Mission Valley Choral Society History

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The Mission Valley Choral Society has existed in Lake County since the 1960s. When the singing group was formed directors were imported from Missoula and the University of Montana. Joe Mussulman, Sandy Verschoot traveled from Missoula. In the 1980s local directors Christian Bumgarner, Scotty Lea, Mason Niblack and Byron Christian led the group. Cathy Gillhouse, music teacher and choir director in the Mission Valley for 41 years, replaced Christian Bumgarner in August 2023.

Singers are recruited from the county for yearly concerts, two in December and two in the spring. The spring concert held on Sunday is a fundraiser for Helping Hands of Mission Valley. 

Donations taken during three concerts benefit the choral society to help the group pay operational expenses. The Mission Valley Choral Society is a 501(c)3 which allows donors to receive a tax deduction.