Now in its 66th year, the Diablo Women's Chorale was established in the summer of 1942 with the two-fold purpose of aiding the war effort and raising morale, presenting its first public concert on March 7, 1943. Under the name of Diablo Valley Choral, it was conducted by the eminent Scottish musician, Nancy Pauline Turner, who also directed six other similar groups throughout the Northern California Bay Area.

Following her untimely death in a plane crash into the San Francisco Bay eleven years later, the leadership of the Choral was assumed by Nico D. Snel, the ladies' beloved "Papa." A highly respected violinist, pianist, teacher and director, he conducted the organization for 24 years, during which time the group's name was changed to the Diablo Women's Choral. When Mr. Snel returned to Holland on a church mission, Bob Parke of San Francisco became the director. Five years later, Mr. Parke left to pursue a career in nightclubs and musical theater.

For the next 15 years, Kerry Leyden of Concord, a choral director, church musician, accompanist and singer, led the group. Soon after he took over, the final "e" was added to the name, making it the Diablo Women's Chorale. He left the group to devote more time to his teaching duties at the Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek. Sharon Rae Van Nest, a teacher, a professional singer and pianist became the conductor in the Fall of 1996, remaining just one year before departing the area to become Director of Choral Activities at the University of Hawaii in Hilo.

Our next director, Angel Michaels, a well-known musician, voice teacher and conductor, also had to leave after one year when her husband was transferred out of the area.

In 1998 the Chorale welcomed Susan A. Peterson of Suisun to the podium. She and accompanist Joan Miller of Walnut Creek, bring a wealth of musical background and expertise to the group.

Over the years, Chorale members have participated in festivals at Carnegie Hall, New York and the Opera House in Sydney, Australia. We also celebrated the 50th anniversary of our favorite songstress, Lura Osgood, by commissioning a piece by Rollo Dilworth. Rollo set a number of Lura's haikus to music to create the lovely collection "Reflections on the Seasons."