About Us- History
In the Spring of 1971, two former members of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, Oren Hopkins and Linda Stainton, not fond of traveling to Pittsburgh for rehearsals and concerts decided it was time to form a local choral society. The success of the recently organized Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, along with the encouragement of the music faculty from Seton Hill College and the support of others from the Greensburg community, led to the formation of the Westmoreland Choral Society. Rehearsals began on September 8, 1971 with Dr. William Dovenspike as director and his wife Arlene as accompanist. In its early years, the WCS struggled financially and suffered a high turnover in membership.
Ma
rvin Huls became the Musical Director of the WCS in September 1976. At the same time, Bill Peters was hired to fill the position of Accompanist. With forty-four new members joining the organization, the WCS became a 75 voice singing group. Edgar Highberger became the Accompanist in January, 1978.
Rehearsals were originally held at Seton Hill College. Other facilities used for rehearsals include the First Methodist Church, Greensburg; First Presbyterian Church, Greensburg; the YMCA, Greensburg; the Salvation Army, Greensburg; back to the First Presbyterian Church; and finally the present location, First Lutheran Church, Greensburg.
The WCS draws its members from Westmoreland, Fayette, Allegheny, Armstrong, and Somerset Counties. The singers come from various educational, career and professional backgrounds united by the love of singing, the challenge of learning a variety of choral music and the desire to participate in the continuation of this art form.
The annual concert series has expanded from the original two concerts per year to the point where it now includes a Fall Concert; a Christmas Concert, usually given on two consecutive nights; a Lenten Concert concentrating on sacred music; and an early May Pops Concert. The WCS has performed at the Westmoreland County Arts and Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes Park, at St. Clair Park in Greensburg and also on other special occasions. The WCS has taken singing tours to Canada, Williamsburg and Lancaster.
retire after 34 and 32 years respectively of leadership. This triggered a year-long search for a new Musical Director and Accompanist. In May of 2010, the Board of Directors hired Thomas Octave as the new director; Nancy Finke Sheehan agreed to serve as accompanist. As the WCS undertook its 40th season of bringing the finest in choral music to the area, new leadership was re-energizing the society and its commitment to its mission statement.
