The Susquehanna Preparatory Choir was added to the Educational Outreach family of choirs in the spring of 2008. This choral experience is offered for students in the 3rd grade.
Singers in the Susquehanna Preparatory Choir participate in educational rehearsals and lessons that combine learning musical skills and group singing. Activities emphasize the learning experience in enjoyable and meaningful ways, involving singing, movement, listening and interacting with other children who share their enthusiasm and joy for music. The students develop skills of pitch matching, tone development, breathing technique and choral score reading as they learn to work in an extended rehearsal environment.
The Preparatory Choir meets for one hour each week for 12 weeks in the spring, and the season culminates with a short demonstration performance. Singers are required to pay a membership fee.
Judith A. Shepler, Conductor
Judith A. 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, including Jean Ashworth Bartle, Betty Bertaux, Joan Gregory, Christine Jordanoff, Helen Kemp and Henry Leck.
Ms. Shepler plays a vital role in the Chorale’s educational outreach program by conducting the Susquehanna Children’s Chorale and the Susquehanna Preparatory Choir.
Ms. Shepler has served as guest conductor for the PMEA District 7 Elementary Songfest, the PMEA Northern Elementary Songfest, the Dauphin County Elementary Choral Festival and the Central Dauphin Elementary Festival Chorus. In addition, she has served as a clinician in both the PMEA and the PA-ACDA conferences.
Ms. Shepler teaches elementary vocal music in the Central Dauphin School District, where she directs the fourth and fifth grade choruses. Ms. Shepler directs the adult choir at the Shared Ministry, Harrisburg. She 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. Ms. Shepler 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.
|
