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Corretion: Our original headline inadvertently said the show is free. There is a fee.
The Mesilla Valley Chorale’s (MVC) spring concert will celebrate the group’s 50-year history Sunday, May 8, themed “Our Golden Memories -- 50 Years of Song” and featuring favorite songs from past concerts. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. at Rio Grande Theatre, 212 N. Main St. Downtown. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from an MVC member, at the door before the concert or online at www.mesillavalleychorale.org/concert.
The chorale began in 1972 with a group of friends from the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church choir getting together in Phil and Val Hosford’s living room to sing just for fun. Soon they had a director, an accompanist and a name – The Mesilla Valley Chorale. By May 1972, MVC presented its first concert and since then has continued to present concerts at the Rio Grande Theatre twice a year, in May and December.
“I am honored to be the director of MVC as we approach our 50th anniversary,” said Chorale Director Carol Nike. “Since my days at Zia Junior High through NMSU and living in England, I’ve found a place where I belong in a choir. I believe MVC is that friendly place where we can make beautiful music together. Come join us!”
Charter member Susan Ellington, who still sings with the chorale, recalls, “We started our early years with a dessert concert format. Many of us in the original group have remained life-long friends. But with the passing of Phil Hosford last year, there are very few of us left. The chorale has played an important part in the lives of many long-term members. We have been like family.”
“I’ve been in the chorale since 2001,” said MVC member and assistant director Judy Bethmann. “The high point for me was singing and touring as a group in France. It truly brought the phrase that ‘music is the universal language’ to a deeper meaning.”
Member Nancy Anderson recalls that after she and her husband, Bob Armstrong, came to Las Cruces from Minneapolis in 1970, they joined the new chorale. When Bob died, she left Las Cruces and the chorale, returning to Minneapolis for 20 years. After many years, she’s back with MVC and says, “It’s wonderful to be back.”
“Since I moved to Las Cruces in 2001, MVC has been another wonderful musical family for me in my lifelong passion for group singing,” said chorale secretary and board member Kathy von Ende.
“How good it feels to be back singing with a great group of people after being away from it for nearly 60 years,” said treasurer and board member Melodye Pompa.
Songs in the performance will include “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “Fascinating Rhythm,” “We Sing of Golden Mornings,” “Sentimental Journey,” “Eternal Harps” and many more. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 8th in the Rio Grande Theatre. Photos and other items from the group’s history will be on display in the lobby gallery before the performance.
Memorabilia from MVC’s 50-year history will be on display in the theater lobby prior to the concert.
Ginny May is MVC accompanist, and Karen Warren is assistant accompanist.
Ray Scroggins is publicity chair and a board member for Mesilla Valley Chorale. He has been a chorale member since 2009.
