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Another new season is on the horizon for Valley Concert Chorale — and with it, the group seeks to welcome new talent.
VCC’s 2025-26 season is set to begin with holiday concerts entitled “An American Holiday: Christmas Choral Music from the Americas” featuring songs from Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico and the U.S., according to a recent announcement from the chorus.
The chorale performs three concert sets a season with a wide variety of music ranging from classical to contemporary and folk to jazz.
In March, the chorale will perform a mass set to be formally announced at a later date, and in May, they will present John Rutter’s “Requiem” in collaboration with First Presbyterian Church of Livermore and Las Positas Community College Chamber Choir. The “Requiem” will also be performed at Carnegie Hall in June.
VCC board president Sarah Allendorf said in the statement that the choral group is especially excited for their performance in New York City in the new season. “It will be an amazing experience for the Chorale!” she said.
With a new artistic director at the helm, VCC is looking to bring on more new voices for the eventful season ahead as they are kicking off auditions next week.
“We are very excited about growing the chorale as we enter into the next performance season with our new director Joseph Castro who joined us earlier this year,” Allendorf said. “We want to offer interested singers options to finding out about us and want to audition.”
Castro has been leading the chorale for several months, succeeding John Emory Bush upon his retirement in 2024 after 26 years. A Bay Area native, Castro is a choral conductor, festival clinician, soloist and adjudicator who has worked with choirs from the elementary through collegiate levels in public, private, nonprofit and faith-based settings, according to VCC’s statement.
Additional newcomers will perform under Castro’s leadership following the two upcoming audition dates set for Sept. 8 and 15.
Interested singers have two options to audition, including scheduling an appointment on either audition date – before each rehearsal begins – or attend an open rehearsal and audition at the end of each night.
The 15-minute audition appointment will include some basic sight-reading and a rhythmic exercise, according to VCC’s statement. To determine vocal range, auditioners are advised to come prepared to sing a short song – such as an art song, hymn or folk song – in any language. Additionally, singers must commit to the season with Monday evening rehearsals held at the First Presbyterian Church of Livermore.
More information about the Valley Concert Chorale is available at valleyconcertchorale.org or the general information line at 925-866-4003.
