Dayton Celebration Chorus
Dayton Celebration Chorus
The Dayton Celebration Chorus is a community choir for adults of all ages who love to sing! There are no auditions required to join, just the desire to improve your vocal skills and musicianship in a friendly, non-competitive environment. In keeping with the University of Dayton’s tradition of providing noncredit offerings for adult learners, the Chorus affiliated with the UD Office of Special Programs and Special Education in 2014.
Under the direction of a professionally trained music educator, the Chorus performs a diverse selection of four-part choral pieces with an emphasis on American music. At the end of each session -- Fall, Spring, and Summer --, the choir offers a free concert. Over the years the choir has performed regularly for community events such as the Dayton Courthouse Square tree lighting ceremony, holiday caroling in the Oregon district, and the downtown Dayton summer event Art in the City. The Dayton Celebration Chorus has also been invited to sing the National Anthem for Dragons’ games as well as for the Centerville Stubbs Park summer concert series. Community centers and senior living communities are often venues for performances. The Choir has enjoyed performing for the annual opening of the University of Dayton’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in the fall. In June 2024, the Dayton Celebration Chorus had the honor of providing the music at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dayton for the service celebrating the church’s 160th anniversary. Then, during the 2024 Christmas season the choir was invited to sing for a holiday radio broadcast from Carillon Park.
spring SESSION 2025: february 11 - May 17
Rehearsals
- When: Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
- Where: St. John’s Lutheran Church; at the corner of 5th and Ludlow Streets in Downtown Dayton. There is direct entrance to the rehearsal space from the parking lot behind the church.
- The first rehearsal on February 11 will be a choral workshop offered by Dr. Linda Snyder, retired Coordinator of Vocal Studies at the University of Dayton.
- Rehearsals of music the choir will sing this Spring Session will begin on February 18. There will be no rehearsal on April 15.
- The choir will offer a free concert at St. John’s Church in Dayton on May 6 and is planning another concert at the University of Dayton on May 17.
FEE: $60 To cover compensation for the Dayton Celebration Chorus director and accompanist as well as for music.
Registration
To join the Dayton Celebration Chorus for the Spring 2025 session you may register online, print a paper registration form available here, or pick up a paper form at the first rehearsal.
A few words from our members
“The choir has provided me an ideal opportunity to return to singing, an activity I hadn't enjoyed since high school.”
“The warm-ups and singing tips have really helped me to sing better and longer and to be a stronger musician.”
"I love the variety of selections!"
“I enjoy the variety of ages in the choir and have made many new friends from all over the Miami Valley region.”
“I may feel tired when I first come to rehearsal after the long workday, but I always feel energized and happier when I am there.”
Support for the Chorus
The Dayton Celebration Chorus is supported through member fees and donations. Donations to the chorus should be made payable to the UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON and sent to Ms. Julie Mitchell, Executive Director; Special Programs and Continuing Education; University of Dayton; 300 College Park Drive; Dayton, OH 45469-7011. Please write DAYTON CELEBRATION CHORUS on your check. A support form is available by clicking here.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Sue Jordon is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music where she majored in music education and studied choral conducting. Over the years until retiring. Sue directed a college choir in Michigan, directed church choirs in five different states, taught elementary school music for 26 years in Arkansas, California and Kentucky, and served on the board of the Orff Schulwerk Association in Orange County, California. After retirement she joined the University of Kentucky OLLI Chorus, and upon moving to the Dayton area she sang with the Dayton Celebration Chorus as an outstanding 2nd soprano for two years before being named director in 2022.