JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — The Concordia Alleluia Chorale keeps a 14-year tradition alive this week with its Easter cantata.

The chorale is composed of 32 Concordia independent living residents, personal care residents and community members.

Three members of the chorale — Marlene Weissert, Rosemarie Smith and Jane Brown, all altos and longtime Concordia residents — have been there since the first cantata.

“The first cantata was in Easter 2002,” said Smith. “Alma Wilson and her husband, Alex, organized it.”

This year's narration was written by Carol Oliver, who moved into Concordia in 2010 and became chorale director the next year, after Alma Wilson moved to Minnesota to be closer to her son.

“I write the narration and then I choose music I think would be appropriate to the audience,” said Oliver. “I chose some of the old hymns.”

Hymns for “The Ultimate Gift,” include “Tell Me the Story of Jesus,” “More Precious Than Silver,” “My Tribute,” “He Lives” and “Lamb of God.”

“We also encourage audience participation through readings, singing and the Scripture,” said Oliver.

Although a cantata is defined as a vocal composition, usually by a choir, Oliver said, “We've added a little bit with audience participation, a choir, two pianists and two narrators.

One of the narrators, the Rev. Ralph Storm, even wears costumes for various parts.

Storm said, “I'm doing six parts and changing costumes six times.”

All of the chorale members are residents of Concordia with the exceptions of singers Karen Zier of Hannahstown and Carl Myers, one of Concordia's bus drivers.

Oliver said instead of waiting to shuttle residents back to their apartments after chorale practice, one day Myers was drafted to sing bass.

Oliver said Zier was fighting stage 4 ovarian cancer when, on a visit to her mother in Concordia, a chorale member suggested she join the group.

“Karen Zier started singing with us as part of her cancer therapy,” said Oliver. “Since then, she's been singing with us even after her cancer went into remission in 2010.”

“The average age of the chorale members is around 85. We have soloists singing in their 90s. It's amazing the sound they can produce,” said Oliver.

Smith said there has been small but steady turnover since she joined the group in 2001.

“There are some members that have dropped out and others that passed away,” said Smith.

And some years the chorale is missing its “snowbirds,” Concordia residents who have chosen to winter somewhere warmer than Western Pennsylvania.

But age doesn't keep the chorale singers from sticking to a demanding rehearsal schedule, both for Easter performances and again in winter for the annual Christmas cantata.

Chorale members practice for nine weeks before performances from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday evenings in the Concordia Haven III chapel.

Oliver said, “The group we have is so dedicated. You have to be practically deceased to miss practice.”

“I like being part of a choir,” said Jane Brown, a Concordia resident since 2000. “I very much enjoy singing at Easter about the death, burial and resurrection.”

“I love the Lord and I love to sing and I love to get together with people,” said Smith giving her reasons for joining and staying with the chorale.

Smith praises Oliver for her stint as chorale director.

“What is so fascinating to me is she writes the whole thing. She not only directs it, but she writes the whole book,” said Smith. “And she has true patience.”

“If you ever have to work with old people, you know you have to be flexible,” Smith said.

Weissert, who moved into Concordia in 2001, said, “I started singing in high school. I've been singing forever. I just love the music. I love to sing with the Lord.”

“The Ultimate Gift” is the story of some of the those who participated in Holy Week: Jesus; Mary, the sister of Lazarus; the disciple John; Judas, Caiaphas, Pilate; Mary Magdalene; Mary, the mother of Jesus, said Oliver.

“This is my fourth story. It takes a long time and time was short because Easter was so early this year. I think it took me about two weeks,” said Oliver.

“The audience really likes the stories of all these characters,” she said.

Oliver has had a lot of experience with both writing and choirs.

She said she taught writing classes and directed choirs in a career that included stops in McKeesport, Kittanning, New Castle and Vilseck, Germany.

Oliver calls her work on the chorale “pure therapy.”

“I have a sick husband and this lifts me up,” she said.