Our Chorus

Canadian Showtime Chorus® is a competitive women’s singing group, specializing in 4 part a cappella harmonies in the barbershop style.  Barbershop is the “the blackbelt of a cappella singing”, according to the producer of the Pitch Perfect Trilogy, and a cappella guru Deke Sharon.  A chartered member of Sweet Adelines International (SAI), Canadian Showtime Chorus ranks in the top 25 of more than 500 choruses worldwide.  

Canadian Showtime Chorus draws its members from across the city of Ottawa and the surrounding areas.  We have teenagers, young adults, new mothers, working women as well as those who have retired.  

The Chorus repertoire includes classic barbershop arrangements as well as contemporary pieces.    Barbershop singing specializes in the unaccompanied singing of popular songs in which four voices move in close, highly chromatic harmony.   

Our History... 

The Chorus is a member of Sweet Adelines International. Founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1945, Sweet Adelines has evolved into an worldwide organization of nearly 21,000 singers, connecting women around the world in one sisterhood. It’s dedicated to preserving the unique sound of a cappella barbershop harmony, sharing a passion for music and empowering women in every area of their lives.  Now there are approximately 500 choruses and 1,000 quartets in the organization.  

Our Chorus was formed for the joy of singing in 1982 by Sandie Nason.  The first night attracted 4 singers.  Many others soon joined and over the years the Chorus has grown in numbers and achieved International top 25 placement. 

Competition… 

Each year in the spring, the Chorus is eligible to compete in a Regional Contest (Lake Ontario Region 16).  Placement here determines who will go to International Contest to compete with the other winning choruses.  Most recently we competed for the nineth time at the International Convention in Louisville in 2023.  

Performances… 

What can you expect from us in performance?  We know you will be moved by our close harmony singing and by songs such as Marvin Hamlisch’s The Way We Were, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, Bobby Darin’s As Long As I’m Singing and many more.  Our repertoire is wide and varied.  Performances also feature dazzling costumes and song interpretation expressed in our visual performance and our animated faces.  Truly a unique experience.  

_{Canadian Showtime Chorus has performed in a wide array of venues.}  

_{Landsdowne/TD Place , home of the Ottawa RedBlacks, Fury and 67’s} 

_{The Canadian Tire Centre, home of the Ottawa Senators} 

_{Carnegie Hall, New York City}  

_{The MGM Grand arena, Las Vegas Nevada}  

_{Great Hall of the National Gallery}  

_{The National Arts Centre}  

_{The Canadian Tire Centre, home of the Ottawa Senators}  

_{Meridian Theatre at Centrepointe}  

_{Watch for our next appearance!}