All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir
Encyclopedia
The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir (known as the AOSFYC or the All-Ohio Youth Choir) is a singing organization of high school students that meets every summer five days prior to the opening of the Ohio State Fair
and performs as entertainment for the duration of the fair. Dubbed in 1965 as "Ohio's Singing Ambassadors of Goodwill" by Governor James A. Rhodes
, the group is composed of singers from many of Ohio
's 88 counties. The group also meets in the winter during a "Winter Pops Concert" in which the Coshocton
Community Choir hosts the young singers in a reunion concert.
.
. Performing in packed houses in both the British Isles
and on the continent, the groundwork was set for European tours in years to come, with the proceeds from the concerts going to cancer research. This was the first time that the choir was called "Ohio's Singing Ambassadors of Goodwill" by Governor James A Rhodes, who championed the choir through all four of his terms as governor and was one of the choir's biggest fans.
During the fair that year, the '65 choir was constantly reminded that the European Tour Choir would be coming to the fair on the last Saturday of the fair to show the new choir "how it was done." This created a friendly rivalry between the different years of the choir. This only caused each choir to want to perform even better. Throughout the many years to follow there were many small changes each year. Some changes were made because of advances in technology, some because of economics. But from the first beginning years to the present the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir remains one of the greatest musical experiences that a teenager from Ohio can be a part of.
In the summer of 1966, members of the previous year's Choir prepared for their trip to Europe. The trip began on a difficult note, with an airline mechanics' strike, the flights from Columbus to New York and from New York to Shannon, Ireland, were both canceled. The choir took buses to New York where a flight on Icelandic Air was booked to Ireland. Once in Ireland, the choir performed throughout the British Isles before moving on to Switzerland, Spain and Portugal. When the time arrived to return home, the flight was canceled because of the ongoing strike. After spending 3 additional nights in a Portuguese monastery, a flight was finally booked to bring the choir home. Buses were again used to move the choir from New York to Columbus.
by an airline pilot's strike
. For the next few years the choir flies on private charter jets to eliminate any travel problems.
The 1969 Choir purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb at the Sale of Champions. During their stint at the Fair, they appeared on the then locally broadcast "The Phil Donahue Show
", which was filmed live on the Fairgrounds. Eddie Arnold
joined them on one number. After the close of the Fair, the members were joined by the 1969 European Tour Choir to travel to Wapakoneta, Ohio
for the homecoming celebration of Neil Armstrong
, the first man to walk on the moon. They taped an hour-long television special for the Christmas season. Once during the year, the Hollywood comedian/actor, Bob Hope
, acted as a guest conductor and honorary Choir member for the singing on the "Battle Hymn of the Republic
." The 1970 European Tour included Wales
, England
, Denmark
, France
, Switzerland
, Italy
, and Portugal
.
, for then President Richard Nixon
.
The 1971 Choir appeared on The Phil Donahue Show
with Maria von Trapp
and sang selections from The Sound of Music
. Other songs included: Ohio Theme Song, Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, Spinning Wheel; Schooldays; Sunshine in My Soul; Rock-A-My-Soul; Old Irish Blessing; Love Story; Hosanna; Battle Hymn of the Republic;
The European tour included—Sanctus and Benedictus from St. Cecilia Mass; Canticle of Praise; Jesus, I Live to Thee; All Through The Night; Hymn to David; Put Your Hand in the Hand; For All We Know; Alexander's Ragtime Band; Fill the World With Love; Theme Sublime of Endless Praise.
, which was broadcast live every day at noon from the Grandstand, prior to the daily harness racing card. The Choir also appears on The Early Show
at 4 PM with from the WBNS
pavilion. They also sing on a talk show out of Dayton
hosted by none other than Phil Donahue. In addition, members of the Choir are contestants on network gameshows, which are broadcast live from the WBNS and WLWC (now WCMH) pavilions at the Fair.
. With the custom-made portable amplification systems for each singer, known as "Voice-Paks", this allowed the choir to become the first known marching choir. This tour included not only marching in the parade, but a performance on the Today pre-parade show, from the rooftop of Tower 1 of the just-opened World Trade Center
. Also, as part of that trip, was an appearance on the Tomorrow Show
, hosted by Tom Snyder
. When leaving the taping of this show at 30 Rockefeller Center
, the choir gave an impromptu parade appearance stepping off down Broadway as all of the Thanksgiving
eve theater goers were exiting the shows.
to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
, the first assignment was to tape a show with Shari Lewis
and Lamb Chop
on top of one of the World Trade Center
towers. Thanksgiving Day they marched in an incredible rain storm. A select few from the previous summer's European Tour Choir were invited to sing Christmas carols at the private after-parade party in Macy's for celebrities.
In 1975, the Choir went to Hollywood with the first of an unprecedented four trips to the Tournament of Roses Parade
.
Three weeks after the Fair, the 1976 Choir performs a concert at Public Hall
in Cleveland
.
The Choir Alumni march in the Mid-America Thanksgiving Day Parade in Cincinnati, Ohio
.
The Alumni perform The Messiah in Mount Orab, Ohio
and Coburn United Methodist Church (Mr. Thomas' Church) in Zanesville
.
As a tune-up for their European Tour, the 1976/77 Choir gave concerts at Memorial Hall in Lima, Ohio
, Colonel Crawford High School
in North Robinson, Ohio
, the Great Lakes Shopping Mall in Mentor, Ohio
, and for the Ohio Commission on Aging in Columbus
.
The 1976/77 Choir then rehearsed for a week at Muskingum College
in New Concord
and performed two final concerts before departing for Europe, one at West Jefferson High School
, in West Jefferson, Ohio
and one at Brown Chapel on the campus of Muskingum College. In between those two concerts, 1976/77 edition of the Choir marched in the Zane Grey Days Parade in Zanesville, Ohio prior to departing for Europe.
The choir flew out of Port Columbus
on a private charter jet, at 6 PM, on Monday, June 26, 1977 and landed at Glasgow, Scotland
at 7 AM the following day. After a much needed rest at Edinburgh University
, the Choir performed a sold-out concert at Edinburgh Playhouse
. The following day, the Choir traveled to York
and after another day of sightseeing the Choir sings to an SRO
crowd at the York Town Hall. The next day, the Choir pulled up stakes at York University
and spent their first night in a hotel, in Birmingham
. The next night the Choir participated in a joint concert with the Norwegian National Youth Orchestra, in the Birmingham Town Hall
. From Birmingham, it was on to Mr. Thomas' motherland of Wales
.
After three sold out concerts in cradle of choral singing, the 1976/77 headed for London
and their triumphant Queen's Silver Jubilee Command Performance at Fairfield Hall in Croydon
. After a much needed Independence Day
break from performing, the trip was made to the coastal resort of Brighton
for the final performance in the British Isle. With this final show, the 1976/77 choir raised 40,000 British Sterling
and performed before more than 10,000 fans.
Following a rugged crossing of the English Channel
, the Choir landed in the Hague
and went on to Amsterdam
and a performance at a small church outside the city in one of the remote villages. Following a day of sightseeing in the Dutch capital, the Choir moved on to Brussels
and an impromptu concert (Mr. Thomas was famous for these) in the city square. Next stop, Paris
...
Paris and Bastille Day
, what a combination. More impromptu concerts, Notre Dame
(Jesus I Live to Thee), Arc de Triomphe
(Every Valley), the Eiffel Tower
during the French Independence Day's fireworks. From here, on to Switzerland
. In Lucerne
, they had an outdoor concert to a small but enthusiastic crowd. After the final night soiree, they got ready for the long flight home; it was interrupted by an emergency landing in Gander, Newfoundland
where the plane blew a tire on the right landing gear.
The 1976/77 Choir is the only Choir to record two live albums, one at their Parents' Concert at the Fair, the other at a concert after their return from Europe in the Auditorium at Lancaster Methodist Campgrounds.
This arrangement was given to the Choir by the country music group the Statler Brothers, after they heard the Choir perform in the Grandstand. This arrangement was never charted and the piano accompanment was written and performed outstandingly for years by the late Dr. David Place.
with Lucille Ball
. The 1976 Alumni, who marched in parade, performed a concert for the Tournament of Roses committee, also in the audience was 1978 Parade Grand Marshall, former President Gerald R. Ford.
The Choir performed three songs while marching the 7½ mile (they told you it was five)
The 1978 Choir is instrumental in an October re-election commercial to help the Choir's biggest cheerleader, James A. Rhodes, get elected to a fourth term, by performing the Battle Hymn of the Republic throughout the commercial.
The 1978 Choir was the first to have an electronic key board. During the fair Mr. Thomas tried out the newest of electric keyboards the YAMAHA
electric grand. This was new technology. Mr Thomas asked the choir if they would all chip in to buy this for the choir and before the end of the fair the choir had a new piano purchased by Wendy's. This was the end of the hauling around an organ and two pianos.
The Choir actually leaves the Fairgrounds during the Fair to go up High St. and perform at Whetstone Park (aka the Park of Roses) in Clintonville to dedicate the opening of the new gazebo.
The 1980 choir performs at Cardington High School on Friday, June 12, 1981 on their annual pre-European tour. The event was hosted by Susanna McClelland, Robin Meyer and Rod Thill. The next night, a category 3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 0.4 mile (0.643736 km) away from the Cardington city center killed 4 people and injured 56 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.
The Choir performs for Ronald Reagan
's Campaign stop in Columbus, Ohio
. Mr. and Mrs. Reagan, and Robert Conrad sing Battle Hymn of the Republic nearly getting hit by "THE FLAG".
76 members of the 1980 choir participate in the European Tour. The chairman of the Cancer Research Campaign receives a telegram from Buckingham Palace
. It states "The Queen sincerely thanks the West Wickham Cancer Research Campaign Committee for their kind and loyal message sent on the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary concert of the Ohio State Fair Youth Choir at Croydon. Her Majesty as Patron of all the Cancer Campaigns for Research sends her best wishes to all taking part for a most successful event."
The 1981 European Choir is encouraged to get all of their "chameleons" and pictures ready for a great reunion on Alumni Day. The 1980 choir sings on Friday, September 4 at the Millersport Corn Festival and Saturday, September 5 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Columbus for the Enhance Corporation.
. He has 70 visas to go from December 18, 1981 to January 1, 1982. This concert tour will include 2 days in Hawaii
. There would have 5 to 6 concerts. The cost which would include all meals and transportation, will be $3000.
The 1981 Ohio State Fair was lengthened to 17 days (running from August 14 through the 30th), allowing the Choir to give a then-record 117 performances during the Fair. Notices of acceptance were sent out to choir members in Late April/Early May. Letters informed members of cost of participation in the choir. The music, which included 30 vocal numbers, cost $32.82. Uniforms: shirt (one polo type with blue State of Ohio outline with All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir in print) shorts (red coach's shorts), scarf (for girls), tie (for boys), and windbreaker jacket cost $46.04. Check in was from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday, August 11.
Songs Performed
On the night before opening day, the fair turns into a media frenzy. The choir performs at the Wendy's restaurant under the blue and white canopy. Wendy's has the world's largest salad bar, workers used rakes and shovels to mix the giant salad. The choir performs Wendy's national advertising jingle:
Wendy's...
Ain't no reason to go anyplace else.
We give you individual attention
that's one reason we could mention
We give you exactly what you want
that's why you go to Wendy's Restaurant.
Wendy's...
Ain't no reason to go anyplace else.
You get your hamburger hot off the grill
That's another reason if you will
you get exactly what you want
that's why you go to Wendy's Restaurant
Wendy's...
Ain't no reason to go anyplace else (Repeat)
Admission prices for the fair were $4.00 per person on weekdays and $5.00 per person on weekends. The admission price includes all of the rides, special shows and entertainment.
Opening Day story from the Friday, August 14 edition of the Columbus Dispatch: James Rhodes stole the show at the 6 a.m. opening Friday of the 1981 Ohio State Fair, billed as the biggest ever in the Buckeye state.
Gov. Rhodes was not the attention getter, however. His 21-month old grandson, James Rhodes Markham, was the star of the proceedings as he entertained dignitaries with his enthusiastic clapping and smiling at the ribbon cutting.
As in recent years, Mrs. Helen Rhodes cut the ribbon while the governor held his grandson, the son of Rhodes' daughter, Sherry, and her husband, William Markham, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. James Markham then wriggled loose and held up a piece of the red ribbon while the delighted crown applauded.
Cassie Shorer, 10, of Powell, Ohio, was presented with a large stuffed bear as the first official visitor to the fair. She won the honor when her number was picked in a 5 a.m. drawing on the fairgrounds.
Cassie has participated in the drawing for several years. Her niece, Chrissie Weymouth, 2, also of Powell, was the first official visitor to the fair last year.
"I'm kind of nervous," she said several minutes before the presentation. She is the daughter of Paul Shorer. She and her family were admitted for free.
Fair Manager John Evans announced during the opening program he expects more than 3 million people to attend the fair, which at 17 days is the longest ever for Ohio.
As he was introducing the governor, Evans commented on how he and his wife, Ruth had spent part of their honeymoon on the fairgrounds sleeping with the cattle they were showing.
"I want to say that John Evans is gettin' up in the world," Rhodes joked. "He's sleeping in a trailer now."
Rhodes called the 1981 fair one for the entire family, and introduced the 13 members of his clan at the opening.
As in previous years, the opening ceremony included some peppy selections by the All-Ohio State Fair Band and Choir as the American and the Ohio flags were raised over the sprawling fairgrounds.
A 12 feet (3.7 m) tall Uncle Sam on stilts waved another flag. Uncle Sam, actually Geze Gerer, an Akron, Ohio resident formerly from Budapest, Hungary, has livened up the opening for the past four years.
The 52-year old former circus performer, who came to the United States in 1957, said he comes to the fair opening because, "I love to do it."
A crowd of about 50 people waited outside the 11th Ave. OHIO gate to listen to the opening ceremonies. There were complaints from crowd members who hoped to see the actual ribbon cutting, because the ceremony is held inside the gate and dignitaries and press members surrounded the area. "I think we should have been able to at least see it," commented Jackie Meek, of 4033 Riceknbacker Ave., Whitehall. "That's why I got up at 4:30 a.m.
Alumni Day was held on Saturday, August 29. In order to participate in any of the choir performances, the following dress code has been established. The men will wear white shirts, blue ties and white or black pants. The women will wear white blouses, blue scarves and white or black skirts. You are to wear your blazers if you have them and you are also to wear dress shoes with your uniform. Sue Godez (OYC '70), Ken Ramsey (OYC '78) and Jane Groves (OYC '78) were nominees for Board of Trustees. Tickets for the Annual Alumni Day Luncheon (Rhodes Center Auditorium) cost was $4.75.
The schedule for the day was:
10 am Mall concert
11 am Grandstand concert
12:30 Luncheon, Election and General Meeting
2 pm Annual Lawn Sing
3 pm Senior Citizens concert
6 pm Grandstand concert
7 pm Administration Lawn concert
8 pm Coliseum concert
On Sunday, August 30 from 2 to 4 pm the 1981 choir sang for the last time at the fair for the parents' concert.
Under the Great Seal of Ohio in the State House rotunda on November 19, 1981, approximately 125 other members of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, sang songs of praise and thanksgiving for the Legislative Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast was attended by over 200 people., including, then Governor James Rhodes, who honored former Governors Frank Lausche and John Bricker.
Following the breakfast, Governor Rhodes and the former governors presented the Choir with a check for $1000 to be used however needed.
The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir was the recipient of the Governor's Award at the 1982 Ohio Newspaper Association banquet. The 1981 choir entertained during the dinner prior to the presentation.
The 1981 choir begins its pre-European tour of Ohio singing in the following locations:
Sunday 18, 1982 National Trail High School New Paris, Ohio 3 pm
Hosted by Judy Jordan
Sunday, April 25, 1982 North Adams High School Seaman, Ohio
Hosted by Lisa Naylor, Rachel Browning, Suzy Scott and Ron Rosselot
Sunday, May 16, 1982 Trinity United Methodist Church Portsmouth, Oh 3pm
Hosted by Jennifer Merb
Monday, June 14, 1982 Millersport Jr. High Auditorium
Hosted by David Pierce (and unknown others)
Tuesday, June 15, 1982 Mt. Gilead Jr. High Auditorium
Hosted by Marna Augenstein, Rene Todd, Tracy Bedwell and Russ Mayer
Wednesday, June 16, 1982 Zanesville High School Auditorium 8 pm
Hosted by Stephanie Robinson and Jackie Neff
Thursday, June 17, 1982 West Jefferson High School 8 pm
Hosted by John Buscemi, Debbie Castor, Sharon Cook, Don Kuhns and Christi Widener Following the concert the choir was treated to supper at the Buscemi's restaurant, Ann & Tony's Resturarnt on State Route 40 in West Jefferson.
Friday, June 18, 1982 West Liberty Salem High School Auditorium 8 pm
Hosted by Brenda Yoder and Jim Stoner
The 1981 Europe tour begins on Thursday, June 24 departing from Cleveland, Ohio. The choir transfers to a different airplane in Boston, Mass.
Arrival at London's Heathrow Airport. The choir board buses to Carthy, Wales. The Hotel is the Posthouse.
Saturday, June 26 Brangwyn Hall
Sunday, June 27 at 2:30 pm Maesteg Town Hall
Sunday, June 27 at 8:00 pm Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl
Thursday, June 29 Town Hall, Dudley Thursday, July 1 at 7:30 pm Solihull Library Theatre
Friday, July 2 at 8 p.m. Grange Park School, Bushey
Saturday, July 3 at Croydon Parish Church Programme announced by John Dunn
Sunday, July 4 at Croydon Parish Church Programme announced by John Dunn
Some of the songs that the 1988 choir performs and records during their run at the fair are:
It's a grand night for singing
Shine Down
In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town
Puttin on the Ritz
Together We Stand
The Star Spangled Banner Finale
How Majestic is Your Name
Rise up and Greet the Sun
Old Time Spirituals
I Believe/Ave Maria
How Great Thou Art
Battle Hymn of the Republic
During the Ohio State Fair the choir performed for thousands of people including then Gov. Richard F. Celeste, former Gov. James A. Rhodes, and the President of Togo.
After the fair, the 1990 choir performed at the Preble County Pork Festival in the autumn and in December at a private corporate dinner which incorporated a number of Christmas holiday songs. Large numbers of the choir reunited in January 1991 to march and sing in the inaugural parade for Gov. George Voinovich.
Choir members bound for Europe participated in concerts throughout the state during the 1990–1991 school year, including at Portsmouth, Seaman, and Springfield. The choir also joined with the FFA choir at their annual convention in Columbus.
The Choir toured England, Wales, France, and Switzerland in 1991. All but one of the concerts were in the United Kingdom. The British concerts benefited local chapters of the British Cancer Research Campaign (now Cancer Research UK) and Sandwell District Hospital Radio. One free outdoor concert was held in Switzerland. The 1990 choir was the last choir to tour the United Kingdom and Europe under the direction of Glenville Thomas.
The 1990 choir reunited at the Ohio State Fair on Alumni Day 1991 and sung their last concert together.
Alumni from the 1990 choir have a MySpace website (see external links below).
Tom Dudley, tour escort for the choir in both Europe, for many years, and Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, CA several years, died on Friday evening, January 31 in the hospital. He had been ill for many months and was unable to be with the choir on their 1991 tour. Tom was 47 years old.
The board of directors of the alumni association announce the formation of The Conductors' Club. This club is open to all members of the alumni association, as well as parents, friends and corporations. The goal of this group is to raise enough funds to build the choir its own building for rehearsals, meetings and alumni gatherings on the fairgrounds. The board feels that a central meeting place, designated for the choir and alumni memorabilia, is long overdue.
Alumni Day was held on Saturday, August 21. Every year was represented. The following board nominees were presented: Alan Endicott, John Sullivan, Cathy Banfield, Jennifer Long, Karen Bellamy and Mari Thomas.
There following board member nominees were presented for election: Jeff Cisco, Tom Boucher, Penny Bruning Butts and Mark Ferrell.
This was the first year for the Cardinal Chorale. This is a group of 40 select returning veterans. This group was created so they could perform in smaller settings where the entire choir could not fit or would not be appropriate.
Alumni Day was held on Saturday, August 19. Roll call was answered by 384 people.
Nominees for board trustees were Cathy Banfield, Heather Hixon, Paul Jarvis, Russ Mayer, Heather Miller, John Sullivan and Ricardo Winterstein.
Alumni day was held on Saturday, August 17. 396 alumni answered the roll call.
A presentation was made to Mari Thomas.
Alumni day was held on Saturday 16, 1997. 92 alumni answered the roll call during the meeting. 342 alumni signed in on the pads at the tables.
Answering roll call were 303 alumni. Nominees for board trustees were Scott Brown, Erik Kruger, Karen Hildreth and Stacy Worley.
Board nominees were: Keri Kelgerman, Mark Ferrell, John Sullivan and Zach Wolfe.
-Alexander's Ragtime Band -Amazing Grace (Mel Porter) -America, America (Andy Sper) -America the Beautiful -And This is My Beloved (Chris Everhart) -Anything You Can Do (Jami Addison and Josh Marks) -Battle Cry of Freedom -Battle Hymn of the Republic -Bye, Bye Blues# -Can't Help Lovin' dat Man (Jessie Sowers) -Consider Yourself -Dixie -Don't Get Around Much Anymore (David Cush) -Dream -A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Katye Wilfong) -Elijah Rock -Empty Chairs at Empty Tables (Erick Anderson) -Everybody Rejoice -Ezekiel Saw the Wheel* -Friends -Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor -God Bless America -Hallelujah -Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal -He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (Dan Custer) -Heart and Soul -Hernando's Hideaway (Brandon Gurza and Tom Lewis) -How Great Thou Art -Hush! Somebody's Calling My Name (Aaron Henley or Evan Staggs) -I Can't Give You Anything but Love# -I Have Dreamed (Mary Ann Harris) -I Leave You With a Song -If Ever I Would Leave You (Josh Wentz) -If I Loved You -The Impossible Dream -In A Shanty in Old Shanty Town -Lean on Me -Let Freedom Ring -Let Me Ride -Let There Be Music -Little Innocent Lamb -The Longest Time (Pat Lammie or Marc Mobley) -Lord, Make Us Instruments of Thy Peace -Mister Sandman -Mood Indigo -The Nearness of You* -Ol' Man River (Matt Hayes) -One Song (Erica Stubbs, Emily Patterson, or Hannah Nutt) -The Pledge of Allegiance -Ride On, King Jesus (Robbie Wells and Zane Buxton) -River in Judea (Beth Dulaney) -Shout to God* -Side By Side -Sixteen Tons -Siyahamba
* -Song of Farewell -The Star-Spangled Banner -There's No Business Like Show Business -These Things Shall Never Die! -This is My Father's World -This Land is Your Land -To Everything There is a Season -We Love You, Conrad -We Will Stand -What'll I Do? -When You Wish Upon a Star -Yankee Doodle -Yankee Doodle Boy -Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah # depicts songs performed by the Counselors-In-Training (Heather Allen, Estella McKinney, Gretchen Raymond, Justin Lehigh, Donel Duffy, and John Reardon) * depicts songs performed by the Cardinal Chorale Misc. Song Lyrics or Revisions: Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
Board member nominees were James Gano, Lana Bieber, Stephen Snyder, Cathy Banfield and Zach Wolfe.
Alumni day is held on Saturday, August 10. 78 members answered roll call. Nominees from board members were: Gail Weygand, Karen Hildreth, Erik Kruger, John Sullivan and Dawn (Collen) Romine. Those elected were Karen Hildreth, John Sullivan and Erik Kruger.
The annual meeting of the alumni board was held on Saturday, August 14. 40 people answered roll call.
Nominees for the alumni board were: Cathy Banfield, Lana Bieber, Beth Holdgreve and Steve Snyder.
John Sullivan was congratulated on being inducted into the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame.
The alumni association sponsors a pizza party for the current choir members. The theme for the party is Christmas in July. Choir members, staff and alumni members get candy canes, sit on Santa and Mrs. Claus' laps, dance and decorate Christmas cookies. A couple of returning choir members think that the theme will be last year's Hawaiian theme so they show up in Hawaiian shirts and leis.
442 alumni attended the annual meeting.
Awards presented at the meeting included:
Furthest Traveled - Laura McPherson from Africa
Outstanding Alum - Dean Newsom
Honor Year Trophy - 1964/2000
Nominees for the board were: Cathy Banfield, Karen Hildreth, Russ Mayer, John Sullivan, Erik Kruger, Vicki Sussman, and Keri Helgerman. Those elected were Karen Hildreth, John Sullivan and Erik Kruger.
Choral Assistants: Wendy Jobes & Tracy Schurch (Soprano) Joanna Van Sickle & Sam Turner (Alto) Corbin Neike & Andrew Robinson (Tenor) John Pollock & Patrick Mullen II (Bass)
Candidates for board were Kris Weldy, Malcolm Spence, Dean Newsom, Amy White Erickson, Mark Ferrell, Keri Helgerman, Russ Mayer and Brian Skidmore. Those elected were Dean Newsom, Mark Ferrell and Russ Mayer.
544 alumni gathered for the meeting for roll call. 341 alumni signed in on the pads at the tables.
The alumni meeting presented the following awards:
Furthest traveler - Marilyn (Hardman) Knize from San Diego, CA
Alum of the Year - Ricardo Winterstein
Honor Trophy - 1976 with 52 alums and 2002 with 43 alums
Presidential Thank You - Steve Hildreth
Choir members arrived at the Ohio Expo Center on Thursday, July 26. The Ohio State Fair began on Wednesday, August 1 and runs through Sunday, August 12.
At the joint concert of the choir and band held in the Celeste Center on Sunday, August 5 the Ohio Music Educators Association presented a citation to both groups. Both groups were directed by Ohio's First Lady, Mrs. Strickland. Cabot Rae of WCMH-TV served as Master of Ceremonies for the program.
Choir member arrived at the Ohio Expo Center on Thursday, July 24. The Ohio State fair began on Wednesday, July 30 and ran through Sunday, August 10.
The choir prepared 66 songs and performed 103 concerts.
, South Wales
, in the town of Ystradgynlais..
As a young boy, he and his parents moved to the United States and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. Here he sang in church choirs and as tenor soloist. He received his education at the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music, Capital University and The Ohio State University.
As a soloist, Thomas appeared with the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, in concert at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City, in "La Bohème" as the tenor lead, Rudolpho, and other principle operatic roles. He also appeared in numerous New York City church presentations.
For almost thirty-seven years Thomas worked as a music director and educator. In 1990, he retired as Supervisor of Vocal Music for the Zanesville City Schools and director of choirs at Zanesville High School. He developed the four-part choirs to sing in sets of quartets, which produces a fine stereo sound.
As founder and director of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, he gained international fame. Besides taking a group on a European concert tour each summer, he developed the first marching choir ever to participate for its fourth time in the world-famous Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
Professional affiliations included the National Association of Choral Conductors, Ohio State Teachers Association and Music Educators Conference. He was also a thirty-second degree Mason.
For his leadership as director of choirs and as an educator he has received recognition including the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music Alumni Award, Ohio Newspaper Association Governor's Award, Ohio Music Education Association 25-year Award and the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Award. His hometown honored him as the Grand Marshall of the 1986 Zane's Trace Commemoration Parade. In March 1990, he was recipient of the Search for Excellence Award in Zanesville/Muskingum County.
In addition to the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, he directed the State FFA Chorus in Ohio, the Greater Zanesville Singers and the Aladdin Temple Chanters.
In 1991, Mr. Thomas was elected to the Zanesville City Schools Board of Education.
Mr. Thomas died Friday, December 2, 1991 while preparing for a concert with the Greater Zanesville singers. He was survived by his wife, Mari, two married sons, Richard and Brian, and three young grandsons.
Charles R. Snyder received his musical training at Capital University, where he was a protégé of Ellis E. Snyder, a soloist with the university’s famed touring Chapel Choir, and for two years, the student assistant to Dr. Snyder in the voice department. In 1969 he served the Chapel Choir as associate conductor.
Mr. Snyder has completed further musical study at Kent State University, The Pennsylvania State University, State University of New York, VanderCook College of Music, Lutheran Theological Seminary and Westminster Choir College. He has studied with Daniel Moe, Leland Sateren, Richard C. Johnston, Fred Waring, Norman Luboff, Helen Kemp, John Rutter, Frauke Haasemann, Sir David Willcocks, Donal Neuen, Sandra Willetts, Anton Armstrong, Craig Arnold, Weston Noble and Paul Christiansen. In 1982, Mr. Snyder spent a fall sabbatical studying with Dr. Christiansen at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota.
For two years he served as director of vocal and instrumental music for the Highland Local Schools in Morrow County, and returned to Coshocton in 1970 to teach the newly-opened Coshocton Middle School. There, for the next four years, he involved half the school’s 1100 students in five select choirs and three ensembles in addition to his regular teaching schedule.
In 1977 he joined the staff of The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio
, where he continues to serve as minister of music and education.
Mr. Snyder is the music director and conductor of the Coshocton Community Choir, a 100-voice auditioned ensemble he founded in 1971, director of the Coshocton Children’s Choir, a regional choir for young voices which he organized in 1988, and the Coshocton Youth Chorale made up of teen singers, which he founded in 2002.
Mr. Snyder has been a contest adjudicator, a choral and handbell clinician at area schools, churches and colleges, an all-county festival, and has served as musical director at the Coshocton County High School players since its inception in 1987.
He had conducted the chorus at Scouting’s Order of the Arrow national conferences, and in recent times has been a contributor and music editor for several professional journals. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Ohio Music Education Association and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians
. In the Spring of 1992 he was selected in a statewide search as the conductor for the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir.
Mr. Snyder’s contributions in the area of youth leadership have been recognized with the presentation of Scouting’s Silver Beaver Award, the Distinguished Service Award from the national Order of the Arrow, and the God and Service Award for distinguished service to youth and the church.
In 2008, Mr. Snyder was honored as one of the recipients of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra's Music Educator Awards for his work with community music education. In April, 2010, he received an Alumni Achievement Award from Capital University; a week later he was named Coshoctonian at the annual Coshocton Chamber of Commerce dinner.
Ohio State Fair
The Ohio State Fair is one of the largest state fairs in the United States. In 2011 the attendance was 833,000, the fair's highest attendance since 2004. The state fair contributes as much as 280 million dollars to the state economy...
and performs as entertainment for the duration of the fair. Dubbed in 1965 as "Ohio's Singing Ambassadors of Goodwill" by Governor James A. Rhodes
Jim Rhodes
James Allen Rhodes was an American Republican politician from Ohio, and one of only five US state governors to serve four four-year terms in office. As governor in 1970, he decided to send National Guard troops onto the Kent State University campus, resulting in the shooting of students on May 4...
, the group is composed of singers from many of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
's 88 counties. The group also meets in the winter during a "Winter Pops Concert" in which the Coshocton
Coshocton, Ohio
Coshocton is a city in and the county seat of Coshocton County, Ohio, United States. The population of the city was 11,682 at the 2000 census. The Walhonding River and the Tuscarawas River meet in Coshocton to form the Muskingum River....
Community Choir hosts the young singers in a reunion concert.
Creation
The All-Ohio Youth Choir was founded in 1963 by Glenville D. Thomas. He created the group after directing the Greater Zanesville Youth Choir from 1959–1962 and using that group as a basis for the first All-Ohio Youth Choir, which performed for the first time at the 1963 Ohio State Fair. This gave high school vocalists the opportunity to share a musical experience that rivals that of the All-Ohio State Fair Band.1963
Assembling for the first time, the All-Ohio Youth Choir performed at their first Ohio State Fair in 1963. Performing without audio assistance, the choir, through the formulative years of the 60's, comprised 325 voices from all 88 counties of OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
1964
Following the success of 1963, the Choir was formed again in 1964 with some returnees from the 1963 Choir. The '64 choir recorded a total of two records; one in a private recording session while at the fair and one just before leaving on the first All-Ohio Youth Choir European Tour. This tour was the group that revived the call to entertaining people by recoining the phrase "The Red Coats Are Coming". After this group's success, the European Community looked forward to annual visits from Ohio's talented teenagers.1965
In the summer of 1965, 122 members of the '64 choir embarked on their first European tour after a day of performances at the New York World's Fair1964 New York World's Fair
The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair was the third major world's fair to be held in New York City. Hailing itself as a "universal and international" exposition, the fair's theme was "Peace Through Understanding," dedicated to "Man's Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe";...
. Performing in packed houses in both the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
and on the continent, the groundwork was set for European tours in years to come, with the proceeds from the concerts going to cancer research. This was the first time that the choir was called "Ohio's Singing Ambassadors of Goodwill" by Governor James A Rhodes, who championed the choir through all four of his terms as governor and was one of the choir's biggest fans.
During the fair that year, the '65 choir was constantly reminded that the European Tour Choir would be coming to the fair on the last Saturday of the fair to show the new choir "how it was done." This created a friendly rivalry between the different years of the choir. This only caused each choir to want to perform even better. Throughout the many years to follow there were many small changes each year. Some changes were made because of advances in technology, some because of economics. But from the first beginning years to the present the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir remains one of the greatest musical experiences that a teenager from Ohio can be a part of.
1966
This was the last time singers were allowed to return to the State Fair for multiple years until 1993.In the summer of 1966, members of the previous year's Choir prepared for their trip to Europe. The trip began on a difficult note, with an airline mechanics' strike, the flights from Columbus to New York and from New York to Shannon, Ireland, were both canceled. The choir took buses to New York where a flight on Icelandic Air was booked to Ireland. Once in Ireland, the choir performed throughout the British Isles before moving on to Switzerland, Spain and Portugal. When the time arrived to return home, the flight was canceled because of the ongoing strike. After spending 3 additional nights in a Portuguese monastery, a flight was finally booked to bring the choir home. Buses were again used to move the choir from New York to Columbus.
1967
The following are the contents of the very first letter sent to alumni members:
Alliance,Oh
March 17, 1967
Dear All-Ohio Youth Choir Members:
This letter is to acquaint you with a new organization....
THE ALL-OHIO YOUTH CHOIR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
It is open to all members who have sung in the All-Ohio Youth Choir.
If enough interest is shown in the organization, you will be hearing from us concerning the activities of the Choirs, and interesting bits of news about past members. At present, Mr. Thomas plans two publications a year.
It will be up to you to keep the mailing addresses correct, so please fill out the enclosed card and return to the SECRETARY, with a lone dollar, check or money order. This is a non-profit organization, but we need a few supplies to get started.
The 1967 European Tour Choir sang at the Sheraton HotelStarwood Hotels & Resorts WorldwideStarwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is a hospitality ownership and management organization, headquartered in White Plains, New York. One of the world's largest hotel companies, it owns, operates, franchises and manages hotels, resorts, spas, residences, and vacation ownership properties...
in Chicago Dec. 2, 1966 for the International Fair Managers Association. One thousand Fair Managers from all over the world were in attendance, and this program brought an invitation to sing in York, EnglandYorkYork is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
during the tour next summer.
Mr. E.J. Keirns, Manager of the Ohio Expositions Commission, received a citation in Chicago for having the largest and best Junior Fair in the world. He requested the appearance of our Ohio Youth Choir to demonstrate one of the reasons why he was given the award.
On Friday, Jan. 13, 1967 we presented a short concert for the Ohio State Fair Manager Association at Columbus Sheraton Ball Room. We were happy to see some of our past members there.
The 1967 European Tour Choir is working very hard at rehearsal, in preparation for the take-off on July 11... to England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and Portugal.
We have been immensely proud of each of you during the State Fairs and the European Tours. Mr. Thomas and I look forward to seeing you again in Columbus or at one of the concerts. At this writing, we have a concert scheduled for Solon on April 29 and for Marion on April 30.
If we have missed anyone, please let us know about them, and we will send along this information.
Alumni Day at the Fair will always be the Saturday before Labor Day. Save the date now (Sept. 2, 1967) and plan to attend.
This is your Association, we can't do anything without your help, so LET'S GO. Best Wishes from both of us, and keep singing.
Glenville Thomas, Director
Vance O'Donnell, Alumni Secretary
1968
The Choir members pool their money and purchase the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb at the 1st Sale of Champions.1969
The 1969 European Tour is stranded in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
by an airline pilot's strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
. For the next few years the choir flies on private charter jets to eliminate any travel problems.
The 1969 Choir purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb at the Sale of Champions. During their stint at the Fair, they appeared on the then locally broadcast "The Phil Donahue Show
The Phil Donahue Show
The Phil Donahue Show, also known as Donahue, is an American television talk show that ran for 26 years on national television. Its run was preceded by three years of local broadcast in Dayton, Ohio, and it was broadcast nationwide between 1967 and 1996.In 2002, Donahue was ranked #29 on TV Guide's...
", which was filmed live on the Fairgrounds. Eddie Arnold
Eddy Arnold
Richard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more...
joined them on one number. After the close of the Fair, the members were joined by the 1969 European Tour Choir to travel to Wapakoneta, Ohio
Wapakoneta, Ohio
Wapakoneta is a city in and the county seat of Auglaize County, Ohio, United States with a population of 9,474 as of the 2000 U.S. census. It is the principal city of and is included in the Wapakoneta, Ohio Micropolitan S A, which is included in the Lima-Van Wert-Wapakoneta, Ohio CSA...
for the homecoming celebration of Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong
Neil Alden Armstrong is an American former astronaut, test pilot, aerospace engineer, university professor, United States Naval Aviator, and the first person to set foot upon the Moon....
, the first man to walk on the moon. They taped an hour-long television special for the Christmas season. Once during the year, the Hollywood comedian/actor, Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
, acted as a guest conductor and honorary Choir member for the singing on the "Battle Hymn of the Republic
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is a hymn by American writer Julia Ward Howe using the music from the song "John Brown's Body". Howe's more famous lyrics were written in November 1861 and first published in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862. It became popular during the American Civil War...
." The 1970 European Tour included Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
.
1970
The Choir starts a tradition of performing Handel's Messiah. This tradition will last almost 10 years with Choir Alumni traveling to churches and concert halls throughout the state.1971
In 1971, the 1970 edition of the Choir performed in the Rose GardenWhite House Rose Garden
The White House Rose Garden is a garden bordering the Oval Office and the West Wing of the White House. The garden is approximately 125 feet long and 60 feet wide...
, for then President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
.
The 1971 Choir appeared on The Phil Donahue Show
The Phil Donahue Show
The Phil Donahue Show, also known as Donahue, is an American television talk show that ran for 26 years on national television. Its run was preceded by three years of local broadcast in Dayton, Ohio, and it was broadcast nationwide between 1967 and 1996.In 2002, Donahue was ranked #29 on TV Guide's...
with Maria von Trapp
Maria von Trapp
Maria Augusta von Trapp , also known as Baroness Maria von Trapp, was the stepmother and matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers...
and sang selections from The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music is a musical by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers...
. Other songs included: Ohio Theme Song, Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, Spinning Wheel; Schooldays; Sunshine in My Soul; Rock-A-My-Soul; Old Irish Blessing; Love Story; Hosanna; Battle Hymn of the Republic;
The European tour included—Sanctus and Benedictus from St. Cecilia Mass; Canticle of Praise; Jesus, I Live to Thee; All Through The Night; Hymn to David; Put Your Hand in the Hand; For All We Know; Alexander's Ragtime Band; Fill the World With Love; Theme Sublime of Endless Praise.
1973
The Choir appears on the 50/50 Club with Bob BraunBob Braun
Bob Braun was a local television and radio personality in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born in Ludlow, Kentucky....
, which was broadcast live every day at noon from the Grandstand, prior to the daily harness racing card. The Choir also appears on The Early Show
The Early Show
The Early Show is an American television morning news talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City. The program airs live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones air the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. ...
at 4 PM with from the WBNS
WBNS-TV
WBNS-TV, channel 10, is a television station in Columbus, Ohio, USA. The station is an affiliate of the CBS Television Network and is owned by the Dispatch Broadcast Group, a subsidiary of the Columbus Dispatch, along with WBNS radio...
pavilion. They also sing on a talk show out of Dayton
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
hosted by none other than Phil Donahue. In addition, members of the Choir are contestants on network gameshows, which are broadcast live from the WBNS and WLWC (now WCMH) pavilions at the Fair.
1974
In 1974, the Alumni Association was incorporated and the Choir was invited to perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, often shortened to Macy's Day Parade, is an annual parade presented by Macy's. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, and four years younger than...
. With the custom-made portable amplification systems for each singer, known as "Voice-Paks", this allowed the choir to become the first known marching choir. This tour included not only marching in the parade, but a performance on the Today pre-parade show, from the rooftop of Tower 1 of the just-opened World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
. Also, as part of that trip, was an appearance on the Tomorrow Show
Tomorrow (TV series)
Tomorrow was an American late-night television talk show hosted by Tom Snyder...
, hosted by Tom Snyder
Tom Snyder
Thomas James "Tom" Snyder was an American television personality, news anchor and radio personality best known for his late night talk shows The Tomorrow Show, on the NBC television network in the 1970s and 1980s, and The Late Late Show, on the CBS Television Network in the 1990s...
. When leaving the taping of this show at 30 Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering between 48th and 51st streets in New York City, United States. Built by the Rockefeller family, it is located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, spanning the area between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. It was declared a National...
, the choir gave an impromptu parade appearance stepping off down Broadway as all of the Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
eve theater goers were exiting the shows.
1975
After arriving in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, often shortened to Macy's Day Parade, is an annual parade presented by Macy's. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, and four years younger than...
, the first assignment was to tape a show with Shari Lewis
Shari Lewis
Shari Lewis was an American ventriloquist, puppeteer, and children's television show host, most popular during the 1960s and 1990s...
and Lamb Chop
Lamb Chop (puppet)
Lamb Chop is a sock puppet sheep created by comedian and ventriloquist Shari Lewis. In 1957, Lamb Chop, a ewe, first appeared with Lewis on Hi Mom, a local morning show that aired on WNBC in New York....
on top of one of the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
towers. Thanksgiving Day they marched in an incredible rain storm. A select few from the previous summer's European Tour Choir were invited to sing Christmas carols at the private after-parade party in Macy's for celebrities.
In 1975, the Choir went to Hollywood with the first of an unprecedented four trips to the Tournament of Roses Parade
Tournament of Roses Parade
The Tournament of Roses Parade, better known as the Rose Parade, is "America's New Year Celebration", a festival of flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians and a college football game on New Year's Day , produced by the non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association.The annual...
.
1976
The 1976 edition of the Choir performs in a commercial for the Ohio Department of Travel and Tourism. The commercial was titled, "The Nine Wonderful Worlds of Ohio" and was taped in the field that was the Natural Resources Area.Three weeks after the Fair, the 1976 Choir performs a concert at Public Hall
Public Auditorium
Public Auditorium is located in the central business district of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Since it was opened in 1922, it has served as a concert hall, sports arena and convention center. Although it was planned and funded prior to World War I, construction did not begin until 1920. Designed by...
in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
.
The Choir Alumni march in the Mid-America Thanksgiving Day Parade in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
.
The Alumni perform The Messiah in Mount Orab, Ohio
Mount Orab, Ohio
Mount Orab is a village in Brown County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,307 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mount Orab is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land....
and Coburn United Methodist Church (Mr. Thomas' Church) in Zanesville
Zanesville, Ohio
Zanesville is a city in and the county seat of Muskingum County, Ohio, United States. The population was 25,586 at the 2000 census.Zanesville was named after Ebenezer Zane, who had constructed Zane's Trace, a pioneer road through present-day Ohio...
.
As a tune-up for their European Tour, the 1976/77 Choir gave concerts at Memorial Hall in Lima, Ohio
Lima, Ohio
Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo....
, Colonel Crawford High School
Colonel Crawford High School
Colonel Crawford High School is a public high school in North Robinson, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Colonel Crawford Local School District. The high school has roughly 350 students, and the principal is Mr. Todd Martin....
in North Robinson, Ohio
North Robinson, Ohio
North Robinson is a village in Crawford County, Ohio, United States. The population was 211 at the 2000 census.-Geography:North Robinson is located at ....
, the Great Lakes Shopping Mall in Mentor, Ohio
Mentor, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 50,278 people, 18,797 households, and 14,229 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,878.2 people per square mile . There were 19,301 housing units at an average density of 721.0 per square mile...
, and for the Ohio Commission on Aging in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
.
The 1976/77 Choir then rehearsed for a week at Muskingum College
Muskingum College
Muskingum University is a private four-year comprehensive college with a strong liberal arts tradition located in New Concord, Ohio, approximately sixty miles east of the state capital of Columbus. Founded in 1837, Muskingum University is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church , although since the...
in New Concord
New Concord, Ohio
New Concord is a village in Muskingum County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,651 at the 2000 census. New Concord is the home of Muskingum University and is served by a branch of the Muskingum County Library System.-Geography:...
and performed two final concerts before departing for Europe, one at West Jefferson High School
West Jefferson High School (Ohio)
West Jefferson High School is a public high school in West Jefferson, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Jefferson Local School District. Their nickname is the Roughriders and their main colors are Brown and Gold.-Athletics:...
, in West Jefferson, Ohio
West Jefferson, Ohio
West Jefferson is a village in Madison County, Ohio, United States. The population was 4,331 at the 2000 census. Located along U.S. Route 40, the village has a fairly close relationship with the surrounding township, which include various out-of-corporation-limit neighborhoods West Jefferson is a...
and one at Brown Chapel on the campus of Muskingum College. In between those two concerts, 1976/77 edition of the Choir marched in the Zane Grey Days Parade in Zanesville, Ohio prior to departing for Europe.
The choir flew out of Port Columbus
Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport , commonly shortened to Port Columbus, is a Class C international airport located east of downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also oversees operations at Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field...
on a private charter jet, at 6 PM, on Monday, June 26, 1977 and landed at Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
at 7 AM the following day. After a much needed rest at Edinburgh University
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, the Choir performed a sold-out concert at Edinburgh Playhouse
Edinburgh Playhouse
The Edinburgh Playhouse is a former cinema in Edinburgh, Scotland which now hosts touring musicals and music concerts. Its capacity is 3,059, making it the UK's largest working theatre in terms of audience capacity....
. The following day, the Choir traveled to York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
and after another day of sightseeing the Choir sings to an SRO
Standing room only
An event is described as standing room only when it is so well-attended that all of the chairs in the venue are occupied, leaving only flat spaces of pavement or flooring for other attendees to stand. Some venues issue standing-room-only tickets for a reduced cost since it can become very...
crowd at the York Town Hall. The next day, the Choir pulled up stakes at York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
and spent their first night in a hotel, in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
. The next night the Choir participated in a joint concert with the Norwegian National Youth Orchestra, in the Birmingham Town Hall
Birmingham Town Hall
Birmingham Town Hall is a Grade I listed concert and meeting venue in Victoria Square, Birmingham, England. It was created as a home for the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival established in 1784, the purpose of which was to raise funds for the General Hospital, after St Philip's Church became...
. From Birmingham, it was on to Mr. Thomas' motherland of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
After three sold out concerts in cradle of choral singing, the 1976/77 headed for London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and their triumphant Queen's Silver Jubilee Command Performance at Fairfield Hall in Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
. After a much needed Independence Day
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
break from performing, the trip was made to the coastal resort of Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
for the final performance in the British Isle. With this final show, the 1976/77 choir raised 40,000 British Sterling
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
and performed before more than 10,000 fans.
Following a rugged crossing of the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
, the Choir landed in the Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
and went on to Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
and a performance at a small church outside the city in one of the remote villages. Following a day of sightseeing in the Dutch capital, the Choir moved on to Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
and an impromptu concert (Mr. Thomas was famous for these) in the city square. Next stop, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
...
Paris and Bastille Day
Bastille Day
Bastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on 14 July of each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale and commonly le quatorze juillet...
, what a combination. More impromptu concerts, Notre Dame
Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame de Paris , also known as Notre Dame Cathedral, is a Gothic, Roman Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. It is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris: that is, it is the church that contains the cathedra of...
(Jesus I Live to Thee), Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe
-The design:The astylar design is by Jean Chalgrin , in the Neoclassical version of ancient Roman architecture . Major academic sculptors of France are represented in the sculpture of the Arc de Triomphe: Jean-Pierre Cortot; François Rude; Antoine Étex; James Pradier and Philippe Joseph Henri Lemaire...
(Every Valley), the Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world...
during the French Independence Day's fireworks. From here, on to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. In Lucerne
Lucerne
Lucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
, they had an outdoor concert to a small but enthusiastic crowd. After the final night soiree, they got ready for the long flight home; it was interrupted by an emergency landing in Gander, Newfoundland
Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador
Gander is a Canadian town located in the northeastern part of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately south of Gander Bay, south of Twillingate and east of Grand Falls-Windsor...
where the plane blew a tire on the right landing gear.
The 1976/77 Choir is the only Choir to record two live albums, one at their Parents' Concert at the Fair, the other at a concert after their return from Europe in the Auditorium at Lancaster Methodist Campgrounds.
1977
The Choir begins performing their now famous arrangement of the hymn "How Great Thou Art".This arrangement was given to the Choir by the country music group the Statler Brothers, after they heard the Choir perform in the Grandstand. This arrangement was never charted and the piano accompanment was written and performed outstandingly for years by the late Dr. David Place.
1978
The Choir returns for their second appearance in the Tournament of Roses parade. This trip includes marching in the daily parade at Disneyland and performing in the pre-parade show for NBCNBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
with Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
. The 1976 Alumni, who marched in parade, performed a concert for the Tournament of Roses committee, also in the audience was 1978 Parade Grand Marshall, former President Gerald R. Ford.
The Choir performed three songs while marching the 7½ mile (they told you it was five)
- I Believe in Music - Mac DavisMac DavisMac Davis is a country music singer, songwriter, and actor originally from Lubbock, Texas who has enjoyed much crossover success...
- Daybreak - Barry ManilowBarry ManilowBarry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
- Joy to the World - Three Dog NightThree Dog NightThree Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
The 1978 Choir is instrumental in an October re-election commercial to help the Choir's biggest cheerleader, James A. Rhodes, get elected to a fourth term, by performing the Battle Hymn of the Republic throughout the commercial.
The 1978 Choir was the first to have an electronic key board. During the fair Mr. Thomas tried out the newest of electric keyboards the YAMAHA
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
electric grand. This was new technology. Mr Thomas asked the choir if they would all chip in to buy this for the choir and before the end of the fair the choir had a new piano purchased by Wendy's. This was the end of the hauling around an organ and two pianos.
1979
The Choir battles the elements as the remnants of Hurricane Fredrick drop over four inches (102 mm) of rain on the Fairgrounds over a five day period and one of the Choir's golf carts is discovered floating down High St.The Choir actually leaves the Fairgrounds during the Fair to go up High St. and perform at Whetstone Park (aka the Park of Roses) in Clintonville to dedicate the opening of the new gazebo.
1980
For the final time, the Choir Alumni perform the Handel's Messiah at Christmas time, with concerts in Zanesville and Etna.The 1980 choir performs at Cardington High School on Friday, June 12, 1981 on their annual pre-European tour. The event was hosted by Susanna McClelland, Robin Meyer and Rod Thill. The next night, a category 3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 0.4 mile (0.643736 km) away from the Cardington city center killed 4 people and injured 56 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.
The Choir performs for Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's Campaign stop in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. Mr. and Mrs. Reagan, and Robert Conrad sing Battle Hymn of the Republic nearly getting hit by "THE FLAG".
76 members of the 1980 choir participate in the European Tour. The chairman of the Cancer Research Campaign receives a telegram from Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
. It states "The Queen sincerely thanks the West Wickham Cancer Research Campaign Committee for their kind and loyal message sent on the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary concert of the Ohio State Fair Youth Choir at Croydon. Her Majesty as Patron of all the Cancer Campaigns for Research sends her best wishes to all taking part for a most successful event."
The 1981 European Choir is encouraged to get all of their "chameleons" and pictures ready for a great reunion on Alumni Day. The 1980 choir sings on Friday, September 4 at the Millersport Corn Festival and Saturday, September 5 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Columbus for the Enhance Corporation.
1981
Mr. Thomas informs the alumni that the Choir may possibly tour ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. He has 70 visas to go from December 18, 1981 to January 1, 1982. This concert tour will include 2 days in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. There would have 5 to 6 concerts. The cost which would include all meals and transportation, will be $3000.
The 1981 Ohio State Fair was lengthened to 17 days (running from August 14 through the 30th), allowing the Choir to give a then-record 117 performances during the Fair. Notices of acceptance were sent out to choir members in Late April/Early May. Letters informed members of cost of participation in the choir. The music, which included 30 vocal numbers, cost $32.82. Uniforms: shirt (one polo type with blue State of Ohio outline with All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir in print) shorts (red coach's shorts), scarf (for girls), tie (for boys), and windbreaker jacket cost $46.04. Check in was from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday, August 11.
Songs Performed
- Battle Hymn of the Republic (SATB) Shawnee Press
- Barbra Ann (This song was originally sung by the guys right side of the dorm (L through P?) in the acoustical restrooms. Mr. Thomas heard some of the guys singing this outside and questioned them about it and then all the guys performed it.
- Beautiful Ohio (SATB) Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. Inc.
- Born to Be Free (SATB) Neil A. Kjos, Jr. Publisher
- Broadway Spectacular: (SATB)Jenson Publications
- What I Did For Love from A Chorus Line
- Tomorrow from Annie
- Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the RoofFiddler on the RoofFiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. It is based on Tevye and his Daughters by Sholem Aleichem...
- Hello, Dolly!Hello, Dolly! (song)"Hello, Dolly!" is the title song of the popular 1964 musical of the same name. Louis Armstrong's version was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001....
from Hello, Dolly!Hello, Dolly! (musical)Hello, Dolly! is a musical with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart, based on Thornton Wilder's 1938 farce The Merchant of Yonkers, which Wilder revised and retitled The Matchmaker in 1955.... - Mame from Mame
- Do-Re-Mi (SATB) Williamson Music, Inc.
- God of Our Fathers Hope Publishing Co.
- Go Not Far From Me, O God Spratt Music Pub.
- Happy Days/Making our Dreams Come True Jenson Publications
- How Great Thou Art Arranged by Manna Music
- I Believe/Ave Maria (SATB) Shawnee Press, Inc
- If I Had a Hammer (SATB) The Richmond ORganization
- If I Loved YouIf I Loved You"If I Loved You" is a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel.The song was introduced by John Raitt as "Billy Bigelow" and Jan Clayton as "Julie"...
(from CarouselCarouselA carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
)SATB Williamson Music - Lilies White and Fair Southern Folk Melody Belwin Pub. Corp
- Old Time Religion Glory Sound
- Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty Hinshaw Music
- Put Your Hand in the Hand (SATB) Studio P/R, Inc.
- Reach for a Star (SATB) Jenson Publications
- Rise Up, O Church! Lillenas Publishing Co.
- The Church's One Foundation
- How Firm a Foundation
- Glorius Things of Thee are Spoken
- O Breath of Life
- Shall We Gather at the River (SATB) Beckenhorst Press, Inc.
- Swingin' with the Saints Shawnee Press
- The Lord's Prayer G. Schirmer
- The Rainbow Connection (SATB/SAB)ATV Music Publications
- The Power and the Glory (SAB) Jenson Publications
- Through the Eyes of Love (Theme from Ice Castles) Gold Horizon Music Cor
- The World is Full of Hello's Shawnee Press
On the night before opening day, the fair turns into a media frenzy. The choir performs at the Wendy's restaurant under the blue and white canopy. Wendy's has the world's largest salad bar, workers used rakes and shovels to mix the giant salad. The choir performs Wendy's national advertising jingle:
Wendy's...
Ain't no reason to go anyplace else.
We give you individual attention
that's one reason we could mention
We give you exactly what you want
that's why you go to Wendy's Restaurant.
Wendy's...
Ain't no reason to go anyplace else.
You get your hamburger hot off the grill
That's another reason if you will
you get exactly what you want
that's why you go to Wendy's Restaurant
Wendy's...
Ain't no reason to go anyplace else (Repeat)
Admission prices for the fair were $4.00 per person on weekdays and $5.00 per person on weekends. The admission price includes all of the rides, special shows and entertainment.
Opening Day story from the Friday, August 14 edition of the Columbus Dispatch: James Rhodes stole the show at the 6 a.m. opening Friday of the 1981 Ohio State Fair, billed as the biggest ever in the Buckeye state.
Gov. Rhodes was not the attention getter, however. His 21-month old grandson, James Rhodes Markham, was the star of the proceedings as he entertained dignitaries with his enthusiastic clapping and smiling at the ribbon cutting.
As in recent years, Mrs. Helen Rhodes cut the ribbon while the governor held his grandson, the son of Rhodes' daughter, Sherry, and her husband, William Markham, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. James Markham then wriggled loose and held up a piece of the red ribbon while the delighted crown applauded.
Cassie Shorer, 10, of Powell, Ohio, was presented with a large stuffed bear as the first official visitor to the fair. She won the honor when her number was picked in a 5 a.m. drawing on the fairgrounds.
Cassie has participated in the drawing for several years. Her niece, Chrissie Weymouth, 2, also of Powell, was the first official visitor to the fair last year.
"I'm kind of nervous," she said several minutes before the presentation. She is the daughter of Paul Shorer. She and her family were admitted for free.
Fair Manager John Evans announced during the opening program he expects more than 3 million people to attend the fair, which at 17 days is the longest ever for Ohio.
As he was introducing the governor, Evans commented on how he and his wife, Ruth had spent part of their honeymoon on the fairgrounds sleeping with the cattle they were showing.
"I want to say that John Evans is gettin' up in the world," Rhodes joked. "He's sleeping in a trailer now."
Rhodes called the 1981 fair one for the entire family, and introduced the 13 members of his clan at the opening.
As in previous years, the opening ceremony included some peppy selections by the All-Ohio State Fair Band and Choir as the American and the Ohio flags were raised over the sprawling fairgrounds.
A 12 feet (3.7 m) tall Uncle Sam on stilts waved another flag. Uncle Sam, actually Geze Gerer, an Akron, Ohio resident formerly from Budapest, Hungary, has livened up the opening for the past four years.
The 52-year old former circus performer, who came to the United States in 1957, said he comes to the fair opening because, "I love to do it."
A crowd of about 50 people waited outside the 11th Ave. OHIO gate to listen to the opening ceremonies. There were complaints from crowd members who hoped to see the actual ribbon cutting, because the ceremony is held inside the gate and dignitaries and press members surrounded the area. "I think we should have been able to at least see it," commented Jackie Meek, of 4033 Riceknbacker Ave., Whitehall. "That's why I got up at 4:30 a.m.
Alumni Day was held on Saturday, August 29. In order to participate in any of the choir performances, the following dress code has been established. The men will wear white shirts, blue ties and white or black pants. The women will wear white blouses, blue scarves and white or black skirts. You are to wear your blazers if you have them and you are also to wear dress shoes with your uniform. Sue Godez (OYC '70), Ken Ramsey (OYC '78) and Jane Groves (OYC '78) were nominees for Board of Trustees. Tickets for the Annual Alumni Day Luncheon (Rhodes Center Auditorium) cost was $4.75.
The schedule for the day was:
10 am Mall concert
11 am Grandstand concert
12:30 Luncheon, Election and General Meeting
2 pm Annual Lawn Sing
3 pm Senior Citizens concert
6 pm Grandstand concert
7 pm Administration Lawn concert
8 pm Coliseum concert
On Sunday, August 30 from 2 to 4 pm the 1981 choir sang for the last time at the fair for the parents' concert.
Under the Great Seal of Ohio in the State House rotunda on November 19, 1981, approximately 125 other members of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, sang songs of praise and thanksgiving for the Legislative Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast was attended by over 200 people., including, then Governor James Rhodes, who honored former Governors Frank Lausche and John Bricker.
Following the breakfast, Governor Rhodes and the former governors presented the Choir with a check for $1000 to be used however needed.
The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir was the recipient of the Governor's Award at the 1982 Ohio Newspaper Association banquet. The 1981 choir entertained during the dinner prior to the presentation.
The 1981 choir begins its pre-European tour of Ohio singing in the following locations:
Sunday 18, 1982 National Trail High School New Paris, Ohio 3 pm
Hosted by Judy Jordan
Sunday, April 25, 1982 North Adams High School Seaman, Ohio
Hosted by Lisa Naylor, Rachel Browning, Suzy Scott and Ron Rosselot
Sunday, May 16, 1982 Trinity United Methodist Church Portsmouth, Oh 3pm
Hosted by Jennifer Merb
Monday, June 14, 1982 Millersport Jr. High Auditorium
Hosted by David Pierce (and unknown others)
Tuesday, June 15, 1982 Mt. Gilead Jr. High Auditorium
Hosted by Marna Augenstein, Rene Todd, Tracy Bedwell and Russ Mayer
Wednesday, June 16, 1982 Zanesville High School Auditorium 8 pm
Hosted by Stephanie Robinson and Jackie Neff
Thursday, June 17, 1982 West Jefferson High School 8 pm
Hosted by John Buscemi, Debbie Castor, Sharon Cook, Don Kuhns and Christi Widener Following the concert the choir was treated to supper at the Buscemi's restaurant, Ann & Tony's Resturarnt on State Route 40 in West Jefferson.
Friday, June 18, 1982 West Liberty Salem High School Auditorium 8 pm
Hosted by Brenda Yoder and Jim Stoner
- Alexander's Ragtime BandAlexander's Ragtime Band"Alexander's Ragtime Band" is the name of a song by Irving Berlin. It was his first major hit, in 1911. There is some evidence, although inconclusive, that Berlin borrowed the melody from a draft of "A Real Slow Drag" submitted by Scott Joplin that had been submitted to a...
Shawnee Press - All the Things You AreAll the Things You Are"All the Things You Are" is a song composed by Jerome Kern, with lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II.It was written for the musical Very Warm for May , where it was introduced by Hiram Sherman, Frances Mercer, Hollace Shaw, and Ralph Stuart...
Shawnee Press - Being Yourself (Get High On Yourself) Hal Leonard Music
- Blue MoonBlue Moon (song)"Blue Moon"'s first crossover recording to rock and roll came from Elvis Presley in 1956. His cover version of the song was included on his self-titled debut album Elvis Presley....
Jenson Publ. - Can't Smile Without You Dick James Music, Inc.
- Corner of the Sky from Pippin Belwin Mills Publish
- Hello, Out There! Shawnee Press
- Hush, No More, Be Silent All Mark Foster Music Co.
- I Don't Care If the Sun Don't ShineI Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine"I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine" is a popular song, written by Mack David.The most popular version was done by Patti Page in 1950. The Page recording was issued by Mercury Records as catalog number 5396, and first reached the Billboard chart on May 20, 1950, lasting 9 weeks and peaking at #8...
Shawnee Press, Inc. - In a Shanty in Old Shanty TownIn a Shanty in Old Shanty Town"In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town" is a popular song written by Ira Schuster and Jack Little with lyrics by Joe Young, published in 1932. Ted Lewis performed it with his orchestra in the film "The Crooner" in 1932. His version was released as a single and it went to number one, where it remained...
Shawnee Press - The Impossible Dream (The Quest)The Impossible Dream (The Quest)"The Impossible Dream " is a popular song composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion. It was written for the 1965 musical Man of La Mancha...
Cherry Lane Music Co. - Love the World Away Southern Nights Music
- Jubilation, Celebration! Hal Leonard Publishing Corp.
- Look for the Silver Lining Shawnee Press
- On Broadway Jenson Publications
- On Broadway from All That Jazz
- Tradition from Fiddler on the Roof
- Day by Day from Godspell
- Cabaret from Cabaret
- Side by Side by Side from Company
- Over the RainbowOver the Rainbow"Over the Rainbow" is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It was written for the movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by Judy Garland in the movie...
Jenson Publications - Sailing Warner Bros. Publications
- Sing Aloud with Gladness (Exsultate Deo) Hinshaw Music, INc.
- Smiles (A Choral Montage of Songs, 1900–1920) by Shawnee Press
- Smiles
- Let the Rest of the World Go By
- Chinatown, My Chinatown
- Poor ButterflyPoor Butterfly"Poor Butterfly" is a popular song. It was inspired by Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly and contains a brief musical quote from the act 2 duet Tutti i fior in the verse....
- Moonlight Bay
- By the Light of the Silvery MoonBy the Light of the Silvery Moon (song)"By The Light of the Silvery Moon" is a popular song. The music was written by Gus Edwards, and the lyrics by Edward Madden. The song was published in 1909 and first performed on stage by Lillian Lorraine. It was one of a series of moon-related Tin Pan Alley songs of the era.The song has been used...
- Pretty Baby
- Swanee
- StardustStardust (song)"Stardust" is an American popular song composed in 1927 by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics added in 1929 by Mitchell Parish. Originally titled "Star Dust", Carmichael first recorded the song at the Gennett Records studio in Richmond, Indiana...
- We Still Have Time(Theme from the motion Picture "Tribute")Warner Bro. Pub
- When You Wish Upon a StarWhen You Wish upon a Star"When You Wish upon a Star" is a song written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington for Walt Disney's 1940 adaptation of Pinocchio. The original version of the song was sung by Cliff Edwards in the character of Jiminy Cricket, and is heard over the opening credits and again in the final scene of the...
Shawnee Press - The Winds of the 60's
- Both Sides Now
- Downtown
- Moon River
- I Want to Hold Your Hand
- Up, Up and Away
- Traces
- Blowin' in the Wind
The 1981 Europe tour begins on Thursday, June 24 departing from Cleveland, Ohio. The choir transfers to a different airplane in Boston, Mass.
Arrival at London's Heathrow Airport. The choir board buses to Carthy, Wales. The Hotel is the Posthouse.
Saturday, June 26 Brangwyn Hall
Sunday, June 27 at 2:30 pm Maesteg Town Hall
Sunday, June 27 at 8:00 pm Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl
Thursday, June 29 Town Hall, Dudley Thursday, July 1 at 7:30 pm Solihull Library Theatre
Friday, July 2 at 8 p.m. Grange Park School, Bushey
Saturday, July 3 at Croydon Parish Church Programme announced by John Dunn
Sunday, July 4 at Croydon Parish Church Programme announced by John Dunn
1987
The choir alumni and many members of the 1986 choir embark on a 19 day tour of Europe to benefit cancer research.1988
The Choir appears for the final time in the Tournament of Roses Parade and participates in Disneyland's Magic Music Days.Some of the songs that the 1988 choir performs and records during their run at the fair are:
It's a grand night for singing
Shine Down
In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town
Puttin on the Ritz
Together We Stand
The Star Spangled Banner Finale
How Majestic is Your Name
Rise up and Greet the Sun
Old Time Spirituals
I Believe/Ave Maria
How Great Thou Art
Battle Hymn of the Republic
1990
In 1990 the choir continued the traditional selection of state fair standards such as Shanty Town, How Great Thou Art, and The Battle Hymn of the Republic, but added a medley of Rodgers and Hammerstein songs and songs from Disney's The Little Mermaid.During the Ohio State Fair the choir performed for thousands of people including then Gov. Richard F. Celeste, former Gov. James A. Rhodes, and the President of Togo.
After the fair, the 1990 choir performed at the Preble County Pork Festival in the autumn and in December at a private corporate dinner which incorporated a number of Christmas holiday songs. Large numbers of the choir reunited in January 1991 to march and sing in the inaugural parade for Gov. George Voinovich.
Choir members bound for Europe participated in concerts throughout the state during the 1990–1991 school year, including at Portsmouth, Seaman, and Springfield. The choir also joined with the FFA choir at their annual convention in Columbus.
The Choir toured England, Wales, France, and Switzerland in 1991. All but one of the concerts were in the United Kingdom. The British concerts benefited local chapters of the British Cancer Research Campaign (now Cancer Research UK) and Sandwell District Hospital Radio. One free outdoor concert was held in Switzerland. The 1990 choir was the last choir to tour the United Kingdom and Europe under the direction of Glenville Thomas.
The 1990 choir reunited at the Ohio State Fair on Alumni Day 1991 and sung their last concert together.
Alumni from the 1990 choir have a MySpace website (see external links below).
1992
On January 4, 1992 the board of Trustees met and elected the following officers for 1992: President - Tom Tompkins, Vice-President - Eddie Keller, Treasurer - Mary Kay McMillian, and Secretary - Jan Reinhard.Tom Dudley, tour escort for the choir in both Europe, for many years, and Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, CA several years, died on Friday evening, January 31 in the hospital. He had been ill for many months and was unable to be with the choir on their 1991 tour. Tom was 47 years old.
The board of directors of the alumni association announce the formation of The Conductors' Club. This club is open to all members of the alumni association, as well as parents, friends and corporations. The goal of this group is to raise enough funds to build the choir its own building for rehearsals, meetings and alumni gatherings on the fairgrounds. The board feels that a central meeting place, designated for the choir and alumni memorabilia, is long overdue.
- Charles R Snyder's first year as director of the AOSFYC
- Choir members travel to Port Columbus the night before the Fair opens to greet VP Dan Quayle
1993
First year since 1966 that Choir Members are allowed to return for multiple years.Alumni Day was held on Saturday, August 21. Every year was represented. The following board nominees were presented: Alan Endicott, John Sullivan, Cathy Banfield, Jennifer Long, Karen Bellamy and Mari Thomas.
1994
Saturday, August 20 was Alumni Day. 413 alumni answered roll call.There following board member nominees were presented for election: Jeff Cisco, Tom Boucher, Penny Bruning Butts and Mark Ferrell.
1995
The 1995 Theme was "One Moment In Time".This was the first year for the Cardinal Chorale. This is a group of 40 select returning veterans. This group was created so they could perform in smaller settings where the entire choir could not fit or would not be appropriate.
Alumni Day was held on Saturday, August 19. Roll call was answered by 384 people.
Nominees for board trustees were Cathy Banfield, Heather Hixon, Paul Jarvis, Russ Mayer, Heather Miller, John Sullivan and Ricardo Winterstein.
1996
The choir consisted of 250 high school students from all over the state of Ohio. The theme for 1996 was "Showstoppers!" and consisted of showtunes which featured songs from various musicals and television shows.Alumni day was held on Saturday, August 17. 396 alumni answered the roll call.
A presentation was made to Mari Thomas.
1997
There were 922,307 visitors to the fair. The least busy days were Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Alumni day was held on Saturday 16, 1997. 92 alumni answered the roll call during the meeting. 342 alumni signed in on the pads at the tables.
1999
Alumni Day was held on Saturday, August 14.Answering roll call were 303 alumni. Nominees for board trustees were Scott Brown, Erik Kruger, Karen Hildreth and Stacy Worley.
2000
Alumni Day was held on Saturday, August 12. 281 members attended the meeting.Board nominees were: Keri Kelgerman, Mark Ferrell, John Sullivan and Zach Wolfe.
2001
Alumni Day was held on Saturday, August 11. 129 people attended the alumni meeting, 420 alumni signed in at the tables.-Alexander's Ragtime Band -Amazing Grace (Mel Porter) -America, America (Andy Sper) -America the Beautiful -And This is My Beloved (Chris Everhart) -Anything You Can Do (Jami Addison and Josh Marks) -Battle Cry of Freedom -Battle Hymn of the Republic -Bye, Bye Blues# -Can't Help Lovin' dat Man (Jessie Sowers) -Consider Yourself -Dixie -Don't Get Around Much Anymore (David Cush) -Dream -A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Katye Wilfong) -Elijah Rock -Empty Chairs at Empty Tables (Erick Anderson) -Everybody Rejoice -Ezekiel Saw the Wheel* -Friends -Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor -God Bless America -Hallelujah -Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal -He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (Dan Custer) -Heart and Soul -Hernando's Hideaway (Brandon Gurza and Tom Lewis) -How Great Thou Art -Hush! Somebody's Calling My Name (Aaron Henley or Evan Staggs) -I Can't Give You Anything but Love# -I Have Dreamed (Mary Ann Harris) -I Leave You With a Song -If Ever I Would Leave You (Josh Wentz) -If I Loved You -The Impossible Dream -In A Shanty in Old Shanty Town -Lean on Me -Let Freedom Ring -Let Me Ride -Let There Be Music -Little Innocent Lamb -The Longest Time (Pat Lammie or Marc Mobley) -Lord, Make Us Instruments of Thy Peace -Mister Sandman -Mood Indigo -The Nearness of You* -Ol' Man River (Matt Hayes) -One Song (Erica Stubbs, Emily Patterson, or Hannah Nutt) -The Pledge of Allegiance -Ride On, King Jesus (Robbie Wells and Zane Buxton) -River in Judea (Beth Dulaney) -Shout to God* -Side By Side -Sixteen Tons -Siyahamba
Siyahamba
Siyahamba is a South African hymn that became popular in North American churches in the 1990s. The title means "We Are Marching" or "We are Walking" in the Zulu language.-History:...
* -Song of Farewell -The Star-Spangled Banner -There's No Business Like Show Business -These Things Shall Never Die! -This is My Father's World -This Land is Your Land -To Everything There is a Season -We Love You, Conrad -We Will Stand -What'll I Do? -When You Wish Upon a Star -Yankee Doodle -Yankee Doodle Boy -Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah # depicts songs performed by the Counselors-In-Training (Heather Allen, Estella McKinney, Gretchen Raymond, Justin Lehigh, Donel Duffy, and John Reardon) * depicts songs performed by the Cardinal Chorale Misc. Song Lyrics or Revisions: Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
Board member nominees were James Gano, Lana Bieber, Stephen Snyder, Cathy Banfield and Zach Wolfe.
2002
The Choir leaves the fair to sing for the Ohio-Reads convention with the former Miss America.Alumni day is held on Saturday, August 10. 78 members answered roll call. Nominees from board members were: Gail Weygand, Karen Hildreth, Erik Kruger, John Sullivan and Dawn (Collen) Romine. Those elected were Karen Hildreth, John Sullivan and Erik Kruger.
2004
The alumni association sponsors a pizza party for the current choir members. The theme is a Hawaiian Luau. Choir members are given leis to wear.The annual meeting of the alumni board was held on Saturday, August 14. 40 people answered roll call.
Nominees for the alumni board were: Cathy Banfield, Lana Bieber, Beth Holdgreve and Steve Snyder.
John Sullivan was congratulated on being inducted into the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame.
2005
This year's theme was "Dare to Dream".The alumni association sponsors a pizza party for the current choir members. The theme for the party is Christmas in July. Choir members, staff and alumni members get candy canes, sit on Santa and Mrs. Claus' laps, dance and decorate Christmas cookies. A couple of returning choir members think that the theme will be last year's Hawaiian theme so they show up in Hawaiian shirts and leis.
442 alumni attended the annual meeting.
Awards presented at the meeting included:
Furthest Traveled - Laura McPherson from Africa
Outstanding Alum - Dean Newsom
Honor Year Trophy - 1964/2000
Nominees for the board were: Cathy Banfield, Karen Hildreth, Russ Mayer, John Sullivan, Erik Kruger, Vicki Sussman, and Keri Helgerman. Those elected were Karen Hildreth, John Sullivan and Erik Kruger.
2006
The alumni association sponsors a pizza party for the current choir on Friday night before the fair. The theme of the party is a western hoe-down. Choir members, staff and alumni members square and line dance with cowboy hats, bandanas and sherrif's badges.Choral Assistants: Wendy Jobes & Tracy Schurch (Soprano) Joanna Van Sickle & Sam Turner (Alto) Corbin Neike & Andrew Robinson (Tenor) John Pollock & Patrick Mullen II (Bass)
Candidates for board were Kris Weldy, Malcolm Spence, Dean Newsom, Amy White Erickson, Mark Ferrell, Keri Helgerman, Russ Mayer and Brian Skidmore. Those elected were Dean Newsom, Mark Ferrell and Russ Mayer.
544 alumni gathered for the meeting for roll call. 341 alumni signed in on the pads at the tables.
The alumni meeting presented the following awards:
Furthest traveler - Marilyn (Hardman) Knize from San Diego, CA
Alum of the Year - Ricardo Winterstein
Honor Trophy - 1976 with 52 alums and 2002 with 43 alums
Presidential Thank You - Steve Hildreth
2007
The 2007 theme was "Keepers of the Light" and this year found the Alumni Association providing a Pirate Themed pizza party for the choir, complete with eyepatches, pirate hats (from Long John Silver's restaurant), hoop earrings, and bandanas. This was also the 45th Anniversary of the choir.Choir members arrived at the Ohio Expo Center on Thursday, July 26. The Ohio State Fair began on Wednesday, August 1 and runs through Sunday, August 12.
At the joint concert of the choir and band held in the Celeste Center on Sunday, August 5 the Ohio Music Educators Association presented a citation to both groups. Both groups were directed by Ohio's First Lady, Mrs. Strickland. Cabot Rae of WCMH-TV served as Master of Ceremonies for the program.
2008
The 2008 theme was "Hand in Hand" and this year found the Alumni Association providing a 1960's themed pizza party for the choir, with dancing reminiscent of Grease, some of the Youth Choir staff guys dress in denim jeans and white shirts. Two large white boards were decorated with paint handprints of each choir member's hand, and were fastened to the parade float for that year.Choir member arrived at the Ohio Expo Center on Thursday, July 24. The Ohio State fair began on Wednesday, July 30 and ran through Sunday, August 10.
The choir prepared 66 songs and performed 103 concerts.
Alumni Association
The Alumni Association serves as a booster club for the current Choir and as an organization to keep the Alumni involved and informed about the Choir.Glenville Davies Thomas
Glenville Davies Thomas had a rich heritage in choral music. His roots went back to Wales, "Land of Song," where he was born near SwanseaSwansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
, South Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, in the town of Ystradgynlais..
As a young boy, he and his parents moved to the United States and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. Here he sang in church choirs and as tenor soloist. He received his education at the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music, Capital University and The Ohio State University.
As a soloist, Thomas appeared with the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, in concert at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City, in "La Bohème" as the tenor lead, Rudolpho, and other principle operatic roles. He also appeared in numerous New York City church presentations.
For almost thirty-seven years Thomas worked as a music director and educator. In 1990, he retired as Supervisor of Vocal Music for the Zanesville City Schools and director of choirs at Zanesville High School. He developed the four-part choirs to sing in sets of quartets, which produces a fine stereo sound.
As founder and director of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, he gained international fame. Besides taking a group on a European concert tour each summer, he developed the first marching choir ever to participate for its fourth time in the world-famous Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
Professional affiliations included the National Association of Choral Conductors, Ohio State Teachers Association and Music Educators Conference. He was also a thirty-second degree Mason.
For his leadership as director of choirs and as an educator he has received recognition including the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music Alumni Award, Ohio Newspaper Association Governor's Award, Ohio Music Education Association 25-year Award and the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Award. His hometown honored him as the Grand Marshall of the 1986 Zane's Trace Commemoration Parade. In March 1990, he was recipient of the Search for Excellence Award in Zanesville/Muskingum County.
In addition to the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, he directed the State FFA Chorus in Ohio, the Greater Zanesville Singers and the Aladdin Temple Chanters.
In 1991, Mr. Thomas was elected to the Zanesville City Schools Board of Education.
Mr. Thomas died Friday, December 2, 1991 while preparing for a concert with the Greater Zanesville singers. He was survived by his wife, Mari, two married sons, Richard and Brian, and three young grandsons.
Charles R. Snyder
Charles Snyder is the current director of the choir, taking over in 1992.Charles R. Snyder received his musical training at Capital University, where he was a protégé of Ellis E. Snyder, a soloist with the university’s famed touring Chapel Choir, and for two years, the student assistant to Dr. Snyder in the voice department. In 1969 he served the Chapel Choir as associate conductor.
Mr. Snyder has completed further musical study at Kent State University, The Pennsylvania State University, State University of New York, VanderCook College of Music, Lutheran Theological Seminary and Westminster Choir College. He has studied with Daniel Moe, Leland Sateren, Richard C. Johnston, Fred Waring, Norman Luboff, Helen Kemp, John Rutter, Frauke Haasemann, Sir David Willcocks, Donal Neuen, Sandra Willetts, Anton Armstrong, Craig Arnold, Weston Noble and Paul Christiansen. In 1982, Mr. Snyder spent a fall sabbatical studying with Dr. Christiansen at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota.
For two years he served as director of vocal and instrumental music for the Highland Local Schools in Morrow County, and returned to Coshocton in 1970 to teach the newly-opened Coshocton Middle School. There, for the next four years, he involved half the school’s 1100 students in five select choirs and three ensembles in addition to his regular teaching schedule.
In 1977 he joined the staff of The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio
Coshocton, Ohio
Coshocton is a city in and the county seat of Coshocton County, Ohio, United States. The population of the city was 11,682 at the 2000 census. The Walhonding River and the Tuscarawas River meet in Coshocton to form the Muskingum River....
, where he continues to serve as minister of music and education.
Mr. Snyder is the music director and conductor of the Coshocton Community Choir, a 100-voice auditioned ensemble he founded in 1971, director of the Coshocton Children’s Choir, a regional choir for young voices which he organized in 1988, and the Coshocton Youth Chorale made up of teen singers, which he founded in 2002.
Mr. Snyder has been a contest adjudicator, a choral and handbell clinician at area schools, churches and colleges, an all-county festival, and has served as musical director at the Coshocton County High School players since its inception in 1987.
He had conducted the chorus at Scouting’s Order of the Arrow national conferences, and in recent times has been a contributor and music editor for several professional journals. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Ohio Music Education Association and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians
Presbyterian Association of Musicians
Presbyterian Association of Musicians is a national organization of the Presbyterian Church for people who are involved in the areas of Reformed Christian worship, Church music, and liturgical arts. The national offices for this 1,600 member organization are located in Louisville at the National...
. In the Spring of 1992 he was selected in a statewide search as the conductor for the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir.
Mr. Snyder’s contributions in the area of youth leadership have been recognized with the presentation of Scouting’s Silver Beaver Award, the Distinguished Service Award from the national Order of the Arrow, and the God and Service Award for distinguished service to youth and the church.
In 2008, Mr. Snyder was honored as one of the recipients of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra's Music Educator Awards for his work with community music education. In April, 2010, he received an Alumni Achievement Award from Capital University; a week later he was named Coshoctonian at the annual Coshocton Chamber of Commerce dinner.