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WILKES-BARRE — Back in 1919, a good 22 years before the movie “How Green Was My Valley” gave people outside Wales an idea of the importance of choral singing in Welsh culture, a group of area residents formed the Orpheus Glee Club.

They were all men, all Welsh, and reportedly, all coal miners here in Northeatern Pennsylvania.

A century later members of the Orpheus Choral Society, as it is now known, are still raising their voices in harmony, and will celebrate their 100th anniversary with a free concert set for 3 p.m. May 19 at Firwood United Methodist Church.

“Fabulous,” director Michelle Tyburski praised the group — now coed, no longer entirely Welsh, and nary a coalminer among them — during a recent rehearsal as they came to the end of a hymn called “Majesty.”

“I’m getting chills up here listening to you.”

Some of the singers smiled at the praise; then they listened attentively to Tyburski’s directions for making the intricate harmonies sound even better.

“The music is just amazing,” said singer Joan Achhammer, of Sugar Notch. “The number one reason I like coming here is the variety of music. It’s an interesting combination of secular and religious. The group also has such good camaraderie.”

“When you’re in the midst of all these voices, it’s such a wonderful feeling,” society president Bruce Evans, of Luzerne. “You don’t need drugs.”

“Coming here has taught me that I’m part of the whole, and being part of the whole is imporant,” said Helene Elko, of Larksville. “Every voice is important.”

“Besides, I just love to sing.”

Love for singing was evident as the group worked on music for its concert program, which Tyburski said will include contemporary, Broadway and patriotic numbers including a Salute to the Armed Forces as well as two Welsh tunes sung in English.

In its early days, long-time members said, the Orpheus Choral Society would have sung many songs in the Welsh language. Old scrapbooks, newspaper clippings and concert programs show the chorus used to perform at “Welsh Day” at the former San Souci Amusement Park in Hanover Township and in concert at the Irem Temple in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

The group also used to bring in guest soloists from the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera to perform locally, and welcomed women into their ranks in 1952.

“Cora Strouse was the first woman,” said Carol Wolosz, of Edwardsville, who has been singing with the society for 47 years. “She had a beautiful voice. I had the privilege of sitting next to her when I first joined.”

Sitting next to Wolosz during rehearsal last week was Joyce Jones, of West Pittston, who has been a member for 35 years. Behind them was Evans, the group president, who has been a member for more than 20 years.

“We’d love to have more people join,” Evans said. “We’ve tried recruiting at the local college dining halls … but people are so busy.”

For the 100th anniversary concert, Tyburski said, the group invited past members to return and sing with current members. About 20 responded, which doubled the size of the concert chorus.

The director said new singers are welcome to audition for the group, which practices on Tuesday evenings at Firwood United Methodist Church, with summers off plus January and February off.

Nowadays the occupations represented in the Orpheus Choral Society range from music teacher to nurse to college professor to hospital chaplain to retired state trooper and owner of a gardening center. They’re not quite as homogeneous as that group of coal miners who first gathered to sing in 1919.

But 100 years later, the more diverse group is still enjoying the thrill that only singing in harmony can bring.

Michele Tyburski directs the Orpheus Choral Society, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_op2_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgMichele Tyburski directs the Orpheus Choral Society, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Michele Tyburski directs the Orpheus Choral Society, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_singers2.jpg.optimal.jpgMichele Tyburski directs the Orpheus Choral Society, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Members of the Orpheus Choral Society gather at Firwood United Methodist Church on Old River Road in Wilkes-Barre to rehearse for the May 19 concert.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_singers1.jpg.optimal.jpgMembers of the Orpheus Choral Society gather at Firwood United Methodist Church on Old River Road in Wilkes-Barre to rehearse for the May 19 concert. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Susan Lauer provides the piano accompaniment as Michele Tyburski directs the Orpheus Choral Society.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_singers3.jpg.optimal.jpg Susan Lauer provides the piano accompaniment as Michele Tyburski directs the Orpheus Choral Society. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Joyce Lysiak jots down a direction on a musical number during a practice at the Firwood United Methodist Church.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_singers4.jpg.optimal.jpgJoyce Lysiak jots down a direction on a musical number during a practice at the Firwood United Methodist Church. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Richard Aston lends his voice to the Orpheus Choral Society, which is preparing for a 100th anniversary concert, set for 3 p.m. May 19 at Firwood United Methodist Church in Wilkes-Barre.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_singers5.jpg.optimal.jpgRichard Aston lends his voice to the Orpheus Choral Society, which is preparing for a 100th anniversary concert, set for 3 p.m. May 19 at Firwood United Methodist Church in Wilkes-Barre. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Old photos and news clippings reflect the 100-year history of the Orpheus Choral Society.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_singers6.jpg.optimal.jpg Old photos and news clippings reflect the 100-year history of the Orpheus Choral Society. Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Concert set for May 19 at Firwood United Methodist Church

By Mary Therese Biebel

[email protected]

IF YOU GO

What: 100th anniversary concert

Who: Orpheus Choral Society

When: 3 p.m. May 19

Where: Firwood United Methodist Church, 399 Old River Road, Wilkes-Barre

Admission: Free, but donations will be accepted to support the society’s performances at area nursing homes