OUR HISTORY
MVC began with a group of friends from the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church choir getting together to sing just for fun. Soon they had a director, Dr. Jack Chambliss; an accompanist, Dulcie Boykin; and a name—The Mesilla Valley Chorale. In May 1972, they presented their first concert and, from then on, they continued to grow and perform twice a year in May and December.
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In 2007, the group rented the newly refurbished Rio Grande Theatre for their 35th anniversary concert. It was a perfect fit: a historic venue for a historic community choir with just the right ambiance. This venue brought the MVC greater visibility, bringing new singers and new opportunities.
In years past, MVC has performed in Savigne-l’Eveque and Le Mans, France, and brought the Savigne-l’Eveque chorale to Las Cruces in 2011. In 2012, MVC organized a New Mexico Centennial Choral Celebration as a benefit concert for the Rio Grande Theatre. The concert, comprised of music by New Mexico composers, was sung by groups from both Albuquerque and Las Cruces.
MVC in France in 2009
The Savigne-l'Eveque chorale visited Las Cruces in 2011
The Mesilla Valley Chorale celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 with a concert in May singing songs chosen by its members. The Chorale was also recognized by the mayor and the city council of Las Cruces for 50 years of contributing to the arts in the city.