Welcome to the Nashoba Valley Chorale Holiday Newsletter!

Join us as we celebrate our 50th anniversary

The Nashoba Valley Chorale is a premier community chorale comprised of 100+ members from all over the Nashoba Valley area and beyond with a local audience of over 1,000 individuals attending each season. We are a non-auditioned group welcoming adult singers of all ages and abilities. 

Anne's Insights on Worcester Youth Orchestra Family Holiday Pops Concert

Anne Watson Born,

Music Director

One of my favorite concerts each year is our December collaboration with the Worcester Youth Orchestra ("WYO") under the direction of WYO Artistic Director Jonathan Colby in Mechanics Hall. The hall, built in 1857 and restored in 1977; is one of the finest concert halls in the world – the sound is amazing. We sing several songs with the Worcester Youth Orchestra and with the famous and magnificent Worcester Organ. In recent years the Worcester Children’s Chorus, Pamela Mindell, Artistic Director, has joined in the fun. This year will also feature...wait for it...bagpipes!

The WYO Annual Family Holiday Pops concert will be on December 21 at 4:00 pm. Tickets are available here. The Chorale is excited about the repertoire, which runs the gamut from classical to popular works. We will sing choruses from Handel’s Messiah, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” many many carols arranged by Leroy Anderson, and more! It’s also always a treat to hear the jazz ensemble strut their stuff.

I can not emphasize enough how wonderful it is to work with all of the WYO musicians. They play really well, and their enthusiasm for the music is contagious. It’s a joyful, fun, and inspiring afternoon. Hope to see you there!

Ruth Lyddy

One of the great joys of my 21 years in the Chorale has been our ever-deepening relationship with the WYO. The Holiday Pops concert has become a beloved tradition, and it's an annual thrill to collaborate with so many talented young musicians - not to mention navigating the historical backstage maze that is Mechanics Hall! I’m excited at the prospect of an additional concert with them in March 2026, where Anne will further cement our partnership by sharing in conducting the orchestra. 

Kathie Renzhofer

Celebrating the holidays in song in gorgeous Mechanics Hall along with very talented young musicians from the WYO and conducted by the amazing Jonathan Colby...what could be better? This annual collaboration with the WYO is great fun and brings the holiday spirit to all who attend. 

Susan Hill

Performing in the Holiday Pops concert with the WYO is always a highlight for the Chorale and for me. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share the beauty of the holiday repertoire with an enthusiastic youth orchestra. Nothing quite matches the splendor of Worcester’s historic Mechanics Hall during the holiday season. The excitement radiating from the young performers and their proud families fills the day with smiles.

Students range in age from those whose feet barely touch the floor to seasoned high school musicians. It’s heartwarming to watch them perform in their various ensembles while learning their craft, developing professionalism, and embracing the joy of music-making. The camaraderie and teamwork among them create a delightful buzz of youthful energy in the halls, which transforms into focused discipline once they take their seats to perform. It’s truly inspirational.

I thoroughly enjoy watching and listening to these young musicians. I often think that we were all in their shoes once, and whether or not they continue in music after graduation, the memories and lessons from these performances will stay with them for a lifetime.

Ernie Preisig 

Regarding the Holiday Pops concert, two things that stand out. One is Mechanics Hall itself. I had never experienced a concert there before the Holiday Pops concert and it is superb! The other is the talent of the youth orchestra. There are so many good musicians every year. The first year there was an excellent violinist whom they showcased. She was a senior and this was her last year with the orchestra. They never cease to amaze me.

Tom Ryder

I love singing with the WYO because of performing in the Hall, which is compared favorably to legendary venues like Boston’s Symphony Hall, Vienna's Musikverein, and Amsterdam's Concertgebouw. Many musicians and acousticians consider Mechanics Hall one of the finest spaces for unamplified music in North America. 

Sherry Ryder

From my early childhood I have loved listening to the Christmas music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. When the Chorale sings in the magical Mechanics Hall with the orchestra and the magnificent organ, I feel like I’m part of the Mormon Tabernacle’s annual Christmas Spectacular!

Pamela Schweppe

It is so important to instill a love of classical music in children from an early age, and what better way to do it than with a festive holiday concert? Whether they’re getting a chance to perform with full orchestra in a magnificent hall or catching the spirit by attending a performance, young people from a wide range of ages have this opportunity in a fun and engaging way with the Worcester Youth Orchestra’s Holiday Pops concert. What a gift it is for the Nashoba Valley Chorale to be a part of it!

We greatly appreciate all individuals and businesses who make donations and provide sponsorships that enable us to operate and fulfill our mission. While a significant portion of our funding comes from membership dues, more is needed to hire high-quality, professional musicians and soloists, rent rehearsal space and performance venues, and pay for many other necessities. We rely on donations and sponsorships in support of the arts to help defray these costs so that we may continue to bring the joy of choral music to our communities.

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As part of our 50th Anniversary celebration we asked members to reflect on their years with Nashoba Valley Chorale.

Kathie Renzhofer

Chorale member since 2017

From the first Chorale rehearsal I attended to right now, singing with the Chorale has been a joy and a place where I can set aside the worries of the day. It's absolutely a testament to our founders, all the conductors and accompanists, and the board leaders over the past 50 years that the Chorale has not only succeeded but flourished. Our 50th anniversary also coincides with Anne Watson Born’s 20th year as our Artistic Director. Anne is simply amazing. I love singing with Anne and my fellow NVC family and sincerely hope the Chorale lasts another 50 years with future generations.

Pamela Schweppe

Chorale member since 2011

The Chorale has been blessed with some amazing soloists, from seasoned professionals to rising stars from our Emerging Artists program. Because our soloists don’t join us until our final rehearsals, Anne gives Chorale members the opportunity to sing these solos during regular rehearsals. I have been fortunate to have sung two of my dream solos: the fifth movement of Brahms’ German Requiem and the seventh movement of the Verdi Requiem, my all-time favorite choral work. I’m grateful for those opportunities, but mostly, I am grateful to sing the wonderful repertoire Anne selects for us with the Chorale’s excellent soprano section.

Ruth Lyddy

Chorale member since 2005

The Chorale is an amazing group of wonderful people who share one of life’s greatest gifts - the joy of creating community through making music together. It’s such a deep satisfaction to be inside that amazing sound of voices together!

Ernie Preisig 

Chorale member since 1977

One of my favorite concerts was a Bach motet we did several years ago. I believe it was Motet 1 for double choir. We practiced for weeks and at the dress rehearsal we still had problems staying together, but the night of the performance it all came together beautifully for the first time ever! It was an accomplishment we could all be proud of (and Anne let us know how happy she was in an email after that performance). This is one reason I enjoy singing with the Nashoba Valley Chorale.

Tim Butler 

Chorale member since 2001

I joined the Chorale on 9/10/2001 so I have been here for 24 years, nearly half the chorale's lifetime. I think it is astounding that Mike was one of the founders and he is still singing with us (and doing quite well!). I've always loved music - one of my summer jobs as a short-order cook for a steam railroad had the other young people calling me "Timothy Sinatra"- but my experience with the Chorale has brought that love to the forefront. So much enjoyment when this diverse group of singers can turn our initial squawks at early rehearsals into magnificent music by concert time.  

In the Chorale's lean years, we sang in many different places, some beautiful, others were memorable for other reasons. Remember the steam pipe accompaniment? Or the stuck key on the organ? All of which makes me appreciate it SO MUCH when we get to sing at truly wonderful sites such as Kresge Auditorium in Cambridge or at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, where we also get to listen to young people making beautiful music and giving us hope for the future.  

Lora Madonia

Chorale Member since 2012

I joined the Chorale in 2012, inspired by an upcoming season featuring Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Mozart’s Requiem - two works I had previously performed and deeply admired and enjoyed singing. At the time, the Chorale numbered 50–60 singers. Today, we have grown to a vibrant ensemble of over 100 members, a testament to the exceptional repertoire curated by Anne Watson Born and the reputation for musical excellence that continues to attract talented singers.

My connection to the Chorale dates back to the mid-1980s when I sang with the Leonard Gaskins Chorale. I collaborated with NVC's founder and Music Director Mike Manugian on a combined performance of the Mozart and Duruflé Requiems. That experience was inspiring and formative for me. It’s rewarding to see Mike sharing his passion for music with us today under Anne’s direction.

As we celebrate the Chorale's 50th anniversary season, I am honored to be part of this milestone. Our success as a non-auditioned choir speaks volumes about Anne’s visionary leadership and dedication over her 20 years with NVC. We also celebrate the artistry of Shawn McCann, whose many years as our accompanist have enriched every performance. I look forward to commemorating five decades of making beautiful music together.

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My Experience with the Nashoba Valley Chorale Karen Emerson - Alto

I honestly have no idea how long I’ve been a member of the Nashoba Valley Chorale - but as the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun! When we tried to figure it out, we realized it’s been at least ten years- maybe even fifteen - and yet it feels like the blink of an eye.

So many people say they loved singing in high school or college and wish they could experience that joy again. The Nashoba Valley Chorale brings that feeling back - and then some. The group is filled with talented, welcoming singers who make every rehearsal something to look forward to. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or someone who has always dreamed of singing in a choir, this is a place where you can grow, connect, and rediscover the joy of making music together.

If you’ve never sung in a chorale before, don’t worry - there’s a trial period so you can experience what it’s like before committing. It’s a supportive, friendly environment where everyone shares a love of music.

This group even survived and thrived through COVID when many others didn’t....and there’s a good reason for that! The Chorale’s commitment to excellence, community, and creativity is truly special. The music we perform is incredible. Over the years, I’ve sung in German, Italian, Latin, French, and even Irish. Each concert feels like a new adventure.

Another highlight is performing alongside emerging artists who join us for concerts, creating a bridge between generations of musicians and adding an exciting, professional dimension to our performances.

If you’re looking for a welcoming, inspiring, and musically enriching community, I can’t recommend the Nashoba Valley Chorale enough. Come sing with us - you’ll be amazed at how quickly it feels like home.