Lake Erie College Chorus seeking community members

Jul. 18—The music department at Lake Erie College is growing and welcoming members of the community to be a part of its nearly 30-year tradition of choral music.

Auditions for the Lake Erie College Chorus are by appointment only and will take place in the Helen Rockwell Morley Memorial Music Building at the Painesville college from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 9-10.

Prospective singers are asked to prepare a verse of a song and bring accompaniment music with them.

Sonora Wheeler, who has sung with the chorus on and off since 2018, said being involved in the chorus has been one of the best experiences she's had singing in a group.

"(Director) Mary Crow does such a fantastic job teaching each of us, students or not, and each year we tackle a piece of music that is different from the last," she added. "It's exciting and challenging. To hear the result come together is so satisfying, and it really grows you as a performer and singer."

The chorus includes both students and community members and every year the chorus performs for the college's traditional Christmas Vespers and Spring Musical Arts Concert. These are the only two performances required for chorus members.

Rehearsals are held on Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Paul S. Weaver Auditorium of the Helen Rockwell Building on campus.

"The value of having community members sing is that it allows the Lake Erie students an opportunity to (also) sing with some great local talent," Crow said. "The community members also add a richness to the group's social dynamic because of the varied life experiences of each singer."

Lake Erie College is located at 391 W. Washington St. in Painesville.

Prospective singers may audition for the Lake Erie College Chorus by contacting Director Mary Crow at mcrow@lec.edu or 440-983-0227.