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.