Who We Are

The Ashtabula County Choral Music Society is dedicated to the mission of providing quality performances of significant choral works for Ashtabula County audiences while providing singers with educational and musical experiences since 1989. As a Non-profit 501(c)3 organization, we offer a variety of programs each season in Ashtabula County. The season extends from late August to late May.

The Hall of Fame Recognition program is designed to honor individuals who have dedicated their time and talents to promote choral music and or choral music education. This recognition program occurs every 5 years and seeks nominations from the community.

Singers

Singers with the Ashtabula County Choral Music Society (ACCMS) are asked to have previous experience with choral music and be at least 13 years of age. There are no auditions. Some have joined after participating in a community event such as singing the Messiah. Others have joined after hearing a concert or community singing event. Some began singing in high school with the Youth Choir. The singer may rehearse for one concert or the whole season. Any interested singers are asked to contact ACCMS by phone or email. You are welcome to attend a rehearsal and meet the group. Singers are asked to contribute a donation to the group to support our mission and performance attire is required. The ACCMS is committed to assisting any potential singer who may find those requests difficult.

Artistic Director: Paul Shellhammer III

Paul Shellhammer is a local resident and a former singer with the Ashtabula County Choral Music Society. He has directed choirs at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Conneaut and Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus. He is an accomplished organist and percussionist, a graduate of Conneaut High School, and he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Ohio University. While at OU, he received the Socciarelli Service and Leadership Award. Paul also has participated in Master classes at Julliard, St. Olaf and the Manhattan School of Music. He currently resides in Ashtabula and is a supervisor at Kinder Morgan Pinney Dock.

Accompanist: Susan Trost

Susan Trost, a native of Pennsylvania, has worked as a music educator in Conneaut, Ohio for the last 25 years. During her career, she has been recognized with the Agnes Skippon Mirando Teaching Award, as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars, by Marquis Who’s Who in Music Education, and she will receive a service award from the Ohio Music Education Association February 2025. In 2021, Susan was named a quarterfinalist by the GRAMMY Foundation for national music educator of the year. Besides serving her school district as an accompanist, she is also a pianist at West Springfield Baptist Church in PA, accompanist for the Gentle Winds flute trio, and regularly contributes her piano skills to a variety of community services and performances. She is honored to be making her debut as accompanist of the Ashtabula County Choral Music Society after joining the ensemble as a vocalist last season.

Board of Directors

Back row: Artistic Director Paul Shellhammer III, Rev. Fred Grimm, Austin Blair, Lorna Grecius, Barb Schaab
Middle row: Betsy Burke, ACCMS Board President Dawn Grimm
Front row: Maryann Jordan, Ellen Jacobs, Kerry Vanderlind, Andy Chiodo
Not pictured: Josh Woodard

The Board of Directors is composed of singers and members of the community who support the mission of the organization. The Board meets 4 times per year and has fiscal and administrative responsibility for the functioning of the organization. The Artistic Director submits a budget for the season which is monitored by the Board. In addition to their time and talents, each board member contributes a donation to the organization and participates in the financial campaign which is necessary to support the budget for personnel, music, equipment communications and rehearsal facilities. Nominations to the Board are received and voted upon at the 3rd quarterly meeting. Their term is 3 years and may be renewed by majority vote of the board.

Current ACCMS Board of Directors:

Austin Blair
Betsy Burke
Andy Chiodo
Lorna Grecius
Dawn Grimm (President)
Rev. Fred Grimm
Ellen Jacobs
Maryann Jordan
Paul Shellhammer III (Artistic Director)
Barb Schaab
Kerry Vanderlind
Josh Woodard