elebrating great music since 1944, the Williamsport Civic Chorus continues to be a grassroots, non-auditioned community chorus with a wide range of ages and abilities. Dedicated to the study and performance of the great choral works, the Chorus maintains a membership of about 50 active singers who rehearse weekly.
Welcome!
News flash! We held an all-singer, socially-distanced picnic on July 17 at Susquehanna State Park. Chorus members who attended this annual event were delighted to enjoy the scenery and each other's company. Besides singing the national anthem led by Michael Connor with Dave Sorgen on trumpet, we ratified the recently revised By Laws (see a copy in "Member Details" by scrolling far down), learned of the continuation of our arts funding grant from the Commonwealth of PA, and pledged to keep purchasing Gardner's candy bars!
In the meantime, all rehearsals have been canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please stay well during this time for which our season has now been suspended through December 2020. Mr. Connor hopes to program the Ola Gjeilo works for 2021 when their beauty before a live audience will bring joy to all. Singers may still listen and practice parts using links on the password protected "Member Details" section of this website. We miss you.
We hope you enjoyed our February "Evening at the Pops" performance in the Pajama Factory's Clearstory Room. It was heartening to see such a full house on a cold winter's day. Thank you, volunteers, singers, band members, Michael Connor, Christian Humcke, and our enthusiastic audience! You may view a complete video of this performance on the "Member Details" page of this website.
And thank you for having celebrated the Chorus' 75th anniversary with us in November. You may enjoy the passionately intoned finale to our "75 Years in Review" concert performed on Sunday, November 3rd, by clicking here. Another video, without unanticipated views of a bystander, is this Russian Orthodox hymn, "Salvation is Created", by Paul Tschesnokoff seen here. It is followed by "Gloria" from the sacred composition of the same name by Antonio Vivaldi. You can see here that we are not the same girls' orphanage choir for which it was written.
Last August 22nd, we also performed "The Star Spangled Banner" at the start of Little League World Series play between the U.S. Southeast and Southwest teams. Please enjoy our rendition of the national anthem, with Rob Byham on trumpet and Michael Connor conducting. https://youtu.be/llUCrrk93uo
Rehearsals for our non-auditioned Chorus take place on Mondays from 7 to 9 pm in the Fellowship Hall of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 142 Market Street, in Williamsport. All singers, returning and first-timers, may join upon payment of a nominal fee. Please enter from the canopied entrance off the Mulberry Street parking lot across from Robert M. Sides Family Music Center.
Our newsletter, available in PDF format! Download:
Hitting The High Notes
Hitting The High Notes
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Hitting The High Notes
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Hitting The High Notes
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Our Mission Statement
“The Williamsport Civic Chorus is an open community of singers dedicated to making fine music accessible to all through education, participation and inspiration.”
Music Director Michael (Mike) Connor earned a bachelor of arts degree in music from the Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a master of science in education from Bucknell, where as graduate assistant to the renowned Dr. William Payn, he frequently conducted the Bucknell University Chorale. Currently, Mike teaches music at Central Mountain Middle School in Lock Haven. He has served as choir director for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Montoursville, and as interim music director for the Williamsport Chamber Choir. Having appeared as tenor soloist with the Civic Chorus on multiple occasions, Mike's demonstrated skills as an inspiring singer, composer, band, and orchestra director go hand-in-hand with his commitment to create a positive, safe, and enjoyable environment for performers.
Please "Like" and "Share" our Facebook Fan Page at: www.facebook.com/wccsings
As a special treat, please also enjoy viewing the Chorus' performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Little League World Series on August 23, 2018.
On Nov. 3, 2019, the Williamsport Civic Chorus performed "75 Years in Review" as the ensemble celebrated its jubilee year.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland, where the Chorus performed on 7/3/19.
Singers during rehearsal break--late October 2019.
Presentation of donation by WCC at Sing for the Cure Concert
"American Spirituals" in performance on Feb. 18, 2018, photo courtesy of J.J. Boettcher.
Williamsport Civic Chorus makes a contribution to Family Promise.
Chorus members sing Christmas carols--an annual event at Otto's Bookstore.
