The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir was founded in 1963 by Glenville D. Thomas, a native of Wales, and a long-time vocal music director at Zanesville High School. He organized the group to allows Ohio's high school singers to share a musical experience similar to that enjoyed by members of the All-Ohio State Fair Band since that group's inception in 1925. For 29 years, until his death in December 1991, Mr. Thomas led the Youth Choir in concerts for thousands of visitors at the Ohio State Fair, directed them in a number of European tours, and took them to several national parades. Championed by four-term governor James A. Rhodes, the choir has sung for gubernatorial inaugurations and was named Ohio's "Singing Ambassadors of Goodwill." Since 1992 the All-Ohio Youth Choir has been led by Charles R. Snyder of Coshocton who has continued many of the choir's traditions. He and his staff have emphasized vocal health -- vitally important for the Fair's outdoor performances and unpredictable weather-related conditions -- and commissioned new works which the Youth Choir has premiered. In 1995, the All-Ohio Youth Choir was incorporated with the help of choir friend, attorney Michael P. McCullougg. 1995 also saw the birth of the Cardinal Chorale, a group of 40 voices, selected by audition to provide additional musical opportunities for returning choir veterans and to offer more musical joy to fairgoers. The 200 members of the choir are selected each spring on the basis of their ability and experience, the recommendation of their high school choral director, and the consent and support of their parent or guardian. Five days before the opening of the Ohio State Fair, the new choir meets at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus and launches into a rigorous schedule that includes vocal training, sectional and full rehearsals, solo auditions, and marching instruction. Once the fair opens, the Youth Choir sings six to eight concerts a day and marches up to ten miles a day to various performance sites around the 360 acre fairgrounds. The All-Ohio Youth Choir has been described by members as "an experience in living," "Introduction to College 101," "a secular retreat," and "the musical forte of the year." Parents have applauded the Youth Choir experience as "the finest opportunity for personal growth and development," and "a life-changing three weeks." Music educators have complimented the Youth Choir for "good, healthy singing," for encouraging "wonderful musical spirits," and for urging the singers to "take that energy back home to their own schools." Mission - To provide a high-quality musical and social experience for young musicians, while simultaneously entertaining fair-goers and contributing to the positive, family-friendly atmosphere of the Ohio State Fair. Vision - The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir will affect the lives of young people by: * Building musicianship in an environment that focuses on health and safety for singers. * Providing a positive atmosphere that fosters the building of life-long friendships and encourages networking. * Establishing an environment conducive to the development of social/emotional skills and promoting teamwork and servant leadership. * Modeling and teaching members to be responsible, participating, encouraging and positive members of society. * Living out the name "Ohio's Singing Ambassadors of Goodwill" and promoting the Ohio State Fair - through concerts at the Fair and an annual reunion concert, through "on call" appearances at inaugurations and other state functions, and through the Cardinal Chorale's concerts throughout the state.

Website: http://www.aosfyc.org

Employees: 2

HQ:

Location: Columbus, Ohio, United States

Revenue: 2.4M