Press Releases
St. Joseph Senior Choir performing at WCLV’s JUBILATION Festival 2010
Choir Members Donate $500 Prize Money to Euclid Avenue Congregational Church
AVON LAKE, Ohio, May 24, 2010 – On Friday, May 21, the Senior Choir from St. Joseph Parish of Avon Lake was honored to perform with the other five finalists of WCLV’s JUBILATION Festival 2010. Named a runner-up in the final round, the Choir donated their $500 prize money to the Euclid Avenue Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ, whose historic home was destroyed by a fire in March.
In its third year, the WCLV JUBILATION Festival is open to all church choirs of any denomination in Cuyahoga, Lorain and Summit Counties. The goal of the competition is to celebrate excellence in choral singing and diversity in styles. The final round of the competition was broadcast live on WCLV 104.9 FM from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland.
Lorene Coughlin, director of St. Joseph Parish’s Senior Choir, commended the Choir members’ immense dedication and talent. “One of the things that gives me the greatest joy in our Choir having made it this far is that besides myself we have no professional musicians among us. Every single person is a volunteer, and most of the Choir members either are or have been active in a multitude of other parish ministries. This is truly a choir of love and service,” she said.
To enter the JUBILATION Festival, choirs had to record two selections -- one from a required list and the other of their own choosing. Six finalists, including St. Joseph Parish, were chosen to each perform a twenty minute program on May 20 and 21.
Three distinguished choral conductors judged the finalists on their technical ability, their musicality, the diversity of their program and their work as an ensemble. The panel of judges included former Cleveland Orchestra Chorus conductor Robert Page, formerMormon Tabernacle Choir Conductor Jerold Ottley, and Director of Choral Activities at Ohio University Peter Jarjisian.
First place went to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Choir from Akron who was awarded $1,000 and a trophy. The five runner-ups, who each earned $500 and a plaque, included St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral Choir (Parma), Faith United Church of Christ (Richmond Heights), Cuyahoga Falls United Presbyterian Church Choir, St. Sebastian Parish Choir (Akron), and St. Joseph Parish.
The Senior Choir of St. Joseph Parish is made up of volunteers ranging from 16 to over 80 years old. It is almost entirely self-supporting financially. Choir members bought their own robes which they donated to the church, and they use donations to purchase new music.
Leading up to Friday’s finals, Lorene said, “I have told the Choir members that I already consider we have ‘won.’ Whatever happens on Friday night is terrific as far as I am concerned because, for us, it’s all about singing in praise of God because He gave us the music, the ability and desire to sing, and we are thrilled to be able to offer it back as our gift to Him through His Church.”
For more information about St. Joseph Parish of Avon Lake, the Senior Choir and other stewardship efforts, call 440-933-3152 or visit www.stjosephavonlake.org.
About St. Joseph Parish Avon Lake
St. Joseph Parish Avon Lake (www.stjosephavonlake.org) is a Catholic community committed to celebrating the Eucharist and encouraging stewardship as a way of life. A member of the Diocese of Cleveland, it was founded in 1949 and has grown to its current enrollment of 1,750 registered families. St. Joseph Parish’s dedication to Catholic education is demonstrated through St. Joseph School, which serves grades K-8 and has been identified as a benchmark school for the Cleveland Diocese. The Parish is the only Catholic Church in Lorain County that currently offers a Sunday evening Mass at 5:00 PM, providing parishioners and the community with more options for attending Sunday Mass.
St. Joseph Senior Choir performing at WCLV’s JUBILATION Festival 2010