Vocal and Choral

Bret Peppo | director

The Diablo Valley Choral Program has two main choral ensembles as well as numerous small a cappella, pop, gospel and jazz vocal choirs. The groups perform music from the Renaissance until today and focus on many living composers from around the world. The ensembles frequently perform with the DVC Philharmonic as well as local regional orchestras. Music for the 23/23 academic year includes works by Barber, Beach, Bernstein and Corigliano and the Chamber Singers will also combine with the DVC Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. Kaitlin Bove for the U.S. Premier of Scraps from a Mad Man’s Diary by Ukranian composer, Cathy Likhuta. In addition to performing on campus, the ensembles travel through California for festivals, competition and exchanges. Most recently, the chamber singers performed at the Aloha State Festival in Honolulu in the Spring of 2022. Come join us. There is a place for everyone to sing!

FOR MORE INFO

on the choral/vocal programs, joining a choir or watching a concert, please contact Bret Peppo, director bpeppo@dvc.edu

Special Events for This Year

  • Chichester Psalms | Leonard Bernstein
  • Canticle of the Sun | Amy Beach
  • Fern Hill | John Corigliano
  • Prayers of Kierkegaard | Samuel Barber
  • Combined performance w/Cantate con Vivo
  • MACCC Honor Choir w/Dr. Scott Glysson
  • ICCAs A cappella Competition
  • California Jazz Competition
  • L.A. Chamber Singers Tour
  • Week long composer residency w/Cathy Likhuta
  • U.S. Premier of Scraps from a Mad Man’s Diary, Cathy Likhuta, Ukranian Composer

*Performance Scholarships available. #Donations accepted

choir students in Peppo's car pic

Choral and Vocal Classes

  • Chamber Singers | MUS166 - 2601
  • Vocal Jazz | MUS135 - 2503
  • Concert Choir - MUS162 - 8250
  • Masterworks Chorale | MUS180 - 8420
  • Applied Voice Class | MUS170
  • Jazz and Popular Voice Class | MUS171

Concert Chorale - MUS162/MUS180, 1 Unit

The Diablo Valley Concert Choir is a large mixed choral ensemble featuring a wide range of musical styles, ages and experience levels. The 70-110 member ensemble usually performs two on-campus/East Bay performances per term. These are often in conjunction with the other DVC choirs as well as the Philharmonic Orchestra. Most recently, the ensemble has performed Heggie's, Ahab Symphony, Mozart's Requiem, Orff's Carmina Burana, Lauridsen, Lux Aeterna and Bloch's Sacred Service.

chamber singers in Santa Barbara

Chamber Singers - MUS166, 1 or 2 Units

The Diablo Valley College is the premier vocal ensemble of the college. The Chamber Singers consists of 32-44 experienced choral singers. The ensemble sings a wide variety of literature from medieval to modern, from pop to opera. The group often combines with the concert choir and sings large choral/orchestral works the DVC Philharmonic orchestra. In addition, the group tours each year throughout California and the Southwest. Audition required

Vocal Jazz/Pop Ensembles - MUS135, 1 Unit

The Vocal Jazz Ensemble course at DVC, divides great jazz, pop, R&B, gospel and rock singers into smaller musical ensembles. These groups perform at least twice a term on campus as well as touring throughout the Bay area. The groups have also performed on many California Jazz Festivals over the past 10 years. The singers work in male, female, and mixed groups often accompanied by a jazz combo or big band. There’s also a great deal of unaccompanied singing, scatting and solos for each individual. Audition required