Page 10 - 2021 Youth Choral Festival Program

FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Welcome to the Susquehanna Chorale’s Youth Choral Festival. This is the first concert of the Susquehanna Chorale’s 40th anniversary celebration, and we are delighted
that after a long pause due to the Covid pandemic, we are back! We are excited to showcase these talented young singers and their conductors
as they perform in live concert today. Over the years, I have been thrilled
to watch this program flourish, as it began with one student choir and
now includes four choirs for singers in grades three through the first year of college.
This program has had a major impact on the lives of our singers, many of whom have graduated and become performers and teachers themselves, some performing around the world! As we look at the students who are onstage today, it is exciting to think about their future careers. Whether they become professional musicians or not, we know that they will treasure a deep love of choral singing, which has grown and been nurtured
through their participation in the youth chorales. It is my hope that you can sense our enthusiasm as we celebrate these wonderful singers today.
I invite you to pay particular attention to the inspiring words and music of the final piece as we come together in a performance of Anthem of Peace by Mack Wilberg. This piece presents an important and timeless message
for all of us.
The melody,
an Estonian
folk song, was
sung during
the “Singing
Revolution” of
1987 to 1991,
when hundreds
of thousands of people took up song, instead of arms, to help liberate Estonia from the Soviet Union. Only choral music can express the deep passion of that moment, and we are honored to present this wonderful piece to you.
Thank you, students, for your efforts and enthusiasm as you participate in our programs. Thank you, community leaders, parents, family members, teachers, and audience members
for your support of this vital program. May you see the fruit of your investments in this exciting concert celebrating the choral art for all generations - past, present, and future - and we sincerely hope that you will continue to support this wonderful program.
Linda Tedford
P. S. I extend my personal invitation
for you and your student singers to join us in December and May for the 40th anniversary Christmas and spring concerts of the Susquehanna Chorale!
10
Annual Youth Choral Festival