High school choral director to lead new Cleveland Pops Chorus

Zurkey, who has directed the high school’s choral activities for 25 years, will lead the newly formed chorus later this year. The chorus came about through his friendship with Carl Topilow, director of the Pops Orchestra. The orchestra has ties to Avon Lake, having performed with the high school chorale during the winter holiday season for years. In fact, it was the years of performing together that spurred the idea of creating the new chorus.

“It expands the literature you can do,” Zurkey said about adding the chorus. “You can do all the greats.”

The chorus will meet Monday nights, so he can continue to teach at the high school. In order to balance volume with the orchestra, the chorus will have 80 to 100 members.

There’s nothing like singing with a professional orchestra, Zurkey said, and to have another choral group in the Cleveland area is a benefit.