entertained at clubs, conventions, fairs, celebratory functions, fundraisers, private parties, and concerts. We are also regularly invited to perform for various hospitals and retirement communities as members of Bread and Roses. We sing under the direction of Denise Wharmby. Choreography is by Stephanie Romano. We are actively seeking new members.

Type: Mixed Choral Community  Hometown: Ross

Audition policy: We are actively seeking new members. If you’re interested, please reach out to: Lindamcc2000@yahoo.com.

"Rita & The Cosmos" is a Marin based a cappella singing group of six sassy gals. Our group (as pictured left to right: Bobbi, Carolyn, Toni, Rita, Lauren and Gloria) was formed in 2005 when Rita assembled some musically inclined friends. Our repertoire includes a mixture of standards, jazz, pop and Broadway tunes, featuring original, upbeat, four part arrangements that will get your fingers snapping and your toes tapping! The songs reflect themes of friendship, spirituality, romance and love. Selections by Berlin and Gershwin are among the crowd-pleasing favorites. We perform at formal and informal events including cocktail and dinner parties, holiday celebrations, other special occasions, as well as at senior living centers in counties throughout the Bay area. Requests for personalized parodies are happily accommodated.

Type: Female Contemporary  Hometown: San Rafael

The Mayflower Chorus is the performing ensemble of the Mayflower Choral Society, a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting the educational and cultural benefits of musical performance to its members, the Marin community, and general public. The Mayflower Chorus has no formal auditions, but members must meet certain musical qualifications. Being a member of the Chorus requires regular attendance to build both shared choral experience and knowledge. We become an ensemble when you go from "I know this" to "We know this together" and from "I can do this" to "We can do this together."

Type: Mixed Choral Community  Hometown: San Rafael

Audition policy: The Mayflower Community Chorus has no formal auditions, but members must meet certain musical qualifications. Being a member of the Chorus requires regular attendance to build both shared choral experience and knowledge. We become an ensemble when you go from “I know this” to “We know this together” and from “I can do this” to “We can do this together.”

It's so easy for *anyone* to join in and sing in the Joyful Voices Chorus community choir! We sing easy-to-learn, non-religious, uplifting songs of belonging, healing, hope, and joy at this 7-week series in San Anselmo, culminating in a community-wide Big Sing! No singing experience needed, no music to read, and SO. MUCH. FUN. Sliding scale, and if you haven't sung with Marv before, you can try the choir FREE on certain dates!

Type: Mixed Choral Drop in  Hometown: San Anselmo