Page 4 - Susquehanna Chorale 40th Anniversary Book

1981-1992 SEASONS: A DECADE OF FIRSTS
“We’re starting a choir!”
On a September evening in 1981, inside historic
St. Peter’s Kierch in Middletown, Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna Chorale performed for the first time. Encouraged by Howard and Elma Heckler to “start your own choir,” Linda Tedford, a young conductor filled with passion, energy, and vision began shaping what was to become the premier choral organization
in south central Pennsylvania. All who heard those early performances realized this was not just another community choir, but that there was something special, almost transcendent, in the richness of the sound and expressive interpretation of the music. Word spread quickly and the group began to grow both in size
and reputation. One year after its debut, the Chorale became a co-sponsor of the Central Pennsylvania Choral Festival, and in 1984 it was selected for the
first of many performances for the American Choral Directors Association. The Susquehanna Chorale was singing its way to greatness.
4 Celebrating 40 Years Enriching Lives
Original members of the Susquehanna Chorale – L-R: William Ingraham, Shirley Newhart, Mary Brod, David Thomas, Judith Shepler, Steve Bortner, Tamara Makdad, Jim Kiefer, Marcia Sharpe, Robert Brod, Melinda Gehret, Mark Tedford and Linda Tedford
1982-83 Chorale Members – (front, from left) Michael Carl, Lorraine Sheeler, Rudy Sharpe, Melinda Gehret, Jane Ebersole, and David Thomas; (middle, from left) Judith Shepler, Don Sheeler, Marcia Sharpe, Jim Kiefer, Bob Brod, and Mary Brod; (back, from left) Shirley Newhart, Mark Tedford, Ross Ellison, Peggy Moreshead, and Steve Bortner
The First Concert of the Susquehanna Chorale, September 20, 1981
Saint Peter’s Kierch
Robert Page speaks to the Board of Directors at the first Board retreat, fall 1990