FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jean Hormell, SVC President
hormell@windstream.net

LEWISBURG – The Susquehanna Valley Chorale (SVC) is pleased to welcome Kelly Beard as new Executive Manager. As of July 1, Kelly will be responsible for concert management, stewardship and finances, and overseeing the Chorale’s marketing efforts.

Kelly Beard left the conventional workplace over 15 years ago where she had been an Executive Assistant at Harvard Community Health in Providence, RI.  At that time her husband’s fantasy art career was taking off and demanded all of his time.  Kelly’s new role became a stay-at-home mom and manager for their home-based publishing business.  About 10 years ago, they left their home in New England to move to Central Pennsylvania for a quieter, rural home life.

In January 2006, she auditioned and became a new member of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale.   Over the past four years with the chorale, she has had the privilege of performing with many terrific guest soloists and has performed solos, and more recently a duet with her daughter, Destini, during the Pops Concerts.  She became more active in the chorale by joining the Audience Development Committee and volunteering for many events.

“I am looking forward to serving the chorale in this position and working with people I have come to deeply respect.  I also thank my husband and two children, Destini and Dustin for their support on this new endeavor,” said Ms. Beard.

Jean Hormell, President of the Chorale said, “We’re delighted to welcome Kelly as Executive Manager. As a Chorale member for 4 years, she understands the organization well. She’s committed to carrying on the superb work of Heather Rich-Heckart, who served as Executive Manager for the past year.”
The Chorale presents four concerts a year.  They are currently preparing their fall concert, The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass with guest artists Monroe Crossing, which will take place on October 15 at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts at Bucknell University in Lewisburg. The Mass joins together classical and bluegrass traditions to create a work that is unique in scope, and a beautiful union of seemingly disparate musical traditions.

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SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY CHORALE
“Inspiring the Love of Great Choral Music”

501(c)(3) non-profit choral society in the central Susquehanna Valley, seeks a part-time executive manager to:

• Coordinate logistical, musical and administrative arrangements for concerts
• Supervise all marketing and communications strategies
• Manage chorale financial operations

The Executive Manager is the chief staff officer of the Chorale and works with a volunteer Board of Directors.

Flexible hours, ability to work from home. Non-profit Board and/or management experience is desirable. College degree necessary. Applicants should submit a letter of interest and current resume via e-mail to DeOnne Gronlund, SVC Board Secretary: dedegron@ptd.net

Applicant screening begins June 1 and continues until the position is filled.

EXECUTIVE MANAGER – JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary
The Executive Manager (EM) is the chief staff officer of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale, a 501 (c) (3) organization, who reports to the volunteer Board of Directors through the Board President, and is responsible for the business management, concert management, and marketing plan of the Chorale.

The EM has overall responsibility to coordinate logistical, musical, and administrative arrangements for concerts, to supervise all marketing and communications strategies, and to manage the financial operations of the organization with the assistance of the Accounting/Information Systems Coordinator. This position is approximately 30 flexible hours per week, with a home office required.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Prepare budgets and manage financial operations in accordance with approved budget and governmental regulations.
2. Work with the Development Committee in organizing and follow-up for annual giving and major sponsorship fundraising.
3. In cooperation with the Music Director and Executive Committee ensure that all administrative, musical, and logistical arrangements required for each concert have been planned, scheduled, and executed in a timely manner.
4. Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to market the SVC and its programs throughout the market area.
5. In cooperation with the Board President, prepare written reports for the Executive Committee and Board and oversee all Board authorized mailings.

Financial Management Duties

1. Supervise the work of the Accounting/Information Systems Coordinator
2. Work closely with the Treasurer on budget preparation and approval, monthly projections, and anticipation of potential problems
3. Work with the Music Director to determine all concert related expenses for the upcoming season being mindful of the amount of income available and budgeted for each concert
4. Work with the Music Director to order orchestra music, secure instrumentalists/soloists, ensure that appropriate contracts have been prepared and executed and arrange lodging.
5. Prepare annual budget and variance analysis for presentation to the Board
6. Monitor expenses charged to all budget line items; coordinate the preparation of payroll information, expense checks and related financial information with the Accounting/Information     Systems Coordinator for the Chorale and SVC Children’s Chorus.
7. Comply with all local, state, and federal tax regulations and prepare and file reports as needed
8. Work with the auditor to complete an annual audit, as required by law

Development Duties

1. Assist with sponsorship fundraising, acknowledgement, and follow-up
2. Handle preparation and mailing of annual giving solicitation
3. Acknowledge all gifts promptly and in accordance wth federal regulations
4. Maintain a complete and accurate database containing pertinent information on all donors and prospective donors

Concert Management Duties

1. Ensure that necessary arrangements for concert site facilities have been made
2. Secure personnel needed for each concert to handle sound, lighting, ushering, ticket sales, etc
3. Ensure that all necessary equipment for rehearsals and concerts is at the concert location when needed
4. Ensure that all administrative, musical, and logistical requirements for concert week rehearsals and concert presentations are in place

Marketing Duties

1. Oversee development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing plan, including press releases, newspaper and radio advertising, calendar listings, brochures/postcards, public service announcements, web/site use, etc
2. In cooperation with the marketing coordinator monitor all marketing expenditures and advertising sales
3. Implement and monitor progress of each concert’s marketing plan
4. Oversee sales of tickets and subscriptions with the goal of increasing the subscription base
5. Work with the Development Committee to secure advertising for concert programs; coordinate advertising contracts and billing for ads

SVC Board Duties

1. Prepare written reports for presentation to the Executive Committee and Board
2. Make prompt and thoughtful responses to requests for information
3. Oversee all Board authorized mailings

Qualifications
Applicants must have a four-year degree or relevant experience. Experience in accounting, marketing, planning and organizing events and supervision of other people is highly desired but not absolutely necessary. Applicants should have experience managing many different but related tasks. Background with involvement in a musical organization is helpful. Computer skills are essential. Positive attitude, highly developed organizational skills, and creativity are strongly desired qualifications.

Applicants should submit a letter of interest and current resume via e-mail to DeOnne Gronlund, SVC Board Secretary: dedegron@ptd.net

Applicant screening begins June 1 and continues until the position is filled.

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SELINSGROVE — The Susquehanna Valley Chorale (SVC) will present their Pops Concert, “40 Years of Fabulous Favorites” at Weber Chapel Auditorium, Susquehanna University, in Selinsgrove on May 7 and 8 at 7:30 pm.  Special Guest Artist Kaitlyn Lusk will perform, along with several SVC soloists.

This concert is made possible thanks to the Sponsorship of the Northumberland National Bank. Co-Sponsors, Butter-Krust Bakers and Wood-Mode, Inc., made Ms. Lusk’s appearance possible.

The Chorale’s Pops concerts are perennial crowd favorites. For 40 years, the Chorale has entertained audiences with an eclectic mix of great popular music. For this very special anniversary performance, the Chorale picked the best of the best from previous concerts. A few of the songs planned include Bridge Over Troubled Water, Save the Last Dance for Me, In the Still Of The Night, and At the Hop. The Concert closes with an “All-American” flair with America the Beautiful and God Bless America.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 570-523-1041, by going to www.svcmusic.org, or may be purchased at the door.

Dr. William Payn, SVC’s Music Director and Conductor says, “This concert actually includes songs from every decade of the 1900s. Regardless of age, everyone will hear certain songs that will take them back in time, nostalgic moments when they were younger.”

Special Guest Artist Kaitlyn Lusk is a native of State College, and first performed with the Chorale as a soloist when she was just 15 years old. Since then she has appeared with countless orchestras around the world, including the Boston Pops.

Now at 20, she returns to the SVC, performing selections from her FilmSong repertoire – accompanied by stunning visual effects.

FilmSong is an exciting musical tour de force of over 40 songs from over 30 blockbuster films featuring Kaitlyn. Ms. Lusk is best known for her powerful performances as soloist with Howard Shore’s phenomenally successful Lord of the Rings Symphony with major orchestras throughout the world. This full orchestra spectacular is unique on the classical crossover landscape. For this performance, special musical arrangements are being created for a chorus and a smaller instrumental ensemble.

At the Pops concerts, audience members will have the opportunity to participate in the Chorale’s “Carnation Celebration”. By purchasing a 2010-2011 subscription, participants will receive: a carnation that identifies that person as a renewed season subscriber, a special 2-CD set of the SVC’s December 2009 performance of Handel’s Messiah, and a savings of $5 off the regular subscription price.

For more information about the Susquehanna Valley Chorale, including its history, mission and programming, please visit  www.svcmusic.org.

Written by Lisa Z. Leighton, SVC PR Coordinator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 8, 2010

Join the Susquehanna Valley Chorale and SVC Children’s Chorus for a Free Community Sing with World-Famous Conductor Nick Page

Nick Page in action!

Sing along with the Susquehanna Valley Chorale and the SVC Children’s Chorus for an evening! Community members of all ages are invited to attend a FREE traditional community sing with Nick Page on:

April 25 at 7 pm at Bucknell University’s Rooke Chapel in Lewisburg.

Leading the Chorale will be world-famous educator, conductor, and composer, Nick Page. Mr. Page’s visit is sponsored by First National Bank.

Mr. Page comes from a family that loved to sit around the campfire and harmonize. He believes that singing is necessary for individual growth, regardless of one’s age and musical abilities. Nick will introduce a variety of songs, including jazz, gospel, and African. This isn’t the first community sing that Nick has led – in fact he’s led sings and workshops throughout the Americas and Europe. He is also the conductor for the Mystic Chorale in Boston. He has authored three books for teachers and has published over fifty choral pieces. There is no admission for this event, however donations will be accepted.

Mr. Page will also be conducting school assemblies Monday, April 26 in the Lewisburg Area elementary schools. In addition, he will conduct a Songfest at Nottingham Village in Northumberland on the afternoon of April 25 and will lead singing at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Susquehanna Valley in Northumberland the morning of April 25.

The Chorale presents four concerts a year.  They are currently preparing the Pops concert “40 Years of Fabulous Favorites” which will be presented at Susquehanna University’s Weber Chapel Auditorium on May 7 and 8 at 7:30 pm. Special Guest Artist Kaitlyn Lusk will perform. A few of the songs planned include Bridge Over Troubled Water, Save the Last Dance for Me, In The Still Of The Night, and At the Hop.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students and can be purchased in advance by calling 570-523-1041, by going to www.svcmusic.org, or may be purchased at the door.

Contact Us for more information.

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“I was moved to tears by the SVC opera performance this spring. It seems as if you’ve touched my heart in most concerts. – An opera audience member

The audience claps loudly. They stand and scream “Bravo!” Look around and you’ll see men and women wiping away a tear. Why? It’s not a sad experience, it’s exhilarating.

Why then do SVC concerts often generate tears?

Dr. William Payn, SVC Music Director & Conductor, says, “I was just talking about audience emotions with several colleagues. We all agreed that music can transport the listener to another dimension. I’m not sure exactly where that place is, but it’s somewhere safe, where people are more open to feelings of joy or sadness. Music has the power to speak to theheart.”

Dr. Payn notes that it’s not just Messiah or opera or other powerful works…even the Pops concerts can generate strong feelings. He says, “Our upcoming 40 Years of Fabulous Favorites includes songs from every decade of the 1900’s, ranging from Cole Porter to Irving Berlin to the Beatles. Regardless of age, everyone will hear certain songs that take them back in time…nostalgic moments when they were younger. And I think many audience members will find that to be quite the emotional experience.”

Dr. William Payn, SVC Music Director & Conductor, reports that the Spring Concert was a unique event for all involved. “The singers had eight weeks to prepare for the opera concert. That’s not a lot of time to learn new languages and it was a very tough process…I give them a lot of credit. Singers in professional Chorales usually know Latin, maybe even German, but even they don’t typically speak French and Italian. Most of our singers needed to learn all four,” he says.

He feels that the Children’s Chorus added a very positive dynamic to the process. “It was a lot of fun working with them. I probably would have preferred having them up in front of the stage instead of being in the balcony but at least everyone in the audience had a clear view of our kids, who I thought were terrific.”

He also reports that the concert was a learning experience for him, too. “As I told the singers during dress rehearsal, the opera concert was a new experience for me. Operatic works are usually led by opera conductors. I’d never done one before so it was all very exciting. We have other classic works of opera in our library and plan singing more of that genre in the future…and I can’t wait!

The Susquehanna Valley Chorale (SVC), celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, will perform “Love and Loss, Famous Operas” on Saturday, March 13 at 7:30 pm, with a pre-concert talk at 6:45 pm and Sunday, March 14 at 3 pm, with a pre-concert talk at 2:15 pm at Zion Lutheran Church, 5th and Market Streets, in Sunbury. Dr. William Payn will serve as the Music Director and conductor for the performance.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students.

Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 570-523-1041 or by clicking here. You can also purchase tickets at the door.

Love, loss, treachery and sacrifice will be common themes in this concert. The performance will feature well-known choruses from famous operas, such as: Bizet’s Carmen, Wagner’s Lohengrin, Gounod’s Faust, Verdi’s Macbeth, and many more.

Special guest talent will include soprano Jill Gardner, last appearing with the SVC in Rutter’s Requiem, and the wonderful tenor Zachary Stains, who sang the role of St. Nicholas last season. The SVC Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Valerie Flamini Caldwell, will be featured as well, singing “March of the Toreadors” from Carmen.

Co-sponsors for the concert include Francis and Caryn Powers and Hudock Moyer Wealth Management.

Hope to see you there!!