Ravenna Community Choir Janis Harcar, Music Director

Home Our donors About us/Join Past performances Past news Music Director Executive Board Staff Rehearsal Resources

Past News and Past Announcements 2023 performances and activities The Ravenna Community Choir presented a Spring concert featuring American spirituals and music influenced by spirituals. Special Guest One Voice -- and they were incredible! The RCC presented their Christmas Concert Sunday December 3 2023. It included holiday favorites including Sleigh Ride and White Christmas, the Hallelujah Chorus, and some fresh lovely music that may be new to you. The Choir was joined by the 9-member musical group Nuance from the University of Akron - WOW!

2022 performances and activities - we're back on track!

Spring Sacred Music Concert with composer Heather Sorenson

Memorial Day observance at Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg

Summer 40's music concert Benefit for Center of Hope in Ravenna July 31, 2022 featured musical favorites of the '40's. Thanks to all who continue to contribute non-perishable foodstuffs to the Center of Hope - it is a wonderful and much-needed service to our community.

The Ravenna Community Choir presented a joint concert with the Swing Choir of Southeast High School on Sunday December 4, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. It was great to participate in this special event!

In Memoriam

Some days there won't be a song in your heart...

• Jeanie Ferguson
  • Jeanie Ferguson joined the Ravenna Community Choir in 1981. In 1984, she started her trek of becoming one of the most active members of our choir by joining the Board as Vice President. Since then, she was our President for 8 years (not continuous) and served other years as Vice President, Immediate Past President and Member-At-Large.
  • Along with these positions, she was a vital part of committees that planned our Balloon-A-Fair participation as well as many other fundraisers for us. She was a member of our alto section, lending her lovely voice to our overall sound. She took her music quite seriously and practiced diligently to be able to support the alto section accurately.
  • January 9, 2021 our Lord and Savior took Jeannie to be with him. We shall miss her very much but know that she is at peace.
• Kathy Jaynes
  • Kathy Jaynes died September 30, 2021. Kathy was a relatively new member to the choir -- just a few years. She was a member of the Circulators, a square dancing group based in Portage County.
  • Her friends include Susan Roy, a member of our tenor section, who is also a member of the Circulators.
• Lydia McFarland
  • Lydia McFarland died November 12, 2021. Lydia was born in Ravenna, Ohio on April 15, 1948 to parents Carl and Julia (Miller) Stansberry. She graduated from Ravenna High School in 1968 and went on to work many years as a bonding clerk in the Portage County Municipal Court. In her later years she had worked at the Kent Burger King.
  • Lydia thoroughly enjoyed her involvement with the Ravenna Community Choir, Ravenna Balloon-A-Fair, the Junior Thursday Literary Club and Friends of the Library. She had been an avid Cleveland sports fan, enjoying watching the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns and loved her cats.
• Rodger Evans
  • Rodger Evans passed away in the hospital on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. He was suffering from colon cancer and other ailments, then contracted the Covid Virus which ended his life. He was a member of the Ravenna Community Choir since 1985.
  • Rodger found many ways to be useful to our choir. He sang in the tenor section. He accumulated items for our receptions including table coverings, punch bowls, ladles and many trays. He kept them at home and brought them for every concert. He made the punch.
  • During many of our choir tours, he took on the responsibility of "bus captain." He assigned us each a number and checked to make sure we were all back on the bus at every stop. If someone didn't show up, he went out looking for them. As much as we might want to relax or have conversations with members on the bus, Rodger would do his best to keep us entertained with puzzles and games.
  • Rodger was invaluable when we had fundraisers such as luncheons, toting plates and trays of food down the halls yelling "Make a hole, make it wide!" When the Ravenna Rotary had their Harvest Breakfasts that the choir helped serve out at the Elks Club, Rodger devoted most of the day to help them set up, wash dishes, and clean up at the very end.
  • Rodger's mother, Eleanor Evans, and grandmother, Vera Thrasher, were also long-time members until their passing. I imagine they joined him in a heavenly Thanksgiving.
• And dear relatives of current choir members and faithful and beloved members of our audience:
  • Jack Ferguson - March 17, 2020
  • Julia Myers - January 24, 2021

Sing anyway. (Emory Austin)

Sunday December 8, 2019 - Christmas Concert 3:00 p.m. at Ravenna Assembly of God Church, SR 14 Ravenna OH. The concert featured Rhapsody in Bluegrass (A Christmas Jubilee) by Joseph M. Martin as well as additional music.

We Want to be Ready!

Linda Pierson, Debbie Myers, Tressie Gardner and Elaine Wimer ready their solos for December 8th, 2019.

Barb Withee on Bass

Ryan McDermott on Banjo

Eric Juskiw, Tenor

Mandee Scott, Alto

Rob Hassing, Percussion, and Kathy Brown, Piccolo

Ravenna Chamber photo - RCC members serenading at Andrei's Jewelry during the Ravenna Holiday Celebration Fri Nov. 29, 2019.

Ravenna Community Choir Concert to aid Center of Hope

April 7, 2019 Sacred Music Concert

The December 9, 2018 Christmas Concert was great!

We prepared for the Christmas concert...

Tressie Gardner and Debbie Benedict prepare their solos for the December 9 concert

John Reynolds, Jack DiAlesandro and Barb Withee getting ready for Rhapsody in Bluegrass

Debbie Myers, Elaine Wimer and Emily Pierson (backed up by Judy Thomas, Ryan McDermott, and Kathy Palmerton) rehearse their solos for the December 9 concert

Kara Suzelis and Linda Pierson run their solos for December 9 2018, and Rob Hassing supports with his ever-awesome percussion.

Mandee Scott and Wendy Nelson run their solo, preparing Follow That Star for December 9th.

December 1, 2018 concert was a blast!

The Portage County Sheriff's Association sponsored their annual Charity Christmas Concert Saturday December 1 at the Ravenna High School Auditorium. It featured the Western Reserve Community Band under the direction of Ralph Meyer and Ravenna Community Choir directed by Janis Harcar. The two groups presented music of the season and also collaborated on Christmas Music for Voices arranged by John Cacavas, and Mary Did You Know arranged by Joseph M. Martin. Phil Ferguson of WNIR served as a rousing master of ceremonies, and the audience enjoyed refreshments after the concert.

Summer performances

Tuesday May 22, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Public Safety officers' memorial service at the FOP building in Ravenna.

Sunday June 10, 2018 Benefit Concert for the Center of Hope, at the Ravenna Assembly of God on State Route 14.

Spring Concert Sunday March 25, 2018

The RCC spring 2018 concert was Sunday March 25, at the Ravenna Assembly of God church on State Route 14 in Ravenna.

Choir members recognized for service

Choir members met January 13, 2018 for the annual meeting and banquet. New officers were installed, and choir members were recognized for consecutive years of service.

Award Recipients

• 25-Year Pin: Debbie Myers
• 20-Year Pin: Bob Fleishman
• 15-Year Pin: Phyllis Boldon and Don Reed
• 10-year Pin: Barbara DeYoung and Martin Hura
• 5-Year Pin: Mara DeMattia, Kathryn Mosko, Emily Pierson, Jeffrey Sheldon, Kevin Skilton and Debbie Sunderland

Thanks to our audience!

Thanks to community support and our terrific audience at the December 4, 2017 concert, the basket raffle was a great success!

"Emmanuel"

Ravenna Community Choir Annual Christmas Concert

December 4, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.
at Ravenna Assembly of God
6401 OH-14, Ravenna
(also accessible on Bryn Mawr Street)

Concerts are sponsored in part by Ravenna United Fund

The festivities include a basket raffle. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. for the raffle. Tickets 6 for $5, 13 for $10 and your height in tickets for $25.

Ravenna merchants have generously given more than $1,000 worth of gift items and gift cards for this raffle. Baskets include a wreath of lottery tickets, a tree decorated with $1 coins, 2 wreaths loaded with gift cards and many baskets wrapped and ready for your holiday giving or to pamper yourself.

Join us during Midnight Madness, Friday, November 25 at Andrei's Jewelers on Main Street in Ravenna for a carol sing-along from 6:30 to 8 p.m. You can also buy your raffle tickets at that time (as well as one hour before the concert on the 4th).

Solo tryouts Monday October 31, 2016

And remember! contributions for the gift baskets project are due this date also.

New Members Meet and Greet!

Come sing with us!

Come sing with us!

Repeat music for the Spring session is:
• And It Was Night (Joseph M. Martin) performed Spring 1996
• Because He Lives (Gaithers/Arr. Mark Hayes) Performed Spring 2007
• Come See the Place Where Jesus Prayed (Mary Kay Beall/John Carter) Performed Spring 1992
• Fairest Lord Jesus (Arr. Joseph M. Martin) Performed Spring 2010 and 2012
• I'm Gonna Rise (When the Son Comes Down!) (Paul Marsena) Performed 1994 and Spring 2011
• Ride On, King Jesus (Philip Kern) Performed Spring 2007 and 2011
• Then Sings My Soul (Setting by Mary McDonald) Performed Spring 2015
• Wonderful Songs of Grace (Arr. Joseph M. Martin) Performed Spring 2002

2016 Banquet Reservations Due January 8, 2016

Annual Christmas Concert December 6 2015

RCC at Gospel Fest Sunday October 18 2015

Performance provided by
• African Connection
• Celebrate Recovery Band
• Not Ashamed
• Ravenna Assembly of God
• Sentimental Journey
• Betty Richards
• The Brotherhood

A Freewill Offering will be taken; refreshments available for purchase.

Come Sing with us!

July 19 2015 Summer Patriotic Concert

Founding director Fred Harding invites any and all past Ravenna Community Choir members to rehearse with us on Saturday July 18, at 4pm at the Ravenna Assembly of God, preparing the George M. Cohan Patriotic Fantasy which is a favorite and was part of the choir's repertory from the beginning. Contact Music Director Janis Harcar for more details of the rehearsal. Picnic afterward for choir members past and present and their household!

Noted composer arranger and clinician
Mary McDonald featured as we celebrate our 40th concert season

The Spring Sacred Music Concert of the Ravenna Community Choir was held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday April 19, 2015 at the Ravenna Assembly of God, 6401 State Route 14 in Ravenna OH. The program featured a dozen gospel influenced selections composed and arranged by guest conductor Mary McDonald. The concert was the culmination of a busy weekend with Saturday rehearsal and clinic with the composer and an evening banquet.