County residents are invited to submit nominations for the 2025 Inductees to the Ashtabula County Choral Hall of Fame.  The Ashtabula County Choral Music Society established the Hall of Fame in 2010 with a purpose to: 1) illuminate the singing arts; 2) preserve the memory of individuals who made exemplary contributions to the choral music art and/or the arts during their lifetime; 3) provide public recognition for the exemplary contributions; and 4) tell the story of the arts in Ashtabula County. 

Contributions of achievement by: 1) long-standing choral musicians; 2) school music teachers; 3) church musicians; 4) community leaders (directors; volunteers; Board members); 5) singers; 6) patrons and business sponsors; and 7) loyal audience members are being sought for consideration.

The selection rubrics require: 1) documented extended service; 2) documented quality performance record; 3) documented influence to the community through position of music leadership; or 4) representation from more than two county arts communities each year will be considered for the Class of 2025.  Nomination forms and Choral Hall of Fame Policies and Procedures are available at all county libraries or can be downloaded from the ACCMS website.  The deadline for submission is February 8, 2025.

The ACCMS Hall of Fame Committee will review the nominations, select inductees for the Class of 2025 for Board approval, and contact both the new inductees and their nominators of the decision by April 1, 2025.  The 2025 Choral Hall of Fame Induction will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025 as part of the ACCMS 35^th Anniversary Recognition Banquet to be held at the Ashtabula Elk’s Lodge.

Those interested in nominating someone can fill out the nomination form here on our Website and email the form to ashtabulacountychoralsociety1@gmail.com or mail the form to the ACCMS at PO Box 472 North Kingsville, OH 44068-0472. For more information about the Inductees from the Classes of 2010, 2015, and 2019, connect with us through Facebook or view the Hall of Fame page on our Website.

ACCMS Press Release November 7, 2024: Fall Concert November 24, 2024

Release Dates: Immediate

Ashtabula County Choral Music Society invites the community to “Be Still and Hear Creation Sing” at their Fall Concert. The concert is on November 24th at 4:00 pm at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 4901 Main Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio. Mr. Paul Shellhammer III will direct the ACCMS Chorale featuring works composed by Herbert Howells (“Te Deum”) and Randall Thompson (“Frostiana”). Although quite different in style, the pieces evoke thankfulness and the gifts within nature that offer direction and hope. Pianist Susan Trost will accompany the Chorale, as well as perform a piano solo.

The concert is free to attend, however donations are greatly appreciated to support this nonprofit organization. Our corporate sponsor for the 2024-2025 season is Huffman Mayer Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo. The Ohio Arts Council has provided grant funding.

The mission of ACCMS is to present quality performances of significant choral works for Northeastern Ohio audiences while providing local singers with an artistic, educational and musical experience. More information about ACCMS can be found on our website, ashcochoralmusicsociety.org and the ACCMS Facebook page.

Ashtabula County Choral Music Society (ACCMS) is pleased to announce a Fall fund raiser at the Ashtabula Applebee’s location on Thursday, October 10th from 11 am to 8 pm. Applebee’s will donate 15% of each diner’s check to ACCMS if they present the flyer (print or digital) at time of order. Online orders through Applebees.com require the code DOINGOOD at checkout. ACCMS will also have a bake sale and raffle baskets on site. Flyers are available on the ACCMS Facebook page and at ashcochoralmusicsociety.org.

The ACCMS mission is to present quality performances of significant choral works for Northeastern Ohio audiences while providing local singers with artistic, educational musical experience. On September 22nd the ACCMS board and Artistic Director met to discuss strategic goals and events for the 24-25 Season, including the Fall Fundraising Applebee’s event, the initial concert on November 24th featuring “Frostiana”, a choral work composed by Randall Thompson that incorporates poetry by Robert Frost, and plans for the Hall of Fame in May 2025. ACCMS is looking forward to continuing to grow, expand and perform exquisite choral repertoire.

ACCMS Press Release 8/15/2024
Release dates: Aug 16-September 8th, 2024

Ashtabula County Choral Music Society (ACCMS) is excited to announce our first rehearsal for the 2024-25 season is Sunday, September 8th from 4-6 pm at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 4901 Main Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio. Experienced singers, 13 and above are invited to join the Chorale, which rehearses weekly at 4-6 pm Sundays under the direction of Mr. Paul Shellhammer III. Members of the Chorale performed at Carnegie Hall, NYC on April 22nd 2024.

The ACCMS mission is to present quality performances of significant choral works for Northeastern Ohio audiences while providing local singers with an artistic, educational and musical experience. Typical seasons include fall, winter, and spring concerts. For further information, please contact us on our website at ashcochoralmusicsociety.org, e-mail at ashtabulacountychoralsociety1@gmail.com, call 440-645-0796, or visit us on Facebook.

Ashtabula County Choral Music Society (ACCMS) invites restaurant customers/ACCMS supporters to dine at Applebee’s in Ashtabula on Thursday, February 22^nd and help to raise funds for the ACCMS trip to Carnegie Hall in NYC to perform in the “Gjeilo: Twilight Mass” concert on April 22^nd. Applebee’s will donate a portion of sales, 15% to ACCMS.  Diners wishing to support ACCMS are asked to present the event flyer. For takeout, enter the code DOINGOOD which can be done in person or online. Visit the ACCMS Facebook for the flyer, which will also be available at the ACCMS Bake Sale table. There will also be a Gift Basket Raffle. Applebee’s is located at 3241 N. Ridge Rd., Ashtabula; the event runs from 11 am to closing on February 22^nd.

On Saturday, March 9^th from 6-8 pm at the Conneaut Arts Center ACCMS presents an Art Auction featuring original multi-media works by local Artists, Photographers, Sculptors and Fiber Artists, who donated their work to this Silent Auction. Artists include Chris Davis, Grant Gebhart, Rosemary Peck, Bob Lebzelter, Warren Dillaway and additional talented artists. Additional works available include pieces donated by ACCMS members and friends. The festive event includes appetizers, desserts and beverages catered by Guyreino’s Deli, and live music. Tickets are available through the Conneaut Arts Center website: conneautartscenter.com/accms-event. Proceeds will help to defray costs for the NYC trip.

More information about ACCMS and donation information, including a GoFundMe account is on the ACCMS Facebook page, and website at ashcochoralmusicsociety.org. The GoFundMe account is at https://gofund.me/0CF8b9fb. 

People who wish to support ACCMS may make donations through PayPal at ashtabulacountychoralsociety1@gmail.com, through aschochoralmusicsociety.org, or to “ACCMS” and mailed to Ashtabula County Choral Music Society; P.O. Box 472, North Kingsville, OH 44068. 

As mentioned in September, the fundraising portion of the Carnegie Hall trip is now in motion as the Ashtabula County Choral Music Society’s efforts are in full swing. While the ACCMS prepares to perform at Carnegie Hall in April 2024, the public can once again support the organization in their fundraising efforts at Applebees on February 22nd in Ashtabula. Click the image of the flyer to get a printable version to present to your server.

In addition, the September and October fundraisers were a huge success.

A message from the ACCMS:

Thank you to all those that came out and supported our September and October Fundraisers for the Carnegie Hall trip! Initial fundraising donations have netted 35% of our goal to raise $10,000. to defray some of the expenses for the ACCMS Singers. Diners and Painters enjoyed the Dine to Donate events at Applebee’s and Chipotle and at the Paint and Sip with Chris Davis event.

Applebee’s invited us back! Join us at the Dine to Donate event at the Ashtabula Applebee’s on Thursday, December 14th from 11 am to close. At the September 28th event, Applebee’s staff warmly welcomed ACCMS volunteers and diners; we look forward to Holiday Merriment at the December 14th event.
Additional fundraisers are “in the works” – check back for details.

Ashtabula County Choral Music Society (ACCMS) is pleased to announce our next concert is on Sunday, February 11th, 4 pm. at Central Congregational Church, 71 Park Street, Madison, Ohio, 44057. It is part of the church’s Fine Arts Concert Series. The Chorale will be performing several works of Norwegian Composer Ola Gjeilo, who composes contemporary works for chorus and piano. Artistic Director and Organ Artist Paul Shellhammer III will direct the Chorale and also perform on the organ. There is no admissions fee, however, donations are gratefully accepted.

The ACCMS Chorale will be singing at Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 22nd, 2024 as part of a combined choir performing Mr. Geilo’s most recent work, “Twilight Mass” which debuted at Carnegie Hall in November, 2023. After the NYC performance, the Chorale will be performing the “Twilight Mass” as a Thank You Concert this spring for the Ashtabula Community; details to be announced. Spring Fundraisers for the NYC trip include an Art Exhibition/Silent Auction at the Conneaut Arts Center on March 9th. The exhibition will feature donations of original artwork by area artists and additional pieces donated by ACCMS Members and Friends. Proceeds will help defray costs for the NYC trip in April.

More information and donation information, including a GoFundMe site is on the ACCMS Facebook page and the website at ashcochoralmusicsociety.org.

The Ashtabula County Choral Music Society (ACCMS) is performing “MESSIAH” the choral work by GF Handel on November 19. The concert will be held at 4 pm in the First Congregational Church, 41 East Jefferson Street, Jefferson Ohio. Guest soloists include Dominic Aragon, Bass, Craig Housum, Tenor, Kira McGirr, Alto and Abigayle Flack, Soprano. They are from the Cleveland metropolitan area. The public is welcome to attend the concert free of charge. ACCMS is committed to offering public access to significant choral works and educational experiences throughout Ashtabula County. Donations are always appreciated.

The group extends a thank you to the many who support music and specifically ACCMS operations through their generous donations, especially our corporate sponsor Huffman, Mayer Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.

On April 22, 2024, ACCMS is performing with a combined choir in New York City at Carnegie Hall. The program highlights the works of Norwegian composer, Ola Gjeilo. Fundraising specific to the experience is ongoing. The next event is December 14, 2023 from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm. Applebees’s will donate a portion of sales to ACCMS. Those wishing to support ACCMS will be asked to show the flyer or code when ordering. There will be raffle baskets available that day at Applebee’s. Other fundraising opportunities will be coming up to support the NYC trip and to fulfill the mission of the ACCMS. Please check our Facebook and Webpage for updates.

The Ashtabula County Choral Music Society is a non-profit 501 c 3 organization that has been providing singers and audiences with artistic and educational musical experiences since 1989. Paul Shellhammer III is the Artistic Director. Singers over the age of 13 and some choral experience are invited to join the ACCMS Chorale without audition. Rehearsals resume January 7, 2024 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 4901 Main Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio.

As mentioned in September, the fundraising portion of the Carnegie Hall trip is now in motion as the Ashtabula County Choral Music Society’s efforts are in full swing. While the ACCMS prepares to perform at Carnegie Hall in April 2024, the public can once again support the organization in their fundraising efforts at Applebees on December 14th in Ashtabula. Click the image of the flyer to get a printable version to present to your server.

In addition, the September and October fundraisers were a huge success.

A message from the ACCMS:

Thank you to all those that came out and supported our September and October Fundraisers for the Carnegie Hall trip! Initial fundraising donations have netted 35% of our goal to raise $10,000. to defray some of the expenses for the ACCMS Singers. Diners and Painters enjoyed the Dine to Donate events at Applebee’s and Chipotle and at the Paint and Sip with Chris Davis event.

Applebee’s invited us back! Join us at the Dine to Donate event at the Ashtabula Applebee’s on Thursday, December 14th from 11 am to close. At the September 28th event, Applebee’s staff warmly welcomed ACCMS volunteers and diners; we look forward to Holiday Merriment at the December 14th event.
Additional fundraisers are “in the works” – check back for details.