Who We Are

Our Mission Statement
The Cannon Beach Chorus is a north Oregon coast Community Chorus,
offering the gift of vocal music to delight our audiences,
providing joy and challenge for participants,
and expanding awareness and appreciation of the choral arts.

Our Leaders
The Cannon Beach Chorus leadership is provided by a seven-member Board of Directors elected from the Chorus membership. The Board meets once a month and is responsible for all administrative and membership elements for the organization as well as securing the necessary musical leadership for the group. The music director is responsible for the selection of music (with Board input), the selection of a rehearsal pianist as well as any additional instrumentalists needed for performances, and conducting weekly rehearsals and performances.

Anne Coopersmith, president, Nehalem
Susan Buehler, vice-president, Cannon Beach
Barbara Olson, secretary, Cannon Beach
Carolyn Anderson, treasurer, Gearhart
Theresa Konomos, member-at-large, Seaside
Jan Clawson, member-at-large, Seaside
Terry Carstens, member-at-large, Warrenton

John M. Buehler, D.M.A.

The conductor of the Cannon Beach Chorus, Dr. John Buehler, is the former director of Choral Studies at Baker University and is now Professor Emeritus of Music. He formerly held the Youse-Rice Chair in Choral Music and was also Chairman of the Department of Music at Baker U. Dr. Buehler is currently Instructor of Music at Clatsop Community College and is a Certified Music Adjudicator in Oregon.

He earned degrees in music education and choral conducting from Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. For twenty-five years, Dr. Buehler directed Baker University choirs in concert tours across the United States, and in Europe and Asia. He has been a guest conductor for numerous choirs from middle school groups to adult professional choirs.

Prior to joining the Baker University faculty in 1984, Dr. Buehler taught choral music in the high schools of Kansas and he continues an active schedule of school choral clinics and adjudication assignments. He received the 1995-1996 Exemplary Teacher Award presented by The Board of Higher Education and Ministries of the United Methodist Church and Baker University, the 2009 Baker University Trustee Medallion, and the 2009 Harry Robert Wilson Award presented by the Kansas Choral Directors Association.

Dr. Buehler was the Chancel Choir Director at Baldwin City First United Methodist Church for nearly 20 years and is active nationally as a church choral clinician.

Paula Kliewer, pianist

Paula began her study of piano as a child with her grandmother, followed by the study of music and piano at Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music, Northern Conservatory of Music, and the Moody Bible Institute. She has been a church pianist and organist for several years serving churches in Maine, Michigan, Illinois, and Oregon. For several years she taught piano independently, served as a worship music coordinator, and conducted church choirs. A resident of Cannon Beach, she currently is employed in the human resources department of the Cannon Beach Conference Center.