Nashoba Valley Chorale History

The Nashoba Valley Chorale was founded in 1976 by two Groton musicians, Michael Manugian and Ruth Treen Wise. Mike himself was our first director, famed for his strict dress code at rehearsals: T shirt and sweats. In those early days, there were times when there were more people in the chorus than in the audience! But we kept singing and learning. We changed directors three times, and each brought us new skills, improved tone, better diction, or more musicality.

In April of 2000, we celebrated our 25th anniversary in grand style. Our concert featured a tribute to all those who have helped the Chorale become the artistic talent it is today. We were also pleased to welcome back our founders, who each directed a piece that had a connection to our history.

Today, with its growing pains long past, the Chorale has between 50 and 60 members, most of whom live in the area northwest of Boston, including southern New Hampshire. We perform serious (but not necessarily solemn) music of all styles and periods under the artistic leadership of Director Anne Watson Born. Our repertoire includes works from Bach and Beethoven to Brahms, Bruckner and Britten; from Vivaldi to Verdi to Vaughan Williams; from Purcell to Pinkham. We present two major programs each year, in December or January and April or May, and we also participate in local telethons, and choral festivals.