Applications are now available for the 2012 All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir!! Click here for details! The deadline for applications is March 31, 2012.
Choir Staff
All-Ohio Youth Choir Staff Members
The entire Youth Choir staff is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for the choir members to learn and enjoy their experience at the Ohio State Fair, while emphasizing good vocal health -- vitally important for the Fair's outdoor performances and unpredictable weather-related conditions. Each staff member is carefully chosen from the Choir's Counselor-in-Training program to provide the best leadership and one of the finest opportunities for personal growth and development. Many choir members have said that the Youth Choir experience is "a life-changing three weeks." Music educators have complimented the Youth Choir for "good, healthy singing," for encouraging "wonderful musical spirits," and for urging the singers to "take that energy back home to their own schools." The Choir's tradition of providing fair goers with quality musical entertainment while furthering the education of the choir members is what makes this staff the finest assembled anywhere.
Charles R. Snyder is the director of the All-Ohio Youth Choir. He received his musical training from Capital University, and has completed further study at Kent State University, the Pennsylvania State University, Lutheran Theological Seminary, and Westminster Choir College. He has studied with Daniel Moe, Leland Sateran, Fred Waring, Norman Luboff, Helen Kemp, John Rutter, Frauke Haasemann, Sir David Willcocks, Donald Neuen, Sandra Willetts, Anton Armstrong, James Gallagher, Weston Noble, Eph Ehly and Paul Christiansen.
He currently serves as the Director of Music at The Presbyterian Church of Coshocton. Mr. Snyder is the music director and conductor of the Coshocton Community Choir, Coshocton Children's Choir and Coshocton Youth Chorale. In the spring of 1992, he was selected in a statewide search as the conductor of the All-Ohio Youth Choir. In April 2008, he was awarded the Community Music Educator Award from the Columbus Symphony, and was inducted into the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame in July 2008.
Steve Snyder is an alumnus of Miami University and will be starting his 8th year of teaching at Ridgewood Middle and High Schools, where he is the choral director and assistant band director. He is currently taking classes towards his Masters degree at Capital University. Steve is beginning his 11th year on staff in 2008.
Jen Sper is the soprano section leader and Dean of Women. A native of Cincinnati, Jen holds a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Baldwin-Wallace College. She taught at Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington Jr/Sr. High School for 4 years. Currently, she is in the choral department at Stanton’s Sheet Music. 2008 will be her 9th year on staff.
Caroline Heading is a music teacher (piano and band instruments), an accompanist, assistant marching band director, mom and wife. Caroline will be an accompanist, and to quote her, “anything else they throw at me to do.” In her spare time, Caroline collects funny songs.
Matt Downing is a church musician in ‘real life,’ and was employed by the National Headquarters of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity after graduation from Muskingum College. He serves as tenor section leader and as an accompanist. Little-known fact: Matt majored in Spanish and hates the confusion of “your” and “you’re.”
Chad Baker is currently on the faculty of the Capital University Conservatory of Music, where he teaches class piano and serves as an accompanist. In addition to his university duties, he teaches piano and organ in the Capital University Community Music School, and serves as the accompanist to the Columbus Youth Chorale. Baker serves as the organist at Christ Lutheran Church in Bexley. He also accompanies the New World Singers of the Columbus Children's Choir. 2008 marks Chad's 9th year as an accompanist for the AOSFYC.
Joe Mileski attends Ohio Northern University, majoring in Math Education. He is an Eagle Scout, and is the 1st-year camper director at Camp Lakota. Joe will be working on the equipment staff. He tells us that he has been cast as a small child in musicals... TWICE!
Beth (Holdgreve) Vaughn is the alto section leader for the choir and has been on staff for 10 years. She was a member of the choir ('94-'97), and a member of the Cardinal Chorale ('96-'97). A graduate of Bowling Green University, she studied trumpet. She currently teaches K-5 general music and 7-12 choir at Arcadia Local Schools near Findlay. Beth has completed her Masters in the Art of Teaching degree from Marygrove College.
Steve Hildreth is serving his 10th year on the staff in 2009. In addition to his duties on the music staff, he is the Dean of Men, Instrumental Coordinator, and Daily Blog editor. Steve is a graduate of THE Ohio State University and Ashland University, and is a tuba player with the Roscoe Brass. In the outside world, Steve is an instrumental music teacher in the Columbus Public Schools, and is active in Boy Scouts as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Venturing district commissioner.
Matt Hayes is returning in 2008 for his 7th year as staff percussionist and drum line coach. He is a choir alum ('98 – '01). He is looking forward to attending Youngstown State University as a music education major this fall.
Kyle Ballantine is a senior education major (organ emphasis) at Muskingum College, is the Associate Organist at the Presbyterian Church of Coshocton, and Worship Leader at New Concord United Methodist Church. Kyle serves as an accompanist for the choir.
Wendy Foster has been on and off the choir staff since 1992 (mostly on)! Wendy is one of our talented accompanists. She is vocal director at Columbus Arts Impact Middle School. Wendy and her husband Steve live in Clintonville with their children Lainey, Logan, Maddy, Emily and Loren.
Choir Staff
Charles R. Snyder is the director of the All-Ohio Youth Choir. He received his musical training from Capital University, and has completed further study at Kent State University, the Pennsylvania State University, Lutheran Theological Seminary, and Westminster Choir College. He has studied with Daniel Moe, Leland Sateran, Fred Waring, Norman Luboff, Helen Kemp, John Rutter, Frauke Haasemann, Sir David Willcocks, Donald Neuen, Sandra Willetts, Anton Armstrong, James Gallagher, Weston Noble, Eph Ehly and Paul Christiansen.
Steve Snyder is an alumnus of Miami University and will be starting his 8th year of teaching at Ridgewood Middle and High Schools, where he is the choral director and assistant band director. He is currently taking classes towards his Masters degree at Capital University. Steve is beginning his 11th year on staff in 2008.
Jen Sper is the soprano section leader and Dean of Women. A native of Cincinnati, Jen holds a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Baldwin-Wallace College. She taught at Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington Jr/Sr. High School for 4 years. Currently, she is in the choral department at Stanton’s Sheet Music. 2008 will be her 9th year on staff.
Caroline Heading is a music teacher (piano and band instruments), an accompanist, assistant marching band director, mom and wife. Caroline will be an accompanist, and to quote her, “anything else they throw at me to do.” In her spare time, Caroline collects funny songs.
Beth (Holdgreve) Vaughn is the alto section leader for the choir and has been on staff for 10 years. She was a member of the choir ('94-'97), and a member of the Cardinal Chorale ('96-'97). A graduate of Bowling Green University, she studied trumpet. She currently teaches K-5 general music and 7-12 choir at Arcadia Local Schools near Findlay. Beth has completed her Masters in the Art of Teaching degree from Marygrove College.
Steve Hildreth is serving his 10th year on the staff in 2009. In addition to his duties on the music staff, he is the Dean of Men, Instrumental Coordinator, and Daily Blog editor. Steve is a graduate of THE Ohio State University and Ashland University, and is a tuba player with the Roscoe Brass. In the outside world, Steve is an instrumental music teacher in the Columbus Public Schools, and is active in Boy Scouts as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Venturing district commissioner.
Matt Hayes is returning in 2008 for his 7th year as staff percussionist and drum line coach. He is a choir alum ('98 – '01). He is looking forward to attending Youngstown State University as a music education major this fall.
