WARREN — After 75 years and with fewer and fewer members, the Stephen Foster Chorus has decided to disband, and presented its final holiday performance Sunday at Christ Episcopal Church in Warren.

The church was filled with people wanting to see the group sing many favorite holiday tunes. They were joined on stage by the Akron Derbytown Chorus.

The Stephen Foster Chorus, which at one time had between 25 and 30 members, is now down to eight active members.

The members, who wore red vests, and white and black outfits, gathered on stage for the free performance “The Sounds of Christmas.”

Member Paul Hogan of Niles, who has been a member of the chorus for 11 years, said, “This is the end of the road today.”

“I have enjoyed the fellowship and the harmony and the sound of the music. People have always said they enjoy attending for the holiday Christmas songs,” Hogan said.

Member Bob Kraynak of Howland, a 15-year member and vice president, said the camaraderie has been great with all the chorus members.

He said with fewer members, it has become challenging because there are some songs in which not all the parts are covered. Kraynak said the Akron Derbytown Chorus helped fill out the parts on many of the songs.

Frank Bozek of Newton Falls, an 18-year member and president, said many of the members are getting older and it has been difficult to recruit new members because of the time commitment involved.

“Some nights we sing without a tenor. Some nights we sing without a baritone, and it makes a difference in sound,” he said.

Bozeak handed off the group’s Rudolph the reindeer head and costume to Ray Stone, head of the Akron chorus. That was one of the costumes they wore for their holiday performance.

“It has been a blessing to me to go the hospitals and the nursing homes and to sing to people there,” said member John Cotton of Canfield.

Those attending said they were saddened by the news the chorus is ending, but they were glad to see the final performance.

“I know so many of the members are sad because they have performed for so long,” said Cindy Drotleff of Cortland.

Ron Dearth of Champion, who has been a Barbershop singer, said he planned to join the group on stage for certain songs.

“I left this chapter to go to Hermitage. I have been involved 47 years,” Dearth said.

Bill Hoover of Lisbon and several others said they wanted to hear Kraynak sing his solo “Silent Night.”

“We are all looking forward to my brother-in-law sing his solo. Many of the Lisbon car club members are here to hear him,” Hoover said.

Sally Mazey of Warren said she remembers when she worked at Trumbull Memorial Hospital how the chorus members singing for the patients made such a difference for everyone.

“I was their escort when they came to the hospital. It meant so much for the people at the hospital, both the patients and the employees. Their songs brought joy to so many. They would stop and sing for the nurses at the different stations,” Mazey said.