Mesilla Valley Chorales spring concert is May 7

The Mesilla Valley Chorale (MVC) will present its Spring concert, “Songs of Hope,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Main St. downtown.

Tickets are $10 and are available from MVC members, online at www.mesillavalleychorale.org/tickets and at the door before the concert.

The concert will include “Blue Skies,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “Let the River Run,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “God Bless America” and “many other songs of hope,” MVC said in a news release.

MVC is under the direction of Carol Nike. Two new MVC members are assistant director Jeonai Batista and assistant accompanist Charlotte Johnson.

Batista is a Brazilian tenor and pianist, currently pursuing a master’s degree in piano performance at New Mexico State University, where he is also working as a graduate assistant, teaching voice and functional piano, MVC said. Batista has a bachelor of arts degree with a concentration in voice and piano performance from Mississippi State University. In 2021, he earned a master’s degree in choral conducting at Louisiana State University.

Johnson began playing the piano at age four and started accompanying musicians while in junior high school, the chorale said. She has accompanied groups that include Voz Vaqueros and Celestial Sounds as well as many Las Cruces Community Theatre productions. Johnson also accompanied a variety of students at NMSU 1972-98, including singers and musicians, and was accompanist for NMSU productions.

MVC is comprised of experienced singers “who share a passion for performing choral music,” MVC said. “Known for its excellence and diversity in programs, the community chorale features three- to eight-part music from classical to pops.”

MVC rehearses 7-9 p.m. Mondays in the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church choir room, 225 W. Griggs Ave.

Singers wishing to join MVC can visit mesillavalleychorale.org.