St. Clair Shores Community Chorus Welcomes You
A Tradition of Excellence
About Us
WHO WE ARE
We are a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to a joyful environment of friendship and fun. The chorus does not require auditions and is open to everyone who has a love for singing. Members do not need to be a St. Clair Shores resident.
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OUR MISSION
The mission of the St. Clair Shores Community Chorus is to engage and inspire participants and audiences through musical performances featuring choral, solo and ensemble singing within the City of St. Clair Shores and surrounding communities.
VISION
Our vision is to:
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Build a community of artists who are passionate about music and strive for excellence
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Continually grow and build upon our existing structure
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Support the community through events and sponsorships
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Provide scholarships to local graduating high school seniors in support of furthering their education
History
The St. Clair Shores Civic Chorus was formed in 1962, by beloved St. Clair Shores resident, Ruth Brennan. Ruth faithfully served as director until the Spring of 1993, at which time she passed the baton to Mrs. Virginia Rivard Stieler, who adapted our name, "St. Clair Shores Community Chorus" in the Fall of 1995 to better represent our membership. "Ginnie" retired in the Spring of 1998
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Since 1998 the chorus has been under the musical and creative direction of Ms. Cynthia Ohrt. After 38 years, Cindy retired from Lake Shore Public schools where she served as musical director since 1973. She has directed many award-winning choral ensembles and leaves behind the legacy of decades worth of Lake Shore High School musical performances.
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In addition to our annual Christmas and Spring concerts, the Chorus has participated in numerous charitable appearances.
The Chorus has also had the privilege of singing at the St. Clair Shores Annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and the Bruce Post VFW #1146 Memorial Day Tribute to Fallen Veterans.
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We are always pleased to welcome new members. Auditions are not required.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the governing arm of the SCSCC. These are volunteers who help manage the operations of the chorus.
Officers
President - Kelli Martin
Vice-President - Mike Galat
Treasurer - Linda Walleman
Secretary - Debby Fuchs (interim)
Board Members
Librarian - Janice Petrocik
Historian - Kelli Martin/Robin Barr
Member Liaison - Robin Barr
Fundraiser Chair - Julie Arnone
Publicity - Heidi McInnes
Program Designer - Debby Fuchs
Webmaster - Mike Galat
Social Media - Ally Fuchs
Member Recruiting Chair - Nicholas Hunter
Choral Director, Ms. Cynthia Ohrt has been a director of choral activities and music education in St. Clair Shores for over 40 years. Ms. Ohrt is from the Thumb Area of Michigan where she began her musical journey at the age of four. While in Bay City, Ms. Ohrt was heavily involved in choirs, bands, musical theater, church organist, piano lessons, and numerous summer theater productions. She earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from Michigan State University (1969-1973). Additional endorsements were earned from Eastern Michigan University and Oakland University in school administration and curriculum. Ms. Ohrt received her Masters Degree from University of Phoenix in Curriculum and Instruction.
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During her 38 years in the Lake Shore Public School District, Ms. Ohrt was awarded the Teacher of the Year in 1989 and 1999. Being a mentor to two student teacher music educators was a very rewarding experience while she guided and instructed two young music teachers towards their final degree and into seasoned Music Directors in Southeastern Michigan.
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To enrich the music curriculum at Lake Shore, she introduced a Special Education Music Class for all levels of learning disabled students. In addition, she introduced, wrote the curriculum for, and passed the requirements through a District Curriculum Team to allow students to earn Fine Arts credits for graduation - and thus, the Shorian Singers Show Choir became a part of the LSHS approved curriculum in 1988. In addition to directing the Lake Shore HS Choirs and the SCSCC, she also was the Lake Shore Public Schools Auditorium Director for 20 of her 38 years at Lake Shore.
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Numerous division I and II ratings were earned by the Lake Shore Singers, the Women's Glee Club, and the Shorian Singers. From 1973-1986, LSHS Choirs attended the MSVA Solo & Ensembles. Following those local events, these groups became known nationally, under her direction, due to 25 years of competing in music festivals such as - Fiestaval Heritage, Magic Music Days, three Bahama Music Festival at Seas aboard the Sovereign of the Sea and Monarch of the Sea (earning two Grand Championships), and finally, one year at Festival Disney. At these festivals, choirs under her direction always earned division I or II and placed and ranked at the top position or at least the top three - nationally. In addition to the competitions, her choirs performed numerous Broadway Musicals including - Les Miz, Phantom, Showboat, West Side Story, Oklahoma, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and The Beast, Oliver, Anything Goes, and No, No, Nanette, to name a few.
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In June 2011, Ms. Ohrt retired from Lake Shore Public Schools but continued on with her passion with the St. Clair Shores Community Chorus. From 1998 to the present, she has been directing the SCSCC. This opportunity has allowed Ms. Ohrt to blend young people and mature people into the long standing chorus. Ms. Ohrt believes blending all age levels into one organization that promotes a unified musical sound is a very special opportunity that will keep the music alive in the Shores for years to come.
Meet Our Director - Cynthia Ohrt
Rehearsal Location
Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church
22360 13 Mile Rd, St Clair Shores, MI 48082