For more than 80 years, the Riverside Mission Belles have been bringing music to the people of the Inland Empire — from local schools and community clubs to senior living centers and the Festival of Lights. The women's chorus traces its roots to the PTA Mother Singers of the 1930s, who performed at schools across town, and later became known as the PTA Choristers before taking their current name. Today, members come from throughout the Riverside region and share a simple mission. "To bring joy and music to the hearts of the community," says says Debbie Schwartz, Mission Belles member, "and to offer a place for interested women to sing with others."
The Belles hold weekly rehearsals most Wednesdays, where members enjoy the camaraderie of harmonizing light music together. The group welcomes any woman who can "carry a tune and learn songs" — no audition required to join. Their outreach, which they call "Sing Outs," takes them to senior centers, convalescent homes, and retirement communities throughout the Riverside area and beyond, with especially busy seasons around the holidays.
The Mission Belles are also affiliated with the California Women's Chorus (CWC), an umbrella organization that brings together approximately 80–100 voices from choruses spanning Santa Barbara to San Diego. Each year, the CWC hosts a Scholarship Concert awarding $1,000 grants to three vocal students between the ages of 18 and 25. This year, that concert comes to Riverside — on Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m. at California Baptist University.
The Riverside Mission Belles run through their repertoire at a Wednesday rehearsal. (Brenda Flowers)
What does Riverside mean to you? It's a wonderful experience to be part of this group. We're always welcoming to new members!
The Festival of Lights — opening night or a Tuesday? We've been part of the Festival of Lights in recent years, performing on the stage next to City Hall.
If you could put one message on a billboard on the 91, what would it be? "All ladies who sing — come join the Riverside Mission Belles!"
What are you working on right now, and how can readers support your efforts? We're busy preparing our concert, "A Trip Across America." Tickets are available at cwchorus.com — $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Vocal students ages 18–25 can also apply for a $1,000 scholarship through the website; the application deadline is March 31, 2026.
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