About Us - Who We Are
Sound Celebration is a dynamic, multigenerational women’s a cappella barbershop chorus dedicated to friendship, fun, and harmony. As proud members of Harmony, Inc., an international nonprofit organization that empowers all women through education, friendship, and singing, we share a passion for making music and building connections.
Our chorus is composed of women who live in and around Plymouth, WI and come from all walks of life, yet we are unified by our love of singing. Since receiving our charter in 1967, we’ve been singing, competing, and performing throughout our community. Our members come from diverse backgrounds and age groups, united by a love for four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. While many of us are not formally trained singers, we are all drawn to the thrill of ringing those beautiful barbershop chords.
Sound Celebration is one of 12 choruses in Area 4, a geographic region that is one of the six areas that comprise Harmony, Inc. Under the leadership of Director Janice Westphal and Associate Director Marianne Cooke, we rehearse weekly, continuously honing our craft and preparing for performances. We have proudly competed in the Area 4 Contest since 1968 and look forward to many more years of musical excellence, personal growth, and camaraderie.
Our love of music extends beyond competitions—we cherish opportunities to perform for our community. Whether on stage, at sporting events or in nursing homes, we bring joy wherever we go. From our repertoire of showtunes, popular songs, standards, traditional favorites, patriotic selections, and sacred hymns, we will craft a program to fit your occasion. From intimate gatherings to full-scale productions, we share the magic of barbershop harmony with audiences of all ages.
Our chorus is composed of women who live in and around Plymouth, WI and come from all walks of life, yet we are unified by our love of singing. Since receiving our charter in 1967, we’ve been singing, competing, and performing throughout our community. Our members come from diverse backgrounds and age groups, united by a love for four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. While many of us are not formally trained singers, we are all drawn to the thrill of ringing those beautiful barbershop chords.
Sound Celebration is one of 12 choruses in Area 4, a geographic region that is one of the six areas that comprise Harmony, Inc. Under the leadership of Director Janice Westphal and Associate Director Marianne Cooke, we rehearse weekly, continuously honing our craft and preparing for performances. We have proudly competed in the Area 4 Contest since 1968 and look forward to many more years of musical excellence, personal growth, and camaraderie.
Our love of music extends beyond competitions—we cherish opportunities to perform for our community. Whether on stage, at sporting events or in nursing homes, we bring joy wherever we go. From our repertoire of showtunes, popular songs, standards, traditional favorites, patriotic selections, and sacred hymns, we will craft a program to fit your occasion. From intimate gatherings to full-scale productions, we share the magic of barbershop harmony with audiences of all ages.
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Our Story
Sound Celebration traces its roots back to 1965, when two women with a love for singing decided to form a barbershop group. Gathering in a living room with just six voices, we discovered we had all four essential parts—Tenor, Lead, Baritone, and Bass—and the journey began. As the chorus grew, we moved rehearsals to a local church and performed our first community concert.
Originally known as The Chord-a-lettes, the group quickly gained recognition, performing at local events and raising funds for music and costumes. By 1967, with 26 members, we joined Harmony, Inc., officially becoming part of an international sisterhood of women’s barbershop singers. Years later, we embraced a new identity as Sound Celebration, a name that reflects our joy in making music together. Through decades of dedication, growth, and cherished friendships, Sound Celebration remains a place where women of all backgrounds can find belonging, empowerment, and harmony—both in music and in life. Perhaps harmony has a place in your life, too! If you love to sing and are looking for a welcoming, supportive musical family, we’d love to meet you. Join us and experience the joy of singing in harmony! |
Guiding Us in Harmony – Meet Our Directors & Leaders
JANICE WESTPHAL - DIRECTOR
Janice Westphal is the heart and soul of Sound Celebration, bringing a lifetime of musical expertise, passion, and leadership to the chorus. As our director since 1990, she has shaped our signature sound, inspiring singers of all backgrounds to develop their vocal skills, refine their artistry, and embrace the joy of four-part harmony. Whether leading us in competition or community performances, Janice fosters excellence, camaraderie, and musical growth, making every rehearsal an opportunity to learn, connect, and create something truly special.
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MARIANNE COOKE - ASSistant DIRECTOR
Marianne Cooke is a driving force behind the musical excellence and camaraderie of Sound Celebration. As Associate Director, she plays a vital role in shaping the chorus’s sound, helping singers refine their technique, master vocal precision, and bring heartfelt emotion to every performance. With her enthusiasm, expertise, and unwavering support, Marianne fosters a welcoming and encouraging environment where every singer feels confident, valued,
and inspired. |
boARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors works behind the scenes to ensure the chorus runs smoothly. Composed of dedicated members, the board oversees administrative tasks, event planning, membership, and financial responsibilities. Together, they support the vision and mission of Sound Celebration, allowing our singers to focus on what we love most—creating harmony and sharing music with our community.
The Heart of Sound Celebration: Our Vision and Mission
Our commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and musical growth guides everything we do—from rehearsals to performances and community outreach. As a not-for-profit organization, we strive to inspire audiences and welcome new voices to experience the magic of barbershop harmony. Our guiding principles keep us focused on our purpose and passion.
Photo Credit: Gary Webers
vision statementTo create a world where harmony transcends generations, fostering joy, friendship, and a deep sense of belonging through the power of music.
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mission statementOur mission is to bring women of all ages together to celebrate the art of a cappella barbershop singing. Through friendship, fun, and musical excellence, we inspire connection, empower voices, and share the joy of harmony with our community and beyond.
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Our director continually helps us grow our musical abilities by teaching us new techniques and skills which can be challenging but so rewarding. How exhilarating when we ring those barbershop chords! It's a great feeling to spread joy with others in the community throughout the year too!
- BECKY MATZ
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Member Spotlight
Rapid Fire Questions
What is your name? Melissa Gerend Your voice part? Baritone How many years have you been with Sound Celebration? 5 Coffee or tea? Coffee Early bird or night owl? Night owl Dream concert to attend? This is a tough one. Obviously, I would choose John Denver if he was still with us. There are SO many concerts I'd like to attend. I would love to see Joshua Bell play Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D Major as well as the Mendelssohn and Sibelius concertos. One surprising fact about you? I am a HUGE John Denver fan! What is one word that describes your experience in Sound Celebration? Fulfilling |
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What is Barbershop Singing? The Art of Four-Part Harmony
Barbershop is a style of arranging in close, four-part, a cappella harmony; it is not an era, style of music, or genre. The melody is usually in the second voice with harmony above and below. Barbershop song lyrics generally focus on simple, heartfelt subjects like love, happiness, family, etc. Melodies are “catchy” and can be sung by any hobby singer. The songs tell a story and can be interpreted in a way that’s meaningful to the performer. Music is generally performed without using music and body and hand movements help convey the songs meaning. Barbershop songs are generally arranged with a preponderance of homophonic chords and many flatted 7th chords flowing through the circle of fifths.