Page 44 - Susquehanna Chorale 40th Anniversary Book

Making Our Singing Grow
Anthem of Peace
Beginning in 2008, the Youth Choral Festival concluded with a combined performance of all the choirs singing Mack Wilberg’s Anthem of Peace, which has since become a beloved annual tradition. Hearing the song’s timely message about the power of music to transform lives and lay the groundwork for peace sung by voices of all ages is an unforgettable experience for both singers and listeners.
Kelsey (Merryman) Kurtz, a former member of the Children’s, Youth, and Susquehanna chorales describes it this way:
“The first time I sang Anthem of Peace with the adult choir, the memories of singing the piece as a child standing next to the adult choir members came flooding back. I could never get through that song without tearing up in my eight years of singing with the adult choir. I had come full circle – I was finally part of the elite music makers that had inspired me to just keep singing.”
SCC singing Carmina Burana with Maestro Golan and the York Symphony Orchestra
Conductors EOP and Linda
EOP Rehearsal 2021
1989 – 1990 • The Susquehanna Youth Chorale (SYC), conducted by Linda Tedford, is formed • 11/14/89 - SYC debuts in a concert at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hershey, PA
1991 – 1992 • 11/10/91 - SYC performs in a recital series at Christ UCC, Campbelltown, PA • 12/14 - 17/91 - SYC joins SC for Christmas concerts for the first time
• 2/27/92 - SYC performs for the Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Awards Ceremony, The Forum, Harrisburg
1992 – 1993 • September 1992 - The Susquehanna Children’s Chorale (SCC), conducted by Judith Shepler, is formed
• 11/7/92 - SYC and SCC join together for the first time
• 12/12 - 15/92 - The Youth and Children’s choirs participate in the annual SC Christmas concerts, marking the first combined appearance of all three choirs
1993 – 1994 • September 1993 - Intermediate choir is formed and later absorbed into the SCC
• 10/11/93 - Youth and Children’s chorales perform at Founder’s Hall for Milton Hershey’s
Founders Day Celebration
• 10/21/93 - A conducting internship for college junior and senior music majors is created
1994 – 1995 • 10/17/94 - The Youth Choral Festival debuts at Lakeside Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, PA
• 12/14/94 - SYC and SCC perform as part of the Living Creche at the Forum in Harrisburg, PA
44 Celebrating 40 Years