The chorus chartered in June 1997 and was at that time called, Valley View Chapter of Sweet Adelines International. There were 27 charter members. The first director was Betty Lillibridge. In 2001, the chorus was renamed Southern Oregon Sound. Also, that year Valerie Muse became the chorus director. Throughout the 20 plus years, the chorus has had annual shows and given many community performances. The chorus has also participated annually in regional competition.
Our most recent director, Martha Segura led Southern Oregon Sound from 2007 through 2021. In 2010, under her direction, the chorus won first place in the small chorus division at the annual regional contest. In 2012, Martha began directing a second chorus, Northern Gateway Chorus, in Redding, California. That year both choruses competed together and won first place at the regional contest with a score that qualified them to compete at the Harmony Classic International Competition in Honolulu, Hawaii in October 2013. The two choruses continued to compete together at the regional contests through 2019 and earned medals every year.
Southern Oregon Sound has recently welcomed a new director. Bill Borah, and is working on growing our membership, preparing for community performances, and working towards competing in Region 12 in 2025.
