By Town Crier Staff Report

Music director and conductor Michael Paul Gibson last week announced the formation of the Silicon Valley Choral, formerly the Menlo Park Community Chorus.

Concert and rehearsal pianist Susan D. Williams will accompany the SVC.

The SVC dons its new name along with a new performance venue and new musical directions.

The MPCC performed in 14 concerts in its three-year history. It performed on its own, with the Foothill Orchestra and with a professional orchestra. It has recorded 10 CDs, with another almost finished.

Silicon Valley Choral’s emphasis will be on commitment and quality, according to Gibson. The choral will perform a mixture of music that will include master choral works along with classical, sacred and popular selections.

The SVC plans a gala Christmas Concert at 8 p.m., Dec. 7, in the Main Hall of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto.

The SVC began rehearsals Tuesday at the Menlo Park Recreation Center.

To arrange an audition, call Gibson at (408) 873-9000 or send e-mail to joinSVC@bamusic.org.

For more information about the SVC, logon to www.bamusic.org/svc.