In 1931, the Elmira Lions Club brought together singers from every church in the city to perform at a non-denominational Easter Passion Play. The group enjoyed it so much, they decided to keep singing together as the Elmira Civic Chorus, performing yearly Christmas and Easter concerts. Nearly every church in the county had their own choirs for regular services.  Grace Episcopal Church also had a special boys’ choir. Other groups, like the Brooks Jubilee Singers, performed religious music around the area without being affiliated with a particular church.