Choir event to feature American favorites
CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville area will come together on Sunday, Nov. 23, when the annual Thanksgiving Festival of Choirs will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church on South Pittsburgh Street in Connellsville. The event will begin at 6:45 p.m. The event, sponsored by the local Mozart Music Club, is focusing on American music this year.
The combined choir of 100 or more voices will sing an arrangement of “America, the Beautiful” by Mark Hayes along with “Tapestry of Thanks,” plus two other selections.
Merle Stutzman will once again direct this group. He is also choral director at the Mount Pleasant Church of God. The Rev. Dennis Arndt of the Indian Head Church of God will narrate.
Other clergy involved this year are the Rev. Frank Lesniowki from St. Rita’s R.C. Church, the Rev. Kay Kurtz of the Connellsville Church of God, the Rev. Nathaniel Milton of the Rocky Mountain Baptist Church of Connellsville and the Rev. Craig Forsythe of Wesley United Methodist Church.
Chris Hornick, instrumental music director at Connellsville Junior High East, will lead a brass ensemble in two selections. Other members of the ensemble will be Pat Stefano and Don Stoner on trumpets; Brenna Shultz on French horn; Paul Hammaker on tuba; Hornick on baritone horn; and Matt Ratai and Ben Haines on percussion.
Guest soloists for the festival will be soprano Crista Cave and violinist Scott Leichliter, along with Leichliter’s wife, Victoria, who will perform on the violin and piano.
There is no admission charge. However, a free will offering will be accepted. Each year, the offering goes toward music scholarships presented to graduating students from Connellsville Area and Geibel High Schools. These are students who plan to continue their education in the field of music.
Chairperson for the festival and accompanist for the combined choir will be Joanna Ball.
Doors will open at 5:50 p.m. Because of the large attendance every year, it is recommended that people arrive early for seats. Seating for the handicapped will be available in the right front of the church.