The Susquehanna Valley Chorale recently announced that its 2025-26 concert season will feature choral standards, holiday traditions, and the audience-favorite pops concert.

This season will honor beloved music director and conductor Bill Payn, who will retire at the end of the season. For 30 years, Payn has been at the helm of every SVC program. A new Director will soon be announced, the release said.

Payn said, “For the past 30 years, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as the Music Director and Conductor of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale. As I prepare to take my final bow in June of 2026, I can’t help but reflect on the amazing opportunities I have had to present a diverse repertoire of choral masterpieces and to work with the incredible talents of countless singers. For this, I am very grateful.”

He continued, “This upcoming season promises to be one of our most exciting yet, as we celebrate the culmination of three decades of music-making. I have planned a series of special performances that will highlight the Chorale’s rich history and showcase the incredible talent within our community. It is my hope that these concerts will serve as a fitting tribute to the shared passion and dedication that have defined SVC’s musical journey. In this, my final season, I look forward to celebrating the power of choral music to uplift and inspire. I hope each of our performances will serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale.”

To kick-off the season, the SVC will present two juxtaposing and exuberant works: the contemporary piece “Gloria” by Glasgow and a choral standard “Te Deum” by Dvořák at 3 p.m. Oct. 19 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury. “Gloria” is a new composition by composer Michael Glasgow, paired with the choral standard “Te Deum” by Antonín Dvořák. This fresh setting of the “Gloria” had its world premiere at Carnegie Hall in 2022. The popular “Te Deum,” while written over 100 years ago, is infused with a sense of grand ceremony as the Czech composer was exploring new American styles of instrumentation at the time. This program will feature guest soloists Jill Gardner and Tim LeFebvre.

Holiday traditions will return when the SVC presents “A Candlelight Christmas” on at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury. This year, the concert will feature a full orchestra as we share some of our signature repertoire, along with a few unexpected pieces.

The SVC will present Verdi’s “Requiem” at 3 p.m. March 22 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury. Held in regard as a pinnacle choral masterpiece, Giuseppe Verdi’s “Requiem” has only been performed twice throughout the chorale’s history. The SVC will welcome four local soloists for this monumental performance. In addition, the SVC will be joined by members of the Williamsport Chamber Choir. “This powerfully emotional and dramatic work is sure to be unlike anything you’ve ever heard before,” said the press release.

To end the season, the SVC will present Part 2 of “Pops: The Best of 30 Years” on at 7:30 p.m. May 2 at Weber Auditorium, Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove. The SVC ends the season with the second half of their celebration honoring Payn’s 30 years as SVC conductor and music director. As always, this event will feature the SVC stage band and some of the SVC’s own talented soloists.

For more information about SVC, visit SVCmusic.org.