Mad River Chorale

Serving our Community Through Song

The Mad River Chorale (MRC) has been inspiring singers and audiences for over 30 years. We are a welcoming non-auditioned community chorus that performs concerts twice a year, in December and in the Spring. The MRC’s goal is to provide members an opportunity to sing a rewarding and challenging repertoire and to give our audience the experience of, and knowledge about, wonderful choral music.

“Vespers” – Evening Prayer

Our Spring Concerts May 16th and 17th, 2026

Our Spring concerts in May focused on two compositions: one by Mozart – the Vesperae solennes de confessore K. 339; and seven movements from Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil Op. 37 including the first six movements that constitute the “Vespers” or evening prayer.

While “Vespers” have been practiced for centuries by various Christian denominations, vespers can also refer to the secular practice of quiet contemplation in the evening hours.

Nearly 200 people attended our two concerts on May 16th and 17th. We received wonderful feedback. The chorale singers certainly enjoyed presenting this beautiful music. We had four excellent soloists: Mary Bonhag (soprano); Nessa Rabin (mezzo-soprano); Adam Hall (tenor) and Allan Wieman (bass). We were accompanied by a superb ensemble of instrumentalists – string quartet, trumpets, trombones and timpani. Alison Cerutti, our lovely and enthusiastic collaborative pianist, joined us on piano and organ. And we were all prepared and directed by the amazing Mary Jane Austin.

Please stay tuned for information about our 2026 December Holiday concerts scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19th and Sunday, Dec 20th, 2026.

The Mad River Chorale is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your donation helps the MRC to include instrumentalists – strings, harp, brass, winds, percussion – and soloists to accompany the chorale, enriching the experience for everyone. Thank you for your support! The button below takes you to our Square site for secure transactions. If you would prefer, you can send a check to the MRC at PO Box 158, Waitsfield, VT 05602.

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