Department of Music

Celebrate the wonder of this glorious season with the Virginia Women’s Chorus 36^th Annual Candlelight Concerts! The Friday night concert starts at 8pm and the Saturday concert begins at 3:30pm at St. Paul's Memorial Church. 

Often called Charlottesville’s best-kept secret, the Candlelight Concerts welcome many returning listeners each year who leave imbued with the spirit of the season. Accolades come from many concert-goers and include comments such as this: “The concert was stunningly beautiful, sensitively programmed and a musical treat of the highest order. It really was quite amazing.”

The Virginia Women’s Chorus is committed to excellence in the performance of classical, contemporary and diverse music from the challenging choral literature for women’s voices. The Chorus seeks to inspire and enrich others through the choral art form.

The Chorus is unique in that it is a student-run organization with a hired professional conductor. It is comprised of undergraduate and graduate students from numerous degree programs. Several singers from the Charlottesville community have participated in the Chorus as well.

Katherine (KaeRenae) Mitchell has been involved in choral conducting for over 30 years. Her association with the Women's Chorus at the University of Virginia has been long and extensive, and she has conducted the Chorus for over twenty years. She is an alumna of the inaugural Chorus and also served as accompanist and Assistant Director. Under her leadership as Director,1982-1989, the University of Virginia Women's Chorus was chosen to participate in the American Choral Director's Association Convention in 1988 and recorded its first album (vinyl!) in 1983. It was also during this time that the Chorus toured the East Coast extensively and began its tradition of singing at the National Cathedral.

These concerts often sell out, so purchase your tickets early to ensure seating. For more information, visit the VWC website.

The Candlelight Concerts are presented by the Virginia Women's Chorus and VWC’s Alumnae and Friends. The Virginia Women's Chorus is affiliated with the UVA McIntire Department of Music.

All events are subject to change.