Elizabeth Forward Area Community Chorus seeks singers

The Elizabeth Forward area group is preparing for its Christmas concert.

The Elizabeth Forward Area Community Chorus is seeking new members in all voice parts.

The choir began in 1972 and has performed two shows every year since then: a spring and holiday show.

While its first rehearsal was Sept. 14, the group is still seeking out new membership. They rehearse at 6 p.m. every Sunday at Bethesda United Methodist Church in Elizabeth Borough, and people just have to come to one September rehearsal to be a part of the group.

All are welcome, with no audition required. They are just asking for those interested to come to any of the September rehearsals as they gear up for their upcoming Christmas concert. It will take place Nov. 21 and 23 and is titled “Glad Tidings We Bring” with a mixture of music.

The choir currently has 40 members ranging from high school students through adults/seniors who sing soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

Elizabeth Forward area native Chaz Bowers — a local composer, conductor and organist — is the organization’s conductor for the holiday concert. He grew up in the same church, studied music at Seton Hill and got a masters in sacred music/ organ at Duquesne.

According to Bowers, the only requirement to join the group is the desire to sing. People who love music are welcome to join — welcoming every voice and every background.

“It is the beginning of a new year, and it’s the perfect time to join a choir,” Bowers said. “It’s a variety of people that are from different backgrounds, age groups and communities. You don’t have to be from Elizabeth. A lot of our members come from other places.”

Bowers added that they are excited about the following they have gotten over the last year, especially after the Christmas concert was well received last fall.

Katie Wagner, publicity chair and Bowers’ wife, said the group is appealing because Bowers understands the level of the singers, how to teach them and how to produce a quality group.

“He does it with patience and we are a fun group,” Wagner said. “Anyone who wants to go out after rehearsal, we do it. In spite of that, I think Chaz wants to help everyone. He really helps us achieve a professional sound, even though we are not necessarily all professionals.”

Wagner said the first rehearsal sounded “excellent,” and she said Bowers did a lot this year to match people with their voice parts since people’s voices change.

“I think that’s another thing to look forward to,” Wagner said. “The music really fits the voices this year because Chaz is really familiar with the group now.”

Wagner and Bowers said there are people who become great friends and they are in different stages of life and background.

There may be someone in retirement age sitting next to someone in high school, who may otherwise not interact, but they become great friends just by sitting next to each other.

“Each person has a story, but together, they make this beautiful music. It relieves stress every day, and I always think about the people that come to the choir rehearsal,” he said.

Anyone interested can email efaccsings@gmail. com or visit www.efacc.org.