Page 69 - Susquehanna Chorale 40th Anniversary Book

What the Susquehanna Chorale meant to me...
(Former Singers)
Julie Baird
“The Susquehanna Chorale meant synergy. There were several times during both practice and performance when that feeling of unified transformation was tangible.”
Ken Batemen
“The Susquehanna Chorale to me meant superb musicality, joyful and meaningful music with exceptional expectations. Incredibly fun and rewarding with consummate professionalism.”
Bob and Mary Brod
“It meant an opportunity to sing some great and diverse chorale music with a great bunch of people, under the leadership of a topnotch director. We moved away in 1984 and have sung with a lot of choirs since then. Linda set the highest standard for choral conducting,andwefeelluckytohavesungwithher. Shedoesn’t just strive for excellence; she knows how to achieve it.”
Karen Durbin
To me, the Susquehanna Chorale meant the opportunity to participate in the beauty of excellent choral music with others who value the same.”
Andrew Gutknecht:
“When I think of the Susquehanna Chorale, the words that come to mind are:
• Family: Ever since I first began singing with the Chorale in
1997, I’ve known the Chorale to be a group of incredibly caring and positive people. Linda Tedford’s leadership has consistently brought out the best in every individual, and as a result the Chorale is a warm, friendly group to be a part of.
• Excellence: I learned to consistently strive for excellence, and not for excellence’s sake alone, but in order to connect in a meaningful way with myself, others, and the Divine. In every rehearsal every singer can find welcome, challenge, and promise.
• Expression: The Chorale has been one of the few places where I can join other singers and forget about everything else in life and simply make music together.... to express that which cannot be expressed in any other way.”
Scooter Haase
“My years with the Chorale were some of the most significant of my life. My membership led to the most wonderful music-making experience I have ever had. I struggle to express all of the feelings that being part of the Chorale evoked. Bob Page said to me once that “Linda is an incredible director and conductor, and she’s one of the best at developing concert programs that I’ve ever seen.” There was so much pride at being part of such an elite group, and so much satisfaction with the wonderful music we produced. I have had many magical and tear-inspired moments in my musical career, but none so intense, so frequent, or so inspired as those with the Susquehanna Chorale. I listen to our recordings and I still can’t believe how beautiful the sounds are that we made, and that Igottobeapartofitforsomanyyears.”
James Hamblin
“I have so many fond memories over 100 performances, from favorite pieces (Sure on this Shining Night and Mendelssohn’s Wie der Hirsch Schreit) to amazing experiences (singing at Chautauqua and so many performances with the HSO). It has been great to see the Chorale grow and evolve over time.
Enriching Lives Through Song
So many of the things Linda has taught me will stay with me forever.”
Andy Hoke
“The Susquehanna Chorale was a place for beauty, challenge, and learning.”
Charley Miller
“The Susquehanna Chorale meant everything. Singing is my life, and the Chorale was the best. It gave me more challenges than I could imagine.”
Marcia Sharpe
“Being a member of the Susquehanna Chorale for 27 years gave me the opportunity to further my choral journey after college. It was a privilege to learn and sing repertoire under the guidance of a master, Linda Tedford.”
Judith Shepler
“The Susquehanna Chorale is a group of talented singers who are committed to choral excellence and making beautiful music together. I have learned so much about my own voice and I have always felt challenged. It’s a group where lifelong friends are made! I have had opportunities to perform in beautiful venues and touch people’s lives with the gift of music. I have had a place to belong.”
Lori (Harris) Shover
“I have experienced the togetherness and camaraderie of the group which is second to none. It has been a privilege to be a singer in this renowned group!”
David Tedford
“To me, The Susquehanna Chorale meant the opportunity to continue singing after college, to participate in a community of music lovers, and to perform great pieces of music! It furthered my appreciation for choral singing and the choral art in general.”
Jeff Tedford
“The Susquehanna Chorale was a Family business and an important part of our lives every year. Being a member after 2 decades of attending as an audience member was an honor.”
Ty Walker
“The Susquehanna Chorale meant the opportunity to perform music of many genres and complexities not attempted by other singing groups. Getting to know Linda Tedford was a great experience for me. Her competency, dedication, and generosity of spirit were, and are, a true inspiration.”
Robert Upton
“In addition to the good friends and exciting music I was able
to make as a singer in the Chorale, I also benefited from having Linda as a colleague through the 25 years that I conducted the Wheatland Chorale in Lancaster. During this time, our choirs performed together many times with the Harrisburg Symphony, the Central PA Choral Festival we co-sponsored for several years, and, of course, our joint tour of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. My many artistic collaborations with LInda are something I will always value so greatly. My life deepened as a result of the experience singing great music with good friends under Linda’s inspiring direction.”
69