Choral Accompaniments to Our Times

San Francisco-based treble-voice choir Conspiracy of Venus is known for their fabulous interpretations of director Joyce Todd McBride's arrangements, crafted especially for the choir, featuring out-of-the-ordinary repertoire ranging from Bjork to PJ Harvey, David Bowie, and more. This performance will feature new music by McBride, in settings of texts by Bertolt Brecht that offer potent critiques of misused power. Conspiracy of Venus will also sing a set of favorite selections from their "catalogue” and at least one world premiere! Last year's show was a sold-out success, and this year's festival performance is not to be missed!

Established in 2007, Conspiracy of Venus has delighted audiences throughout the Bay Area with their fiery renditions of iconic songs from great singer-songwriters of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as jazz, and beyond. The choir has toured New York City twice, and in 2016 released our first album, Muse Ecology. They are the sister choir to the beloved Conspiracy of Beards men's choir.

Artist Biographies

Joyce Todd McBride

Joyce Todd McBride grew up in Berkeley, California. Pianist, composer, singer, arranger, and teacher, Joyce attended UC Santa Cruz, University of Sussex, University of Pennsylvania and Mills College, where she completed a M.A. in composition. In 2007 Joyce became the founding director of Conspiracy of Venus Vocal Ensemble, for which she has created over 50 arrangements of artists from PJ Harvey to Duke Ellington.  In 2025, Joyce released her album The Night-time Violets Bloom featuring original music for jazz quintet.   Joyce has performed with the Joyce Todd McBride Quintet, Dream Kitchen, Calitropia, McBride Pera Starkweather, Mixus Mundi, Joyce McBride-Stacy Starkweather Duo, Volti, medieval ensemble HelioTrope, and Conspiracy of Venus, and many other local groups. Favorite venues with her various projects include Mr. Tipple's, Piedmont Piano, Bird and Beckett, Freight and Salvage, Doc's Lab, Red Poppy, Amnesia, Verdi Club, Swedish American Hall, Cafe du Nord, Great American Music Hall, Lost Church, Old First, Noe Valley Ministry, and many more. Joyce is a devoted teacher, and maintains a private voice and piano studio. She has taught classes around the Bay Area, including Mills College.