Perrysburg church gets spring break choir performance

Timothy Cloeter, left, directs the Bowling Green State University Men's Chorus, which performed at the First United Methodist Church in Perrysburg. Last week the group returned from a Spring tour which took them to Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, as well as Ohio.

St. Patrick's Day for college students, well, it is usually green and probably messy. But for the 71 members of the Bowling Green State University men's choir for at least an hour today, it was spent singing at the First United Methodist Church in Perrysburg.

PHOTO GALLERY: Bowling Green State University men's choir

"It speaks about the seriousness this is to them," Timothy Cloeter said, the professor and conductor of the choir. "They are willing to spend their spring break performing, and willing to hold off on partying until after the concert [on St. Patrick's Day]."

Two weeks ago, the men's choir did eight performances in Florida -- the same performance that the First United Methodist Church saw today.

Mr. Cloeter said the choir has perfected the show, because it was the ninth time of doing it for an audience. The performance includes classical music from the 1500s and the Renaissance and romantic songs, but also lighter music, such as  an African piece that has a kongo bell and shakers. 

The choir also makes fun of itself, Mr. Cloeter said, with a manly men song.

"Audience members always come up to me after shows and say that they loved the variety," he said.

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com or 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.