Jacob Lash decides to start a choir for high schoolers and up. He invites Kerrie Cardine to come on as assistant and accompanist. They begin planning, naming the choir “Life Community Choir.”
Spring 2013
First season begins with 40 singers: 6 adults and 34 teens.
Fall 2013
Re-brand to “Gainesville Community Choir”
First fall season begins with 68 singers.
Spring 2014
Team of volunteers builds choir risers
Fall 2014
Website built, GCC logo created
Members of GCC sing in backup choir for bluegrass band Dailey & Vincent
Spring 2015
First Choir for a Day, starting spring tradition
Fall 2015
Jacob & Kerrie bring on four section leaders, including Marianna Constable
First guest conductor attends GCC rehearsal, starting fall tradition
GCC gets on Facebook and Instagram
Collaboration concert with home school children’s choir
Medley from Oklahoma!
Spring 2016
Medley from Fiddler on the Roof
Fall 2016
Jordan Orr & Elijah Tiemens come on as section leaders
GCC joins with mega-choir onstage at Wolf Trap for Christmas sing-along
GCC begins hiring instrumentalists for concerts
Spring 2017
Medley from Les Misérables
Fall 2017
Pam Sottosanti joins GCC as accompanist
Mandy Viles joins as soprano section leader
Kerrie switches from keys to singing alto
GCC participates again in Wolf Trap Christmas sing-along
Collaboration concert with Victory Elementary School chorus
Spring 2018
First “Choir Retreat,” starting spring tradition
GCC celebrates 5 years with “GCC’s Greatest Hits” in concert
GCC records Greatest Hits CD album: Journey Home
Spring 2019
GCC becomes 501c3 Nonprofit Organization
GCC outgrows Gainesville Pres. building for concerts, begins performing at alternate venues
Medley from Mary Poppins
Fall 2019
GCC performs at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in collaboration concert with GMU choirs
GCC performs Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living as partial fulfillment of Jacob’s MM in Conducting
Spring 2020
GCC season canceled due to Covid
GCC runs 11 Stage-at-Home concerts on YouTube, including 77 acts, and 125 performers
IRS grants tax-exempt status
GCC hosts Covid-times outdoor Fall Music Festival
A couple strange years later…
Spring 2022
GCC returns after Covid break
GCC performs in collaboration concert with Patriot High School Singers
Medley from West Side Story
Summer 2022
40 GCC singers travel to London for Requiem for the Living choral festival with Vox Anima London.
Spring 2023
Leadership begins to restructure, reorganize to make organization sustainable long-term
Katie Bass begins learning ropes as GCC Administrator
Medley from The Prince of Egypt
GCC wins PWC Arts Council award for Outstanding Arts Organization
Kerrie sings final concert as AD
GCC celebrates 10 years of singing with anniversary concert and banquet dinner
Fall 2023
Preston Atkins joins GCC as Associate Conductor
GCC performs in collaboration concert with Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra: “Handel’s Messiah and Other Seasonal Selections” at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Merchant Hall.
