August 2026
Dear Chorister,
Congratulations and thanks to all of you who joined voices in making the 2025-2026 season a rousing success. Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to great choral singing continue to inspire me and all those who have the good fortune to experience our concerts. So many folks have expressed their appreciation for the musicianship and professional presentation of the chorus. Thanks to you all for a wonderful season.
Even as we celebrate the successes of our past season, our upcoming 56th season (and my 26th!) will be one in which you will want to share your voice as we continue to bring beautiful choral music to the central Shenandoah Valley. I invite you all; new singers, singers recent, and singers past to join us in celebrating a grand tradition of great choral music. For it is you, the dedicated singers, who have made the SVCS the success it is. Please plan to be a part of our exciting 2026-2027 season filled with wonderful choral music and inspiring performances you will not want to miss.
The first half of our Christmas concert will include a performance of Richard Dirkson’s exciting Welcome All Wonders last performed in 2018. This festive work is accompanied by a brass ensemble with percussion and organ. In the second half of our program, we will be featuring a variety of traditional and contemporary carol settings that will be sure to inspire your holiday spirit and prepare you for what is traditionally my favorite time of year.
Our spring concert entitled “Requiem and Renewal” will feature a performance of John Rutter’s beautiful and moving Requiem. This highly acclaimed work will be accompanied by chamber ensemble. A variety of pieces supporting the concert theme will round out the second half of the concert.
The summer concert of our ’26-’27 season will be our Celebrate America concert. For many, the patriotic/pops concert performed with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Concert Band is a summer favorite.
You will not want to miss singing this wonderful choral music. Literature for the Christmas concert will include the following: (Please note pieces performed in past concerts)
Welcome All Wonders (2018) – Richard Dirkson – $3.25
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (2018) – Trevor Manor – $4.45
Rise Up Shepherd and Follow (2011) – Mark Hayes – $3.20
Ding Dong Merrily on High (2007,2013) – Howard Helvey – $2.75
Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild (2007,2013) – Howard Helvey – $2.75
Away in a Manger – Jolly Ijames – $2.50
Christmas Joy – Dan Forrest – $3.60
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Marianne Forman – $2.75
Personent Hodie – John Rutter – $4.25
Rehearsals will begin Tuesday, September 1st, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren located at 315 South Dogwood Drive next to the Cecil Gilkerson Activity Center in Harrisonburg. The performances will be held at Bridgewater Church of the Brethren on Friday, December 11th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 13th at 3:00 p.m.
Membership dues are $25.00 per concert. Choral scores will be available at the cost of $29.50. Registration on September 1st will begin at 6:30 p.m. so we can begin rehearsal promptly at 7:00 pm. Please consider registering and purchasing your music on-line at: singshenandoah.org/order-music-scores
I look forward to the privilege of working with you all on September 1st. And, please, feel free to invite a singer friend to join us on our wonderful choral music journey.
Yours in Song,
Curtis Nolley