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.