The mission of the Sonoma Valley Chorale is to provide a diverse range of excellent choral music experiences in our community that bring joy, inspire, challenge, and educate our singers, audiences, and students.

The Sonoma Valley Chorale had its earliest beginnings in the spring of 1973 when an ecumenical festival combining four choirs performed with 70 singers. From this group, director James Griewe brought together 50 voices for a Vintage Festival Concert. They quickly gained recognition throughout the area for their impressive concerts and grew to over 200 singers.

Some of their special presentations were Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Mozart’s Requiem, Poulenc’s Gloria, and Orff’s Carmina Burana and hosted several celebrity guests, including Maya Angelou, who narrated “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” with the Chorale; Jester Hairston, conducting his spirituals, and Gwyneth Walker who created an original work, “Come Life, Shaker Life” for the Chorale.

After 35 years, Jim Griewe was succeeded by David Irvine, who had served as assistant director for the previous five years. He brought the Chorale three excellent experiences with well-known American composer/conductors: Brad Ellingboe, Mark Hayes, and Rosephanye Powell. In March 2020, the Chorale (and most other singing groups) paused due to Covid-19.

In the summer of 2023, the Chorale searched for a conductor to bring the Chorale back to life. We were very fortunate to find the renowned and beloved Napa educator and conductor, Travis Rogers. In one season, working tirelessly, he brought the Chorale back “in tune” to celebrate our 50th season. We would love to expand our chorus and hope you will be a part of our newest chapter – as a singer, a patron, and/or concert attendee.