Choir to Share Spring Concert ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ April 28 in Coshocton

The 90-voice Coshocton Community Choir, including auditioned singers traveling from 11 Ohio counties, will share its Spring concert, ‘Do Not Be Afraid,’ at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Coshocton High School’s McKinley Auditorium. The concert, including the Coshocton Youth Chorale, The Coshocton Singers, The Roscoe Brass and other instrumentalists, will feature a selection of sacred and secular choral music, including arrangements and settings of familiar hymns, classical works, spirituals and more. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and will be available at the door

“Sometimes, it is hard to remember what life was like before COVID attacked our planet,” said Charles R. Snyder, the choir's founder. “We would like to snap our fingers and go back to ‘how it was before.’ But the world has become a different place. We all see the world through different eyes: priorities have changed, the economy has changed, technology has changed rapidly, even the ways we go about daily life have changed. Things are more politically charged, domestically and internationally. These uncertain times can cause uneasiness and even fearfulness in us.

“The words ‘do not be afraid’ are found more than three hundred times in scripture. These words from the angel remind us that even in the times when the changes are overwhelming and we feel uncertain, God is still in charge. ‘Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; You are mine… For in the darkness He is light. We walk by faith and not by sight.’”

Now in its 53rd season, the Coshocton Community Choir was organized in 1971 by Snyder, an accomplished Ohio teacher, choral conductor, and church musician. Since its founding, more than 900 singers have sung with the Choir, which has become known for its renditions of sacred a cappella literature. The singers come from all backgrounds, vocations and walks of life. The Choir rehearses together weekly through the fall and winter and traditionally performs a narrated Christmas and a Spring concerts with a variety of musical accompanists.

Snyder received his musical training at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he was a protégé of Ellis E. Snyder. Mr. Snyder has also studied with Richard C. Johnston, Fred Waring, Norman Luboff, Helen Kemp, John Rutter, Sir David Willcocks, Donald Neuen, Sandra Willetts, Frauke Haasemann, James Gallagher, Craig Arnold, Alice Parker, Eph Ehly, Weston Noble, and American choral conductor and composer, Paul J. Christiansen, whose works and chorale traditions and style developed at Concordia College, in Moorhead, MN, continue to inspire the Choir’s musical selections and concert format today.

Concert selections include a new song for the Choir, Morten Lauridsen’s ‘Sure on this Shining Night’ as well as special settings of familiar sacred tunes, St. Theodulph’s Hymn (All Glory, Laud and Honor); Lord of the Dance; A Mighty Fortress Is Our God; Lamb of God; Come to the Water; and Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. The Choir will share classic works such as Lift Up Your Heads from George Frideric Handel’s Messiah and Karl Heinrich Graun’s setting of Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs.

The concert will also feature moving works such as Michael Card’s I Will Bring You Home featuring soprano Sarah Heading; Philip W.J. Stopford’s Do Not Be Afraid; and Thy Will Be Done; as well as toe-tapping renditions of When the Saints Go Marching In; Music in the Air; and more. The Choir will conclude the concert with F. Melius Christiansen’s setting of Beautiful Savior and Peter Lutkin’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You.

Snyder says the spring concerts are different from the Christmas concerts, beyond the seasonal repertoire. "Having been together, rehearsing since September, the choirs have grown musically," explained Snyder.  "The Coshocton Singers [grades 4-8] and the Coshocton Youth Chorale [grades 9-12] are able to sing a few more songs. And because we've been together longer, it's easier to know what repertoire to choose for each ensemble."  Some highlights from the Coshocton Singers are Ticket to the Promised Land and Fifty Nifty United States.   The Youth Chorale will sing Craig Courtney’s stirring Be Not Afraid; Allen Pote’s exciting God Is Our Refuge and Strength; and John Coates Jr.’s jazzy arrangement of Shall We Gather at the River.  

The Coshocton Community Choir is returning to Coshocton High School’s McKinley Auditorium at 1205 Cambridge Road in Coshocton for this year’s Spring Concert, after singing its Christmas Concert at River View High School in December. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, with proceeds used to help support its concerts and operations. Tickets are available in advance on the Choir’s website, CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org, and at the door on the day of the concert.

Choir to Share ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ Concert in Dover April 21

The 90-voice Coshocton Community Choir, including auditioned singers traveling from 11 Ohio counties, will share its Spring concert, ‘Do Not Be Afraid,’ at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at First Moravian Church, Dover. The concert will feature a selection of sacred and secular choral music, including arrangements and settings of familiar hymns, classical works, spirituals and more.

“Sometimes, it is hard to remember what life was like before COVID attacked our planet,” said Charles R. Snyder, the choir's founder. “We would like to snap our fingers and go back to ‘how it was before.’ But the world has become a different place. We all see the world through different eyes: priorities have changed, the economy has changed, technology has changed rapidly, even the ways we go about daily life have changed. Things are more politically charged, domestically and internationally. These uncertain times can cause uneasiness and even fearfulness in us.

“The words ‘do not be afraid’ are found more than three hundred times in scripture. These words from the angel remind us that even in the times when the changes are overwhelming and we feel uncertain, God is still in charge. ‘Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; You are mine… For in the darkness He is light. We walk by faith and not by sight.’”

Now in its 53rd season, the Coshocton Community Choir was organized in 1971 by Snyder, an accomplished Ohio teacher, choral conductor, and church musician. Since its founding, more than 900 singers have sung with the Choir, which has become known for its renditions of sacred a cappella literature. The singers come from all backgrounds, vocations and walks of life. The Choir rehearses together weekly through the fall and winter and traditionally performs a narrated Christmas concert and spring concerts with a variety of choral works.

Snyder received his musical training at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he was a protégé of Ellis E. Snyder. Mr. Snyder has also studied with Richard C. Johnston, Fred Waring, Norman Luboff, Helen Kemp, John Rutter, Sir David Willcocks, Donald Neuen, Sandra Willetts, Frauke Haasemann, James Gallagher, Craig Arnold, Alice Parker, Eph Ehly, Weston Noble, and American choral conductor and composer, Paul J. Christiansen, whose works, chorale traditions and style developed at Concordia College, in Moorhead, MN, continue to inspire the Choir’s musical selections and concert format today.

Concert selections include a new song for the Choir, Morten Lauridsen’s ‘Sure on this Shining Night’ as well as special settings of familiar sacred tunes, St. Theodulph’s Hymn (All Glory, Laud and Honor); Lord of the Dance; A Mighty Fortress Is Our God; Lamb of God; Come to the Water; and Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. The Choir will share classic works such as Lift Up Your Heads from George Frideric Handel’s Messiah and Karl Heinrich Graun’s setting of Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs.

The concert will also feature moving works such as Michael Card’s I Will Bring You Home featuring soprano Sarah Heading; Philip W.J. Stopford’s Do Not Be Afraid; and Thy Will Be Done; as well as toe-tapping renditions of When the Saints Go Marching In; Music in the Air; and more. The Choir will conclude the concert with F. Melius Christiansen’s setting of Beautiful Savior and Peter Lutkin’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You.

Snyder says the spring concerts are different from the Christmas concerts, beyond the seasonal repertoire. "Having been together, rehearsing since September, the choirs have grown musically," explained Snyder." At the home concert, The Coshocton Singers [grades 4-8] and the Coshocton Youth Chorale [grades 9-12] also sing.

After last year's successful concert in Dover, the Coshocton Community Choir is returning to the Moravian Church, 319 N. Walnut Street in Dover, the week before the Coshocton concert. The Legacy Ensemble from Legacy Christian School, conducted by Franklin Miller, will again be part of the Community Choir's concert on April 21. Tickets are not required, and free will gifts will be accepted after the concert.

Choir returning to Newcomerstown Dec. 10 for encore Christmas concert

The Coshocton Community Choir will perform selections from their Comfort and Joy Christmas concert on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 7:00 pm, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Newcomerstown. The 86-voice adult choir includes singers from Coshocton and twelve other counties.  The choir is under the direction of Charles R. Snyder, and will perform a mix of sacred and secular Christmas choral music. 

Snyder shares how he developed this year's concert theme. "With all the world’s current tragedies, one wonders how we can still rejoice," said Snyder. "We all need comfort, especially at this time, and we also need some joy to keep us going.  'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen',  while in a minor key, provides both.  Comfort and Joy seems to be a perfect theme this year."

Snyder feels the audience will especially enjoy several of this concert selections including  'Comfort Ye' from Messiah; 'Wake, Awake'; the spiritual 'Mary Had a Baby'; 'Sing We Now of Christmas'; 'Carol of the Drum'; 'We Three Kings'; 'Christmas Bell Carol'; 'What Child Is This?'; 'O Holy Night'; 'Come to the Stable'; and several carols for the audience to join in. "As you listen at the concert, you’ll hear a few pieces in minor keys and many in major keys - some for pondering, some for goosebumps, and many that will bring smiles," shared Snyder. 

Each year, the Community Choir's Christmas concert tells the Christmas story through narration and song in a new way.  "We're so appreciative of the Reverend Richard K. Hoover's creative gift of writing the concert's 'story' for us each year," added Snyder, "which is shared during the concert by narrators Gordon Kendall and Connie Roberts as they weave the story between the various musical numbers."

"Every year, someone will look me in the eye after the concert, and say, 'This is my Christmas!'," continued Snyder.   "We hope it will be an important part of your Christmas celebration, too."

The concert venue is St. Paul Lutheran Church which is located at 121 South College Street in Newcomerstown.  The Church is handicapped accessible.  No tickets are necessary but a freewill offering will be accepted to help support the ministry of the Coshocton Community Choir. All are welcome to attend the concert on Sunday, December 10 at 7:00 pm. Additional information is available by calling the Church office (open 9:00AM - 12:00PM) at 740-498-6682.

To find out more about the Coshocton Community Choir (now in its 53rd season), The Coshocton Youth Chorale, or the Coshocton Singers, call the choir office at (740) 623-0554, check out the Coshocton Community Choir Facebook page, or visit their website www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org. 

Choirs to present 'Comfort & Joy' at new venue Dec. 3

The Coshocton Community Choir presents their Comfort and Joy Christmas Festival Concert on Sunday, December 3, at 3:00 p.m. at River View High School's Auditorium.  The concert is under the direction of Charles R. Snyder and features the adult choir, The Coshocton Singers (singers in grades 4 - 8); and the Coshocton Youth Chorale (high school age singers).  

"Beside the three choirs totaling 128 singers, there will also be piano, The Roscoe Brass quintet, timpani, flute, harpsichord, and a piano duet," said Snyder.  "This season, 32 of the 86 singers in the adult choir drive to rehearsals from 12 other counties!"

Snyder shares how he developed this year's concert theme. "With all the world’s current tragedies, one wonders how we can still rejoice," said Snyder. "We all need comfort, especially at this time, and we also need some joy to keep us going.  'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen',  while in a minor key, provides both.  Comfort and Joy seems to be a perfect theme this year."

Snyder feels the audience will especially enjoy several of this concert selections including  'Comfort Ye' from Messiah; 'Wake, Awake'; the spiritual 'Mary Had a Baby'; 'Sing We Now of Christmas'; 'Carol of the Drum'; 'We Three Kings'; 'Christmas Bell Carol'; 'What Child Is This?'; 'O Holy Night'; 'Come to the Stable'; and several carols for the audience to join in. "As you listen at the concert, you’ll hear a few pieces in minor keys and many in major keys - some for pondering, some for goosebumps, and many that will bring smiles," shared Snyder. 

Each year, the Community Choir's Christmas concert tells the Christmas story through narration and song in a new way.  "We're so appreciative of the Reverend Richard K. Hoover's creative gift of writing the concert's 'story' for us each year," added Snyder, "which is shared during the concert by narrators Gordon Kendall and Connie Roberts as they weave the story between the various musical numbers."

"This is the first time we’ve sung a concert in the River View auditorium since 1984," shared Jan Myers, President of the Coshocton Community Choir.   "For those who haven't been to River View High School, it's very easy to park and walk into the school, all on ground level.  The auditorium is easy access right inside the door, also all on one level. And the acoustics are great!  We are also appreciative of the River View administration, staff and students who have all been so willing to help us make this a wonderful concert experience for both the audience and choir members."  

 "On behalf of the district we are thrilled to host the Coshocton Community Choir in the River View High School Auditorium," shared Chuck Rinkes, Superintendent of River View Local School District. "The choir has been a source of inspiration for our community for a number of years. Accordingly, River View's Music Department has been a source of pride for the district since 1965.  We value the relationship the school district, our music department and most importantly our community has with the Coshocton Community Choir. Thank you to the Coshocton Community Choir for their time, effort and dedication to providing the gift of music to our community once again."

Tickets for the December 3, Comfort and Joy Christmas Festival Concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available pre-sale from choir members; online at www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org; or as cash sales at the door on concert day. The concert will be held at River View High School at 3:00 pm.   The school is located at 26496 State Route 60, Warsaw, OH 43844.  (Please note this is a new location from recent years.)

"While Tik Tok videos last no more than 90 seconds, the Community Choir concert will be 90 continuous minutes. [No intermission]," added Snyder.  "We welcome audiences of all ages, but please make sure that our youngest audience members are able to sit that long."

"Every year, someone will look me in the eye after the concert, and say, 'This is my Christmas!'," continued Snyder.   "We hope it will be an important part of your Christmas celebration, too."

To find out more about the Coshocton Community Choir (now in its 53rd season), The Coshocton Youth Chorale, or the Coshocton Singers, call the choir office at (740) 623-0554, check out the Coshocton Community Choir Facebook page, or visit their website www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org. 

New singers join Choir for 2023-2024 concert season

The Coshocton Community Choir recently welcomed 11 new members to their 100-voice choir as they prepare for the upcoming Christmas Festival Concert, Comfort and Joy.  The new members include: Aaron Bolz, Grace Cullison, Noah Cunningham, Raymond Cunningham, Sophia Dotson, Lamar Dowling, Devon Fortune, Dana Kittner, Karen Little, Cheryl Morris,and Maggie Myers.

The Coshocton Community Choir is conducted by its founder, Charles R. Snyder,  The Choir includes singers not only from Coshocton County, but also from 11 other surrounding counties. Choir members range from high school age through senior citizens.  

The Choir is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that meets the expenses involved in preparing for and performing concerts each year through ticket sales and an annual fund campaign that’s underway for the 2023-2024 season now. Contributions to support the Choir can be mailed to the Coshocton Community Choir at: PO Box 1648, Coshocton, Ohio 43812. Patrons receive tickets to the Choir's Christmas and Spring concerts.

The Coshocton Community Choir's Festival Christmas Concert, titled Comfort and Joy, will be on Sunday, December 3, at 3:00 p.m. at River View High School's Auditorium, located at 26496 State Route 60, Warsaw, Ohio.  (Please note this is a change in concert venue from recent years).

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and will be available online at CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org or at the door the afternoon of the concert.

For more information about the Coshocton Community Choir, The Coshocton Singers, or the Coshocton Youth Chorale, visit coshoctoncommunitychoir.org or find the Choir on Facebook.

Coshocton Community Choir to Hold Auditions for Upcoming 2023-2024 Season

Auditions for the Coshocton Community Choir’s upcoming 2023-2024 season are now being scheduled at the Choir’s office: 1035 Walnut Street.  "There are openings in all sections (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), but we especially need first sopranos, second bases and tenors," shared Charles R. Snyder, the choir's founder and conductor.  

To schedule an audition appointment, call 740-623-0554.  If there is no answer, please leave a message with your name and phone number.  A prepared song is not required.  The Coshocton Community Choir has had members from across the state of Ohio.

Rehearsals for the December 3 Christmas Concert,  will begin on Sunday, September 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Auditions for the school-aged ensembles, the Coshocton Singers and the Coshocton Youth Chorale, will be held in October after the Coshocton County Fair.

To contact the Coshocton Community Choir call 740-623-0554, or email: coshoctoncommunitychoir@gmail.com.  Call today for an audition time.  The choir office is located at 1035 Walnut Street (rear entrance), Coshocton.   Learn more about the Coshocton Community Choir on Facebook or at www.coshoctoncommunitychoir.org.  

Choirs to share 'Song of Peace' concert in Coshocton on April 30

The Coshocton Community Choir's Spring Concert “Song of Peace” will be held on Sunday, April 30 at 3:00 p.m. at Coshocton High School's McKinley Auditorium. The 100-voice adult choir, under the direction of Charles R. Snyder, will perform a mix of sacred and secular choral music.

Now in its 51st season, the Community Choir was organized in 1971 by Snyder, a longtime Coshocton teacher, choral director, and church musician. Snyder says the theme for this concert, Song of Peace, began as a concern of what is going on in the world - the pointed fingers, and the unwillingness of many to sit down, listen, and talk with each other.

"We hope that our audiences will leave the concert filled with joy, and with appreciation for all the arts in our communities and in our schools," said Snyder. "I hope we will be thankful for those who drive from other counties to be part of and enjoy the opportunities here such as the Footlight Players; the Community Band; Historic Roscoe Village; our world class JH Museum; the opportunities at Lake Park and other recreational parks; the many opportunities provided at Muskingum University - a short drive from here; as well as the Community Choirs. We are so blessed!"

"And beyond those, I hope that what we sing at our concert may help some of us - performers and listeners - decide to give peace a chance. And it starts by talking to each other, listening, praying, and in acts of kindness."

Snyder says the spring concerts are different from the Christmas concerts, beyond the seasonal repertoire. "Having been together since September, the choirs have grown musically," explained Snyder. "The Coshocton Singers [grades 4-8] and the Coshocton Youth Chorale [grades 9-12] are able to sing a few more songs. And because we've been together longer, it's easier to know what repertoire to choose for each ensemble."

While the Coshocton Community Choir has actually gained a few singers since the pandemic, the two younger choirs are smaller - reflecting many school, community, church, and university music organizations, as well as the Cardinal Chorale.

"My take is partly that the older musicians are often the key recruiters for their ensembles," expressed Snyder. "Many organizations lost two years of their gifts and influence - as well as their recruiting leadership. But the positives have been enthusiastic young singers, appreciative parents and 'taxi drivers', as well as more time for individual help - and laughter."

Snyder says the choir is excited to share three new songs chosen for this concert. "A recent anthem based on the old hymn, 'O Love, That Will Not Let Me Go', is new to the Choir," said Snyder. "Composer Elaine Hagenberg has written a beautiful new tune for it, and added a cello part to be played by Coshocton High School music teacher, Abigail Adams."

"I heard 'O Lord, Our God' performed in 2006 by Mt. Vernon Nazarene University's Collegians Chorale," continued Snyder. "I ordered copies soon after that. It was composed by Dr. Ovid Young. The accompanist, Mark Wagner, was a senior, and he fortunately was hired by River View High School. Mark has been a member of the Community Choir since the fall of 2006, and is now our associate accompanist and equipment co-chair. He will accompany this number for its Coshocton premiere."

"John Rutter's 'A Gaelic Blessing' is new to the Community Choir, but I chose it some years ago for the Chancel Choir at The Coshocton Presbyterian Church," shared Snyder. "It quickly became a favorite of Helen L. Wright, the church organist from 1967-2007 (and the Community Choir's first accompanist). We sing it at this concert to honor her!"

Audiences have come to expect our spring processional, 'All Glory, Laud, and Honor', as well as the traditional encores: 'Beautiful Savior', and 'The Lord Bless You and Keep You'. Community Choir alumni are invited to join the choir on stage for those two songs, and it becomes a small reunion."

Alumni of the Coshocton Singers (formerly called the Coshocton Children's Choir) will join the current choir in singing their two traditional pieces: 'I'm Goin' Up a-Yonder', and 'Blessing'.

The Youth Chorale will sing some of their traditional songs at their own finale at Roscoe United Methodist Church - this year set for Friday, May 26.

Other Community Choir favorites to be performed at this concert include Mary McDonald's 'Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace'; Ken Medema's 'Lord, Listen to Your Children'; Hal Hopson's arrangement of 'All Creatures of Our God and King', which he titled 'Canticle of Praise'; and Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Pie Jesu' - from his Requiem.

"The Youth Chorale especially enjoys Ed Harris' setting of the familiar 'To Everything There Is a Season', and The Coshocton Singers have fun singing two movements of 'A Menagerie of Songs - Bandicoot and Panda'," shared Snyder. "The audience will be invited to join the three choirs, the Roscoe Brass, and percussion in singing the final stanza of John Rutter's arrangement of 'Down by the Riverside'."

"After every concert I hear from a few local residents who had never been to a Coshocton Community Choir concert, and had just experienced a concert for the first time because someone invited them," Snyder shared. "Their joy and delight is obvious as they share their experience. I encourage you to invite someone to join you for our spring concert, Song of Peace".

The Coshocton Community Choir's Spring Concert Song of Peace takes place on Sunday, April 30, at 3:00 p.m. at Coshocton High School's McKinley Auditorium, located at 1205 Cambridge Road in Coshocton. Tickets for the concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the door, on the choir website www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org.

To find out more about the Coshocton Community Choir, call the choir office at (740) 623-0554, check out the Coshocton Community Choir Facebook page, or visit their website www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org.

Choir to share 'Song of Peace' preview concert in Dover on April 23

The Coshocton Community Choir will perform their Song of Peace concert on Sunday, April 23 at 6:00 pm, at The First Moravian Church, 319 N. Walnut Street  in Dover, Ohio. 

The 100-voice adult choir, under the direction of Charles R. Snyder, will perform a mix of sacred and secular choral music. Now in its 51st season, the Community Choir was organized in 1971 by Snyder, a longtime Coshocton teacher, choral director, and church musician. Snyder says the theme for this concert, Song of Peace, began as a concern of what is going on in the world: the pointed fingers, and the unwillingness of many to sit down, listen, and talk with each other.

"We hope that our audiences will leave the concerts with joy, and with appreciation for all the arts in our communities and in our schools," said Snyder. "I also hope what we sing at our concert may help some of us - performers and listeners - decide to give peace a chance.  And it starts by talking to each other, listening, praying, and in acts of kindness."

Snyder says he is excited to share three new songs chosen for this concert ~ 'O Love, That Will Not Let Me Go'; 'A Gaelic Blessing'; and 'O Lord, Our God'. Audience members will also enjoy 'Canticle of Praise', 'Lord Listen to Your Children', 'Down by the Riverside', 'A Song of Peace', 'Beautiful Savior', 'The Lord Bless You and Keep You', and more. 

"Over the years, the Community Choir has taken their spring concert 'on the road',  usually the week before our Coshocton concert," added Snyder. "We've enjoyed singing in Somerset, Grove City, Dover, New Philadelphia, and for Lakeside Chautauqua on Lake Erie".  

"This Spring, we are thrilled to sing at the First Moravian Church in Dover and we have invited the high school singers from an area school to join us," said Snyder.  "The Legacy Christian Choir will be led by their director, Franklin Miller.  The church's music director, G. Randall Gibbs, will play the pipe organ for several selections. It will be a special treat!  After the concert, there will be a time for fellowship."

The concert venue is The First Moravian Church located at 319 N. Walnut Street in Dover, Ohio.  Parking is available in the church lot, across the street, and in the Dover High School parking lot.   No tickets are necessary for this concert, but a freewill offering will be accepted to help support the ministry of the Coshocton Community Choir. All are welcome to attend the concert on Sunday, April 23 at 6:00pm. 

The Coshocton Community Choir is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that meets the expenses involved in preparing for concerts each year through ticket sales and contributions.  Contributions to support the Choir can be mailed to the Coshocton Community Choir at: PO Box 1648, Coshocton, Ohio 43812.

Another Coshocton Community Choir Song of Peace Concert will also be held in Coshocton on Sunday, April 30 at 3:00pm at Coshocton High School's McKinley Auditorium.   To find out more about the Coshocton Community Choir, call the choir office at (740) 623-0554, check out the Coshocton Community Choir Facebook page, or visit their website www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org.

Choir's Christmas Festival Concert returns in-person Dec. 4

The Coshocton Community Choir will return to sing its first in-person Christmas Festival Concert since pre-pandemic 2019 on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 at 3 p.m. at Coshocton High School's McKinley Auditorium. The 100-voice choir will be joined by the Coshocton Youth Chorale and The Coshocton Singers in the concert, as well as the Roscoe Brass Quintet, long-time accompanist Dickie Barrick, pianist Mark Wagner and several instrumentalists. In total, over 150 musicians from throughout central Ohio will participate.

“Over the years, many community members have said that their Christmas celebration begins with our concert. Hearing the audience join the choirs and instruments in singing several Christmas carols often gives me goosebumps, as we together remember the meaning of this holy season,” said Charles R. Snyder, director. “After two years of pandemic-related changes, especially for singing, it is a joy to again hear voices raised in song. We've been enjoying the sound in rehearsals, and know it will give you joy as well.”

Now in its 51st season, the Community Choir was organized in 1971 by Snyder, a longtime Coshocton teacher, choral director, and church musician. Snyder says the theme for this concert, “Come, Let Us Adore,” was inspired by focusing on the hope and joy of this holy season.

“Choosing a theme for the concert helps me think about possible songs for the three choirs, ideas of carols for all of us to sing, and what instruments we might use,” Snyder said. “This concert theme was also the result of listening to an exciting newer arrangement of the familiar carol, ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful.’ I think the audience will enjoy that thrilling setting at our December 4 concert.”

"Each year the Christmas Festival Concert’s theme gives Tom Kulewicz, the Choir’s artist since 1988, ideas for the program cover he then creates," Snyder added. "The theme also prompts ideas for the concert narration. The Reverend Richard K. Hoover, retired pastor of Roscoe United Methodist Church, in Coshocton, has crafted the narrations since 2013."

The concert program explores a wide mix of songs in a variety of styles, including a processional, "Come to the Water," composed by John Foley, S.J.; Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium" (O Great Mystery); Jack Halloran's setting of "Go Tell It on the Mountain," arranged for Fred Waring and the Pennsylanians and soloists Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby; and the traditional "Stay With Us," composed by Egil Hovland.

The Christmas Festival Concert will again include “Carols in the Round”: the Community Choir will leave the stage and assemble in small groups and surround the audience.

"After every concert, I hear from a few local residents who had not known there was a Community Choir here, and experienced our concert because someone invited them," Snyder shared. "Their joy and delight is obvious as they share their experience. We encourage you to invite someone to join you for our 51st Christmas Festival Concert, ‘Come, Let Us Adore!’"

The Choir is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that meets the expenses involved in preparing for concerts each year through ticket sales and an annual fund campaign that’s underway for the 2022-2023 season now. Contributions to support the Choir can be mailed to the Choir at: PO Box 1648, Coshocton, Ohio 43812.

Tickets for the 90-minute concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available pre-sale from choir members and online at CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org. Tickets will also be available at the door the afternoon of the concert.

For more information about the Coshocton Community Choir, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, The Coshocton Singers, or the Coshocton Youth Chorale, visit coshoctoncommunitychoir.org, call the Choir office at 740-623-0554 or find the Choir on Facebook.

16 new singers join Choir for 51st season

The Coshocton Community Choir recently welcomed 16 new members to their 100-voice choir as they prepare for the upcoming Christmas Festival Concert, Come, Let Us Adore, on Sunday, Dec. 4 at Coshocton High School. The new members include: Olivia Crouso, Mason Gano, Terri Phillips, Emily Blair, Dannan Stewart, Madison McWilliams, Colleen Schimmel, Cheryl Stevens, Bryan Kittner, David McDonald, Spencer Stanley, Allen Cook, Deb Quillen, Marge Pizzino, Michael Woolery, and Joellyn Weidman.

The Coshocton Community Choir is conducted by its founder, Charles R. Snyder,  The Choir includes singers not only from Coshocton County, but also from Tuscarawas, Morrow, Franklin, Licking, Fairfield, Muskingum, and Guernsey counties, as well as West Virginia. Choir members range from high school age through senior citizens.  

The Choir is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that meets the expenses involved in preparing for and performing concerts each year through ticket sales and an annual fund campaign that’s underway for the 2022-2023 season now. Contributions to support the Choir can be mailed to the Choir at: PO Box 1648, Coshocton, Ohio 43812. Patrons receive tickets to the Choir's Christmas and Spring concerts.

The Coshocton Community Choir's Festival Christmas Concert, titled Come, Let Us Adore, will be on Sunday, December 4, at 3:00 p.m. at Coshocton High School's McKinley Auditorium, located at 1205 Cambridge Road in Coshocton. The concert will feature the adult choir, The Coshocton Singers, and the Coshocton Youth Chorale, accompanists Dickie Barrick and Mark Wagner, The Roscoe Brass quintet, and percussion.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available pre-sale from choir members and online at CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org. Tickets will also be available at the door the afternoon of the concert.

For more information about the Coshocton Community Choir, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, The Coshocton Singers, or the Coshocton Youth Chorale, visit coshoctoncommunitychoir.org or find the Choir on Facebook.