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Susquehanna Children's Chorale

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The Susquehanna Children's Chorale is a part of the Educational Outreach Program of the Susquehanna Chorale and provides a focused rehearsal and performing opportunity for students within a one-hour radius of the Harrisburg, PA area. The Children's Chorale was founded in 1992 and includes approximately 60 musicians in grades four through eight.

The Chorale rehearses for ten weeks, two hours each week during the fall. Rehearsals focus on a Scholarship Benefit Concert and the annual Youth Choral Festival in November. The program's repertoire includes pieces from many periods of music history and encompasses a wide range of styles, from sacred music to folk songs. Emphasis in rehearsals is on fine choral literature and developing good vocal habits through choral techniques.

The Children's Chorale and Youth Chorale were formed to complement existing school music programs. Both groups give talented young singers a chance to rehearse and perform with other highly motivated students at an advanced level of artistic excellence. Students are auditioned for membership and are required to pay a membership fee. A Scholarship Fund has been established to provide financial assistance for any musician who has auditioned successfully for the chorales.

Judith Shepler holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Messiah College. She has pursued additional study at Westminster Choir College, as well as with prominent conductors in the field of children's choral music, among whom are Betty Bertaux, Joan Gregoryk, Christine Jordanoff, and Helen Kemp.

Ms. Shepler teaches elementary vocal music in the Central Dauphin School District, where she directs the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade choruses. She directs the adult choir at the Shared Ministry, Harrisburg. Locally, Ms. Shepler has served as both a clinician and guest conductor. Ms. Shepler is a charter member of the Susquehanna Chorale and has been a member and featured soloist with the Chamber Singers of Harrisburg and the Harrisburg Singers. She maintains active membership in the American Choral Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, Dauphin County Music Educators Association, and the Chorister's Guild.


Alan Hari, accompaniestMr. Hair received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management Administration from Elizabethtown College while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, Organ Concentration. While there, Alan accompanied the Concert Choir and numerous vocal and instrumental student recitalists.  Mr. Hair works as an Employment Program Coordinator for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.  He is organist at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hershey where he also serves on the Worship and Music Committee.  Mr. Hair serves as a member of the Finance and Grants Committees of the Chorale and is a local and national member of the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.