Celebrating the joy of singing with area students is an important aspect of the Valley Concert Chorale's outreach to the community. We present our program to over 5,000 elementary school children each year in Livermore and the Tri-Valley area. Individuals and corporations are encouraged to become bridge builders by giving contributions of any amount.

The "Music in the Schools" troupe consists of about ten members from the Valley Concert Chorale as well as volunteers from the community. The troupe has given performances to elementary schools in and around the Tri-Valley area since 1990. Past shows have included Hansel and Gretel, Tom Sawyer, Beethoven and the Contrary Time Machine, and The Mystery of the Missing Lunches. We produce our own shows, with Bobby Jensen writing the script, and the rest of us filling in music and other ideas. Local water color artist Carolyn Ramsey creates our sets. Shows last about one half hour and contain lots of action and singing. We will ask a few students to participate in each performance, and we will invite the rest of the students to sing a song at appropriate points during the play. Then at the end of the show, we will have a short discussion and give the children a chance to ask questions. Shows cost $300, which includes two performances so that the upper and lower grades can have separate assemblies. Please check with your Cultural Arts Council for matching funds.

The title of this year's peformance is The UnBEARable Moving Adventure. A job lost and a relocation from Chicago to California present the Harlow family with new adventures. The triplets, Terry, Tina, and Tami, and their brother, Harry, leave old friends and travel West through Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada and finally reach California. While camping in Yellowstone, the children experience some unexpected adventures with the local wildlife.

After reaching California, the family meets new neighbors and the children realize that making new friends is not so scary. Students will learn the value of a positive attitude, that they need not fear the unknown, and that they can meet new challenges with confidence.

If you would like to have the troupe perform at your elementary school, or if you would like to learn more about the program, contact at (925) 462-4205.

Click here to see photos from last year's play; or here to see photos from the previous play; or here to see photos from one of our first plays, Hansel and Gretel.