The pews of United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, were packed Saturday night for the 40th Anniversary Concert of the Schuylkill Choral Society.
"It's a very special night," said Sharon Kolenick, a board member and member of the choir. "A lot of old friends have returned to our choir family for the performance."
Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the concert featured alumni of the chorus during the second half.
It was under the direction of Mark P. Thomas, who was accompanied by Kimberly Breiner-Stoudt.
Thomas has served as the music director and conductor of the choir for 26 years and under his leadership, the chorus has received national and international success.
Kolenick said that while she started in this choir at 21 and quite a few years have gone by, a lot of the people that were part of it when she first joined and no longer sing with them were back last night.
According to the concert program, the Schuylkill Choral Society, formerly the Schuylkill County Community Chorus, was formed in 1973 by its founder and first director, James Rickley, with the help of the group's first accompanist, Diane Moyer.
The original chorus consisted of 30 members, mostly from local church choirs and students of Rickley.
Today, the chorus is a 100-voice auditioned volunteer choir.
It's first European tour was in 1991, where it received the high praise from German and Austrian press.
During the 1994-95 season, the 50th Anniversary Commemorative World War II Concert brought national attention and the chorus was recognized by President Bill Clinton for its recognition of veterans and its contributions to its community.
The chorus embarked on its second overseas tour to the British Isles in 2002 and toured the United States in 2004, then traveled to Europe again in 2006 to take part in the 2006 "In The Footsteps of Mozart Tour."
David Watson, assistant director, said he has been a part of the choir since the beginning with a gap in between at one point, returning for the 20th anniversary season.
Watson, who retired in 2008 after 35 years as a music teacher and choral director in the Pine Grove Area School District, said it's a special night, especially for those that were part of it from the beginning.
"Just to see where we have gone over these 40 years is really great," he said. "It's fun being a part of it. I love when I have the opportunity to conduct it. When you're conducting this group, you've got the best seat in the house."
Some of the pieces that the choir performed Saturday night included "The Hills of Home," written by Thomas and Breiner-Stoudt, "Touch the Sky" by Mac Huff, a song from the 2012 animated Disney and Pixar film "Brave" and "Forever Motown" arranged by Robert Emerson.
Jeannette Chismar, Pottsville, attended the performance with her cousin, Marilyn Navitsky, Tamaqua.
The women said that they follow the choir since Chismar has a friend in it and Navitsky's son has a friend in it as well.
"They always do such a marvelous job, especially the alto and the soprano," Chismar said. "It's just really put together so well. They do have a great following of people."
For more information about the Schuylkill Choral Society or upcoming concerts in the 2012-13 season, visit www.schchoral.org.