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.

Choir plans 51st season with auditions, temporary rehearsal space

Auditions for the Coshocton Community Choir’s new season will be held the last week of August at the Choir’s office: 1035 Walnut Street. A prepared song is not required.

 "There are openings in all sections (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), but we especially need first and second sopranos, as well as first and second tenors," shared Charles R. Snyder, the choir's founder and conductor.

To make an audition appointment, call 740-623-0554.  If there is no answer, please leave a message with your name and phone number.  Rehearsals for the December 4 concert, 'O Come, Let Us Adore',  will begin on Sunday, September 11, at 6:30 p.m.

The Coshocton Community Choir has had members from across the state of Ohio. Singers in last season's  50th anniversary edition of the Community Choir came from Coshocton and nine other counties.  

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

The Community Choir has also announced it will rehearse this season at Coshocton’s Emmanuel Lutheran Church, located at 1500 Pleasant Valley Drive, Coshocton; while Grace United Methodist Church rebuilds after its May fire. 

"We began rehearsing at Grace Church last season once we resumed rehearsals after Covid cases let up," shared Gordon Kendall, Community Choir Board President,  "and we do plan to return there once the church has been rebuilt.  "I am so thankful that Emmanuel Lutheran Church offered their facilities as a temporary home until Grace Church is available again.    On behalf of the entire Community Choir, thank you Coshocton and surrounding areas for your patience and continued support."

"We had been discussing at the church ways we could use our facility more for the community," shared Pastor Bryan Kittner of Emmanuel Lutheran Church.  "We felt this opportunity to open our church up to the Community Choir at this time for their rehearsal space was a great fit and ties in well with our church's mission."

"The Coshocton Community Choir brings the spirit of worship into the public which is awesome!" continued Kittner.  "At their concerts, the heavens seem to open up for a few moments which is so inspiring.  We are so happy to be able to serve the Choir in this way and help them with their rehearsal space needs."

The Coshocton Community Choir actually has ties to Coshocton's Emmanuel Lutheran Church.   The choir’s founder, Charles R. Snyder, was the director of Emmanuel’s Junior Choir soon after he returned to Coshocton to teach in 1970.  Beginning two years later, Snyder also led Emmanuel’s Senior Choir from 1972-1976, prior to being hired by The Presbyterian Church in late 1976.  By 1973, Emmanuel Lutheran Church had left its historic building at 7th and Walnut Streets and moved to its new building at 1500 Pleasant Valley Drive.  In December, 1973, the Coshocton  Community Choir sang Handel’s 'Messiah' for a capacity audience at the brand new Emmanuel Lutheran Church location.

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.  

Choir announces the presentation of the 2022 Barbara Bachert Scholarship

The Coshocton Community Choir announces the presentation of the 2022 Barbara Bachert Scholarship to Liam Stevens-Woolery.  Stevens-Woolery is the son of Cheryl Stevens and Michael Woolery.  He is a 2022 graduate and valedictorian of River View High School.  He has been a member of the Coshocton Community Choir's Coshocton Singers and  Coshocton Youth Chorale; and also sang in the Cardinal Chorale. 

Stevens-Woolery's high school musical activities included marching band, symphonic band, Caribbean steel drum ensemble, jazz band, pep band, chamber choir, concert choir, and Certified Gold.  He was a member of choir council and band council serving as the Band President.   He was also a member of National Honor Society; Speech and Debate; Chess Club; Science Fair Club; German Honor Society; DMUN and served as Class Secretary.  

Stevens-Woolery participated in Coshocton County Youth Leadership and is an Eagle Scout.  In the fall, he will be attending Miami University in the Exploratory program in the Honors College.

This year’s Barbara Bachert's  Scholarship is presented in honor of longtime Coshocton Community Choir members Steve and Karen Hildreth for the many lives they have touched through their support and encouragement of music in the community. Steve joined the Coshocton  Community Choir in 1986, the same year he began teaching band for Newcomerstown Exempted Village Schools.  The next year, Karen joined the choir.

Steve is a graduate of Norton High School with degrees from The Ohio State University and Ashland University.  He was a member of the OSU Marching Band, tuba ensembles, University Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Military Band.  During his tenure at Newcomerstown, he encouraged a number of his students to join him in the Coshocton Community Choir.  In his 30+ year teaching career in rural, suburban, and urban settings, Steve taught vocal and instrumental music grades 5-12 and music technology.  He retired in 2017 and began a new career helping with technology for the Licking County Library system.

Karen Hildreth is a graduate of Hopewell-Loudon High School and Terra Technical College.  She worked as an office assistant in several medical practices before their move to Pataskala.  She is a cafeteria supervisor for Licking Heights School District.  Karen participated in the All-Ohio Youth Choir and both she and Steve served on the staff.

From 2002-2017, the Hildreths not only made the 58 mile trek (each way) from their home in Pataskala on Sunday evenings for  Coshocton Community Choir rehearsals; but also on Tuesdays (and sometimes Thursdays)  to bring their children – Katie, AJ, and Emma – to Coshocton Singers and Coshocton Youth Chorale rehearsals.

For more information about the Coshocton Community Choir, visit www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org, find them on Facebook, or call 740-623-0554.

50th Anniversary Series: The Fifth Decade – 2012 - 2022

The Coshocton Community Choir, founded by and conducted by Charles R. Snyder is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this season. A celebration concert will be held on Sunday, April 24. Here’s a look back at the fifth decade of the choir.

The 2012 Christmas concert theme was “Light Has Come!” “It would be the final collaboration between Dr. Allan Zagray and me, as Allan died the following April,” Snyder said. “His gifts in leadership and crafting the concert narration were deeply appreciated.”

February 2013, The All-Ohio Youth Choir made its final visit to Coshocton for the combined Winter Pops Concert, “Keep the Dream Alive.” One hundred and fifty-four singers from around the state were joined by the community choir in McKinley Auditorium. “Bravi to the community choir members for organizing the housing and meals for the All-Ohio Youth Choir and staff for 20 years,” Snyder said.

“On June 12, 2013, the community choir went on a ‘field trip’ by coach to Columbus, where we heard the Tabernacle Choir,” Snyder said. “The glorious music will be remembered – as will the severe storms and tornado warnings on the return trip.”

Chad J. Putka, a youth choir staff member, arrived in the fall of 2013 for an internship with Snyder, and the blessings of that partnership touched the three community choirs, as well as the music ministry at The Coshocton Presbyterian Church.

The 2013 Christmas concert, “The Christmas Rose,” was the last year the choir sang both an afternoon and an evening concert, but the choir continued to sing a reprise the following weekend in Newcomerstown. The Rev. Richard K. Hoover, who penned the concert narration in 2009, agreed to take over that responsibility.

For the first time, Snyder missed concerts. “A fall on ice on Nov. 22, 2014, resulted in a severely fractured ankle, and I was told to ‘stay down’ for 10 weeks before starting physical therapy,” said Snyder. “Assistant director Jennifer A. Sper and intern Chad Putka filled in for both Coshocton and Newcomerstown Christmas concerts.”

Day by Day, the 2015 spring concerts were held at New Philadelphia United Methodist Church and reprised at Coshocton. In his last Coshocton Community Choir concert, Chad Putka sang the solo on a rousing arrangement of “Bless This House.”

The choir’s 45th anniversary celebration was held in the Coshocton Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall. Choir Board President Beth Nelson headed the 2016 celebration, which included a photo booth and a choral flash mob.

The 2016 Christmas Concert featured a live tableau, and Choir alumna Heather Stewart recruited, costumed, and directed the players. The Coshocton High School auditorium was packed, and the youth chorale singers were moved to chairs in front of the stage to make more room for audience members.

On Christmas Eve 2018, the choir’s Christmas CD was broadcast over WTNS Radio. and resonated with choir members and listeners alike. That winter, the choir experienced the unexpected losses of alumnus Jim Humphrey and member Travis Alberts.

“In the spring of 2019, the choir celebrated Dickie Barrick’s 35th anniversary as our accompanist,” Snyder said, “A reception was held in her honor after rehearsal.”

“In November of its 49th season, Lee Bown announced her retirement after 35 years of dedicated service as our business manager,” Snyder said. “She left an indelible mark on the choir and its many patrons.”

In early March 2020, the choir was in the middle of rehearsing when the pandemic hit. “There was no spring concert for the first time since we began in 1977,” Snyder said, “We wondered how long this might last.”

The choir had a new mission: to stay connected with each other while being separated. Snyder sent song clips and ‘thoughts for the day’ to encourage and inspire choir members during the hiatus.

Though schools were closed, the Bachert scholarship applications were emailed, and two scholarships were awarded in honor of Lee Bown and supporter Nancy Porteus.

Since then, the Choir has moved to a new office space and moved the choir’s extensive music library and rehearsals to Grace United Methodist Church.

The choir prepared two virtual concerts – one on April 25, 2021, and another on Dec. 5, 2021. And finally, on Feb. 20, 2022, the choir sang four pieces with the Cardinal Chorale at Grace United Methodist Church, while physically distanced and masked.  “A large audience came to enjoy hearing live music,” Snyder said.

When the choir’s 50th anniversary concert is presented on Sunday, April 24, 2022, it will be the first they have sung a full concert in McKinley Auditorium since Dec. 8, 2019.

The 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert Glory and Honor, will be held on Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. at Coshocton High School’s McKinley Auditorium. Tickets for the concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available to purchase online at www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org or at the door on concert day. For information, call the choir office at 740-623-0554.

50th Anniversary Series: The Fourth Decade – 2001 - 2011

The Coshocton Community Choir, founded by and conducted by Charles R. Snyder is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this season.  A celebration concert will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at Coshocton High School's McKinley Auditorium.  Here's a look back at the fourth decade of the choir.

All Creation Sings was the title of the Community Choir’s 40th Christmas concert in 2001, and the 15th Christmas festival concert.  "River View High School’s Certified Gold Chorale was our guest for that concert," shared Snyder, "and the two choirs sang an antiphonal setting of the carol, 'While by My Sheep'."

Also that year, The Coshocton Singers, grades 4-8, celebrated its 15th anniversary at the spring concerts.

On July 2, 2001, the Community Choir traveled to Lakeside on Lake Erie, and sang a concert to an enthusiastic crowd in Hoover Auditorium.  "We were billed as 'Another of the many favorites from last season!' exclaimed Snyder.

The Christmas concerts in 2002 were the last for narrator Kay Finnegan, who had filled that role with class for more than fifteen years. 

After years of 8th graders asking if there could be a high school choir in the Community Choir family, it finally happened in the spring of 2003 with the formation of the Coshocton Youth Chorale.  After the concerts, Youth Chorale members asked to have another concert of their own, and Roscoe United Methodist opened their doors for those concerts.  

In June 2003, the Community Choir was invited back to Lakeside for a third year. 

"At the 2003 Christmas concerts we launched 'carols in the round' and the choir was divided into six smaller groups, spread around the auditorium," shared Snyder.  "Although this setup is challenging for the singers, it is a joy for the audience."

Also that year, Lyn Mizer organized a campaign to 'unsqueak' the 915 Coshocton High School auditorium seats, and recruited 42 volunteers to help.  

In 2005, after 34 years at the helm of the Community Choir, Snyder took a leave to recharge his batteries.  For those five months, he was at Muskingum College, filling in for Professor Robert Owen Jones, who was on his own sabbatical.

Snyder had been writing the narration for the Christmas concerts for twenty years, and in 2005 he asked Dr. Allan Zagray, retired pastor of Grace United Methodist Church to take over that role  

In May, 2006, the Coshocton Youth Chorale was invited to sing for the unveiling of the new sculpture at the Public Library.  That June, the Community Choir was invited to sing at Lakeside again, and were welcomed by a large and enthusiastic crowd.

In 2007, the Columbus Symphony selected Snyder as Community Music Educator of the Year, and 45 friends, family members, colleagues, present and former students gathered for the occasion.

The choir had performed their Christmas concert for five years at Dresden Presbyterian Church. "Then in 2009, we began a new tradition of singing ourChristmas concert at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Newcomerstown," shared Snyder. 

While the choir normally holds music when they sing, there are times when it’s better without it – especially if you’re walking in a procession.  So Snyder keeps after the Choir to memorize a few pieces. 

"Some altos in 2011, were not so eager to memorize the processional music," recalled Snyder.  "A couple of them realized they would be on the stage before they had to sing, and thought they would set the words on the instrumentalists' music stands where they could see it and not have to learn the music.  A 'totally innocent' alto with neat printing, was conscripted into writing the text for them and placing it on the stands.   That 'totally innocent' alto may have 'accidentally' let the plan slip to me, and I will neither confirm nor deny that before the concert, I took great delight in rearranging their pages of text, so they were in the wrong order!"

"In 2012, my sister Cherie and I were at Lakeside for some rare sibling time," shared Snyder.  "One evening we went to a symphony concert. We arrived early, and a few minutes later three folks came in and sat in front of us.  Soon we heard Coshocton…, and our ears perked up.  They were talking about our recent Community Choir concert at Lakeside and how wonderful it had been!  They were surprised that it was a community group.  'Coshocton can’t be that big,' one said.  'How do you think something so wonderful could come from such a small place?'  Cherie and I exchanged looks and smiled but didn’t give in to the temptation to speak. In a time when it’s hard to remember what we had for lunch, it’s quite a tribute to hear folks exuding about something they heard ten or twelve days earlier!"

 Find more information about the Coshocton Community Choir and their upcoming concert on Sunday, April 24, at www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org.    If you are a choir alumni and haven't yet received information about the 50th Anniversary Celebration, call the choir's office at 740-623-0554

50th Anniversary Series: The Third Decade – 1992-2002

The Coshocton Community Choir, founded by and conducted by Charles R. Snyder is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this season.  A celebration concert will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at Coshocton High School's McKinley Auditorium.  Here's a look back at the early years of the choir - the third decade.

"Members of the Community Choir were excited to sing anthems we commissioned for the 1991 Christmas concert: Hal Hopson’s 'Christmas Fanfare and Processional', and Michael Burkhardt’s setting of 'Arise, Behold the Light'," recalled Snyder. 

While some of its members had played for previous concerts, The Roscoe Brass made its official debut at the 1991 Christmas concerts.  The quintet has become integral in the Choir’s concerts and outreach, and several also sing in the Choir.

By 1991, the Children’s Choir had grown from 33 to 70 singers.  Teachers Jeff Gill and Diana Marlatt were lifelines as they took care of many behind the scenes items including the Children's Choir shirts and getting the Children's Choir members to and from the stage during performances.

In the letter Norman and Helen Wright wrote for the Community Choir's 1992 Annual Fund, they shared: “Since it began as a choral dream in 1971, the 100-voice choir (grown from the original 35) has become one of the cultural focuses of our community and state.  To our knowledge, the choir is unique: we do not know of another community choir of this size, ability, and versatility, and who rehearse with such regularity and dedication – 2 hours each Sunday evening for eight months of the year.”

On Holy Saturday, 1992, Snyder was confirmed as the new music director of the All-Ohio Youth Choir.  After the death of that choir’s founder, Glenville Thomas, Snyder was chosen from more than sixty applicants.  Thus began a new chapter for the Coshocton Community Choir as 105 members from the 1992 All-Ohio Youth Choir converged in Coshocton in February 1993, for a weekend reunion and a joint concert with the Community Choir.  That tradition would continue for twenty years.   

Artist Tom Kulewicz designed his first spring choir logo for the 1993 concert, and he continues to design concert logos to this day for the Community Choir.  Those who come to the Choir’s 50th anniversary concert on April 24 at will see a display of all the covers he’s designed for the Choir.

For the second half of the 1994 Christmas concert, 'Star of Wonder', the Choir presented the Christmas one-act opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors.  The ambitious undertaking involved 31 singing shepherds, 3 high school dancers, 6 cast members, and 12 instrumentalists. The whole choir sang the farewell. Jeff Gill was the dramatic and production director.

Selling Texas Manor Fruitcakes became a Coshocton Community Choir major fundraiser for a number of years, and the tasty fruitcakes were delivered before Thanksgiving each year.  

In 1997, the American Boychoir made another visit to Coshocton as part of the Dogwood Festival of the Arts. The concert was held at The Coshocton Presbyterian Church, and 37 members of the Community Choir, and 30 members of the Coshocton Children’s Choir also participated. Pianist Dickie Barrick, and Don Kason, Paul Ring, and Steve Hildreth – members of The Roscoe Brass - also participated.  After the concert, 5th grader Ryan McPeek from Coshocton successfully auditioned for the Boychoir.

On December 5, 1997, Paul J. Christiansen, legendary 20th century choral titan, and founder and director of the Concordia Choir, died just hours before his choir's annual Christmas Concert.    "Because Paul J. Christiansen and his choir had made such an impact on me and the Coshocton Community Choir, we dedicated our spring 1998 concert to him and his legacy," shared Snyder. 

The Community Choir sang a group of masterworks that he had edited, a set of his original compositions, a set of arrangements he completed of hymns and spirituals, and concluded with a group of works he composed or arranged for the Coshocton Community Choir. In addition to the two spring concerts in Coshocton, the Community Choir also took the tribute spring concert to Zion Lutheran Church in Wooster.

In 1999, the Community Choir’s audition tape to sing for the Ohio Choral Directors Association was selected, and the choir got to sing for their summer conference at Cleveland State University.

Also in 1999, two members of the Coshocton Children’s Choir, Josh Chaney and John Pollock, successfully auditioned for the National Honor Boychoir that rehearsed and performed for the American Choral Directors Association in Chicago. The 250-voice choir was drawn from all parts of the country.

"In 2001, the Choir was invited to sing on the prestigious concert series in Hoover Auditorium at Lakeside on Lake Erie," said Snyder. "What an honor that was for us!"

If you are a choir alumni and haven't yet received information about the 50th Anniversary Celebration, call the choir's office at 740-623-0554.  Find more information about the Coshocton Community Choir and their upcoming concert on Sunday, April 24, at www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org.

50th Anniversary Series: The Second Decade – 1982-1992

The Coshocton Community Choir, founded by and conducted by Charles R. Snyder is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this season.  A celebration concert will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at Coshocton High School's McKinley Auditorium.  Here's a look back at the early years of the choir - the second decade.

In the early 1980s, the choir commissioned artist Suzanne Smailes Clark to design their logo, and suggested St. Andrew’s cross.  "Her classic adaptation was simple and elegant, and proclaimed our purpose and mission: to worship God through song," shared Snyder. 

The growing Choir needed more organization, and the first officers were elected: Donna Dolick, president; Dave Bown, vice-president; Kathy Rockey, secretary; Becky Lerch, treasurer; Lizzie Horst, librarian; and Judy Pingle and Sharon Sutton, publicity.  Other officers chosen were Jan Kinder, Patty Thompson, Jim Bundy, and Ed Duling, section leaders; Roger Foster, properties manager; Cherie Snyder, robe manager; and Ann Leppla and Tom Rockey, publicity committee. Helen Wright continued as accompanist.

"In February, 1982, we sponsored Paul Christiansen’s Concordia Choir in concert at McKinley Auditorium," recalled Snyder.  "The community’s welcome was enthusiastic, and the impact on the Community Choir was immediate: the sound of our choir reflected what they had heard, and more people auditioned to join us!"

That summer, the Choir was invited to join the Coshocton County Community Band for a summer concert on the Courtsquare.  The tradition would continue for eight years.

In the fall, conductor Snyder spent seven weeks studying with Dr. Christiansen at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.  "To attract more listeners, Dr. Christiansen suggested we move our concerts from churches to public auditoriums and sell tickets," said Snyder.  "While we were skeptical, we decided to try.  We planned two performances at the Triple Lock Theatre.  The concerts were sold out!"

The first financial drive was successful. The Choir took its first road trip, and sang their Christmas concert at Trinity United Methodist Church in Mt. Gilead.

Dickie Rohrer was welcomed as accompanist in 1983, and the Choir’s Christmas concert attracted 800 listeners.  "Lee Bown became our choir manager in 1984, and her ideas and enthusiasm were contagious!," said Snyder.  "Ron Little was appointed assistant conductor that fall." 

Robes, risers, and a choir shell were made possible in 1984, thanks to a grant from the Coshocton Foundation, and gifts from Ed and Frances Montgomery, and Seward and Edith Schooler.

In April, 1985, choir friend, attorney Harold E. Hunt, filed the papers for their non-profitincorporation status. In the fall of 1985, the Choir had its first auditions, as nearly 100 singers expressed interest in singing. With Lee Bown on board, the Choir had its first organized Annual Fund drive. They also sang for the Ohio Choral Directors Association’s fall at Salt Fork.  In December the Choir offered Christmas concerts at 3:00 and 7:30 p.m., and the audience grew to 1,100.

In February of 1986, the Concordia Choir was in Coshocton for two days.  The morning after the concert, Dr. Christiansen worked with the massed choir (300 high school and adult singers), and critiqued performances by the Coshocton High School Choir and a Community Choir ensemble. Afterwards, he led his choir in several spirituals. Spirits were high!

"For our 15th anniversary that year, we had a concert at the Coshocton Presbyterian Church, singing the first half in the multi-colored church choir robes, and changing into our new robes for the second half," shared Snyder. 

Later that year, the Choir and the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra (SEOSO) performed in Coshocton, and Snyder conducted the combined ensembles. The Choir also sang an a cappella concert in the glorious acoustic of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Somerset.

The Choir had its first Christmas festival concert in 1987, with narration, a painted backdrop, and an instrumental ensemble for 1,350 listeners.  In the spring, they performed again with the SEOSO, now conducted by Dr. John Kolpitcke.

The first Coshocton Children’s Choir made its debut in 1988. The 33 singers wowed the audience!  The Choir’s first Bachert scholarships were presented to two graduates in the spring. 

Thomas E. Havelka was appointed assistant conductor that fall, and the Choir took its Christmas concert to St. John’s Lutheran Church, and sang to a full house.

The Choir sponsored a concert by The American Boychoir, preceded by an assembly for 1,100 area third and fourth graders. The result: 7th and 8th graders lobbied to have two more years in the Children’s Choir!

If you are a choir alumni and haven't yet received information about the 50th Anniversary Celebration, call the choir's office at 740-623-0554.  Find more information about the Coshocton Community Choir, at www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org.