Singer Spotlight: Deb Anderson

What is/was your occupation?

I am retired from teaching French at Central Columbia High School in Bloomsburg. I loved what I did! I enjoyed the students and the ability to be creative in the classroom. I tried to not only teach the language but to open the students’ minds to other cultures and places. I included art and music as part   of my curriculum. Over the years I did several trips to France and some fun and COLD trips to Quebec Winter Carnival!

That sounds like a very rewarding and enriching career. I’ve always been a fan of cross-curriculum planning and creating immersive experiences in the classroom. I hope your students appreciated all you did to facilitate that type of learning environment.

How many years have you been singing with the SVC?

I think this will be my 10th year. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re having fun! I auditioned after hearing a POPS concert one year. I looked at the performance schedule and decided I wanted the challenge! With encouragement from SVC tenor Carl Smith and our church a cappella choir director, I decided to audition and chose the Sarah Brightman song, Dreamers, because it summed up how I felt about life after retirement! Singing with the SVC is the best part of my retirement years (other than not having to get up at dawn!) and I have learned so much from Bill’s direction. 

Well…I think that might one of our biggest compliments ever! Thank you for your kind words; I’m glad the chorale has been to provide such an educational and artistic outlet for you. And yes, not being a morning person myself, I can definitely empathize with not having to wake up to an alarm clock.

So, in the past ten years, what was your favorite concert?

I have enjoyed all of them, but especially Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater; Joyful Jubilee; and Let My People Go. The Voices of Light concert was an extraordinary sound and visual experience as well!

All very different programs, all equally great in their own way. I think our Voices of Light concert might have been one of the most popular in the last five years for sure. I can see why you also mentioned Joyful Jubilee and Let My People Go, as they all three used mixed media, similar to your teaching methods. 

Do you have any other musical involvements?

I normally sing with my church’s praise group and choir, but since the pandemic began, I have not been singing. I also previously sang with the church a cappella choir (which sadly no longer exists). In my youth (a long time ago!), I was active in school chorus and musicals. And I love to play the piano for relaxation. In my spare time I enjoy listening to music (surprise!), painting, volunteering at Cats in Bloom (a cat café in Bloomsburg), swimming, and gardening. I love being outdoors! 

You most certainly do! I think that’s wonderful, and I hope you never give it up and are always able to stay so active. It keeps us young…at least mentally…but hey, age is only a number. Therefore, I say…SING ON!