Here’s what some of our singers say about singing in A Chorus for a Cause (ACFAC):

“I enjoy ACFAC for a variety of reasons: the camaraderie, the joy of singing, the joy of being part of something larger than myself, the thrill of hearing music being produced while singing right in the middle of it, different than hearing it as part of an audience, the spirituality of music in general, the hope of improving my musicianship, and the hope of contributing something uplifting to someone else's life.”

                                                                   - Maureen Pride, Soprano

“I sing because I can use my voice to make a difference in the community and world around me. I am a breast cancer survivor and ACFAC allows me, in a special way, to give back to the community who helped me on my journey through cancer.”

            -      Pam Schott, Alto

“I had the privilege of being in a chorus/choir where Christine was the director, and I liked her teaching techniques.  When I got her letter about starting up a chorus for a CAUSE, I was excited to be able to sing in a chorus that she would be directing.

Little did we know that, within our first year, we would be invited to sing at Carnegie Hall, and perform the music of our first concert.  An experience I will never forget.

We not only sing and make good music but we raise money for special causes.  How good it that?

Another plus side of working with a big group is meeting so many new people and becoming closely involved with these people. We care for each other and we care for the special causes for whom we have raised money.

I am very proud to be a part of this organization.”

                                                                   - Stephanie Herrmann, Soprano

“I feel as though I am making a small contribution to a wonderful cause doing something for someone else by doing what I really enjoy!  This chorus is the best thing that has happened TO and FOR a lot of Special people!

            -      Dorothy Lappin, Soprano

“It is an honor and privelege to make music together! We only have today to sing and make music. To have our music make a difference is an added bonus.”

            -      John Ferris, Tenor

“Music brings great joy and comfort to me.  It is wonderful to sing with others who love music while making a difference in our community and world.  Chorus is the highlight of my week. We will travel from anywhere to get back for Sunday night rehearsal!!”

            -      Joan Ferris, Soprano

“After seeing the show benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Sept. 20, 2009, and an introductory invitation by several members, I found a good fit joining a wonderful group of loving people who love to sing.  As depicted by the feelings of the audience, I hope to contribute as an aspiring musician and choral singer.”

            -      George A. Sabel, Tenor

“ACFAC is at the top of the list of highlights of my week.  It is my soul food!  Christine’s passionate directing and helpful tips for making good music the right way, beautiful music choices of varying genres, the warm and caring community of singers who become good friends, the important causes for which our concerts raise money…all these things go together to make for a very fulfilling and satisfying way to give myself away to something I totally love doing!”

            -      Kathy Buchanan, Alto

“I joined A Chorus for a Cause after being recruited by the Ferris’s.  I love to sing, especially under Christine’s professional leadership and of course for different causes.  Being part of a caring group is very important to me.”

            -      John Miller, Tenor

“I sing with A Chorus for a Cause because I enjoy singing and meeting new people.  Having a cause to sing for is an added bonus.”

           -      Jackie Clark, Soprano

“I really enjoy singing but have stage fright, so this is a great way to sing and be a part of a good cause.  Nothing touches my soul and is as uplifting as a song. I can’t read music and am hard of hearing, so I am fortunate to be a part of ACFAC.”

                                                                   - Nalini Morris, D.O. (soprano)

“Music has been a part of my life ALL my life, (talk to me and I’ll tell you all about it) from singing as a child, to singing opera in New York.  I have met so many wonderful people through music where we provide pleasure for both the audience as well as ourselves. Now to belong to ACFAC takes me one step further by providing helpful research and possible solutions for the health issues of our time.”

            -      Jack Burns, Tenor

“The opportunity to learn and grow through sharing something that I have inside me is an awesome feeling.  I love to sing and being able to do this, for a good cause, is certainly worth every effort.  I sing, because I can.”

            -      Keri Reinhardt, Soprano

“As a retired clergyperson, A Chorus for a Cause has been a wonderful way to continue serving others and feeling like I am doing something worthwhile with my life - while also loving using my passion in life, which is music.  How privileged I feel to be a part of such a wonderful organization!”   

            - Anita Rayburn, Soprano

“I joined A Chorus for A Cause after a friend told me about it and the awakening I felt was indescribable. I finally felt like my passion was in full swing again. And the amazing cause of the choir makes it that much more fulfilling. My heart is for people, and the fact that I can help them out w/my passion is an awesome combination. I often look out over the crowd as we're singing at concerts, and I can see how it is affecting them, and that it's making them feel good about themselves, giving them hope once again, and that's more than anyone could ask for. That's what makes it all worth it!”

            -      Anna Mambourg, Soprano

“I joined A Chorus for a Cause for two reasons…1. The opportunity to “make a difference” by singing to raise funds for the Komen Foundation…to continue the research in the fight against breast cancer.  2. The opportunity to learn and grow as a singer under the challenging leadership of Christine Allison.

Little did I know how much my own life would be affected by this decision…how meaningful the members of the chorus would become to me and how much support and friendship there would be in this group. Thank you Chris for your vision and dedication.”

            -      Ginger Dougan, Alto

“for it is in giving that we receive.” – St. Francis of Assissi Prayer

If the real truth were to be told, I sing for the cutis anserina.  That’s the scientific term for what we call goose bumps.  Back when I was about eleven-years-old, I was honing my basketball skill one winter night at the Canton Police Boy’s Club when Seargent Babe Stearn grabbed me by the t-shirt and said, “Hey Shaffer, can you sing?” (He must have known even back then that my basketball career would be short-lived.)  He escorted me upstairs and introduced me to the Boy’s Club choir director who was about to start a rehearsal.  Scared to death I took my place, along with forty other young men.  The first number was a tune I’d never heard before.  It was called You’ll Never Walk Alone.  I guess it was from some Broadway show about a merry-go-round.  Suddenly I was introduced to something I’d never experienced- four-part harmony and an extreme case of goose bumps.  I sang in that choir for several years and my love for singing with others never faded.

The goose bumps in junior high happened often, but I most vividly remember being overcome by a benediction called The Lord Bless You and Keep You that ended with something called a seven-fold Amen.  They say that goose bumps come from admiration and awe.  Singing in high school was filled with both.  Three years of concerts, contests, ensembles and musicals were all so memorable.  The peak of those years was singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic with hundreds of other singers and instrumentalists at the Stark County Music Festival held annually at the Civic Center.  It was goose bump city!

In 1965 I began a forty-plus year hiatus from choral singing.  With the exception of a few church choir gigs, I assumed my career was behind me.  However, a couple of years ago, I was invited to join A Chorus for a Cause to do a one-time performance of Sing for the Cure, a fundraiser for breast cancer.  It didn’t take long for the goose bumps to come back.  When the concert was over, there was a ground-swell of support to keep this group together…and together we are!  Since that concert in September of 2009, A Chorus for a Cause has done several concerts in the community, all with the purpose of raising funds for organizations that need our help.  We even got to take our show on the road in June of 2010.  A Chorus for a Cause was invited to join singers from across the nation to perform Sing for the Cure at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  Just writing about this gave me a dose of  pilomotor reflex (That’s the other fancy name for goose bumps)  Thanks Babe Stearn.

                                                                        - Cliff Shaffer, Bass 
                                                                          (Chorus President)

“I come from a family of professional and amateur musicians…I have always found music of all kinds to be enjoyable and challenging, as I do singing.  I sang in high school and college choirs always aspiring to be better than I was vocally but at least "could carry a tune."  I never reached the ability of my parents who were both professionally trained and majored or minored in voice in college, but I always appreciated the music they sang and the ability they had.  It, as does singing with ACFAC, gives me a sense of calm and accomplishment, especially when we are able to bring the songs together through rehearsal and then enjoy the satisfaction of the completed product during performances.

I especially enjoy the way Christine directs ACFAC with some humor effectively worked into the sense of serious work that needs to be done and improvement needed to be made with a wonderful outcome. She "knows her stuff" and I think she does some miraculous work with those of us you have to work with.  You get the best out of us which brings me to my comment above about the sense of satisfaction attained when working with you and  at the ultimate performance. Wish we had more than one performance to give with all the preparation required.

I especially appreciate why we are singing as well.  I have been a volunteer for a very long time both at Aultman and Mercy Medical Centers and with the Junior League of Canton.  With all this volunteering which includes ACFAC, I get a real sense of fulfillment and purpose. I will always be volunteering somewhere, somehow.”

                                                                           - Janet Peckinpaugh, Alto