Studies have shown that singing in a choir builds a sense of belonging and joy, and many individuals and organizations have learned that using music and song to raise awareness and support for positive changes can be effective and fulfilling for performers.
If you would like use your creative energy to sing for peace, social justice, and the environment, you are invited to join the non-audition, secular Rogue Valley Peace Choir (RVPC) as it begins its 2025-26 season in September.
Registration begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, and the first rehearsal for the choir begins that evening at the First United Methodist Church, 175 N. Main St., Ashland.
Rehearsals — from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays — will continue through mid-May 2026.
This season the choir, now in its 23rd year, will host other peace choirs from the region for a combined choir event at Southern Oregon University in February. The RVPC choir will also perform at a variety of venues: schools, retirement homes, art events, fundraisers for social causes, and community and holiday events throughout the year with the season culminating in mid-May concerts.
The choir’s 75-plus members are directed by Rob Griswell-Lowry and accompanied by Dr. Mikiko Petrucelli. The choir’s mission is to promote peace, social justice and the well-being of our planet.
“In the turmoil of division so common in our society today, we seek to inspire unity and dialogue using music to spread the message of peace and community,” says Griswell-Lowry.
Songs for the choir’s repertoire are chosen by choir members themselves to express these themes in heart-felt and thoughtful ways. Rogue Valley Peace Choir members continue to be a part of the growing movement that recognizes how pro-actively and collectively we can make a difference on many fronts: we can shed light on injustice, we can support an end to wars, and we can take care of our Earth and each other when we work together.
The upcoming season’s songs span a variety of genres, including songs by Joni Mitchell, Sly Stone, Brian Tate, Seth Houston, and an original composition by a choir member.
See more about the choir and its staff at http://roguevalleypeacechoir.org.
