Have you been silent all these years, only serenading your showerhead? Or maybe you're trying to persuade that warbling co-worker to come out of the choral closet. Whether you're the singer or it's someone you love, this is the year to grow the chops for a wider audience.

The benefits of joining one of the many local choral groups include an expanded sense of pride in the self and the community, and tons of fun. Some groups are laid back (no audition, no experience necessary), while others are more rigorous and call for advanced skill. Most groups require a couple of hours of rehearsal each week during the "show season," but you can check with individual groups for the specifics.

Roger Wilhelm, the now-retired former music director of Rochester Oratorio Society and Madrigalia, two of Rochester's long-standing choral groups, says that there are currently more than 1000 singers participating in over 25 community choral groups in Monroe County. There are a variety of groups to choose from, and this is by no means a comprehensive list. For additional music group opportunities, or to add your group to the list, check out this article in the Guides section at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

The Greece Choral Society

Since 1970, The Greece Choral Society has been wowing audiences with a repertoire which includes major classical works, chorales, folk music, spirituals, and Broadway show tunes, "an eclectic combination due to the great variety of venues in which we perform," says director Ralph Zecchino. The chorus sings five or six concerts a year, including winter and summer shows. As a bonus, joining the chorus could afford travel opportunities, since the Choral Society has traveled to Europe and performed in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Great Britain, France and Ireland.

The choir currently has more than 100 singers, and is looking for more. New members may audition in September and January each year. Your next opportunity to hear them is at The Greece Performing Arts Winter Pops concert on March 7 at Greece Athena. Contact the group at greeceperformingarts.org.

The Rochester Women's Community Chorus

"Our group doesn't specialize in any specific genre of music, but we often have a theme," says Deborah Wachspress of the RWCC, which in the past has performed concerts based around music about food, music from the movies, music about nature, and swing jazz. "We are not a classical or pop group and try to vary our repertoire. We often do 'run outs' or shorter 'gigs' that involve fewer singers," says.

The group has two major concerts per year - one in December and one in May or June - and recruits and accepts new members up until the third or fourth rehearsal of each concert cycle. The RWCC is a non-auditioned group, and no musical experience or vocal skills are necessary in order to join. Member Maryellen Ford says, "I have been singing since 1990, and there is so much more than just singing with a group of singers. The ripples of friendships, community commitment, self-confidence, and joy spread throughout our community." Contact the group at 234-4441, or therwcc.org.

Rochester Chorus Sweet Adelines

The women's a cappella chorus sings a variety of popular music in four-part harmony, and is one of more than 600 Sweet Adelines International choruses. The women specialize in a variety of popular a cappella music from all eras, and offer singing telegrams as a fundraiser for their non-profit organization. Women age 13 and up can join at any time of the year. Director Sue Melvin says, "As a second-generation a cappella singer since I was child, it was 'in-bred' for me to continue with the barbershop craft through adulthood. The unique 'buzz' of a cappella harmony, the vocal education, the joy of the friendships, and the thrill of performing regularly make it a wonderful hobby." Contact the Sweet Ads at rocharmony@yahoo.com, 226-6720, or visit saregion16.com.

Gregory Kunde Chorale

The GKC repertoire features both sacred and secular music from the Renaissance masters to contemporary composers, performed a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment. Auditions are required for new members.

Singer Mary Zwierzynski-Slack says, "I prefer singing in a group this size - 35 to 50 people - because it makes a difference if I'm there or not: each member's voice is important, and each member is missed when absent. I love the group, because I love the sound we make and the energy [founder] Greg [Kunde] coaxes from us."

Catch the chorale's soloists perform the music of Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, and others on January 11 with a full orchestra and chorus, at Saint Mary's Church. Contact the group at 377-7568, or visit gregorykundechorale.org for more information.

Irondequoit Chorale

Formed in 1994, the Irondequoit Chorale is currently at 70 voices strong, and the co-ed group hails from all over the Rochester area. Member Marge Magans says the Chorale focuses on a variety of music, "including Rutter, Bach, Randall Thompson, a Caribbean Christmas Mass, Broadway show tunes, and gospel, to name a few. [The] different types of music keeps singing entertaining and challenging for all of us."

The Chorale performs three concerts a year, plus occasional extra performances. The grup is currently holding auditions for the 2009 concert season; contact 266-5018 or visit theirondequoitchorale.org.

Madrigalia

This very tiny group specializes in vocal chamber music, especially a cappella, from the Renaissance through the 21st century. Membership is limited to just 18 members, with only one or two openings each season.

Madrigalia has a "reputation for interesting programming and a high standard of performance," says member and president of the board, Joe Finetti, "and you know that your contribution is vital to the outcome. In spite of the late hour that we rehearse on Sunday evenings, I always leave rehearsal energized - the act of making music seemingly turns on a part of the brain which is dormant during the rest of the day.

Finetti underscores the level of work that goes into keeping the group in top form: "We're like a group of siblings in a big family trying to get the chores done on Saturday morning so we can go for a picnic in the afternoon. Although we're focused on the picnic - our concerts and the music making - somehow, when we look back on the year I think most of us who serve on the board also realize we had some fun getting the chores done as well."

On March 27 you can hear Madrigalia perform with Concentus at the Asbury First United Methodist Church. Call 271-1050 for more information, or visit madrigalia.org.

Lyric Chorale

The Greater Rochester Choral Consortium describes The Lyric Chorale as "a mixed voice choral ensemble for skilled and experienced amateur singers which provides musical growth through the learning and performance of challenging choral music." To join, you must audition with a piece of your own selection, be able to read music, and "have a desire to sing repertoire from a variety of music genre."

Busy wife, mother, physician, and singer Katherine S. Lammers finds rehearsal nights to be "a welcome respite from stress," and shares the experience with her 15-year-old daughter, who also sings with the group. "I have enjoyed choral singing since childhood and have always tried to keep music a part of my hectic life. My experience with Lyric Chorale has epitomized what I love best about singing - a talented director, a challenging repertoire, and participating, in a small way, in creating beauty." For more information, or to schedule an audition call 478-0778, or visit lyricchorale.org to hear a sample of the chorus' music.

Eastman-Rochester Chorus

If you're all about choral-orchestral masterworks, this one's for you. Scottsville couple Richard and Elizabeth Myers say via e-mail, "Singing each Tuesday with Eastman-Rochester Chorus has been a staple of our lives for the better part of 20 years. ERC gives us an experience that draws upon our mental, physical, social and cultural background while building all of these. For us, ERC has further informed our Christian faith, often introducing us to classic expressions of our heritage and helping us be more proficient as singers in our much smaller church choirs. But, singing also expands our historical, cultural, and literary repertoire. We recently sang a world premier piece from Brazil with the RPO. We love interacting with students who often sing with us and feel that our support of their education is mutually enriching." The group's next performances are in March with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and feature Haydn's "The Creation."

Join by audition only; for information and an appointment call 274-1444, email director William Weinert at ERC@esm.rochester.edu, or visit esm.rochester.edu/ensembles/erc.php

Rochester Oratorio Society

The ROS specializes in large-scale choral/orchestral classical pieces, spanning the 17th through 21st centuries. The group auditions new members at the start of the new season in September and also at the mid-point, in January. Now's your chance!

And coming soon: Rochester Idol! If Simon Cowell doesn't intimidate you, enter the ROS's 3rd annual vocal competition on Saturday, March 28. You're invited to perform before a distinguished panel of judges at the Hochstein Performance Hall and compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the ROS. Complete entry guidelines and competition rules can be found at ROSsings, by calling 473-2234, or inquiring at rossings@atnmail.com.

Fingerlakes Choral Festival

The musical endeavors of many Rochesterians come together at this festival, which features large choral works and oratorios with orchestra.

"Our chorus is sort of like a chorus of choruses," says Director Adrian G. Horn. The Finger Lakes Choral Festival invites singers from all choruses in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes Regions to join together and sing large works for chorus and orchestra each summer. About 250 singers participate each year.

The chorus has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic, the Penfield Symphony, and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestras. You can find more information at fingerlakeschoral.org.