Blair Concert Chorale & Blair Concert Chorale Children's Choir

The Blair Concert Chorale was formed in 1987 by combining the Keystone Chorale and the Altoona Choral Society, which in turn traces its roots back to 1933. In 1995 a tuition-based children’s choir was added to expose, educate, and develop youth between the ages of 7 and 17 to classical music. The adult chorale today is made up of over 40 singers (all volunteers) from Blair, Bedford, and Cambria counties. The group is under the direction of Dr. Ryan Beeken. The children’s choir consists of up to 30 young people from the greater Altoona area under the direction of Jen and Scott Pappal. The adult season consists of three concerts: a fall concert, a holiday concert in December with the children’s choir, and a concert in the spring. They perform in venues such as the Mishler Theatre and area churches. In addition to the concerts, they participate in local arts events, perform with other groups and perform at Garvey Manor. The chorale rehearses weekly from September through May. The BCC has 6 part-time contract positions: Ryan Beeken, Artistic Director; Jen and Scott Pappal, Children’s Choir Conductors; Sue Cossitor, Accompanist; Nancy Hamil, Librarian; and Jane Gable, General Manager. We are a 501(C)3 not-for-profit Pennsylvania Corporation with a Board of Directors made up of community leaders and classical music lovers plus two non-voting choral representatives.