Who We Are
The Valley Chamber Chorale (VCC) is a strong community voice for the Saint Croix Valley based in Stillwater, MN. It is the only highly skilled amateur choir in the vicinity and has been a beloved cultural asset since 1975. It's voices range in age from 19-70 and reach an audience of 1,600 people each year. VCC members are from all walks of life, as are its patrons.
Our History
The Valley Chamber Chorale was originally formed in 1975 as a creative outlet for adults with previous musical experience who sought an opportunity to perform sophisticated works not normally attempted by church choirs and other singing groups. The Chorale was incorporated in 1977, is a nonprofit organization, and is a member of Chorus America. The 2023/2024 season will be the Chorale's 49th year. Carol Carver, the founding Artistic Director, directed the Chorale for 40 years. Eight years ago she passed the baton to the current Artistic Director, Daryl Timmer.
Our Mission
Embrace the challenge of performing diverse and compelling music to stir emotions and delight our patrons.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOr
DARYL TIMMER
Daryl Timmer was appointed Artistic Director of the Valley Chamber Chorale in January 2017. Prior to his appointment, Daryl served as Interim Artistic Director for 1 year and was a singer/member of the VCC for 19 years, also serving as Assistant Director for 11 years. In his leadership role with the VCC, Daryl has brought an energy and passion for exploring a diverse offering of music that has proven to engage both the audience members and singers alike. Daryl embraces the challenge of bringing standard choral favorites to the VCC performances as well as introducing new and varied repertoire throughout the VCC season. He encourages patrons and singers to take a musical journey on paths they may never have previously taken. Under his direction, the VCC has been commended for their commitment to singing and their love of bringing the gift of music to their audiences.
An experienced and celebrated music educator, Daryl began his teaching career in Eden Prairie Public Schools where he taught elementary classroom music for 12 years. In June of 2021, after 22 years of teaching for the South Washington County Schools, Daryl retired from his position as Director of Choirs at Woodbury High School. Daryl’s choirs were known for their musicianship, attention to detail and their sensitivity to music.
Daryl holds an undergraduate degree in K-12 Vocal and Classroom Music from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, MN and earned his Master of Music degree in Music Education with a choral conducting emphasis from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.
Daryl is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA), Chorus America and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and its local chapter, ACDA MN. Daryl has served ACDA MN on its Board of Directors as Metro East District Chair and is currently a member of ACDA MN’s F. Melius Christiansen (FMC) Endowment Fund committee.
Collaborative Pianist Erin roe
Erin Roe is a pianist living in Minneapolis, MN. She teaches piano and theory to a wide range of students in the Twin Cities; she also works extensively with choirs of all ages, sizes, and abilities. In addition to the Valley Chamber Chorale, she works regularly with the Treble Tones Chorus in Robbinsdale, MN, the Apollo Club in Minneapolis, MN, the White Bear Lake High School choirs, and the Adath Jeshurun congregation in Minnetonka, MN. For the past eight summers she has worked as the rehearsal pianist for musical productions at Trollwood Performing Arts School in Moorhead, MN. Erin occasionally serves as music conductor for community musical productions within the Twin Cities and performs regularly in both solo and chamber settings. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from St. Olaf College.
THE SINGERS
Valley Chamber Chorale members are talented singers committed to a high standard of performance. Just as our concerts display a dynamic diversity in programming and instrumentation, our singers reflect marvelous variety.
Our members are educators and students, physicians and attorneys, stay-at-home moms, clergy, corporate executives and professional musicians. Some have sung with the Chorale for more than 30 years – some are new!
Chorale members tend to be actively involved in the community and sing with the group as a way to share the gift of music with our St. Croix Valley audiences. There are those who travel as far as 40 miles and some who walk down the block to meet for our Monday night rehearsals. The group is very welcoming toward new members.