A combination of music and baseball resulted in the founding
of the Irwin Male Chorus. On October 5, 1913 a group of eight singers
from various Sunday schools provided the entertainment for the local
Sunday School Baseball League banquet in Irwin. As a result of that
program those men, plus several others, became interested in organizing
a male chorus. The group arranged to meet on October 8, 1913 in the
First Presbyterian Church, then a one-room building on Main Street in
Irwin. Finding another meeting in progress, they met in a small janitor's
supply room at the rear of the building. There, the Chorus was born
among the janitor's supplies. Now, some 90 years later, the Irwin Male
Chorus is probably one of the oldest independent male choruses in the
United States.
On January 1, 1914 they presented their first sacred concert in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, then located at Main and Third Streets,
Irwin. By that time there were 70 members listed on the printed program.
Since that initial concert the Chorus has played an important part in
the musical life of the local and surrounding communities. It has provided
quality family entertainment for the thousands of people who have attended
their nearly 600 sacred concerts and about 300 stage performances, plus
countless appearances at special community and church events.
In the Chorus' early years most of the members lived in the Irwin/North
Huntingdon area, although now over half live in about a dozen surrounding
communities.
The first stage performance by the Chorus was presented in the Norwin
High School auditorium on April 19-20, 1917. In that program were 27
members, accompanied by a nine-piece orchestra.
During World War I 30 members were taken into the armed forces, but
the Chorus continued on.
Throughout the 1920s the men staged numerous operettas. According to
early Chorus history, in May 1923 the comic operetta "Captain Van
der Hum" was presented not only locally, but also via radio, giving
the Chorus the distinction of being the first organization to present
an all-male operetta through that medium.
Financial problems plagued the group for many years. When the 1916-17
season began, the treasurer's report showed a balance of only 18 cents.
In the 1920s and '30s these problems persisted and occasional bank loans
were obtained to supplement the treasury until receipts became available.
At the time of the "Great Depression" in the 1930s the board
decided to temporarily discontinue rehearsals, but meetings were held
periodically so as to maintain an organization. During that time they
also held indoor social affairs, picnics and corn roasts. In April 1932
the local Ministerial Association held a service, featuring music by
the Chorus. A silver offering was contributed to the Chorus by the Association
"to show their appreciation of the good work accomplished by the
Male Chorus during its 19 years of work in the musical field."
By November 6, 1933 rehearsals resumed with 23 men present, at which
time they planned a full season of activities, including a 2½-hour
stage show just three months later.
Throughout World War II 31 members served in the armed forces. In those
years their concerts were scheduled only in nearby communities, due
to gasoline rationing.
From the mid-1940s through the 1950-51 season the Chorus undertook its
most ambitious musical efforts, with 11 to 15 concerts scheduled in
each of those years. In the late '40s their sacred concerts were so
well-attended in Irwin that afternoon and evening programs were presented
in the Methodist Church, with about 1,300 people attending the two performances.
Since the mid-1950s the Chorus' stage shows have been musical-variety
programs. Most were presented on two nights until 1962, when three performances
became necessary to accommodate the crowds.
The 1965-66 season began with rehearsals held in new quarters at the
Masonic Hall in Irwin, after having met in the American Legion Home
since 1940. Also, the 1966 show was staged in the new Norwin Senior
High School for the first time, with over 4,000 people attending the
three performances.
Beginning in 1971, for a period of 25 years, the Tall Cedars of Lebanon
organization sponsored a fourth performance of our spring show on Monday
nights. This increased annual show attendance to 6,000 people.
A primary goal of the Chorus has always been to present good music to
as many people as possible. Since its inception the Chorus has provided
an outlet for over 600 men to share and improve their musical skills.
During those years the group has changed its programs and music styles
to keep pace with contemporary interests.
By 1998, as with many other community organizations, membership had
decreased to a number that prevented the men from producing stage productions
with elaborate stage settings, as had been their custom for many years.
As a result, they did not present stage shows in 1998 or 1999, although
a normal schedule of sacred concerts was continued.
In 2000 the Chorus resumed their spring musical-variety shows on a somewhat
smaller scale, but with renewed enthusiasm. Since then their shows have
been performed on a Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon
in late April. A typical sacred concert season now includes six or seven
programs in area churches from October to December.
The men rehearse each Monday evening from September through April. Each
summer, even though rehearsals are discontinued, the members have a
corn roast, giving them an opportunity to maintain close fellowship
and sometimes meet prospective members. The director of music is Forrest
Moore, a choral music teacher in Southmoreland School District. The
accompanist is Cindy Kunkle.
The Chorus welcomes interested men with a love of singing, an attitude
of cooperation and a strong desire to participate in the organization's
activities. All interested men are invited to contact any member or
obtain information by calling 724-864-8811.
As a charter member of the Chorus said many years ago, "We're just a bunch of guys who love to sing!"