The
Mon Yough Community Singers were formed in 2001 by the merger of The White Oak Community Singers and The McKeesport Choraliers.
The White Oak Community Singers started singing as a group in 1999, and immediately scored award winning success as a competitive and dynamic chorus. The
group was originally put together by “Kitchen Man and Dan” who did karaoke performances at local businesses and
events. They assembled several karaoke singers, including themselves, several friends and acquaintances,
and the services of Mr. Allan Link to serve as Director. The group immediately found success by entering into a state wide
singing competition, sponsored by The United Singers Federation of Pennsylvania, held in Altoona, PA.
The women’s chorus took home first place, the men’s chorus took third place, and the mixed chorus took
second place. This was the beginning of many awards to come in the next several years. The
chorus quickly grew to over thirty members and began singing at many area church functions and local community events.
Despite continued attempts at fund raising, the chorus continued to struggle financially.
The McKeesport Choraliers were founded in 1952, as the Laurel Choraliers.
They changed their name to The McKeesport Choraliers in 1962 to give them a specific identity.
The group thrived for over forty-five years, singing a wide variety of music. They joined the United
Singers Federation of PA and competed in their state wide event held annually, under the direction of several directors
and an ever changing membership. The McKeesport Choraliers continued to entertain
both in public and in private and were well known as an award winning chorus. Financially strong, unfortunate
events caused them to lose their director in 2001. After searching for a new director and discussing
possible mergers with several local chorus’ the McKeesport
Choraliers and White Oak Community Singers decided to combine. The result was the Mon Yough
Community Singers.
The organization has been extremely successful under
the direction of Mr. Allan Link as Director. After 10 seasons, Mr. Link retired from the organization to spend more time with
his family and first grandchild.
October 25, 2009 was an exciting day for the group as after a four month search, their new director was introduced to the
organization. Mr. Ben Filippone from Monroeville took over the reins of guiding the group and continuiing its exciting programs
and re-buidling process.