The Passion & Perfection of Winchester Musica Viva

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael introduces Dr. Bryce Hayes, the artistic director of Winchester Musica Viva and a professor of music at James Madison University. Dr. Hayes provided insight into the impressive history and offerings of Winchester Musica Viva, a professional-level chamber choir based in the Winchester area. He shared that the organization has been around for 44 years, serving as a high-level musical ensemble consisting of singers with significant musical expertise, many of whom are choir directors or professional musicians. The choir auditions annually to ensure maintaining a high standard of excellence. One of the key topics discussed was their upcoming performance of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'. This unique 75-minute presentation involves a narrator delivering Dickens' original text, supported by the choir providing background music and atmospheric effects. It's a challenging piece for an acapella choir but promises to be an enchanting experience for the audience, filled with holiday spirit. Dr. Hayes emphasized how Winchester Musica Viva aims to broaden its audience by performing in various non-traditional venues, including their spring program inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, which will take place in venues outside of churches. Dr. Hayes also shared his excitement about providing musicians with a space to continue making music at a high level, thus helping to stave off professional burnout and maintain their skills. This fosters a rich community of musicians from recent graduates to seasoned professionals. For those eager to catch the upcoming 'A Christmas Carol', performances will be held in Shepherdstown and Winchester, with tickets available at winchestermusicaviva.org. Dr. Hayes encouraged listeners to purchase their tickets early as both shows are expected to sell out, It's a perfect early Christmas gift or outing for families and colleagues to take in some high-quality choral music and holiday cheer. Follow Winchester Musica Viva on social media, both on Facebook and Instagram, to stay updated on their concerts and other events.