Dover First Moravian Church welcomes choir
Now in its 54th season, the Coshocton Community Choir was organized in 1971.
The Coshocton Community Choir, including auditioned singers from nine Ohio counties, will have its spring concert, “In All Things, Love,” Sunday, April 13 at 6 p.m. at Dover First Moravian Church. The concert will feature a selection of sacred and secular choral music including arrangements and settings of familiar hymns, classical works, spirituals and more.
Director Charles R. Snyder said, “A 17th century German theologian Rupertus Meldenius wrote, ‘In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.’ Or he could have written, ‘in all things, love.’ Love, charity and compassion for each other as human beings should undergird everything we do. The song, ‘In All Things, Love,’ takes a variety of texts about love and puts them together in a powerful way. It is the central theme of this concert. Practically every song has a message of love. My hope is for your heart to leave the concert fuller than it arrived.”
Now in its 54th season, the Coshocton Community Choir was organized in 1971 by Snyder, an Ohio teacher, choral conductor and church musician. Since its founding, more than 900 singers have sung with the group, which has become known for its renditions of sacreda cappella literature. The singers come from all backgrounds, vocations and walks of life. While rehearsing together weekly through the fall and winter, the choir performs a narrated Christmas concert and spring concerts with a variety of choral works.
Along with other a cappella numbers, the concert will include “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “Wondrous Love” and a contemporary version of “Jesus Loves Me.” John Rutter’s jazzy arrangement of “Down by the Riverside” will give the audience an opportunity to sing with the choir.
Other popular selections include Jester Hairston’s “Amen,” Maurice Durfle’s “Ubi Caritas” and Jane Marshall’s “My Eternal King.” The choir will conclude the concert with F. Melius Christiansen’s rendition of “Beautiful Savior” and Peter Lutkin’s “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.”
During intermission a choral ensemble from Legacy Christian School, under the direction of Franklin Miller, will present two numbers.
The concert is free, with voluntary gifts being accepted following the concert. Dover First Moravian Church is located at 319 N. Walnut St. in Dover.