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.

Dear Choral Music Lovers and Members of the Ashtabula County Choral Music Society,

The signs that fall is approaching are here. Pumpkins are growing in the garden, mums have shown up at the garden store, and the school buses are rolling. It is time to get ready for the fall season for ACCMS.

The board has been very active over the summer. They have been leading the committees of singers and board members as we prepare for the trip to Carnegie Hall in April of 2024. You will be hearing more about that in separate communications. Our director, Paul Shellhammer is finalizing the plans for the Fall program. We will be singing the Messiah and will be inviting members of the community to join us in rehearsals for that concert. Our first rehearsal is September 10 at 4pm at St Peters Episcopal Church. We do not have a concert date until the venue is established. We are planning for mid November.

Barb Schaab has joined the Board as a community member. She is committed to the mission of the ACCMS and already is a very active member of the board. You may recognize that she is the current County Recorder. The Board is saying goodby to Martha Sorohan. Martha has been both a singer and a board member for a number of years. She also participated in the Marketing and Publicity Committee and has offered to assist going forward with that work. She has moved from the area to be closer to family and her new job. We are so grateful for her time and talents and wish Martha the best. We will be looking for a new community board member. Please forward names of those you know that would serve our group.

To fund the ongoing operation of ACCMS, a financial campaign to attract sponsors/donors/patrons is coming. We are asking members of the choral to contact friends/family/businesses and ask them to be a donor/patron/sponsor. Individuals/family members will have their name and donor level in the brochure distributed at each performance. Businesses will have an advertisement in the brochure depending on sponsor level. A $25.00 donation is the starting level. The donors/patrons/sponsors help pay for music, piano tuning, accompanists, insurance and copyright coverage to name a few expenses. This year we will also ask donors/patrons to “Send a Singer to Carnegie Hall” above their usual contribution. Please make a list of businesses that you frequent that you can ask to contribute.

The next meeting of the Board is September 23 at 9 am at St. Peters. Any member of the chorale is invited to attend any Board meeting. There are separate meetings scheduled for Carnegie Hall – fundraising/transportation and housing and marketing/publicity. Singers are invited to participate on these committees. They will meet September 7 at 5:30 pm at St. Peters

Also, please “like” and share our Facebook page and review our website. https://ashcochoralmusicsociety.org/ We are continuing to add to the webpage and expand our digital presence. There is a calendar with the upcoming dates. Josh Woodard, Andy Chiodo and Austin Blair have been very instrumental. Doug Angerman is our Facebook contact. These board members along with Ellen Jacobs and Martha Sorohan are the Marketing and Publicity committee.

We are looking forward to making music together and want you and your friends, your neighbors, your children age 13 to join us. September 10, 4 pm, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Ashtabula, Ohio.

Dawn Grimm, ACCMS Board President

The Ashtabula Choral Music Society (ACCMS) has been selected to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The performance will be April 22, 2024, as part of a combined choir celebrating the work of Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo. 

Paul Shellhammer, Artistic Director of ACCMS, submitted an audition video of the chorus performing Gjeilo’s “Dark and Luminous Night” at its March concert.  

After review by concert organizer DCNYC, the ACCMS was invited to participate. 

With the commitment will come numerous fund-raising events by the Ashtabula County Choral Music Society board over the coming months to offset travel and lodging costs.  

Choir members will travel to New York City ahead of the concert for two rehearsals of the combined choir and orchestra, which are viewed by Mr. Shellhammer as rich

opportunities to learn new choral skills and network with musicians from across the country.
“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” said one ACCMS member.

The non-profit Ashtabula County Choral Music Society has been performing significant choral works for over 30 years. 

Visit ashcochoralmusicsociety.org for more information.

Contact: Dawn Grimm, president  440-813-0396