Seniors sing final concert with Coshocton Youth Chorale
Seniors: Twelve 12th grade singers will perform in their final Community Choir Concert with The Coshocton Youth Chorale during the Coshocton Community Choir’s Spring Concert Wondrous Love. Pictured from left, row one are: Francie Neal, Riley Zimmerman, Wes Cochran, Kaylee Schoepe, Hayden Burkholder; row two – Madison Speicher, Samuel Hart, Charlie Holmes, Nathan Lain; row three – Austyn Reveal, Josh Hilgenberg, Clay Mercer. Photo contributed by Paul Robbins, Digital Extreme
COSHOCTON — Twelve 12th grade singers will perform in their final Community Choir Concert with The Coshocton Youth Chorale during the Coshocton Community Choir’s Spring Concert Wondrous Love. The concert is on Sunday, April 27, at 3 p.m. at Coshocton High School’s McKinley Auditorium. The Coshocton Youth Chorale, sponsored by the Coshocton Community Choir, includes area students in grades nine through 12. Charles R. Snyder directs the choir.
Singers graduating from the Youth Chorale this season include Hayden Burkholder, Wesley Cochran, Samuel Hart, Josh Hilgenberg, Charles Holmes, Nathan Lain, Clay Mercer, Francie Neal, Austyn Reveal, Kaylee Schoepe, Madison Speicher, and Riley Zimmerman.
Wesley Cochran is a senior at Ridgewood High School and this was his first year in the Youth Chorale.
“This has been a lot of fun and I really look forward to coming to rehearsals each Tuesday evening,” he said. “It is so nice to be part of a large group of singers who are serious about music. I have met several new people from other schools, too.”
Cochran says he has learned a lot about music and has been able to hone his vocal skills through being a part of this choir.
“I have been able to expand my vocal range and have also learned to darken my singing voice so that it isn’t so bright,” he said.
Kaylee Schoepe is also a senior at Ridgewood High School and this is her third year in the Youth Chorale.
“I sang in the Children’s Choir for five years and loved it, and I love Mr. Snyder,” she said. “He has been a wonderful influence on me and others in this group – and is actually a father figure to most of us, I think. I originally joined the Children’s Choir when my fourth grade music teacher, Mrs. Jane Crow, encouraged me.”
Schoepe says that Mr. Snyder challenges them with the music.
“The music often is difficult, but we work really hard,” she said. “You just don’t know what you can do unless you try things. I am thankful to my friends and family for supporting my love of singing, and I am thankful to have Mr. Snyder in my life. I wouldn’t be who I am today otherwise.”
Francie Neal is a senior at River View High School and she has been singing in the Youth Chorale for three years.
“Mr. Snyder makes this choir so much fun,” she said. “Coming to rehearsals with this group is a happy place to be. Even if I’ve had a horrible day, I can come here and it is made all better.”
Neal says she has also learned a great deal musically by being in the Youth Chorale.
“Mr. Snyder is the greatest teacher I have ever had,” she said. “He makes you feel better about yourself and is very genuine. I would encourage any high school singer to definitely consider this choir. You will learn how your voice works and how to sing better. Plus, everyone is really kind here. There is no judging. I think that’s why a lot of students at school aren’t in the school choirs because they are afraid of other kids making fun of them. You won’t find that here at all.”
Josh Hilgenberg is a senior at Coshocton High School and he has been in the Youth Chorale for four year and sang in the Children’s Choir for five years before that.
“Coming to these choir rehearsals is truly a stress reliever for me,” said Hilgenberg. “Mr. Snyder is so much fun and this is a place you can let go and be yourself where no one is judging you.”
Hilgenberg says this year is a bittersweet time for him.
“I am looking forward to graduation,” he said, “but I am not ready to leave this group. I am involved in several extracurricular activities, but have always tried to make the Youth Chorale rehearsals a priority. I would definitely encourage other high school singers to try out for this choir.”
The Coshocton Youth Chorale will perform during the Coshocton Community Choir’s Spring Concert Wondrous Love on Sunday, April 27, at 3 p.m. at Coshocton High School’s McKinley Auditorium. The concert will also feature the adult choir and the Children’s Choir.
Tickets for the Wondrous Love concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the door, on the choir website www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org or by calling Business Manager Lee Bown at 622-3960.
Tickets are also available at these presale ticket outlets— Ohio State of Mind in Roscoe Village; Good News Book Store, Buehler’s Foodmarket, and Marilyn’s Natural Foods in Coshocton; Home Loan Savings Bank in West Lafayette; and Baker’s Foods in Newcomerstown.
For information, contact the Coshocton Community Choir at 623-0554 or find them on Facebook and at www.CoshoctonCommunityChoir.org.
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