Testimonials

Here’s what others have to say about the Ottumwa Area Community Chorus!

Professional Musicians & Collaborators

  • As Music Director of the Southeast Iowa Symphony (SEISO) I have enjoyed frequent collaborations with the Ottumwa Area Community Chorus. They’ve joined us for both serious classical works and lighter holiday and pops concert performances, combining their talents with other regional groups. These types of groups are invaluable to the arts culture of Iowa. They are an outlet for artistically talented individuals and help them to develop and maintain their talents through performances of high-quality musical works.

    Robert McConnell
    Music Director, Southeast Iowa Symphony

  • The Ottumwa Area Community Chorus has become a bulwark of choral performance in this region. With varied repertoire and exciting programmatic themes, they continue to excel in bringing high quality performances to rural Iowa and beyond. Under the direction of Dr. Christine Bergan, the OACC has teamed up with the Mount Pleasant Chorale and other musicians from around Southeast Iowa to form the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra Chorus for major choral-orchestral collaborations each year around the Holiday season and in the Spring. It is always a pleasure to have the OACC perform with us.

    Blair Buffington
    Director of Choral Activities, Iowa Wesleyan University

Our Members & Parents

  • I appreciate quality musical performances and believe that the Ottumwa Area Community Chorus can provide that type of cultural aspect in this small town so that residents don't have to go to Des Moines or Iowa City to experience high quality performances. I enjoyed OACC's performances before joining and have found fulfillment in reaching for perfection since I've joined the chorus. OACC has an educated and talented director (Dr. Christine Bergan), who has the drive and patience needed to make a great local chorus.

    Winona Kay Lawson Whitaker
    Former Member and President of OACC

  • What an enjoyable experience it is to be a member of the Ottumwa Area Community Chorus! Dr. Christine Bergan, our director, shows her enthusiasm for music through skilled musical direction, planning worthwhile public concerts, and scheduling rehearsals to accommodate individual singer’s and performance-specific needs. We feel fortunate to sing with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra on occasion, and also have the opportunity to perform in different locations/venues. Our memories are built through these wonderful experiences, which help build our musicianship as well.

    Crystal James
    Singer

  • Throughout our married life we had the opportunity to sing with several different groups in other towns we've lived. The ones that made it to the top of our favorites list were those that not only provided inspiring and challenging music to perform, but were also directed by a knowledgeable, dedicated professional. Dr. Christine Bergan has always given her all to the chorus, resulting in wonderful performances. It takes dedication and hard work, both on the part of chorus members and the director to produce high quality performances. The Ottumwa area is very lucky to have an organization such as this to claim as their own. I hope it becomes a permanent fixture!

    Julie Gentz
    Singer

  • Ottumwa Area Community Chorus is a necessary non profit in this community. Not only does it promote the art of singing, it also is a great option for adults to continue singing (or start) as well as give children a skill/practice that can be used for the rest of their lives. I believe it brings more of the community together as concerts give them something to gather and attend to.

    Mason Farrington
    Singer, Voice Student of Dr. Bergan

  • Last April I had the opportunity to sing with the OACC as it joined forces with choral groups from Mt. Pleasant and Burlington to present two challenging pieces with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra accompanying the singers. We sang concerts in each of the three cities. Musical preparation began with each community doing their own work. Ottumwa's director, Dr. Christine Bergan conducted several challenging and productive rehearsals to help each of us learn the music to the best of our ability. At that point we had a couple more practices with all the singers from the various communities under the direction of Blair Buffington, Iowa Wesleyan University choral director. After all the work we had put in, I found the concert very rewarding. My first time in the OACC was certainly a positive experience.

    Ed Vanderlinden
    Singer

Supporters and Community Members

  • The Ottumwa Area Community Chorus does a great job of serving the needs of the Ottumwa area community. As a free, non-auditioned choral group, they make singing accessible to everyone. I am particularly impressed with their dedication to support other area organizations and events such as the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, Juneteenth, Martin Luther King Jr Day, and the Viva Ottumwa festival. The OACC is an important part of making Ottumwa's art and culture scene a vibrant and inviting environment that serves the public good.

    Isaac Campbell

  • Dr. Bergan does an outstanding job of bringing the community together regardless of age and ability. To see someone give of themselves to others - the time commitment, expense, and passion - to see all this given freely makes one want to sing! If anyone can take someone and make them feel good because they are part of something bigger than themselves, then it is Dr. Bergan. If you have the remotest thought of singing in a choir, then I highly recommend this one. The only cost factor is your time and the benefits of your invested time are beyond measure.


    Dr. Jeff Hendred

  • What a great contribution OACC is making to the community through performance and education! Dr. Bergan is a totally committed leader in talent and heart to the success of this organization and the impact it makes on young musicians for years to come!

    Steve Campbell

  • I firmly believe you could never find anyone who has and will continue to work harder than Dr. Christine Bergan to make the community chorus a success!

    Judy Church