I trust your summer was good? Ours was incredibly eventful! In the last month especially, we’ve done what usually takes a leisurely few months, years even: Getting to know our new artistic director, Mike Horanski and accompanist, Melvin Goodwyn, and helping them get to know (some 90 of) us. Most important, we rolled up our collective sleeves to support Mike as he hit the ground running to plan the season.

Planning the VCS season is something that usually happens between March and June over a multitude of coffees, email conversations, and random texts. It takes talking and dreaming and time and perspective. But for Mike, and for us, there was no doubt that the 2016-17 season would be about joyous community through music. 

It’s safe to say that we are all ready for an antidote to the unsettling and polarizing times in which we find ourselves. Every last one of us can benefit from more places where we put aside differences to share more experiences that bring us closer. Everyone today could use more joy in their community.

At VCS, we know for a fact that few things accomplish that goal like an inspiring, shared music experience. We see that every Tuesday when our singers leave rehearsals energized to tackle the week. We hear it after every concert when you tell us that you were inspired by what you heard, and are reassured that there is a community that shares your experience.

Which is why we begin this season with The Call Of Music and end with It’s A Grand Night For Singing. In December, it will be our pleasure to sing Sounds Of The Season. And our spring concert, which has developed into a moment of quiet but rich music, will feature challenging, classical, and contemplative repertoire in a Requiem For The Living.

It is going to be a wonderful, inclusive, uniting, joyous, uniquely VCS experience once again. Please join us!

The best way to be part of the VCS experience is to become a Friend of VCS.  We run this annual fundraising campaign each September to raise funds from individuals who love the arts and wish to support us. As a sign of our appreciation for your support, every Friend, at any level of donation, receives:

• Early notice of special events and pre-concert talks.
• Discounts at participating retailers. This year we are delighted to tell you that in addition to Caffe Amouri and Donatos Pizza, Cocoa Vienna has joined us as a participating retailer!
• NEW! We’re also very excited to tell you that this year, we are introducing a special benefit. Become a Friend of VCS, and we’ll give you a Companion Certificate – one free ticket to bring a friend or companion to see and experience any one VCS concert.

Friends who give over $100 are treated to a complimentary season ticket and reserved seating.

Additionally, all Friends are thanked on our website and in our concert programs.

Becoming a Friend of VCS is very easy. Talk to friends in the choir, give online, or send us a check made out to Vienna Choral Society with “Friends of VCS” in the memo line. Our address is PO Box 310, Vienna, VA 22183.

No matter the level at which you become a Friend or join us on show night –THANK YOU. We very much hope to see you this season. You are who we sing for, and who we can’t do without.

Here’s to another season of music, joy, and community!