Page 26 - Susquehanna Chorale 40th Anniversary Book

Linda L. Tedford: A Biography (continued)
Linda has always been deeply committed to the singers of the future. For 24 years, she served as Director of Choral Activities at Messiah University in Grantham, Pennsylvania, where she taught conducting and
directed the Concert Choir, Men’s Ensemble, Chamber Singers, and Choral Arts Society. Linda was awarded emeritus status in recognition of her years of exemplary service to the university. In 1989, she founded the first
of the Susquehanna Chorale’s educational choirs, the Susquehanna Youth Chorale. The Educational Outreach Program has since expanded to include the Susquehanna Children’s Chorale, the Susquehanna Young Women’s Chorale, the Susquehanna Preparatory Choir, and a conducting internship for area college students.
Linda is passionate about bringing the choral art to
the community at large. In 1982, she co-founded
the Pennsylvania Choral Festival, which provided an opportunity for local choirs to come together and work with nationally known conductors. The Chorale has presented educational outreach workshops and has commissioned numerous works in support of the artistic efforts of contemporary composers. Active in many professional organizations, Linda frequently serves
as a guest conductor, clinician, and consultant. The Chorale’s European tours and recordings have extended the reach of her vision to audiences world-wide, and with the advent of livestreaming, the Chorale now sings for those who cannot attend concerts in person.
Linda’s boundless energy and indomitable spirit carried the Chorale through the difficult period
of the pandemic, which forced the cancellation
of in-person musical performances. She directed Zoom rehearsals, working her magic with a microphone and a computer, and produced virtual performances to keep the Chorale’s music alive in a time when concert halls were empty and silent.
Linda’s dream - her vision of “We’re starting a choir” back in 1981 - has given singers and listeners alike an opportunity to experience life enriched and transformed by the power of the human voice raised in song. In
a speech at the 2013 Theatre Harrisburg awards ceremony, Maestro Stuart Malina, Music Director
of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, offered his assessment of her contribution to choral singing: “Over the course of my career I have worked with many wonderful choral directors. Linda has redefined for me what great choral direction is, and what it is to be
a great collaborative choral director. Quite simply, she is the best of the best.” As the Chorale looks to the future, Linda, as always, is reaching for the stars, for the artistic and emotional heights that create great performances and bring light to our lives.
“You simply will not hear much better choral performances in D.C., Baltimore, Philly, and yes, even New York City, than you will get with Linda’s choruses.”
- Stuart Malina, May 2013 in his speech honoring Linda Tedford, recipient of Theater Harrisburg’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region
Robert Page with Linda, after the Elaine Brown presentation
Stuart Malina taking a final bow with Linda after Elijah performance
26
Celebrating 40 Years
Bob Page letter for 30th