2009

Orrville Community Chorus Messiah Performance Dec 6

November 15, 2009:

The Orrville Community Chorus will perform its 66th annual performance of Handel's "Messiah" on December 6th at 7pm.  Started by Dalton's Victor Gerber in 1932, it has been performed annually since 1944 and the tradition will be continued this year at the Central Christian High School's Performing Arts Center (3970 Kidron Road, Kidron, Ohio).  Conducted by Laurel Manning Labbe and accompanied by Karen Shank, this year's performance will feature a chorus made up of over 80 singers from Wayne, Holmes, Stark, and Summit counties, 4 soloists, and a talented orchestra.

As an important part of OCC's mission, the Victor Gerber Memorial Music Scholarship Fund was established in 2002 for the support of music in the community.  Since then, the Orrville Community Chorus has awarded 15 scholarships to Wayne County High School seniors who will be studying music in their college careers. Receipients have included students from Orrville, Wooster, Triway, Dalton, Smithville, Waynedale, and Central Christian High Schools. 

This fund is sustained through both individual and corporate donations – such as from J.M.Smucker Co, Stuart & Associates, J. Horst Manufacturing, Mennonite Mutual Insurance, and other local businesses. 

The 2009 recipient was Michael Lucas, a graduate of Chippewa High School in Doylestown, who is attending the University of Akron.

Music in the community is at the heart of this organization.  If you grew up in the Dalton, Kidron, or Orrville area, most likely you sang in one of these large choral events while in high school. With that history of tradition, this performance is one of the best in the region.  Please join us!

For further information about their programs or for making donations to the Victor Gerber Memorial Scholarship, please send correspondence to Orrville Community Chorus, P.O.Box 274, Orrville, OH 44667 or visit their website at www.orrvillecommunitychorus.org.

Orrville Community Chorus Messiah Rehearsals Begin

October 20, 2009:

The Orrville Community Chorus will begin rehearsals for it's 66th Annual performance of Handel's Messiah.  This tradition was started by Victor Gerber of Dalton in the 1940's, and many folks in the area will remember singing in this over the years.  The first two rehearsals are November 1 & 8 at Kidron Mennonite Church, (3987 Kidron Road, Kidron, Ohio).  Further rehearsals, on November 15, 22, and 29, will be at Central Christian High School's Performance Hall (3970 Kidron Rd, across from KMC). All rehearsals are from 2 to 3:30pm, with Dress Rehearsal on December 5th from 9 to 11:30am.  Performance is at 7pm on December 6th, at Central Christian's Performance Hall.  Please join us as we prepare for this wonderful musical experience!  Further information can be found at www.orrvillecommunitychorus.org

Contact info for OCC: Orrville Community Chorus, PO Box 274, Orrville, OH 44667

2008

Victor Gerber Memorial Scholarship Awarded

June 1, 2009:

The Orrville Community Chorus Board of Directors announces the recipient of the 2009 Victor Gerber Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship honors Victor Gerber, former music director for the Dalton Local Schools and the founder and director of the Orrville Community Chorus. Proceeds from the Orrville Community Chorus' annual presentation of the "Messiah" by George Friderich Handel fund the scholarship.

Scholarships are granted to seniors graduating from a Wayne County high school who demonstrate outstanding participation in music activities, academic achievement, and leadership, and who will begin post-secondary education in the fall following graduation. Since the inception of this award in 2003, sixteen scholarships have been granted to students representing seven Wayne County school districts.

The 2009 recipient of the $1000 scholarship is Michael Lucas, a graduate of Chippewa High School. Michael is the son of Jeffrey Lucas and Devan Vanek. He will attend the University of Akron in the fall, majoring in Music Education and Vocal Performance. While a student at Chippewa, Michael participated in choir, chamber ensemble, band, and OMEA solo and ensemble contests. He participated in the OMEA All-State Choir for three years, was a member of Wright State University's Mad River Vocal Arts Honors Choir, and was awarded the National School Choral Award his senior year. Michael was a cast member in two Ohio Light Opera presentations. After assisting with all aspects of middle school musicals, his senior project was as director of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" presented at Chippewa High School in May. His responsibilities included casting, budgeting, costuming, crew management, and acting and musical direction. In addition to music activities, Michael was a member of the National Honors Society, Speech Team, and Leo Club. He also participated in plays, food drives, and Safety Town.

The Orrville Community Chorus wishes to thank all who support the annual presentation of the "Messiah" and the Victor Gerber Memorial Music Scholarship fund.