"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
photos courtesy of Marshall Democrat News
HISTORY
The Marshall Community Chorus is now in its 37th season of providing free choral music concerts to Marshall and Saline County, Missouri, residents.
Founded in 1988 as part of the celebratory events for Marshall's Sesquicentennial Celebration, the choir gave its first performance under the direction of Marie Boedeker as part of Religious Heritage Day. Marie would continue to direct the choir until her retirement in 1999.
Ron Sayer took over the baton and directed the choir for thirteen years until he left to chair the music department at State Fair Community College. During that time, the choir's repertoire grew in scope and complexity, and choir membership grew to include members from outside Saline County. James Woodland succeeded Sayer and was followed by Ann Lewis.
COVID silenced the choir's 32nd performance season just as it did every performing ensemble in the country. But in the fall of 2021, determined to bring music back to the community, the Marshall Community Chorus came back to life, singing a complete concert season, masks and all. This time, Sayer was back at the helm, and although the number of singers was fewer, audiences were far from disappointed, as the choir gave six performances in 2021-2022.
​
In the fall of 2024, the chorus inaugurated the Composer Residency
Project with guest composer Joseph Martin. You can read more about the project on another page of this website. The project was
made a reality thanks to a very generous donation from the William
Buckner Foundation.
The chorus's repertoire includes secular and sacred music from many eras and traditions presented in at least four annual concerts: a fall concert, two holiday concerts, and a spring concert. The choir often collaborates in concerts with the Marshall Philharmonic and other community choirs in our region.
The present chorus includes over forty volunteer singers from diverse backgrounds and ages, meeting weekly to cultivate their talent and bring the dots and scribbles on every piece of music to life. We are deeply grateful for the support of the City of Marshall and the Marshall Band Fund and generous donations from people like you. Your support ensures that the performances of the chorus remain free and open to the public, allowing the arts to continue to shine in our community
