State College Choral Society sings again in 2021

STATE COLLEGE — Members of the State College Choral Society sang together, in person for the first time in 18 months just a few weeks ago. The Sept. 13 rehearsal looked a bit different from those of previous years — all returning members were vaccinated, masked and distanced within the well-ventilated sanctuary of Oakwood Presbyterian Church.

The long hiatus marked the only time in its 73-year history that the SCCS has suspended performances, according to a press release. The group was not dormant, however. Zoom allowed the singers to meet as a group and participate in vocal classes and yoga designed for singers, among other activities.

The board continued to convene and plan for upcoming seasons.

This fall, the SCCS is preparing for its traditional community Christmas concert and food drive.

These, too, will be different from earlier years.

Because performance venues are still hard to come by, the choral society will present its holiday concert (and run the food drive) entirely online.

Over the past six years, the SCCS and its supporters have collected more than two tons of food and contributed more than $8,000.00 to local food banks, and they’re looking to add substantially to that total this year.

“February 2020 seems like a lifetime ago,” says Choral Society Musical Director Dr. Russ Shelley.

“Although we stayed in touch through Zoom, online workshops, phone calls and tons of emails, creating community through giving breath to those marks on the page is our core. Being in person that Monday night held all the promise, emotion and hope we anticipated. We welcome all singers to consider joining our community.”