The Ashtabula County Choral Music Society

06/06/2026

Ashtabula County Semiquincentennial Pre-Festival Event
Juneteenth Special Celebration
June 19, 2026 6:30 pm
First Congregational United Church of Christ
41 East Jefferson Street
Jefferson, Ohio 44047

The presentation is a Special 2026 Juneteenth Celebration in remembrance of June 19, 1865 when the final
enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation was delivered by Union troops to slaves in Texas two years, six
months and nineteen days after they had been declared free by the United States government. It will feature
amazing music, reenactments, and recital with guest reenactors Bertram Floyd and Frederick Smith
portraying “Ohio’s 5

th USCT (US Colored Troops) American Civil War Soldiers” and Karen Johnson as
Harriet Tubman. They will be bringing their stories to life at this Ashtabula County event thanks to
generous sponsors.
The program will also include performances by the People’s Missionary Baptist Church Spirit Choir,
with retired pastor Rev. Dr. German Womack delivering Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a
Dream” speech coupled with a video clip of Mahalia Jackson singing “I Been Buked and I Been
Scorned”, both delivered at the same 1963 historic event in Washington, D.C.
Jefferson resident Roy Lawson will portray another long-time and historic Jefferson resident: former
slave Charlie Garlick. Dr. John Patterson is the event Moderator.
The event is free of admission.

05/21/2026

Lakeside Society for the Performing Arts in collaboration the Ashtabula Arts Center with the support of
generous LSPA patrons is pleased sponsor:
Press Play Orchestra presents Symphony of the Screen
Ashtabula Arts Center
Saturday, June 6 at 7:00 PM
Special concert preview starting at 3:30 PM
FREE ADMISSION (donations happily accepted!)
Free parking available on site
PRESS PLAY ORCHESTRA LEADERSHIP
Music Director: Andrew Keller
Principal Conductor: Andrew Perkins
Choir Director: Alanna Furst
Concertmaster: Ashley Zendarski

Heroes will rise, galaxies will unfold, and fantasy worlds will come alive in sound as the Press Play
Orchestra makes its Ashtabula debut with Symphony of the Screen, a free live concert event celebrating
iconic music from film, video games, television, and anime.
Taking place Saturday, June 6 at the Ashtabula Arts Center, the performance will feature orchestral
music from some of today’s most celebrated franchises and soundtracks, including Super Mario Odyssey,
Bluey, Interstellar, The Lord of the Rings, Spirited Away, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Final
Fantasy VII, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more.
Sponsored by the Lakeside Society for the Performing Arts, the concert follows the critical acclaim of last
year’s Video Game Symphony debut performance in Ashtabula and introduces audiences to the
orchestra’s sister ensemble, the Press Play Orchestra, whose mission is to bring modern storytelling and
symphonic music together in exciting and accessible ways.
“This program was designed to have something for everyone,” said Dr. Andrew Keller, Founder and
Music Director of the Press Play Orchestra. “Whether you grew up with Nintendo games, love
blockbuster movies, find yourself hooked on the latest TV or anime series, or simply want to experience
the power of a live orchestra and choir in a fresh and engaging way, this concert is meant to bring people
together through the stories and music they love.”
About Press Play Orchestra
The Press Play Orchestra celebrates the music behind today’s most beloved stories, from fantasy
adventures and animated classics to blockbuster films and iconic video games. As part of a growing
family of modern orchestral ensembles that includes the Video Game Symphony and Cinematic
Symphony Orchestra, the ensemble creates exciting and accessible live concert experiences designed to
inspire audiences and introduce new generations to the power of orchestral music.

04/24/2026

Under the direction of Artistic Director Paul Shellhammer III, the Ashtabula County Choral Music Society
Chorale performs their Spring Concert, “Music is Blooming in Ashtabula County” on Sunday, April 26 th at
4 pm at St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Ashtabula. Audience members will recognize some familiar pieces
such as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Festival of Freedom” which includes American folk
songs, and a jazzy/gospel version of “Amazing Grace”. Other pieces recall famous events and evoke the
hopes and dreams of freedom, peace, and justice.
Admission to this performance is free; donations are gratefully accepted as they support ACCMS’
mission to provide quality performances of significant choral works for Ashtabula audiences, while
providing singers with educational and musical experiences. More information is available on the
website, ashcochoralmusicsociety.org and the ACCMS page.

04/17/2026

Join us for this free concert Sunday April 26.

04/03/2026

Five exceptionally accomplished women who are performance professionals perform together internationally as a brass quintet and this month they will play for us!! Plan to attend, you won't be disappointed!

03/17/2026

🌸🎶 MUSIC IS BLOOMING IN ASHTABULA 🎶🌸
An Elegant Gala Dinner & Silent Auction
Presented by
Ashtabula County Choral Music Society
📅 Saturday, April 25, 2026
📍 Norman-D Banquet Center
✨ Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, celebration, and community! ✨
Enjoy:
🎵 Live musical performances
🍽️ Elegant dinner/ open bar
🖼️ Silent auction featuring unique items
🏆 Special Highlight of the Evening:
Presentation of the
Kathleen R. Milford Scholarship
Awarded to outstanding vocal talent pursuing further vocal and choral education
💐 Celebrate the beauty of music as it blossoms in our community 💐
🎟️ Reserve your seat today!
Please see website
$100.00 per person

Dress Code: Semi-formal / Spring Elegance
🌸 Let music bloom—join us for a night to remember! 🌸

The Ashtabula County Choral Music Society is dedicated to providing quality performances of significant choral works for Ashtabula County audiences while providing singers with educational and musical experiences. A Non-profit 501(c)3 organization, the ACCMS was created in 1989 to draw experienced c...

03/02/2026

PR Release: ACCMS April 25 th “Music is Blooming in Ashtabula” Gala Dinner and Silent
Auction

“Music is Blooming in Ashtabula” is the theme for the Ashtabula County Choral Music
Society Gala Dinner and Silent Auction on April 25 th , 2026, at the Norman-D Banquet
Center. The Gala will include the presentation to the winner(s) of the Kathleen R. Milford
Scholarship, awarded for vocal talent to pursue further vocal/choral education. ACCMS
is requesting Northeast Ohio businesses and Individuals to donate goods and services
or dollars towards a Silent Auction to support ACCMS and the Scholarship Fund.
Contributors will be listed on the item and in the program brochure.
Beginning at 5 pm. Guests at the Gala will enjoy live classical music, appetizers and
open bar; dinner at 6pm is provided by J&J Catering. Silent Auction items will be
available throughout the evening. Tickets will be available on the website and from the
ACCMS singers and board members.
The “Music is Blooming in Ashtabula” weekend festivities continue Sunday, April 26 th
when the ACCMS Chorale perform their Spring Concert.
ACCMS 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. ACCMS is a Non-profit 501c3 organization
offering a variety of free programs each season in Ashtabula County. For more
information, please visit the website, ashcochoralmusicsociety.org and page,
or email at [email protected].

03/02/2026

01/31/2026

Thank you to everyone who has applied for this scholarship! We wanted to provide a few updates going forward.

Due to the multiple snow and cold days that many districts in our county have taken, the original deadline of tomorrow, February 1st has been extended to Sunday, February 15th. This will hopefully assist students in getting letters of recommendation from staff.

In addition, up to $1000 will be awarded for this scholarship. To apply, scan the QR code below or follow this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHG7Q_ahUwiy-KsIx0vFP3VNFDWtaD6tsb_Yw40EdjSFu1wA/viewform

Remember, this is for all students ages 13 and older in Ashtabula County pursuing solo vocal and/or choral music in any capacity (you do not have to become a music major to apply for this!).

We're looking forward to viewing your applications and continuing to advocate for our choral music students!

01/15/2026

Do you know a talented singer age 13 or older who is taking voice lessons? The Ashtabula County Choral Music Society is proud to announce the Kathleen Riley Milford Scholarship!🎶✨

Named after our Founding Artistic Director, this scholarship is our way of investing in the next generation of singers and artists, we’re excited to support young musicians as they grow, learn, and find their voices both on and off the stage.

📅 Deadline to Apply: February 1, 2026
🎓 Who can apply: Any student in Ashtabula County who is pursuing solo vocal and/or choral music in any capacity (you do not have to become a music major to apply for this!).

Recipients will be recognized at our Spring Gala/Silent Auction on April 25, 2026 at the Norman-D Banquet Center in Ashtabula. To apply, scan the QR code below or follow this link to our online application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHG7Q_ahUwiy-KsIx0vFP3VNFDWtaD6tsb_Yw40EdjSFu1wA/viewform

Let this new year be the year you take the next step in your musical journey. Share with students, teachers, and fellow music lovers and help us spread the harmony!