Good Tidings Benefit Choir to aid hunger task force

Performances Dec. 1-2 at Notre Dame Chapel in Munson Township

The Good Tidings Benefit Choir will be performing Christmas selections including a portion of GF Handel’s “Messiah” Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. at Notre Dame Chapel, 13000 Auburn Road in Munson Township.

As a tradition, concert goers will be invited to join in the Hallelujah Chorus.

Also performing will be Pilgrim Brass from Pilgrim Christian in Chardon, the quartet Spirit Bound on Dec. 1, and Selah, a women’s ensemble from Kirtland’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Dec. 2.

There is no charge for the performances but a goodwill offering will be taken as the annual concert seeks to benefit the Geauga Hunger Task Force, according to a news release. Reservations are not necessary.

The choir has been performing this event for 29 years to begin the holiday season. The volunteer members have ranged from ages 15 to 93.

This year, the choir is under the direction of Robert Boles, Aubrey Woods and Joy Leirer. The Messiah soloists this season will be Boles and Woods as well as Sister Emilia Castelletti, Chris Condon, Laura Christian, Sara Hamrick, William Herman, Geoff Juhasz, Sylvia Jurcak, Stormy McClellan, Charles Moosbrugger, and Katie Paskey.

Additional instrumentals will be added by Rick Tate (trumpet), Katlin and Charles Klein (strings) and other musicians from the area.

The Geauga Hunger Task Force is a volunteer organization established in 1977 whose mission is to ensure that no resident of Geauga County goes hungry. This is accomplished by seven food pantries located throughout the county that provide emergency food to people in need.