ABOUT US
We are a sixty-member Community Chorus from Truckee and surrounding areas, ranging in ages from 14 to 84. Founded in 2002 by Chris Nelson (1935-2012), our repertoire includes music of all kinds - popular, sacred, classical, jazz, and Broadway. Each year we present a concert series in December, joined by the Truckee Christmastime Strings, to ring in the holiday season. In April we celebrate spring by performing a concert series that includes a major work, accompanied by Diablo Valley College Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Owen Lee.
We practice Monday nights during the fall and spring semesters at Sierra College Truckee Campus, and our program is supported by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Our artistic director and conductor Brittney May provides inspirational and fun rehearsals focusing on performance quality, vocal tone, rhythm, diction, and breathing. We also hold sectionals before class to focus on different voice parts.
TTCC supports Truckee Tahoe Youth Chorus and musical arts in the local schools, awards scholarships to high school seniors pursuing music higher education, and performs by invitation at memorials, masses, and other special occasions.
World's Best Community Chorus Over 6,000 Feet
Our Mission
The mission of the Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus is to perform a wide range of quality choral works that will appeal to the diverse community members of the Truckee and North Lake Tahoe region and to provide a performance outlet for our members. TTCC is dedicated to building, nurturing, and promoting a strong choral musical arts program within the community.
Our History
The chorus, originally conceived in 2002 as a project of the Sierra Mountainaires Men’s Chorus, was designed to engage adults and students in the performance of a broad spectrum of choral music. Chris Nelson (1935-2012) spearheaded the founding of the organization to incorporate the talents and desires of the Truckee Tahoe community. He enlisted the support of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation and Sierra College Tahoe Truckee Campus, currently headed by Dean Kimberly Bateman, both of which continue to support TTCC. Since 2002 the chorus has been led by four conductors including founder Chris Nelson, Susan Horst, Tom Acord and current conductor Brittney May.
Our Commitment
TTCC strives to provide diverse, equitable, and inclusive musical experiences for members and the larger community. We are committed to creating a place of belonging for all. We recognize and respect the rich diversity of life experiences in our community and our larger world. We strive to reflect this richness in our musical programming by engaging varied musical genres with respect and understanding. We are committed to creating an accessible, welcoming place for all.
At TTCC, we believe that when people feel affirmed, validated, valued, and included, they can be their most creative, musical, authentic, and successful selves. While we have more work to do to advance diversity and inclusion, we are invested in moving our organization and the choral field forward.
TTCC ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS
Truckee Historical Revue. A musical based on the history of Truckee was the brainchild of late Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus founder Chris Nelson. The Truckee Historical Revue debuted in May of 2019 to critical acclaim. David Wendell Nelson composed the original music and narration including arrangements for three songs written by Richard Blair. The Revue encompasses the history of Truckee and surrounding areas starting in a rather dark tone with the problems concerning the Washoe, Chinese, and Irish, culminating with a more upbeat style and occasional touches of humor. The production includes stories and songs about the Gold Rush, railroad building, Boca Beer, personalities and legends, the Donner party, the 1960 Olympics, modern day tourism and more. The 2019 production involved over 100 talented local and guest singers, dancers, and musicians, all in period attire, including TTCC, DVC Orchestra, The OK Chorale, Inner Rhythms Dancers, and local celebrity Richard Blair. McAvoy Layne narrated and historic photos in a video presentation accompanied the show. In June 2023 the Revue was REVIVED! Both productions of the Revue received rave reviews from all who attended! TTCC is grateful to the community for their generous support of this show.
Missa Truckee. 2019 was an incredible year for TTCC. On August 15th the Chorus performed an original Mass at the Assumption Catholic Church in Truckee for its 150th Anniversary Celebration. The Mass was composed by Owen Lee of DVC and attended by community members and Church dignitaries. TTCC is grateful to Father Vincent Juan and Assumption Church for inviting TTCC to be a part of this special occasion.
Addition Original Compositions. TTCC is fortunate to be affiliated with a number of talented composers who have created original works for our performances. Here are a few:
David Wendell Nelson Cry of the Wild (Words by Pablo Neruda), It Should Not Be So, Puer Natus Est
Dr. Owen Lee Dear Chris (Words by Sharilyn Nelson)
Todd Tanis Independence Hill, Aloha Bound, Quickens the Heart/This is the Day, Into the Light, Lovin’ Life