2026-2027 performance schedule

Making Music in the valley

Trinity Lutheran Church, Stillwater, MN

Saturday, October 3 – 7:30 pm

Join us for our Collaboration Concert with Music Saint Croix and the Saint Croix Jazz Orchestra.

This is our gift to you - the concert is FREE!

A season of wonder. A celebration of song

Celebrate the wonder, joy and timeless beauty of Christmas with the Valley Chamber Chorale. This beloved holiday tradition brings together cherished sacred carols, festive favorites, and inspiring new choral works in a celebration for all ages.

From the quiet reverence of the Nativity to the joy of treasured holiday traditions, this tapestry of music captures the spirit of the season. Familiar carols invite reflection and nostalgia, while comtemporary works offer fresh perspectives and vibrant new sounds.

Whether you find Christmas in candlelight and carols, laughter with family and friends, or the simple magic of winter, join the Valley Chamber Chorale for a celebration that will warm your heart and lift your spirit.

(Please Note: Due to renovations at the Historic Washington County Courthouse, this year’s concerts, followed by a wine and dessert reception, will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Stillwater, MN.)

The breath is where all music begins.

For singers and wind players alike, every phrase begins with a breath. It is the source of tone, expression, and life. One Breath celebrates this profound connection between the human voice and the soprano saxophone, revealing two distinct instruments united by a single act of creation.

Beyond its musical meaning, the title speaks to something deeply human. We breathe together when we sing, listen, laugh, grieve, and celebrate. Across styles and traditions—from Renaissance notets to jazz-inspired fhythms, from folk songs to contemporary works— this concert reminds us that music is a shared experience, inviting performers and audience alike into one collective breath.

The program becomes a journey through music’s many languages, illustrating that while styles may differ, the impoulse to communicate, connect, and inspire is universal.

The VCC is excited to welcome Dr. David Milne, soprano saxophonist, as our collaborating artist for this concert.

A journey from sorrow to compassion, from grief to hope.

Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater is a powerful and deeply moving exploration of one of humanity’s most profound experiences: The sorrow of a parent witnessing the suffering of a child. Drawing inspiration from the medieval Latin hymn Stabat Mater dolorosa, Jenkins transforms this timeless story of grief into a universal meditation on love, loss, compassion, and resilience.

Blending ancient texts with poetry and writings from diverse cultures, Stabat Mater reaches beyone a single tradition to reveal the shared human experiences that connect us all. Jenkins’ distinctive musical voice combines soaring choral melodies, rich orchestral colors, haunting Middle Eastern-inspired sounds, and rhythms that evoke both ancient landscapes and contemporary expression.

Performed with chamber orchestra and mezzo-soprano soloist, this breathtaking work invites listeners on an emotional journey—from the depths of sorrow toward healing, understanding, and hope. The Valley Chamber Chorale presents Stabat Mater as a testament to the enduring power of music to illiuminate our humanity and bring us together.