The Community Concert Series at Boardman United Methodist Church is excited to present the Youngstown Hymn Sing – a celebration of music and hope in our community. The singing of hymns is a tradition shared by churches all across time and space. Studies have shown that those who make music together experience a “synching” of their brains, and music such as the Christian hymnody are the perfect way to experience that oneness with others. They are honored to present a special festival chorus composed of six local church choirs to present an inspiring concert filled with comforting and empowering music: Boardman United Methodist Church, Canfield Presbyterian Church, Grace Lutheran Church (Austintown), St. Joseph Parish (Austintown), St. Patrick Parish (Hubbard), Westminster Presbyterian Church (Boardman). Additionally, the Youngstown Cantorum will present John Rutter’s Requiem under the direction of Dr. Hae-Jong Lee (YSU). A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the Youngstown Cantorum as they prepare to represent Youngstown in a performance at Carnegie Hall in NYC this May. Sean Baran, Katherine Miller, and Steve Repasky will be the featured organists. Lastly, the audience will be invited to sing on four hymns throughout the concert.
Join them in person on Sunday, May 1 at 6:00pm to enjoy this special community event. The concert is free for all to attend and refreshments will be available after the performance. The event takes place at Boardman United Methodist Church (6809 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44512).
About the Boardman United Methodist Church Community Concert Series
The Youngstown area is home to many talented and passionate musicians. The Community Concert Series at BUMC highlights and promotes the cultural heritage of Youngstown by featuring area artists in performance each spring and autumn. Previous concerts have benefited the McGuffey Historical Society, the American Guild of Organists Youngstown Chapter, and the Boardman High School Choirs. All concerts are free to attend.
About the Featured Artists
Youngstown Cantorum: Under the directorship of Dr. Hae-Jong Lee, Youngstown Cantorum was formed to participate in the Carnegie Hall concert in May 2020 as an associate choral ensemble of the Stambaugh Chorus. Youngstown Cantorum members primarily consist of the former and current YSU Dana Chorale members. Youngstown Cantorum will join a sizeable choral ensemble and New England Symphonic Ensemble to perform John Rutter’s Requiem under the baton of Dr. Hae-Jong Lee. Due to the Covid pandemic, the 2020 Carnegie Hall concert was canceled and postponed. As they will have the rescheduled concert on May 28, 2022, the aspiring YC singers are incredibly excited for the lifetime opportunity to perform in the prestigious performing venue and to represent the Youngstown area with their music. Youngstown Cantorum members organize a series of fundraising events to defray the NY Carnegie Hall concert trip, and this hymn festival is one of the events.
Dr. Hae-Jong Lee, Associate Professor, is Director of Choral Activities at the Dana School of Music, Youngstown State University. Lee also serves as the Artistic Director of Stambaugh Chorus, Youngstown, OH, Warren Civic Chorus, Warren, OH, and Director of Music, Canfield Presbyterian Church. Lee remains active as a guest conductor, clinician, and competition judge for various choral events in North America and Korea. His recent activities include interest session appearances in the OMEA conferences, WV ACDA conference, PMEA region chorus event, IFCM’s 10th World Symposium on Choral Music, and the Podium of Choral Canada. Lee has been a juror and guest conductor for the Busan Choral Festival and Competition, Korea. His advanced choir, the Dana Chorale, has toured Korea successfully for twelve days collaborating with diverse choral organizations. His future engagement includes a guest conducting appearance in Carnegie Hall to conduct a festival chorus and the New England Symphonic Ensemble on May 28, 2022.
