Spirit of the Gulf Chorus to hold open rehearsals
Dates include Feb.. 3, Feb. 17, and Feb. 24, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Church of the Cross in Fort Myers.
A local all-female choir that has seen success both regionally and internationally will have open rehearsals for new members over the next month.
Spirit of the Gulf Chorus is offering four open rehearsals on their risers to the public as part of their annual membership drive. Membership opportunities are open to all women who love to sing.
Open rehearsal nights are scheduled for Feb. 3, Feb. 17, and Feb. 24, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Church of the Cross in Fort Myers.
Fort Myers is home base for Spirit of the Gulf Chorus, an award-winning, renowned barbershop show chorus and a distinguished chapter of the worldwide, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of Sweet Adelines International. They excel in regional competitions that qualify their participation and achievements on the international stage, and are preparing for their next international competition coming up in October.
“Our rehearsals are always open, but it’s a certain time of the year where we really concentrate on what we do and showing people what we’re all about,” said Maria Maxwell, Spirit of the Gulf Chorus Membership chair. “This is a time of year where we want people to come see us and what we’re all about.”
Alongside sharing a love of music, Spirit members are deeply passionate about exploring the intricacies of a cappella singing. Vocal training is an essential part of chorus rehearsals and plays a crucial role in overall choral experience. Throughout the year, members receive guidance from a visiting master in the art of barbershop, who shares various techniques and tricks of the trade that the group incorporates into its performances.
Above all, the group with more than 100 current members is a sisterhood.
“We are family, we’re friends, we’re a community for each other, kind of like a sisterhood,” Maxwell said. “There’s so many of us that hang out during the week and a weekends and we go on trips together. We support each other’s businesses and hobbies. Our motto is that we’re changing life through music. And that rings true. We grow as people, as leaders, as educators. It’s just all around an amazing art form that includes music.”
There’s no cap to the number of members Spirit can have -it’s all about if those who come out have the love and, appropriately, spirit of music inside of them. Of course, being able to carry a tune is recommended.
“You don’t have to be a professional. You don’t have to be able to read music. We teach you all of that,” Maxwell said. “It’s in our education that we give to our members. So if you just can carry tune and sing happy birthday, you’re in.”
Members truly love being part of the group, as women from Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita, Naples, Venice, West Palm Beach, and more all show up to sing as one.
In a competition setting, songs are in the style of classic barbershop arrangements, with “The Great American Song Book” lending many selections. Spirit does perform more modern music as well, with selections from “Journey” and beyond.
“We sing lots of songs about love, about passion, about life,” Maxwell said.
Spirit of the Gulf Chorus of Sweet Adelines International was chartered in January 2001 and immediately began paving a road of success. The chorus holds many honors, beginning in 2002. These honors include: 11 Region 9 (Florida and parts of South Carolina) Chorus Champion medals, and seven top-10 medals at Sweet Adelines International competitions. The group is proud to have been chosen by the audience as the “Most Entertaining Chorus” three times, which was a record for choruses in the organization. In 2022, Spirit achieved a fifth place medal at the international competition. At its most recent International competition in 2024, Spirit placed in the top 10 in the world and again won internationally in 2025.
Spirit has its annual spring show, “Harmony in Bloom,” on April 11 at First Christian Church in Fort Myers at 2 p.m.
The award-winning Sirens Quartet will also perform at the event, whose members include Spirit’s Directors Deanna Kastler and Gina Baker.
As for why women should give Spirit a shot, Maxwell said, “They’re going to say, ‘Why didn’t I find this earlier?’ They should come for the harmony. They come for the harmony and the music and they stay for the friendship. We are truly a community of amazing, special women from every walk of life. They are going to find instant camaraderie and instant friends.”
For more information visit www.spiritofthegulf.com, call 844-704-SING (7464), or email info@spiritofthegulf.com. Church of the Cross is at 13500 Freshman Lane off of Daniel’s Parkway in Fort Myers.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com