NORTH VALLEY CHORALE

Happy 250th Birthday USA!

Today we’re celebrating the freedoms we cherish, the people who have served to protect them, and the communities that make our country so special.

Sharing a special moment of NVC singing God Bless America as we honor our nation and reflect on the values of unity, hope, and gratitude that bring us together.

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and meaningful Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙

North Valley Chorale Takes Italy by Song!

From the soaring peaks of the Italian Dolomites to the sun-drenched piazzas of Tuscany, the NVC touring choir—made up of current members and alumni who traveled from several states—performed in two international choral festivals during June 2026.

Photo: Mark Wallace

The first stop was the Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival in the breathtaking Dolomite Mountains at the border of Austria and Italy.  The NVC, directed by Eleanor Johnson, joined more than 3,000 singers from Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Asia for nearly 100 concerts. For five unforgettable days, NVC performed in stunning locations including Gustav Mahler Hall in Dobbiaco, the shores of Lake Braies, the historic Franziskanerkloster in San Candido, and the Monguelfo Castle. The singers also proudly sang and marched in the colorful Parade of Choirs, celebrating the unity and diversity of the international choral community . After independent travel throughout Italy, the choir reunited in the charming spa town, Montecatini Terme for the Tuscany International Festival.  Performances continued in elegant and historic venues, including the magnificent Tettuccio Spa, Piazza del Popolo, and a memorable Sunday Mass at the Duomo Santa Maria Assunta. Between performances, singers immersed themselves in the rich history, art, and culture of Florence and Lucca.

The tour also created cherished personal memories—including a surprise marriage proposal that one of our members (Melanie) joyfully accepted during a delightful family-style pasta dinner at a local restaurant, where a long communal table stretched down the charming street outside and a surprise birthday celebration for Director Johnson featuring  “Tanti Auguri a te” and “Time to Say Goodbye.”

No two concerts were exactly alike. The repertoire was thoughtfully adapted by Director Eleanor Jonson for each venue, allowing the NVC to showcase a variety of musical styles—from beloved spirituals including Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Down by the Riverside, At the River, and O Mary, Don’t You Weep, to moving sacred works such as Ave Verum, Pilgrim’s Hymn, and Ubi Caritas. Audiences also enjoyed Homeward Bound, The Gift to Be Simple, In My Life, and Light of a Clear Blue Morning.  Each performance featured an NVC soloist: Llewelyn Lafford —Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Courtney Mc Meekin — O Mary, Don’t You Weep, Carolyn Nyland — Light of a Clear Blue Morning, and Melanie Nyland — In My Life. 

As the final notes echoed through Italy’s mountains, churches, and piazzas, NVC singers, family and friends returned home with the unforgettable experiences, new and renewed friendships, and the pride of having served as musical ambassadors for Arizona and the United States on the international stage.

America Remembers:
A Concert of Remembrance, Healing, and Hope

with the North Valley Symphony Orchestra

On Sunday, September 13, 2026, 3PM, the North Valley Symphony Orchestra and North Valley Chorale invite the community to join us for America Remembers, a special benefit concert commemorating the 25th anniversary of “9/11” at the First United Methodist Church, 5510 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013.

Twenty-five years after that tragic day, we gather to honor the lives lost, remember the courage of first responders and service members, and reflect on the spirit of unity that emerged in the aftermath. Through music, we create a space for remembrance, gratitude, healing, and hope.

The program features nearly 200 performers in this moving collection of patriotic, choral, and orchestral works, including Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Barber’s Adagio for Strings, John Williams’ Hymn to the Fallen, and beloved choral selections such as Ubi Caritas, Sing Me to Heaven, and The Prayer. The evening concludes with Gabriel Fauré’s timeless Requiem, a masterpiece that offers comfort, peace, and a vision of eternal rest.

As we remember the past, we also look toward the future—honoring those who serve, supporting those in need, and reaffirming the strength of community through the transformative power of music.

We hope you will join us for this meaningful afternoon of remembrance and reflection

This concert benefits U.S.VETS Phoenix, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness among veterans through housing, counseling, employment assistance, and supportive services.

TICKETS HERE