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Valley Concert Chorale is getting in tune for “an extraordinary range of sacred masterworks, festive holiday traditions, and dynamic choral collaborations” for its upcoming 2026-27 performance season.
To bolster its ranks for the series of concerts, VCC is hosting auditions the next two Mondays at First Presbyterian Church in Livermore.
“This season we’re diving into the music of communities and cultures both near to and far from our own wonderful Tri-Valley arts scene,” VCC artistic director Joseph Castro told the Pleasanton Weekly. “If you’re looking for a choral home that is rigorous, artistic, and profoundly moving, I hope you’ll consider us.”
Come join us is also VCC’s message to audiences for the new season, whose dates were announced a couple of weeks ago – although final show times and venues are still being worked out, according to the nonprofit.
The schedule kicks off with “A Festive December: Carols & Annual Sing-It-Yourself Messiah” with three shows in the month.
VCC’s annual Sing-It-Yourself “Messiah” presentation will be Dec. 4, followed by holiday concerts on Dec. 11 and 12 with a program featuring Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” and works by modern choral masters like John Tavener’s “The Lamb”, Bob Chilcott’s “Shepherd’s Carol” and John Rutter’s “Joseph’s Carol”.
VCC board member Deborah Sabiel said she is looking forward to performances of well-known holiday classics like “Carol of the Bells”, “Let it Snow” and “Winter Wonderland”.
Three months later, the group will be collaborating with Cantabella Children’s Chorus and Tracy High School’s West Chamber Academy to highlight folklore music and young voices for an “uplifting weekend of performance highlights the power of intergenerational music-making” – with concerts set for March 19 and 20.
VCC’s season finale performances on May 22 and 23 will showcase “Requiem” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “one of the most revered and emotional works in the classical repertoire” that is ideal to wrap up 2026-27, according to VCC officials.
“This season’s music engages singers with a mix of new challenges and familiar beauty,” board member Robbie See told the Weekly.
“In March, mastering the rhythms and language of foreign nations will balance the comfort of some familiar folk melodies,” See said. “In May, Mozart’s glorious ‘Requiem in D minor’ is a choral singer’s favorite that inspires their performance and will do the same for both the audience.”
Open rehearsals and auditions for the new season are scheduled for this Monday (Sept. 14) and next Monday (Sept. 21) from 7-9 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church at 2020 Fifth St. in Livermore.
“The Chorale is seeking experienced singers with sight-reading skills who enjoy singing exciting and challenging music, VCC officials said. “The 15-minute audition appointment will include some basic sight-reading, and a rhythmic exercise. To determine vocal range, auditioners should come prepared to sing a short song (e.g., art song, hymn, folk song), in any language.”
Selected singers must commit to attending Monday evening rehearsals at the church throughout the season. To schedule an audition call 925-866-4003.
For more information about the group and its concerts, go to www.valleyconcertchorale.org.
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