The delight of singing choral music can be a reality for people who join Blue Ridge Vocal Connection (BRVC).
This regional choir of about 35 members meets weekly to rehearse and perform throughout the New River Valley and as far away as the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C.
BRVC doesn’t require an audition to join. But Director Thomas DeBusk and other members provide training and encouragement that enables people of all skill levels to contribute to great-sounding performances.
Rehearsals for an exciting new season built around the theme of All Nature Sings! begin Jan. 16, 2025, so now is the perfect time to join. If you’re interested, but hesitant to commit, drop into a rehearsal for a no-commitment firsthand look at what it’s like to “work out” with a high-quality choir.
On March 15, 2025 BRVC will also host a fourth annual vocal skills workshop for singers of every skill level, from shower-room “brick” to show-stopping slick. This year New York vocal coach and prolific YouTube creator Justin Stoney will kick off the day with an invigorating warm-up session. He’ll also conduct one-on-one training sessions for select participants who want to learn from a vocal expert whose students routinely perform in Broadway shows.
The workshop is an educational service to the public, so it doesn’t require group membership to attend. Go to their website (see link below) for more details and to access a ticket-purchasing site.
Blue Ridge Vocal Connection welcomes adults and children of all ages, so long as children bring at least one parent and they’re mature enough to focus through concerts and rehearsals.
BRVC just finished its third New Year’s Day performance in Biltmore’s elegant Winter Garden. They’ve also performed at The Lyric Theatre, Warm Hearth, Blacksburg’s Farmers’ Market, Steppin’ Out, the Ruritan Fish Fry, Hotel Roanoke, Beliveau Winery, and numerous other New River Valley venues.
Rehearsals are 6:30-8:30 p.m. year-round each Thursday at Northside Presbyterian Church, 1017 Progress Street, NW, Blacksburg.
To learn more about their current set list, future performances, workshop sessions and more, check out BRVC’s webpage at blueridgevocalconnection.com or find their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071302974976.
Blue Ridge Vocal Connection