Page 24 - Susquehanna Chorale 40th Anniversary Book

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, FOUNDER, AND CONDUCTOR
2013 Awards for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region April 28, 2013 – Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
Harrisburg Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region. Impressive achievements. And all deserved....
Just let me tell you about this iconic lady...for I’ve known her since she first hit the bricks in Philadelphia, enrolling in the graduate voice program at Temple University. One semester, Linda happened to take a course in choral conducting. Well, it was like putting a match
to a firecracker: this was her niche, this was her God- given vocation. Oh, she kept singing, but it was the welding together voices in an ensemble that turned her on. That was at least 40 years ago, and Linda is still the same—even better—firecracker than she was at the very beginning.
I remember so well when Linda started the Susquehanna Chorale. Recognized and respected
for her unquestionable musicianship and infectious charisma, she attracted the finest vocal musicians in the area. That modest musical acorn is now a gigantic oak tree of national proportions. In receiving the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the Susquehanna
Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts, 2013
In honor of 50 years of conducting, presented to Linda on May, 2021
Tribute to Linda L. Tedford
by Robert Page
Linda’s mentor and friend, Robert Page
Linda, Linda, Linda. Acclaimed conductor, master teacher, respected humanitarian, impeccable musician, highly praised voice teacher, devoted wife and mother. Receiver
of major national awards from Chorus America, American Choral Directors Association, and tonight, the Theater
Chorale was chosen over many well established and recognized ensembles, including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This recognition of Linda’s work is really no surprise to me, for she has so many special attributes.
Linda lives the music she conducts. She empathetically seduces her singers to make the music “her” way. No detail goes unattended, be it text or music. The smile is genuine, no façade. High standards? Always...
As her mentor, friend, colleague for all of these years, I was perhaps touched the most when she encouraged her son Jeffrey to study with me. That trust is one of the most treasured events of my life.
When Linda is in front of her singers, I think of a couplet from the Benjamin Britten opera, GLORIANA. “Concord is here, our days to bless....concord
and time, each needeth each...the
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Celebrating 40 Years
Brian Moul presents Linda with a certificate for 50 years of conducting
Greg Harris presents the Elaine Brown award to Linda
ripest fruit hangs where not one, but only two can reach.”
Linda helps us all reach for
that highest fruit of fulfillment. Pennsylvania, the nation and anyone who experiences the love and joy of singers and singing
are all indebted to Linda Laverell Tedford.
Margaret Hillis presented to LT by Robert Page