ECHO
Countdown to 50 Campaign
As we celebrate the end of our 45th season, we are also looking ahead to 2030-2031 when we will be celebrating 50 years of Winchester Musica Viva choral excellence. With each season leading up to it, we will implement new initiatives within the framework of four key pillars, Education, Community, Health, and Outreach. This will honor our mission that was established by the voices of our past, while securing Viva’s future for the next 50 years.
Some of these initiatives will be one-time events, while others are intended to be in place for the foreseeable future. Keep reading to learn what initiatives we have planned under each pillar for the 2026-2027 season.
Education
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Community
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Health
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Outreach
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Education ✳︎ Community ✳︎ Health ✳︎ Outreach ✳︎
EDUCATION
Initiative: High School Side-by-Sides
Beginning in our 2026-2027 Season, Viva will turn our regular season Saturday concerts into an educational event by partnering with an area high school choral program. This partnership will include workshops and collaboration between the the singers and directors of both choirs leading up to the concert.If you are interested in signing up for this program, please email us to let us know: info@winchestermusicaviva.org
Initiative: Arts Administrative Intern
WMV has created an annually rotating position for a paid internship for collegiate music students interested in arts administration. If you are interested in applying for this position, please email our managing director: andrea.diggs@winchestermusicaviva.org
Community
Initiative: Viva Family Tree
How are you connected to Viva? This choir was founded in 1981 by Dr. William Averitt. We currently have singers who have been with us since that first season, and many others were once his students at Shenandoah University. These former students now have classrooms and studios of their own.
As we look to the future, we seek to record the past and how tightly knit we are within the community and beyond. We endeavor to create the family tree that shows just how deep and far these roots reach. Are you part of this tree? Make sure to fill out a form at any of our concerts to be included, or email info@winchestermusicaviva.org if you are unable to make it in person.
Health
Initiative: Vocal Wellness
With this particular initiative, we focus our efforts inward for the benefit of our singers. During rehearsal weeks, the choir receives a weekly newsletter with important information about the season and rehearsal details. Starting in the Fall of 2026, we will add a new section that is devoted entirely to vocal health and musician wellness overall. This will be a place for the director and singers to share tips on maintaining a healthy instrument.
Outreach
Initiative: Viva Quartet
In an ideal world, all who wish to enjoy live music are able to do so. However, it’s just not possible for some members of our community to attend concerts, nor is it realistic for the entire ensemble to travel into every pocket of the community. That is why we are creating an outreach quartet. These four singers will be selected through our annual audition process, rehearse independently, and share music where it is most needed, such as medical facilities, schools, or community events.
If you are interested in learning more about having the Viva Quartet perform for your even or institution, please send an inquiry to info@winchestermusicaviva.org