Photos by Chuck Kirman / Star staff Michael Marion, assistant director of the Pacific Sound Chorus, leads a recent rehearsal. Men in the Barbershop Harmony Society's Rincon Beach chapter come from such distant points as San Luis Obispo and Long Beach to the weekly rehearsals in Ventura.

Members of the Pacific Sound Chorus say they were drawn to the group by the opportunity to sing a wide variety of musical genres in the a cappella style, which means without accompaniment.

Chorus member Jim Browne sings at one of the group's Ventura rehearsals.

The first time Bernard Sentianin rehearsed with the Pacific Sound Chorus, he was captivated by the experience of a cappella singing.

"It was so different from anything I had experienced before as a church choir singer, and after singing at a couple of the rehearsals I was hooked," said Sentianin, 48, of Camarillo.

A member of the group for three years, he said he believes the Pacific Sound Chorus brings a vibrant reminder of a uniquely American art form to Ventura County.

"Close, four-part harmony sung a cappella style is not something you see on TV or hear on the radio," he said. "It's a very personal experience that is best felt up close and personal, and we feel it part of our mission to deliver that experience to the residents of Ventura County."

Sentianin is among some 30 singers with the Pacific Sound Chorus of the Rincon Beach barbershop chapter, which took first place earlier this season during the Far Western District International Quartet Preliminaries in Bakersfield.

The Rincon Beach chapter is one of 86 chapters in the Far Western District of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

"This popular chorus is well-known for its quality singing in the community and its placement in this regional contest once again confirms it," said Keith Eckhardt, convention activities chairman for the Far Western District.

"Next October this chorus will return to Bakersfield to compete in a four-state district-level contest where they are expected to do well again," Eckhardt said.

High honors are nothing new to the Pacific Sound Chorus. In 2004, it took first place at the district level of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

The group also was asked by the Russian Ministry of Culture to be the featured chorus at a Barbershop Harmony Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Additionally, "this past fall, the group toured Ireland to compete at the Irish Association of Barbershop Singers convention and to conduct master classes for their chapters throughout the country," Eckhardt said.

A broad stroke

Formed in 1999, the Pacific Sound Chorus is a men's a cappella singing group based in the Tri-counties that gathers weekly to rehearse in Ventura and draws singers from as far away as San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield and Long Beach.

Though their roots are in the musical style known as barbershop harmony, these men are drawn together by the opportunity to sing a wide variety of musical styles, and their goal is to take their craft to the highest level possible, said Bob Lally, a bass singer with the chorus and past chapter president.

"Their repertoire consists of popular songs, show tunes, vocal jazz and choral works as well as old-fashioned American close harmony, and their exciting presentations and smooth sounds have built a loyal following among local audiences," Lally said.

A barbershop singer for 35 years, Lally was seeking a high performance-level group when he moved to the area.

"I saw the chorus' first public show and decided they fit the bill," said Lally, 74, of Montecito, a chorus member for six years. "This group is unique because of their willingness to work to constantly improve as well as singing a wide variety of musical styles."

Inspiring excellence

Michael Murphy of Ventura joined the group eight years ago because its performance goals and work attitude matched what he was looking for. "It is made up of male singers with like talents, which inspires each member to strive for excellence so that every rehearsal is better than the last," said Murphy, 67.

"I have been enjoying this fantastic hobby for over 32 years," Murphy said. "I get to sing every week with men of all ages and backgrounds. We come together to make music and don't let stature or income get in the way, just sing in harmony."

Ken Day, 66, of Newbury Park joined the group seven years ago when he found out they focused on musical excellence and didn't reteach the same songs week after week.

"The members all know that it takes outside and at-home practice and self discipline to learn the music with the supplied materials in a timely manner," Day said.

He added, "We represent a chorus that not only can present barbershop harmony in its best presentation but also can sing other forms of music — jazz, pop, gospel and show music — in the a capella style."