Frequently Asked Questions
COVID Safety
Q. What are we doing to protect our members’ health and safety?
A. Each of us must sign an agreement acknowledging that we will:
- Be fully vaccinated for at least two weeks before our first rehearsal
- Check in when we arrive at rehearsal (for contact tracing)
- Not eat or drink while indoors
- Stay home if we are having symptoms or had a recent exposure
- Notify a board member if we are ever COVID-positive
You can read the full agreement on our COVID Safety page.
Q. How do we enforce the vaccine requirement?
A. We feel strongly that any in-person singing events must require vaccinations and boosters—no exceptions. All participants should be confident that the other participants in attendance are vaccinated.
To validate the vaccine requirement, we will be using California’s Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record.
Q. Are masks required during rehearsals?
A. As of June 12, masks are optional at East Bay Harmony rehearsals. Anyone who feels more secure in a mask is welcome to wear one.
Q. Isn’t it difficult and uncomfortable to sing in a mask?
A. For maximum comfort and support, you can buy a specialized singer’s mask such as the Resonance Mask or the Broadway Singer’s Mask. Each is available online for about $25 – $30.
Q. What happens if COVID case numbers begin to rise again?
A. We will suspend rehearsals if the COVID case rate in Alameda County rises above or trends toward 100 per 100,000.
What We Sing
Our repertoire has included doo-wop, pop, folk, and R&B tunes, jazz, Broadway standards, and the occasional madrigal. We have also sung Bulgarian, South African, and Spanish songs. This season, we will be singing arrangements of:
- And So It Goes (Billy Joel)
- Brave (Sara Bareilles)
- Dance to the Music (Sly and the Family Stone)
- Helplessly Hoping (Crosby, Stills, and Nash)
- Jolene (Dolly Parton)
- Lean on Me (Bill Withers)
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (Eurythmics)
- The Wellerman (Sea shanty)
- Wannabe (Spice Girls, but in the style of an English madrigal)
- You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban)
Our Director
Mark Bernfield has been music director of East Bay Harmony since 2001. When not working with EBH, Mark teaches 6th–8th grade general music at Redwood Day in Oakland, where he also directs the jazz band and four rock bands. He has been musical director for 12 musical theater productions at Redwood Day, and wrote all the music and lyrics for three full-length original musicals. As a professional drummer, Mark performs with various Bay Area jazz, funk, and rock bands. Mark graduated cum laude in Music (classical voice performance) from UC San Diego and studied drums at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
East Bay Harmony
East Bay Harmony is a mixed a cappella chorus that offers an opportunity for all to experience the joy of singing in harmony with others, learn and improve musical skills, and promote music in a warm, welcoming community. With no auditions required, EBH embraces popular music as a source of enjoyment and connection that can be shared by all, regardless of background or musical experience.
Our members have varied levels of vocal experience, ranging from professionals to complete beginners. We come from all over the Bay Area, from San Francisco to Marin, Richmond, Emeryville, Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro, Lafayette and Moraga, and further. Our emphasis is on improving our musical skills and fostering fellowship through song.