Susquehanna Children's Chorale

The Susquehanna Children's Chorale, directed by Judith A. Shepler, 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, Young Women’s and Youth Chorale were formed to complement existing school music programs. These 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 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 Gregoryk, 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 for children in grades 4 through 8.  She also directs the Susquehanna Preparatory Choir, a training choir for students in the third grade. 

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 PMEA and 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 Guild.

Alan L. Hair, Accompanist

Alan L. Hair has been a member of the Susquehanna Chorale since 1984 and has served as accompanist for the Children’s Chorale since its inception. He is the tenor section leader for the Susquehanna Chorale and serves as a member of the Chorale’s Grants Committee. Mr. Hair received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Management from Elizabethtown and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music/Organ Concentration, as a student of Dr. Carl Shull. Mr. Hair is Director of Music Ministries at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hershey and is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. Mr. Hair works full-time as an Employment Program Coordinator for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.