Letter from Nic: A Preview of PEV's 2026-27 Season
Having just finished our 2025-26 season - my first with PEV – I can honestly say that I’ve never experienced anything quite like this group. The strong community of singers and audience, the amazing range of musical capabilities I see in the group, it’s wonderfully inspiring. I’m honored at how warmly you have all welcomed me into the fold. Thank you.
I’m also very excited to share a preview of our 2026-27 season with you! With the musical works, themes and collaborators we’ve selected, we will build upon our strengths and continue PEV’s strong legacy of bringing uncommon, inspiring music-making to you, our audiences.
In December, our annual holiday season set of concerts will explore Carols of the Forgotten, with performances in Berkeley and San Francisco. The winter holidays mean so many different things to each of us, depending on where we come from and what the dominant cultural forces have selected for us. This year, with a mind to those whose traditions haven’t been in the spotlight, PEV will present a program of holiday music from around the world, exploring musical traditions both beloved and unfamiliar. We invite you to join us for what will be a learning experience and an inspiring musical adventure.
In April, I’m very excited for PEV to collaborate with the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus, led by my esteemed colleague Bruce Southard. Together, we will present the oratorio Considering Matthew Shepard by Craig Hella Johnson. This is a stirring multi-movement work for chorus and orchestra, with a compelling call to all of us to love and accept one another unconditionally. PEV performed an excerpt from the oratorio in spring 2023 that our audiences loved. We’re thrilled to perform the entire work for an unforgettable one-night-only experience in Oakland.
In June, we will close the season with our third a cappella collaboration with the dynamic Deke Sharon: Songs of Summer A Cappella. The program, to be announced later, will feature our favorite songs from and about summer - and just in time for the 60th anniversary of the Summer of Love. We’ll bring these concerts to Mill Valley, Berkeley and San Francisco - and, for the first time, to Healdsburg!
Of course, our 2026-27 season will also include our winter Gala fundraiser event, which plays such an essential role in enabling PEV to present the array of music that we know you look to us to provide.
Tickets to all these exciting musical endeavors will go on sale in early fall.
One more invitation: PEV is looking to expand. If you’re interested in joining us on stage next season, we encourage you to audition for us on August 16.
Meantime, thank you again for the warm welcome. I wish you all a wonderful summer!
Warmly,
Nic