The Jamestown High School Choir Director Lauren E. Scharf said for 100 years the choir has performed in Jamestown reaching a milestone of choral excellence. The other JHS choral ensembles include the Mixed Choir, Men of Tomorrow, Ladies of Today and the Madrigal Singers.

The choir performed two shows for event goers. The first show took place, December eighth, and the last celebratory show took place at the church’s 120 Chandler St. location.

“This is an amazing old and beautiful church,” said Scharf.

A bonus to this year’s centennial performance was the addition of more than 100 plus A Capella alumni from as far back as 1952 performed.

At the end of the Jamestown High School’s A Cappella Choir’s 100 years celebration, held at Saturday at the First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St., the lights were dimmed and the choir exited the performance stage singing Silent Night with glowing artificial candles to set the mood and atmosphere for this historic occasion. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

“Our oldest singer alumni performers graduated from JHS in the class of 1952,” said Scharf.

Additionally, some of the high school singers were on double duty — as they also performed with the JHS Madrigal Singers choir.

Special honors were given to past Directors Emeritus of JHS Acapella choir. Past directors included Ebba Goranson (founder) 1924-1957; Donald B. Bube’, 1958-1981; Brian A. Bogey, 1982-2003 and Norman D. Lydell, 2003-2020 – with Bogey and Lydell guest directing some of the choirs during the event.

Scharf said the choir has participated in several master classes at prestigious universities and has performed at several professional sporting events, historical sites and events.

“In December of 2009, the Madrigal Singers performed with recording artist Kenny Rogers and in December of 2015, the choir performed with performing artist Jim Brickman. The choir also has performed at Walt Disney World twice: At Disney Springs in 2014 and in EPCOT Center’s Candlelight Processional, narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, in 2019,” she said.

The First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St., was full Saturday night as the Jamestown High School A Cappella performed a 100 year celebratory performance. In addition to the choral performance the singers were augmented by past Vespers A Cappella from as far back as the JHS class of 1952. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

Additionally, the choral groups have performed at: The National Shrine Basilica and the National Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C.; New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Stephens Cathedral in Vienna and Boston’s Old North Church and others.

Jamestown Public Schools Board Member Frank Galeazzo said, “Congrats to the entire JHS A Capella, both past alumni and current JHS students on their 100th year. What a sight to see several alumni join the current A Capella for an amazing Vespers performance this past weekend. So blessed to be able to support a wonderful program.”