~ Welcome ~
Hello, music lover and welcome to the website for the Moreno Valley Master Chorale. The chorale is the "Official Choral Ambassador" for the City of Moreno Valley. We were founded in 1986 to provide a creative outlet for local singers.
The Chorale presents three major concerts annually. We actively participate in many city sponsored events, including singing the National Anthem at the first City Council meeting of the year for the past five years. We are proud to be a member of the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce. In addition to performing in the City of Moreno Valley, we are active in the Inland Empire musical scene. We have performed with the San Bernardino Symphony, at the Redlands Bowl, with the Loma Linda Symphony Orchestra, and in Palm Springs.
~ What's New at MVMC ~
- Feel the Spirit, a concert showcasing African-American spirituals, captivated an enthusiastic audience on February 26th. The vitality of this genre is reflected in its many musical and emotional permutations. We had choral arrangements of spirituals by highly regarded 20th century African-American musicians — Hall Johnson, William L. Dawson, and Jester Hairston: Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Ain't Got Time to Die, Elijah Rock, and Soon Ah Will Be Done. There was "call-and-response" with Somebody's Knockin' at Your Door; a jazzy Wade in the Water; and gospel-flavored numbers such as Down to the River to Pray and Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. We had pensive, wistful, propulsive, and upbeat. And left the audience wanting more.
- The concert featured solos by Chorale members, all of whom have extensive choir experience with local churches. Susie Johnson touched many with I Want Jesus to Walk with Me. Jay Lossing sang a well-received Jesus Walked that Lonesome Valley. Samuel M. Walker Jr. gave an especially affecting rendition of Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen. Stephanie Steele's Summertime, while technically not a spiritual, derives its pathos from the rhythms and melodies of the genre and elicited strong audience response.
- The Chorale is currently working on Pergolesi's Stabat Mater. This piece will be performed on April 24th with The Lyric Chamber Orchestra and faculty from Claremont Graduate University's Music Department. Soloists will be Camelia Voin, Carol Lisek, Robert Zappulla, and Jenny Kim.
- In addition to Pergolesi, the Chorale is rehearsing for our June concert of Broadway show tunes. The program is not yet set, but we expect to feature Lloyd Webber and Disney songs and may try numbers from newer musicals like Shrek, Rent, and Wicked.
- New singers are always welcome. We rehearse on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm at the Valley View High School Choir Room.