Dover First Moravian Church welcomes choir
Coshocton Community Choir will present “A Song of Peace” at Dover First Moravian Church.
Coshocton Community Choir will present “A Song of Peace” at Dover First Moravian Church on Sunday, April 23 at 6 p.m. — in its 51st year.
The group includes 80 members from eight different Ohio counties. Some have been members for 30 years or more; others are in their first year.
Since its founding, 898 singers have sung with the choir, which has become known for its renditions of sacred a cappella literature, thus fulfilling the dream of Director Charles Snyder to worship God through song and inspire others to undertake a similar service.
Snyder, a Columbus native and graduate of Coshocton High School, studied music, English and religion at Capital University. In 1977, following six years as a public school vocal and instrumental music educator for grades 1-12 and two years as a district Scout executive for the Boy Scouts of America, he became a staff member at The Presbyterian Church in Coshocton.
Over the years his assignments there included the congregation's education and youth ministries in addition to music. He retired from the Presbyterian Church after 44 years of service. For 55 years he was a church musician in Lutheran, United Methodist, United Church of Christ and Presbyterian congregations in Central Ohio.
Snyder has been a contest adjudicator and a clinician for the Ohio Choral Director's Association and for high schools and colleges. He has been a musical theater director, a guest conductor for more than 80 all-county and OMEA district honors choirs, and has conducted the chorus at four national Order of the Arrow conferences.
In spring 1992 he was chosen in a state-wide search as the conductor for the 200-voice All-Ohio Youth Choir and led it for 22 seasons. He founded the select high school/collegiate traveling ensemble, the Cardinal Chorale and was selected as one of the first five recipients of the Ovation Award, presented by the Vocal Arts Resource Network to honor those who instill and inspire love of vocal music in Ohio.
Sunday’s program will include anthems by well-known composers such as Garry A. Cornell, Melchior Teschner, Jean Sibelius and others. Familiar works include “A Song of Peace,” “Beautiful Savior,” “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” “Sing to God a Joyful Song” and “Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace.” Randall Gibbs, Dover First’s director of music, will serve as accompanist for the group.
Dover First Moravian Church is located at 319 N. Walnut St. in Dover.