2024 Board of Directors

2024 Singers

Choir Directors

Accompanists

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  • *Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 & 2021 seasons were completely canceled. ALL board terms were extended by two additional years. The extended terms are noted in the member list below.

    • Altos

    Basses

    Sopranos

    Tenors

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    In Memory.....

    Sadly, we have lost these members:

    Tom Vollmer, Tenor -- Jasper IN -- Tom passed away on 12/26/23 at the age of 95. Tom was a Founding Member of the Celebration Singers and a dedicated member who sang with us consistenly up to and including in 2019 when he was age 90 1/2. Due to the Covid pandemic, the choir did not sing in 2020 or 2021. Tom came back to join us for a few reheasals in 2021 and 2022, after which he attended our concerts from the audience, including at the Jasper First Baptist Church on December 3, 2023, just a few short weeks before his passing. Tom was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Jasper where he sang in the choir for 83 years. He was also a member of the Singing Seniors and the Holy Family Church Funeral Choir. Tom served on the Board of Directors of the Celebration Singers from January 2014 to January 2020.

    Joan Jarboe, Alto -- Jasper IN -- Joanie passed away on 12/20/23 just 8 days shy of her 98th birthday. In addition to being a Founding Member of the Celebration Singers, Joanie was one of the original female members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church choir.

    Sandra Ring, Soprano -- Holland, IN -- Sandra joined our choir in 2018 and sang with us through 2019. She passed away on 9/22/23 at the age of 77. Sandra was a music teacher at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper, and was a former Evansville Philharmonic Choir member, and a member of the Augustana United Church of Christ choir in Holland.

    Rosina Schuler, Soprano -- Jasper, IN -- Rosina was a Founding Member of the Celebration Singers in 2002. She passed away on April 27, 2023 at the age of 95. She taught music, special education and Spanish. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church choir and was active in many community and church organizations.

    Gerald Rademacher, Tenor -- Huntingburg, IN -- Gerald passed away on April 12, 2023 at the age of 89. In addition to being a Founding Member of the Celebration Singers and a dedicated active member since 2002, he was also a member of his church choir and the Glory Bound Singers.

    Janice Hilgeman, Soprano -- Jasper, IN -- A founding member of the Celebration Singers, Janice passed away on August 24, 2022 at the age of 86. She was a fan of vocal arts and was a member of her local Music and Arts Coterie.

    Norma Lammers, Alto -- Huntingburg, IN -- Norma passed away on April 23, 2022 at the age of 92. Norma and her husband Jim were both founding members of our choir in 2002 and both sang with us for many, many years. In addition to singing as an Alto in the Celebration Singers, Norma sang in the Huntingburg United Methodist church choir.

    Linda Maxey, Soprano -- Ferdinand, IN -- Linda was a founding member of the Celebration Singers in 2002 and remained an active member of the choir. She was also a member of the St. Ferdinand Catholic Church choir for many years. Linda passed away on April 17, 2022 at Orlando, Florida where she and her husband Bob spent their winters. Linda was 82.

    Pat Weisman, Soprano -- Otwell, IN -- An active member of the Celebration Singers since 2003, Pat passed away on February 5, 2022 at the age of 80. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Otwell where she was a member of the Praise Team choir. Pat was a part of many volunteer efforts with her church and community, always wearing a cheerful smile. Pat was a sister of Bev Phillips who was also a member of the Celebration Singers. Bev passed away in February 2009.

    Shirley Kahle, Soprano -- Holland IN -- A charter member of our choir in 2002, Shirley played the organ for over 50 years at her church, Holland United Methodist, where she also sang in the senior choir with her husband, Eugene "Jeep" Kahle. Shirley passed away on January 24, 2022 at the age of 85.

    Dan Racicot, Accompanist -- Jasper IN -- Dan was very involved in music ministry, and played for many churches in the area, playing for their funerals and weddings. He was involved in many bands in the county and started playing in clubs at the age of 13. He was a member of the Celebration Singers since 2015, filling in as guest accompanist as needed. Dan passed away on 12/12/21 at the age of 68.

    Tom Martindale, Tenor -- Huntingburg IN -- Tom passed away on October 15, 2021 at the age of 77 (two days shy of his 78th birthday). A member of Salem United Church of Christ in Huntingburg, Tom sang in the church choir, served as President of the Huntingburg Music Club, and was a charter member of the Celebration Singers in 2002 along with his wife Judy.

    Al Hemmer, Bass -- Santa Claus IN -- During his college career at Purdue University, Al was a member and featured soloist in the Purdue Mens Glee Club and a member of the Purdue Musical Organization’s Hall of Fame. Al also sang for funerals, weddings and church services, and performed in musical productions in Ft. Wayne and in the Lincoln Amphitheater’s production of Young Abe Lincoln. Al was a founding member in 2002 and we were fortunate to have him in our Bass section for several years. Al passed away on September 23, 2020 at the age of 89.

    Ken Roberson, Tenor -- Jasper IN -- Ken was formerly from Hardinsburg IN before moving to Jasper and joining our choir in 2013. He passed away on 8/20/19. Ken served in the Air Force for 20 years. His body was donated to MedCure and the remains cremated and placed in a National Cemetery.

    Judy Olinger, Soprano -- Huntingburg IN -- Judy passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on 11/14/18 at the age of 78. She was a founding and faithful member of the Celebration Singers since 2002, as well as a 45-year member, and director, of the church choir at Salem United Church of Christ in Huntingburg. Judy was very involved with her church and her community, and could often be found working either at the church or somewhere in town, serving on boards and committees of both. Her dedication and selfless leadership will be missed.

    Jim Lammers, Tenor -- Huntingburg IN -- Jim was a founding member of our choir in 2002, and a talented trombone player. He served as a member of our first Board of Directors from January 2005 through January 2008. Jim shared his trombone talents with our choir as well as in the Methodist Brass at his church, Huntingburg United Methodist. Jim also played trombone as an original member of the Santa Claus German Band, and most recently with the Crawford County Community Band. Jim passed away at the age of 88 on 9/18/18.

    Ramona Dittmer, Alto -- Jasper IN -- Ramona was a charter member of our choir in 2002, as well as a charter member of the Music & Art Coterie Music Club in Jasper. She also sang in the choir at First Presbyterian Church in Jasper for 75 years. Ramona passed away on 6/18/18 at the age of 85.

    Joe Wagner, Tenor -- Jasper IN -- A charter member of our choir in 2002, Joe also sang with the Singing Seniors and the Precious Blood Catholic Church choir. Joe passed away on May 25, 2018 at the age of 89.

    Vera Peach, Alto -- Huntingburg IN -- Vera was a charter member of our choir in 2002. She passed away on October 19, 2017 at age 83. She was a member of the Salem Church choir in Huntingburg for 50 years and was in the bell choir.

    Helen Grewe, Alto -- Huntingburg IN -- Helen passed away on June 29, 2017 at age 92. She was a founding member of our choir in 2002, and she sang in the Salem Church choir in Huntingburg for 76 years. Helen also belonged to the Huntingburg Music Club since 1948.

    Nancy Abell, Alto -- Huntingburg IN -- A charter member of our choir in 2002, Nancy passed away on 5/21/17 at age 74 after a sudden illness. Although Nancy had not sung with us for many years, she sang with the Salem United Church of Christ choir for 33 years.

    Jim Knust, Bass -- Ferdinand IN -- A founding member of our choir in 2002, Jim passed away on 9/25/16 at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer. Jim loved to sing. As a young boy, he sang in the children's choir at St. Ferdinand Catholic church, then went on to sing for 60 years in the church's adult choir. Jim served two terms on the Celebration Singers' board of directors, (Term1: 1/2012-1/2015, Term2: 1/2015-9/2016) serving as its president at the time of his death (President: 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016). We will miss Jim's quiet, strong leadership.

    Matt Rhodes, Bass -- Jasper IN -- Matt joined our choir in early 2015.   He passed away suddenly on 12/28/15 at the age of 31. Matt had a surprisingly deep bass voice and a wonderful outgoing personality.

    Susie Kemp, Soprano -- Huntingburg IN -- Susie passed away on 10/12/14 at the age of 85.

    Loma Hartke, Bass -- Huntingburg IN -- A founding member of our choir in 2002, passed away on 2/6/14 at the age of 82.  A Bass who could really hit the low notes, Loma also sang at Purdue and at Salem United Church of Christ in Huntingburg for many years.

    Ralph Hemmer, Bass -- Huntingburg IN -- Ralph was a charter member of our choir in 2002. He passed away on 12/31/12 at Fort Myers FL at age 88. He was a member of the Huntingburg United Methodist Church choir in Huntingburg for many years before moving to Florida.

    LaVerne Kieffner, Alto -- Jasper IN -- LaVerne passed away on 12/23/13 at the age of 67 after a battle with cancer.

    Terry Wahl Musician (trumpet) -- Ferdinand IN -- Terry passed away on 5/30/12 at the age of 41.

    John Guthrie, Bass -- Jasper IN -- A member since 2002, John succumbed to cancer on 05/04/12 at age 81. John was a Bass in our choir and also sang with the St. Joseph Catholic Church choir in Jasper for many years.

    Will Koch, Bass Guitar -- Santa Claus IN -- Will accompanied the choir on his bass guitar for several performances in our early years. He was the president of Holiday World and was an amazing visionary. Will died on 6/13/10 at the age of 48 from complications of diabetes.

    Jane Friz, Soprano -- Huntingburg IN -- A founding member of our choir in 2002, Jane passed away on 11/02/09 at age 85 after a battle with cancer.   Jane was a talented musician with boundless energy and enthusiasm.

    Bev Phillips, Alto -- Huntingburg IN -- An Alto in our choir, Bev passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on 2/19/09 at the age of 58. Bev was a sister of Pat Weisman who was also a member of the Celebration Singers. Pat passed away in February 2022.

    Mike Winkler -- Huntingburg IN -- passed away on 05/05/08 at the age of 68.  His wife, Carolyn Winkler, remains an active member of the choir.

    Phyllis Sermersheim, Alto -- Ferdinand IN -- A founding member of the Celebration Singers in 2002, Phyllis passed away on 10/26/04 at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer.   Phyllis was an Alto in our choir and a strong leader.

    We wish to recognize and express our appreciation for these members' contribution of time, talent and friendship to our choir.  They will be missed.

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    Inactive Members

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