Page 3 - Susquehanna Chorale 40th Anniversary Book

From the Artistic Director, Founder, and Conductor, Linda L. Tedford
Forty years ago, I had a vision of creating a premier chamber choir in Central Pennsylvania. I envisioned
a small group of singers who loved the choral art
as much as I did, and who would work together in rehearsals and concerts to present the finest music from the choral repertoire. I also wanted the ensemble to promote the choral art, making a real difference in our communities through the beauty and the power of choral singing.
As the choir grew, the dream grew beyond my imagination. Reflecting on our history, it is incredibly gratifying to look back at that first vision and to see and celebrate our growth and all the exciting milestones that brought us to our 2021-22, 40th anniversary season.
Today, memorabilia fill many scrapbooks, reminding me of precious moments and events in our forty years.
• our first concert with the original 11 singers at St. Peter’s Kierch in Middletown
• establishing the Central PA Choral Festival
• forming the Susquehanna Youth Chorale and later the Susquehanna Children’s, Young Women’s and Preparatory choirs (what a joy to see my own children participate in each “arm of the SC”)
• winning the coveted Margaret Hillis Award, presented by my mentor and friend, Robert Page
• performing at many conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and receiving standing ovations from choral colleagues
• singing many of the major choral works with Richard Westerfield and Stuart Malina and the
Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
• making professional recordings, some of which were considered for Grammy consideration
• commissioning and performing world premieres of new works
• touring Great Britain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and, in 2022, Poland and Austria
• singing at Chautauqua Institution in New York
• singing for 28 years at our own beloved Mt. Gretna
• singing in beautiful concert halls such as the Forum, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, and
The Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts, and in so many lovely churches here and abroad
The list goes on and on. In addition to these experiences, we have touched thousands of people with our music, and just as important, we have made major efforts to educate young singers, conductors, and supporters of the choral art through our Educational Outreach Program. What a glorious history to celebrate!
Believe me when I say that all these experiences live in my heart and in my music. I am privileged to see the dream as it has come to reality in the Susquehanna Chorale, exceeding all my expectations.
To our wonderful Board, supporters, and audience members, I send my sincere thanks. YOU are the
ones who have enabled the Susquehanna Chorale to accomplish so much more than I envisioned so many years ago. Most of all, to my wonderful singers (past and present): Thank you for your hard work, your commitment, and your unbounded joy in singing. Thank you for your support in countless hours of rehearsals and performances over the years. The gifts you have all brought to the ensemble, to our audiences, and to me are priceless.
Thank you all for enriching my life.
Enriching Lives Through Song
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INTRODUCTION