"Absolutely amazing performance!
I even shed a few tears."
"There are no words to express how awesome this concert was."
" I can't tell you how moved I was by your work, what a treat!!"
"The choir was absolutely stunning!!"
"Ron Sayer is a master at programming
inspirational concerts."
Mark Hayes
OUR MISSION:
The Marshall Community Chorus is dedicated to the pursuit of vocal excellence, musicianship, and artistry, while promoting an appreciation of choral singing through performance, education, and outreach. We continually strive to recruit eager, dedicated, amateur singers who are enthusiastic about singing as an avocation, about our mission, and our contribution to the cultural life of our community.
photos courtesy of Marshall Democrat News
HISTORY
Get ready to celebrate as the Marshall Community Chorus kicks off its 38th season of delivering exhilarating, free choral music concerts to the residents of Marshall and Saline County, Missouri!
Established in 1988 to commemorate Marshall's Sesquicentennial Celebration, the choir debuted under the direction of Mrs. Marie Boedeker during Religious Heritage Day. Marie continued to direct the choir until her retirement in 1999 when Ron Sayer took over the baton.
Sayer directed the choir for thirteen years before departing to chair the music department at State Fair Community College. Under his guidance, the choir's repertoire expanded significantly in both scope and complexity, and its membership broadened to include individuals from beyond Saline County. Sayer was succeeded by James Woodland, who was later followed by Ann Lewis.
The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted the 32nd performance season of the choir, as it did for every performing ensemble nationwide. However, in the fall of 2021, the Marshall Community Chorus, driven by a commitment to revitalize the community's musical spirit, resumed its full concert season, adhering to safety protocols, including mask-wearing. Under the leadership of Sayer, the choir, though reduced in number, delivered six performances during the 2021-2022 season, leaving audiences thoroughly impressed.
In the fall of 2024, the chorus launched its Composer Residency
Project, featuring guest composer Joseph Martin. More information about this initiative is available elsewhere on our website. This project was made possible by a generous donation from the William Buckner Foundation.
Since its inauguration, the project has brought composers such as
Joseph Martin, Mark Hayes, Mary Lynn Lightfoot and Susan Labarr to Marshall to share their music and their compositional insights with the choir, audiences, and students at many of the area schools.
In April 2026, numerous singers and director Ron Sayer traveled to New York City to perform at the premiere of composer Mark Hayes commissioned work, PSALMOS, at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Hayes invited the choir following his residency with them in spring 2025.
The chorus’s repertoire features both secular and sacred music from diverse eras and traditions, showcased in at least four annual concerts: a fall concert, two holiday concerts, and a spring concert. The choir frequently collaborates with the Marshall Philharmonic and other community choirs in the region.
Today’s chorus brings together more than forty volunteer singers of varied backgrounds and ages, gathering weekly to hone their skills and transform each piece of music into a vibrant performance. We are sincerely grateful for the City of Marshall, the Marshall Band Fund, and the generous support of individuals like you for continued support. Your contributions keep our concerts free and open to all, ensuring the arts remain a bright, accessible and vital part of our community.