Cuyahoga Valley Choral Arts, Inc., a 501(c)(3) entity under which the Cuyahoga Valley Community Chorus and Cuyahoga Valley Children’s Choir functions, was first established in 1986 as part of the Cuyahoga Falls Park and Recreation Department, and known as the Cuyahoga Falls Community Chorus. It started as a small ensemble composed of mostly older adults who loved gathering to sing together. The ensemble traveled to nursing homes to bring music to those who were unable to attend performances in more traditional venues and they performed in a small number of public venues. The choir’s scope and size slowly grew over the years and public concert venues throughout the community were added.

As the organization prepares to celebrate its 40th Anniversary season during 26-27, it has enjoyed stability, longevity, and a strong sense of connection with the community – with only four directors in 39 years. In 2004, Edward Arthur “Ted” Shure became the fourth director and is currently in his 22nd season. 

In 2016, Mr. Shure appointed Colleen Coyle Miller to the position of Assistant Conductor. Her primary roles include covering rehearsals in the absence of the Artistic Director, rehearsing and performing select pieces on the concert programs, handling much of the operational details of the chorus, assisting in the selection of music, and serving on the Choral Arts board. In 2025 Mrs. Miller was promoted to the position of Associate Conductor.

The past 22 years have seen exponential growth for Cuyahoga Valley Choral Arts. In 2009 the chorus established a biannual concert tradition at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Cuyahoga Falls as regular guests of the church. They continued the spirit of outreach by bringing music to a growing number of nursing homes, retirement homes, and adult daycare centers. They added a broad array of special events that extended their reach across Northeast Ohio to new audiences, all while enriching singers in new ways.

The tag line for Cuyahoga Valley Choral Arts is “Bringing people together through music.” While the tag line was created as the group went nonprofit they have always had a focus on serving others. Chorus members come from all walks of life and backgrounds. Some are gifted musicians and others can’t read a note of music. There are no auditions for this group. They begin rehearsals as individuals and by concert time they are one ensemble making music at a very high level. And, of
course, they bring audiences together to participate in a beautiful shared experience.

As Cuyahoga Valley Choral Arts grew in these beautiful and organic ways, their incorporation as a 501(c)(3) was a natural next step. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church has provided a beautiful home for rehearsals and concerts, along with the provision of office/library space. Against the stable backdrop of consistent leadership and strong community connection these exciting new evolutions continue to provide a launchpad for inspired growth.

Annual appearances by the Cuyahoga Valley Community Chorus include:

Winter and Spring performances at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
Summit County Veteran’s Day Celebration
Holiday Tree Festival – benefitting Children’s Hospital
Cuyahoga Falls Public Library
Cuyahoga Falls Tree Lighting
Mayor’s Egg Nog Gathering (for previous Mayor)
Joint Holiday Concerts with the Cuyahoga Falls Community Band
Cuyahoga Falls Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony
Cuyahoga Falls Memorial Day Observance Ceremony
Cleveland Cavaliers (National Anthem)
Akron Rubber Ducks (National Anthem)
Messiah Sing (a biennial project to benefit a charity and collaborate with gifted high school choirs
and professional orchestra members)
Multiple appearances at retirement/nursing homes and adult day care centers

Special appearances have, or will, include:

Performance for President George W. Bush during a visit to Cuyahoga Falls at the invitation of the
White House
SummaCare Spirit of America Concert benefitting Good Neighbors
Grand Opening of Blossom Lights
Welcome Home ceremony for United States Marines
Multiple Veteran’s Day performances
Performance at Music at WPC Concert Series (at Westminster Presbyterian Church)
Collaborative performance with renown singer/songwriter, Angie Haze
Featured in nationally aired network television commercial
Joint concert with the (then) Stow Chamber Orchestra and Chorus (the latter also under Shure’s direction
Performances at Playhouse Square in the Ohio State Theatre
Among many others

During the 2026-2027 season Cuyahoga Valley Choral Arts will continue to build the Cuyahoga Valley Children’s Choir, which was established to serve the underrepresented population of Akron’s North Hill community by providing a choral/vocal outlet for children ages 8-12. The organization will also continue to seek new ways to serve the community through innovation and collaboration. More
on this program can be found in the program description. Colleen Coyle Miller also serves as Music Director for the Cuyahoga Valley Children’s Choir.

The Chorus has received multiple proclamations and recognitions from both local and state government officials from the Mayor to State Senators and members of the House. From its home in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley Choral Arts engages 45-50 singers in the Cuyahoga Valley Community Chorus and reaches over 30,000 audience members annually, including outreach to seniors and underserved communities.