Welcome to SPCE at the University of Dayton

About DCC

Dayton Celebration Chorus

Adults of all ages • No audition required

The Dayton Celebration Chorus offers adults of all ages who enjoy singing the opportunity to enhance their vocal skills together with music lovers from across the Miami Valley.

In keeping with the University of Dayton’s tradition of providing noncredit offerings for adult learners, the Chorus has been affiliated with the UD Office of Special Programs and Continuing Education since 2014. There is no audition to join.

Music & Repetoire

Under the direction of a professionally trained director, the Chorus performs a diverse repertoire of choral literature with an emphasis on American music.

Session Schedule

10-week sessions in the fall and spring
6-week session in the summer
A concert is held at the end of each session

Community Outreach

The Chorus enjoys opportunities for community outreach. Recent performances have included the Grand Illumination in Dayton’s Courthouse Square, Christmas caroling in the Oregon District, and end-of-session concerts at the Roger Glass Center for the Arts and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dayton, where the Chorus rehearses.

The Chorus has also sung for the annual opening of the University of Dayton’s Osher Lifelong Learning program, at Calvary Cemetery for Angel Night, and for Art in the City sponsored by the Downtown Dayton Partnership. The Chorus also enjoys a long tradition of singing at senior communities.

Collaboration

Collaborating with musicians from other groups has been a rewarding experience for members. Musicians from the University of Dayton New Horizons Band have joined the Chorus to provide instrumental accompaniment.

Chorus members have sung with the Harmony Project Choir in Columbus, and the Dayton Celebration Chorus invited the Miami Valley Chorale to join as guest performers at the 2025 holiday concert.

Director

Sue Jordon

Sue Jordon is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music where she majored in music education and studied choral conducting, notably under Maynard Klein.

During her 50-year career, Sue has directed choirs at all levels, including a college choir in Michigan, adult church choirs in five different states, and children's choirs in Southern California and Kentucky. She taught elementary school music in California and Kentucky and directed elementary honor choirs in both states. In California, Sue was chosen as a district mentor teacher in general elementary music and served on the board of the Orff Schulwerk Association in Orange County.

After retirement she joined the University of Kentucky OLLI Chorus. Upon moving to the Dayton area she sang with the Dayton Celebration Chorus for two years before being named director in 2022. As director, Sue has worked to build enrollment, introduce a wide variety of music, and create an enjoyable musical experience while challenging and building singers’ skills.

Accompanist

Sam Bennett

Sam Bennett is a professional pianist based in Dayton, Ohio. Sam is a collaborative pianist at Sinclair Community College, the music director at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Fairborn, and a piano teacher.

Sam is certified by the Piano Technician Academy and is working to establish a piano tuning and technician practice. Sam earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Wittenberg University, studying performance across multiple piano genres as well as composition.

Sam has written and recorded an album of piano music titled A Place in the Woods, available on all streaming platforms.

Some Title

Special Programs and Continuing Education

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