Buffalo Valley Singers and Buffalo Valley Brass present "The Glory of Christmas" on December 17th

           Buffalo Valley Singers and the Buffalo Valley Brass will perform a concert entitled “The Glory of Christmas” on Saturday, December 17, at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 18, at 3 PM at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 1050 Buffalo Rd., Lewisburg. The concert will feature John Rutter’s “Gloria” with orchestral accompaniment in addition to traditional carols and popular songs, such as “Sleigh Ride”, “Christmas Time is Here,” and “Because It’s Christmas”.

            For the 26^th year, the Buffalo Valley Brass quintet will play popular Christmas songs on their own as well as accompanying the choir with Rutter’s “Gloria” and a medley of carols. Founded in 1982, the Brass members are Judy Blee and David Heberlig on trumpet, Karen Mansfield on french horn, Tom Mecouch on trombone, and John Letteer on tuba. The Buffalo Valley Brass has performed at many local venues, as well as at the White House.

            John Rutter, who was born in London in 1945, is a well-known choral director and composer who founded the Cambridge Singers. He directed the first performance of his commissioned concert work “Gloria” in Omaha, NE, on his first trip to the U.S. in 1974. For the Latin text from the Ordinary of the Mass, Rutter chose a Gregorian chant setting in three symphonic-type movements, which are alternately exalted, softly devotional and jubilant in mood. The accompaniment is for brass ensemble with timpani, percussion and organ.

            Accompanists for this concert’s performance of “Gloria” include three members of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra – Dale Orris and David Bailey on trumpet, and Clara Conrad on bass trombone. Buffalo Brass members David Heberlig, Tom Mecouch, John Letteer and Judy Blee on the organ. Nathan Sloyer (trumpet), Kevin Henry (trombone), and Fred Lawrence and Jim Shade (percussion and timpani) round out the orchestra.

            Also in the repertoire will be: “What Sweeter Music” and “Angels’ Carol” by John Rutter, and “A Christmas Portrait” (a medley including “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas”, The Christmas Song” and “We Need a Little Christmas”) arranged by Jerry Nowak.

            

Admission is $10 at the door or tickets from group members – children 12 and under are free.

BVS Fall 2011 Directory

Hi All -

The Fall 2011 Directory is finished (almost in time for Spring!).  The file will not be posted online, but it should be emailed to you in the near future.  It is password protected (and you'll need to enter the password twice).  The password will be sent in the email along with the file.  I will not post the password online, as to protect our personal information.  If you need a reminder of what the password is, or have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at megan.i.hauck@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Important Updates

Hi everyone - please take note of the important dates and informational updates below:

First Fall Rehearsal Date:  September 19th


The December 17th concert will begin at 7:30 PM instead of 7.

The 2012 spring concert season dates are:

 

January 23 - rehearsals begin

March 31 and April 1 - 1st concert performances

May 19 and May 20 - 2nd concert performances

April 22 - Evangelical Hospice Memorial Service

Fall 2011 Season Update

The Christmas concerts will be Saturday, December 17, at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 18, at 3 PM, at St. John's United Church of Christ, 1050 Buffalo Rd., Lewisburg. Tom Ruhl will be the director, and Connie Pawling-Young will be the piano accompanist. The Buffalo Valley Brass will perform at the concerts. 


Rehearsals will start on Monday, September 19, at 7 PM at St. John's UCC, Lewisburg. The concerts will feature John Rutter's "Gloria", a cantata with orchestral accompaniment, and other Rutter Christmas selections as well as traditional Christmas carols and popular songs.

Choral singers wishing to join Buffalo Valley Singers can do so by attending rehearsals on Monday evenings at 7 PM starting on September 19 at St. John's UCC - there are no auditions. There is a $10 annual membership fee, but music is provided at no cost to members. In addition to the concerts, BVS will participate in the Evangelical Hospice Lights of Love Ceremony on Sunday, December 4. Please contact Joe Keller at 524-0717 or pjk539@dejazzd.com as soon as possible and before September 19 if you would like to join.

Message from Sue

Joe has asked me to let you know that he will collect Sine Nomine and  Amazing Grace at rehearsal this coming Monday, the 11th. Also at this rehearsal we will begin to take orders for the spring CD.The cost of the CD is $23.00. Checks should be made payable to Buffalo Valley Singers. If you brought in five new patrons for 2011, you will receive the CD free of charge. Check with our treasurer Karen Reigle to be sure that you qualify. 

An American Music Sampler - Benefit Concert

Spring Concert Email Ad

Please see the attached ad for our upcoming concert and send it to your friends and family.  

Spring Concert Poster

The Dreaded Stairs

This was sent to me by Marcia Truslow - Thanks!

Extra Rehearsal

Below is a message from Sue:

Hi!

Director Tom would like everyone to know that, in light of last week's missed rehearsal, he now plans to have an extra rehearsal on Saturday, March 26th, as he previously suggested. In addition, beginning this evening, weekly rehearsals will now run until 9:15 in order to provide sufficient prep time for the first concert.

Sue Tonzetich

2/21 Rehearsal Cancelled

Tonight's rehearsal has been cancelled.  Please spread the word to anyone who might not get the message in time.  See you next Monday - (now go make a snowman!)

Rehearsal Announcements - 2-7

• Stage Crew help is needed - please see Matt P. if you can help.
• The BVS Quartet has two upcoming performances:  High Tea, 4PM on February 16th at the Victoria House, and at 6:30PM on April 10th at Elmcroft.
• Reserve Saturday March 26th from 9-11 as a backup rehearsal, in case we may need it.
• As members of BVS, you are expected to be at the Hospice performance.
• We NEED patrons - updated forms will be posted online soon.
• The updated 2011 BVS Directory is completed, but will not be posted online.  A few hard copies will be available at rehearsal to those who do not have email.  If you have any revisions or questions, email Megan at megan.i.hauck@gmail.com.

Women's White Shirts

Below is a message from Beth:


I was at Walmart yesterday (Monday, Jan 17) and they had ladies' white short-sleeved button-up shirts for $6.50. If anyone is looking for them, that would be a good place to start.

Message from the Board

Dear BVS Member,

Happy New Year! We trust that you are looking forward to the spring 2011 season of BVS. We look forward to welcoming our new director, Tom Ruhl, and our new accompanist, Connie Pawling-Young.

Please note that the first rehearsal is Monday, January 24^th at 7:00 PM at St. John’s UCC Church, 1050 Buffalo Road in Lewisburg. If, at the final Christmas concert, you signed to receive an email only reminder, you will not receive the traditional postcard announcement. Even if you already signed up to sing, please respond to Joe Keller to confirm that intention or, if necessary, to decline.

The spring concerts are scheduled for Sunday afternoon March 27^th, Saturday evening May 7^th and Sunday afternoon May 8^th. The Hospice performance is Sunday afternoon April 3rd. 

Remember that the $10.00 annual membership fee will be due in January.

PLEASE reply to Joe Keller at pjk539@dejazzd.com (or phone Joe at 524-0717) no later than January 10^th and indicate whether you intend to sing this season or not. Also include the name of any prospective singer whom you plan to bring to the first rehearsal. Your response is very important in preparing the correct number of music folders.

Thanks for your prompt reply. We look forward to seeing you on January 24^th!

BVS Board