Letter to the Editor:

For all of you who unfortunately did not have the opportunity to experience the Susquehanna Valley Chorale’s Veterans Day Youth Benefit Concert performance at Milton Area High School this past Sunday afternoon, you missed an outstanding performance that reflected all the good of our local communities. This performance was a product of choirs from the Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Mifflinburg and Milton high schools for an approximate 250 children singing in coordination with the outstanding Susquehanna Valley Youth Chorale, under the direction of Valerie Flamini Caldwell. During the program, all veterans and their families were recognized. Proceeds from this performance went to the reputable “Our Military Kids,” which provides funds for fine arts, sports, and tutoring programs for children of parents deployed or injured as a result of military operations, and the Susquehanna Valley Youth Chorale.

So many thank yous, to go to so many people, and I can’t even begin to mention everyone who was part of the orchestration. Everything about the concert was very special and to see all of these children, ages 8 to 18, respecting one another and singing their hearts out with such confidence and joy, was a very touching experience. When the media so frequently seems to tell us “all the problems of our youth,” this event certainly told the story in a very different and positive way. Every one of those children singing must have felt such an inspiration for being a part of this event and hopefully they will enjoy singing for the rest of their lives.

I love being a part of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale…for reasons like experiencing this concert!

The Susquehanna Valley Youth Chorale is the educational outreach of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale. For further information, contact us.

Dede Gronlund, Lewisburg
Dede Gronlund is the board secretary for the Susquehanna Valley Chorale.

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The Susquehanna Valley Chorale (SVC), the region’s premiere choral singing group with more than 100 auditioned members, will perform Carmina Burana on October 15 at 7:30, with a pre-concert talk at 6:45 pm, and on October 16 at 3 pm, with a pre-concert talk about 2:15 pm at the Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury. SVC last performed Carmina Burana with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra in 2003.

World-class soloists include soprano Mary Buchmann, who hails from the Syracuse Opera, internationally acclaimed baritone, Daniel Teadt, whose appearances include a Grammy Award winning performance with the London Symphony Orchestra, and tenor Alex Richardson, whose 2011 engagements include the Washington National Opera. The Camerata Singers of the Youth Chorale are also part of the performance.

Ties to Popular Culture

After composing music for the Olympic Games of 1936, composer Carl Orff introduced Carmina Burana. Portions of the composition appear in numerous films and television commercials and have become a staple in popular culture, setting the mood for dramatic situations.

For example, the first movement, O Fortuna, was used to portray the torment of Jim Morrison’s drug addiction in the film The Doors. It has also been featured in commercials for Gatorade and Old Spice. In addition, it has been used in more than half a dozen movie trailers, including: Paul Blart: Mall Cop, The Nutty Professor, Waterworld and even South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut.

The performance will be ideal for new audience members. Jean Hormell, President of the SVC explains, “This arrangement was created in 1956 by one of Orff’s colleagues to make it more accessible for a smaller ensemble. And for audience members who have heard and seen the Chorale before, there’s something new for them, too. We will not use a full orchestra but rather two pianists and six percussionists.”

Composer’s Influence Continues to Permeate Musical Education

Composer Carl Orff, who passed away in 1982, has influenced alternative music education in many ways. Orff felt that the primal behaviors of children, for instance, clapping, chanting, banging out a beat, and dancing, were better educational building blocks than technical studies. He believed that once children learned to appreciate fundamental music-making through rhythmic activities and games, they could be taught to read and write notation.

Tickets for the fall performance are $18 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased in advance from svcmusic.org, by calling 570-547-0455 or at the door.

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The SVC Board of Directors announces with great appreciation a bequest from the estate of Mr. James Moersh—the first gift to the Chorale from membership in the SVC Society. A Virgina native, Mr. Moersh  later resided in Bloomsburg for more than 30 years. He owned the Dutch Hill Clock Shop and was a key supporter of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble. He was also a trained violinist and long-
time lover of classical music.

The SVC Society honors members and friends of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale who make estate commitments, life income gifts, or other forms of deferred gifts. Society members are recognized as Friends of the Chorale, with invitations to all Friends events. If you have established a bequest or other deferred giving instrument that qualifies you for SVC Society membership or would like more information, please contact the SVC office at 570-547-0455.

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Costume changes require dressing rooms! Just ask Bill Payn, conductor of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale. At the May “Mamma Mia” 80’s Pops Concert, nearly 1000 audience members smiled, laughed, and delighted in the appearances on stage of  “Michael Jackson”, a member of the Village People, and an ABBA wannabe strutting his stuff in white polyester pants and a blue silk shirt, 80’s style.

Bill Payn had just the spirit and talent to pull off the unexpected impersonations. Whether as Jackson in a red “leather” suit, military outfit, or executing that moon walk with the infamous hat routine, Payn nimbly resurrected the era, sparking the SVC singers to relive the past in song with exciting performances of “Thriller” and “The Way You Make Me Feel.”

A full Indian headdress and costume, moccasins and all, walked to the stage to introduce the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”, as the audience soon joined Payn and the chorale in the rousing chorus. (If chorale members did not know the lyrics of the verses before, they do now! ) The fun-loving music of “Mamma Mia” brought out the blue sparkling shirt, flowing white pants, macrame sash included, reminding all of that ABBA era.

Not to be outdone, singers took advantage of the old adage “beg, borrow, or steal” and created a potpourri of 80’s fashion. Shoulder pads, chunky gold jewelry, fishnet stockings, shimmery tops, big glasses — wondering, “Did we really used to wear this?”

Confirming tradition, the 2010-2011 80’s Pops Concert set the stage for even more fun in 2012, when Contemporary and Revival Broadway Hits will highlight the marquee, topped with a popular returning guest soloist. See you on May 4th or 5th, 2012. Bring your friends – they will thank you!

(A HOT TIP:  Buying a subscription now will save you $15 if you use all 4 freestyle tickets for POPS!)

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The Susquehanna Valley Youth Chorale will host auditions for singers in grades 3 – 9 Saturday, Aug. 13, 9 am – noon, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 42 S. 4th St., Lewisburg. Directed by Valerie Flamini Caldwell, the SVYC, an educational outreach of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale, rehearses this fall in Lewisburg at the First Presbyterian Church.

Singers are assigned to one of two groups based on age and experience. Their fall session culminates with a very special Nov. 6 Veterans Day Youth Benefit Concert at Milton High School benefiting children of deployed military and the SVYC.

New singers are invited. Auditions for a winter Selinsgrove session (grades 2 – 12 in three levels) will be held in December. For more information, contact Coleen Renshaw, rrenshaw@ptd.net, 570-837-0634.

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LOCAL SVC TALENT TAKES THE STAGE:

Sweet Dreams, made famous by English pop duo Eurythmics, will showcase SVC singer Gloria Walker, with her back-up singers: Deborah Fox, Sara Phinney Kelley, Marina Gresh, Jennifer Wakeman.

SVC men’s quartet, Tom Maurer, George Schneider, Brad Wakeman, and Michael Zetlemoyer, will croon to The Longest TIme by Billy Joel. Ah, sweet!

Sara Phinney Kelley and Marina Gresh put their voices together for disco song, No More Tears, Enough is Enough, made famous by duo Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand.

Whitney Houston gained fame with Saving All My Love in her 1985 release. Coleen Renshaw gives us her 2011 Pops release, while Kathryn Hockenberry joins Houston in wondering Where Do Broken Hearts Go.

Marina Gresh’s offering this year is the moving ballad I Miss You Like Crazy made famous by Natalie Cole in 1989.

Jennifer Wakeman and Marina Gresh will make the point to “express yourself”, with a nod to Madonna’s 1989 hit.

Even though Steve Jordan and Brad Wakeman tell you to, do NOT call this number 867-5309 – Jenny after hearing their song! Since 1982 this number sung by Tommy Tutone has caused much litigation generated by its popularity.

OTHER MUSICAL TIDBITS:

1. Thriller by Michael Jackson cemented his status as the most prominent pop star of the century and enabled him to break down racial barriers via his appearances on MTV and meeting with President Ronald Reagan at the White House. The album was one of the first to use music videos as successful promotional tools and remains the best selling album of all time.
2. Footloose was a 1984 movie with Kevin Bacon in which a city boy comes to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned. Not by the end! The music shouts, “Everybody cut, everybody cut, footloose!”
3. I’ve Had the Time of My Life was the featured song in the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze. It won the Golden Globe and Academy Awards for Best Original Song. SVC members Jessie Neitz and Brooke Persing help the Chorale reprise that movie’s final song.
4. Eye of the Tiger made famous by rock band Survivor and regularly cited as one of the greatest sports songs of all times, was written at the request of Sylvester Stallone as the theme song of his movie Rocky III.
5. Premiered in 1981, Open Arms by Journey has been called “one of rock’s most beautiful ballads.” SVC singers Leta Jo Maue and Carl Smith solo.
6. What a Wonderful Life, originally recorded by Louis Armstrong, found fame in the 1987 movie Good Morning, Vietnam featuring Robin Williams.
7. And So It Goes was written and recorded by Billy Joel in 1983. He calls it “the song that is his best work that is least appreciated.” The SVC will perform a haunting a cappella arrangement.
8. ABBA Forever features the music of the internationally popular Swedish pop/dance group ABBA, active in 1972-1982. They were the first pop group from a non-English speaking country to enjoy consistent success in English-speaking countries. The musical and film Mamma Mia showcase their music.

Join us at the Concert to wax a little nostalgia with us! Need tickets? Click here.

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SVC Music Director and Conductor Dr. William Payn reports that the POPS concert will include “a great cross-section of music, ranging from the laid-back ballads to lively, upbeat songs. ‘Footloose,’ title song from the popular movie, is a very unique arrangement. Michael Jackson is the true icon of the ’80s, and we’ve included two of his most popular hits, including a great interpretation of  ‘Thriller.’ There’s a medley of Abba songs, two Billy Joel songs, and several more of the decade’s greatest hits. Regardless of age, everyone in the audience will hear music they recognize, and for many it will transport them back in time…a chance to reminisce and connect with an earlier place.”

For Dr. Payn, performing music from the 80’s is especially meaningful. “That was a period of transition, away from a folk art, “cookie-cutter” style and into more diverse, innovative songs. That’s the time when I came to the Valley and started teaching at Bucknell. The student groups were singing and playing all the latest hits and I was very aware of them all. The SVC singers are also very excited about the performance…I’m getting lots of input to help fine-tune the performance.”

The Chorale will be backed by a stage band with seven or eight musicians. Dr. Payn promises “lots of audience involvement, stage effects, and other special surprises.” Hope to see you there!

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Our “Voices of Hope” performance features two major works, a contemporary piece by John Rutter and an older classic by Zoltan Kodaly. Hungarian composer Kodaly (1882-1967) was a “ethnomusicologist,” a branch of musicology defined as “the study of social and cultural aspects of music and dance.” Some fascinating background on this outstanding composer follows.

How did Kodaly become an ethnomusicologist?
Kodaly (ko – dye – ee), collected authentic folk music from remote villages in Hungary. This interest was part of a larger movement in Hungary to discover the country’s true culture, since their country had been under German domination for over 100 years. By 1913, more than 3,000 songs were recorded on a crude phonograph, revealing much from the gypsy culture.

What is distinctive about his music?
He created an individual romantic style derived from Hungarian folk music, contemporary French music, and the religious music of the Italian Renaissance. Among his best-known works are the opera Háry János (1926, orchestral suite 1927), the Psalmus Hungaricus (1923) and Missa Brevis (1944) for chorus and orchestra, and orchestral dances.

What should I know about Kodaly’s Missa Brevis when I come to the March concert?
This piece showcases many of the styles that influenced Kodaly’s compositions, especially plainchant and the modal keys of Hungarian folk music. The chorale will perform this work with organ. It is an eight-movement work, with the final four movements reminding us of previous melodies, like traditional nineteenth century masses do. It includes Introitus, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, and the last movement, Ite, Missa est.

How does this work fit into a concert entitled “Voices of Hope”?
When you take into account the fact that Kodaly completed this work during World War II while he and his wife hid in the basement of a Budapest convent, the Agnus Dei’s final “Dona nobis pacem” plea becomes all the more compelling. His music must have been colored by an inner “voice of hope!”

Why else would I have heard of Kodaly?
He developed a set of principles (the “Kodaly Method”) to improve music education and after World War II. From his principles, other educators have created a method of teaching children to sing and to develop musicality. He also incorporated Curwen hand signs for teaching the steps of the diatonic scale and singing them accurately.

How is Zoltan Kodaly remembered?
Kodály’s last years were a series of personal triumphs. He was treated as a national hero in his own country, and he received the highest honors when he traveled abroad, not only for his compositions but for his philosophy that music should play an important role in every child’s life.

What is the most unexpected use of Zoltan Kodaly’s influence?
In the motion picture, Close Encounters of the Third Kind a visual learning aid distributed to members of a conference of UFOlogist was named “Zoltan Kodaly” and referenced musical notes as hand signals.

How can I prepare to hear this mass in concert?
Listen several times to a recording, turn up the volume, close your eyes, and let it soak in. One reviewer called this work “thoroughly beautiful, an almost otherworldly work, profound and mysterious, soaring and almost shimmering in its wonderful, always imaginative textures.” Enjoy!

By Kim Tramutola

CAUTION! Side Effect: You may begin to feel incredibly happy after singing together with a choir.

Singers, Singers everywhere! Almost 50 middle school-aged children from Millersville to Elysburg brought their talents to the Grove to audition for the (SVYC) Susquehanna Valley Youth Chorale music group at Susquehanna University, Saturday.

Gently encouraged by their music teachers and church parishioners to tap into their creative reservoirs, they came with a smile on their face and a song sheet in hand. With their ever supportive parents and family members by their side, they waited patiently in the basement hallway of Weber Chapel to privately audition their natural singing abilities to Ms. Valerie Flamini Caldwell, SVYC Director.

SVYC is an educational outreach of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale and provides a no pressure environment for children to express their innate singing desires and abilities. Ms. Caldwell’s objective is to seek out the child’s natural potential and encourage healthy singing.  She said, “This is to provide a place for young children to come and make music together along with others they may not have met with otherwise. We focus on healthy singing that is both age and technique appropriate for the children. We find their natural voice and build from there.”

Dressed from sparkles, stripes, and team jackets, the array of charismatic tiny musicians stood among each other with a gleeful anticipation for their turn to sing. Whether it was old hat for Hannah Doll from Selinsgrove and Olivia Giles from Elysburg; or a new venture for Christopher Carvell and Olivia Kuhns, both from Millerstown; the children all presented an evident posture of joy to just be singing and hopefully find a place to express their true voice; to find their authentic self.

Hannah said she is singing “Forever” and has several community theatre musicals under her belt. Christopher, with a likewise confidence stated he also has been singing for a while but this was his first ever singing audition. In a self-assured but humble tone he said, “I just kind of like singing, but probably anything other than Country.” For some of them, singing is a joyful hobby, and others like Christopher noted he would like to someday be a professional singer.

Who knows what can happen? PA’s got talent; spitting out professional musicians by the dozens from back in the day and present day from: Frankie Avalon to Chubby Checker, to Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Taylor Swift. Today’s musicians are compensated nicely with some singers like Beyoncé Knowles averaging over $87 million dollars annually. That is cash out of $200 thousand dollars daily. No wonder they’re so happy. Or are they happy because they’re singing? Hmmm?

Singing is said to be proven to enhance both emotional health and physical well-being. Studies have shown that singing releases ‘feel good’ endorphins (happy hormones causing a sense of peace and well-being,) reduces stress levels, builds self-confidence, enhances memory, creates a powerful speaking voice, promotes deep breathing (helping asthmatic and COPD patients as well,) oxygenates the blood, stimulates brain activity, and simply makes you feel happy; further studies also proving, most evidently, while singing in a chorus.

Olivia Giles’ father, Jim Giles positively agrees. He said, “It has instilled a sense of commitment in her. This is her fourth time with SVYC, coming even in the snow on Monday nights for practice. She feels a dedication to a team that she is part of and it’s a huge educational experience.” He added, “She participates in a school forensic class and her public speaking abilities have soared since singing with a choir. It really has helped her focus with her academics.” And although she is probably too young to experience the 20/20 hind-sight of her father, Olivia said it best, adding, “I just always like it.” Simply stated but so true; the things we like to do may perhaps cause us to be, well, happy!

Although she is the listening ear to the youthful voices before her on the stage, fortunately Ms. Caldwell is not exempt from this surge of joy evoked from singing. She said, “It just lightens my heart to hear them and to see some of the younger ones from last year come here and sing with a new found confidence; moving in the right direction with their techniques.” Ms. Caldwell added, “Especially seeing the new singers that have come for the first time and to watch as their whole face and body lights up while they appear to be feeling good about themselves.”

It only takes one day to change the rest of your life. Sharing encouraging words to his peers who may share his singing interest, Christopher said, “Express yourself, just do it.” His mom Sarah Sheaffer added to her own peers, “If I can help him in any small way, at any level, I encourage other parents to support their children’s desire to sing. You never know what choices you make that will cause the difference in their lives.”

Whether these tiny tuners, novice hobby singers or tomorrows hopeful singing sensations go undiscovered in the nation, they certainly won’t fly above the radar in the Grove. If they’ve got a song to sing, SVYC’s got the time to listen. Ms. Caldwell’s dedicated time to audition children all day long should assure you of that. She said, “Just to know they leave here really feeling like they’ve accomplished something good, really does lighten my heart.”

“I don’t sing because I’m happy; I’m happy because I sing” ~ William James

Hopefuls chosen from Saturday’s audition will soon begin Monday evening practice until their concert at Stretansky Hall, S.U. on Sunday, March 27th at 2:30 and 4 p.m.

For more information go to our Youth Chorale page www.svcmusic.org or call 570-523-1041

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Reprinted with permission by the Luminary / Written by Joan Blank

This weekend, the Susquehanna Valley Chorale will present “A Glorious Festival”, a concert of traditional holiday carols, on Saturday, December 11, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 12, at 3:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 5th and Market Streets, Sunbury. The singers will be accompanied by the Commonwealth Brass Quintet.

Local Talent Featured

Over forty years ago, the Chorale was founded by a small group from central Pennsylvania and now consists of over 100 auditioned singers from the area. Montgomery resident Kelly Beard, a Chorale member for the past four years, was hired recently as the group’s executive manager. Beard says she has learned a lot during the last six months, and finds it “very rewarding to work with such a talented group of singers and our conductor, Dr. William Payn.” She looks forward to the future of the SVC, which she says is full of musical opportunities that will offer “diverse music performances to the valley area.”

Beard’s 19-year-old daughter, Destini, auditioned for the Chorale three years ago after she found it a way to pursue her passion for music. “This (weekend’s) concert is fun for any age,” she says. “It’s a beautiful collaboration of fantastic voices and beloved Christmas music.”

Watsontown resident Jean Hormell, Vice-President of the SVC Board of Directors, adds, “We are delighted to present the Susquehanna Valley Youth Chorale, an educational outreach of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale, featuring 50 regional singers from grades 3 – 9. We are excited that the Youth Chorale will expand to include high school singers with The Valley Singers, a new a cappella ensemble forming now and beginning rehearsals in January.”

Hormell sang with the Chorale in the mid-1970s and returned about seven years ago. A former music educator, Hormell is “impressed by the people of all walks of life who are talented singers and have made performing with the Chorale a top priority.” Additionally, she states, “Kelly Beard manages the Chorale with dedication and attention to detail. There are many tasks to accomplish in making a music performance of this caliber run smoothly.”

Upcoming Concerts

This spring, the Chorale will present “Voices of Hope” on March 5 and 6 at Zion Lutheran Church, 5th and Market, Sunbury. On May 6 and 7, the group will present Mamma Mia…The Awesome 80s! featuring the music of ABBA, Billy Joel, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper at the Weber Chapel Auditorium, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove.

Auditions in January

If you are interested in auditioning for the Chorale, you are welcome to contact the chorale by emailing svc@svcmusic.org. The next audition is scheduled for January 11, 2011, 6:15-7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 42 S. 4th Street, Lewisburg.

Information about the Chorale’s concerts, cost of admission, location, and times click here.