Why the Greater Johnstown Community Chorus is in 'a rebuilding phase'

JOHNSTOWN ― There's an open seat at the Greater Johnstown Community Chorus for anyone who likes to sing, and the group wants to add more voices to their ranks this year.

Perhaps best known for their vocal offerings during the Service of Lessons & Carols at Christmastime in the Grand Halle, the Greater Johnstown Community Chorus is a group of people from Cambria and Somerset counties who enjoy getting together just to sing.

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'In a rebuilding phase'

The chorus meets on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 1000 Scalp Ave. in Richland Township.  Practices are held in the church’s choir room, located around the back of the church.

“We’re in a rebuilding phase,” said Zing Allsopp, who became director in November 2022. She and Becky Schrock, the accompanist, both have college degrees in music. They and the 15 or so current members are working to rebuild the chorus, which lost many members in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You don’t need a music background (to join),” Allsopp said. “If you enjoy singing and listening to music, come and give it a few weeks to see if it works for you. We could definitely use some younger participants, too.”

People sometimes confuse the Greater Johnstown Community Chorus (GJCC) with the Johnstown Symphony Chorus. Although a few members of the GJCC also sing with the Johnstown Symphony Chorus, the two choruses are different, Allsopp said. The Johnstown Symphony Chorus is a more formal vocal group that selects its singers by audition, while the GJCC is open to singers of all abilities.

During the winter months, the GJCC works on music that they will perform at their spring concert, while the fall practices prepare them for the Christmas program.

The GJCC is now learning songs from well-known stage and movie musicals for its spring concert on May 4. Allsopp said all voice parts are welcome, but tenor, baritone and bass singers are needed most.

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"They enjoy singing'

Jim and Cindy Gossard, of Johnstown, have been singing with the group for over 30 years, even before it became the Greater Johnstown Community Chorus in 2001.

Cindy said she directs the choir and bell choir at her church, but she enjoys the opportunity to sing in the community chorus, too.

“If you like to sing, it’s a good place to come and be with other people who like to sing,” she said. “It is a good group to come and sing (with) and learn more about singing.”

Jim is one of several men singing in the chorus this year; at times, he was the only man in the group, but that never deterred him. He said he’s learned a lot over the years by singing with the chorus.

“People who are here like to sing, they enjoy singing. I think you can tell when you listen to them,” he said.

“I’m enjoying the younger ones that are coming now, it’s good. It would be nice to see more.”

Sing or swim?

Leading a group of singers through a piece of music is not entirely different than teaching someone the proper techniques to swim or exercise, which Allsopp does as a swim and fitness coach at the Greater Johnstown YMCA.

“It’s like raising a family, you see the potential (in them) and you want to draw it out and nurture it,” she said. “Whether it’s exercise or singing, it’s a skill. It takes some conscious effort before it can be (an) unconscious (habit).

“Another thing about singing in a chorus is, if you feel you’re not bold enough to hear yourself sing, you’re immersed into all these other sounds and you’ll probably feel a little braver to sing a little louder, because you’re not so exposed.”

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'We'll help you get there'

Visitors are welcome at any time to sit in on their weekly practice sessions, said Anita Lorek, president of the chorus.

“People say, ‘I love to sing,’ but they feel they can’t (sing well enough),” she said. “Either they’re not professionally trained, or ‘I just sing in my church choir.’ So – that means you sing.

“We’re not a professional group. We’re just a group of people who like to sing. We want to do the best we can, but we’re not professionals.”

Pam Stahl, chorus treasurer, said the music they choose is familiar, so even if a visitor doesn’t know a specific voice part, they would be familiar with the melody. They also offer music on CD for any member who wants additional practice time at home.

The members enjoy the chorus’ social benefits as well, laughing and joking with each other as they learn a song or practice an unfamiliar section.

“We’re not intimidating,” Allsopp said. “We’re willing for you to come from wherever you are (musically), and we’ll help you get there.”

To learn more about the Greater Johnstown Community Chorus, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/singGJCC/ or contact Allsopp by text or phone at 281-389-3258.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Greater Johnstown Community Chorus looking for new members