This year’s concert, featuring a number of local artist, will be performed by the Beaver Valley Choral Society Choir, Treble Youth Corale, Orchestra and Bell Choir.  We hope to see you this year as we prepare for the upcoming Advent Season!

The Beaver Valley Choral Society, a prominent intergenerational, Christian-based, non-denominational community choral and orchestral organization in Western Pennsylvania, is seeking a dynamic Artistic Director and Principal Conductor beginning with its 2026–2027 concert season. This is a part-time, 12-month position with the potential for annual renewal.

The Artistic Director will oversee the musical and artistic vision of BVCS, leading/overseeing its Principal Choir, Orchestra, Youth Chorale, Hand Bell ensemble and other performing areas of the organization. The role includes selecting and conducting repertoire for three major concert series (Advent, Lent, and Spring Pops), leading weekly rehearsals, organizing 8–9 concerts annually (with two dress rehearsals per semester), and engaging in community performances throughout the Beaver Valley region.

Key Duties:

• Select and conduct music for SATB choir with varying accompaniment (a cappella, orchestra, piano, organ, handbells, youth choir).
• Lead weekly 2-hour rehearsals and additional dress/soloist rehearsals.
• Coordinate with concert venues and the Concert Manager for logistics.
• Develop and manage concert programming, write program notes and concert scripts.
• Serve as an advisor to the Board of Directors, attending meetings and working closely with the operations and marketing teams.
• Oversee all artistic staff including Assistant Conductor, Accompanists, Youth Director, Orchestra Manager, Hand Bell Director, Solo Series Coordinator, Chancel Choir Director, and other permanent or associate artistic staff.
• Represent BVCS in media appearances and public events, including in print, on the radio and television, and on line.
• Send weekly emails regarding rehearsal updates to entire membership.
• Submit concert season proposal to Board, no later than June 1.
• Work closely with print vendor to coordinate materials needed for concerts (bought in batch), Graphic Arts Designer in creating marketing materials for concert series, Orchestra Manager to ensure instrumental parts are covered for respective concerts, and the social media and Web Managers to promote the organization.
• Understand the history of the BVCS and promote the organization accordingly.
• Create agenda and script for annual member meeting.

Requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in music (choral emphasis preferred)
• Experience in choral and orchestral conducting
• Minimum Intermediate keyboard skills
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational abilities
• Ability to work with Artistic and volunteer staff and Board of Directors
• Passion for community music and Christian-based mission

Annual Stipend: $6,500

To Apply:

Submit your letter of intent, resume or CV, three references, and a short video of rehearsal or performance conducting to: bvcs.recruitment@gmail.com

The Beaver Valley Choral Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Not one member of the current iteration of the Beaver Valley Choral Society was born when the organization began at Beaver College back on October 23, 1923.  This fact did not stop them from presenting a performance worth 100 years of celebration.

Before a large crowd at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Hopewell, the BVCS formally commemorated 100 years of song in the Beaver Valley by performing selections from the oratorio “Messiah” composed by Georg Frédérich Handel. The group of principal vocalists and instrument

A cake celebrating 100 years of the Beaver Valley Choral Society is cut following their performance at Our Lady of Fatima Parish on October 23.

alists was joined by members of the Academy Chamber Orchestra from Pittsburgh, along with featured mezzo-soprano soloist Caroline Friend.

Following the opening number–Lloyd Larsen’s “Celebrate The Day”–the evening opened with an introduction from BVCS President Jim Angeloni, followed by the Historical Address from Chief Historian (and trombonist) Bob Headland. A proclamation from the Beaver County Commissioners was then read aloud by Board Member (and bass singer) Rick Murphy before being presented to BVCS Artistic Director Sharon Burchill.

Additionally, the performance of “Messiah” was an interactive one. Not only did Burchill occasionally turn from the choir towards the audience to conduct them, but the BVCS provided copies of the music to those in attendance.

In all, the centennial was lauded by the attendees, who stood and applauded following the final note of the first 100 years–a century of a non-profit group of ordinary citizens who only need three requirements to be active: to pay dues, to sing to the glory of God, and to sing “tunefully”.

On this night, they sang exceptionally.

DCINY is the leading producer of dynamically charged musical excellence. With its unforgettable concert experiences in renowned venues, empowering educational programs, and its global community of artists and audiences, DCINY changes lives through the power of performance.

On the DCINY website and Facebook page, the BVCS production was praised as “a stunning performance of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’. We are definitely feeling this new wave of hope in the air!”

Jeff Binner, Progam Developer for DCINY, further added, “Wow… wow, wow, wow! Fantastic work! It is truly amazing what you all accomplished with this project, and it has me excited to work with you guys in the fall.”

That opportunity in the fall may become reality when members of the Beaver Valley Choral Society plan to travel to The Empire City in November, combining with other choral groups to perform at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall. Original plans to perform there in 2020 were thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The concert is produced and arranged by DCINY. Entry into the DCINY’s performance program is exclusively by application and audition.

BVCS embarked upon the historic virtual project of the two Rodgers and Hammerstein songs during the summer and fall of 2020, when members could not gather to make music due to CoVid-19. Fifty members of the Principal Choir, the Orchestra, High School Apprentices, and Treble Youth Chorale attended online rehearsals with Conductor Sharon Burchill, in preparation for their at-home recordings.

The Artistic Leadership Team recorded guide tracks at Helsel Music Studios, Butler PA with recording and post-production engineer Bryan Helsel. The final video was shown first to the members in late November, and then shared publicly on December 2 via YouTube and Facebook. Since then more than 3,500 people have watched and enjoyed the message of hope and comfort that the BVCS musically conveys as part of its mission statement. To watch the video visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhDuidZF5_4.

Learn more about the BVCS and its on-going commitment to musical excellence and community outreach and enhancement, by visiting bvchoralsociety.org.

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For more information about any event fee and program details or the Beaver Valley Choral Society’s many community and music education opportunities for adults and children, visit us at www.bvchoralsociety.org, on social media: Facebook.org/beavervalleychoralsociety, or write to Beaver Valley Choral Society, PO Box 1628, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

“BVCS Leading in Musical Arts”

Mr. Angeloni will assist Raymond Rotuna, Chair of the Scholarships Programs, with school selections and administrative contacts, scholarship nominations and confirmations and other related areas.

“Jim, a valued member of the choral ensemble, is an exceptional and talented individual who brings his unique career managerial abilities, along with his musical talents, to the work of the BVCS,” noted Chair Rotuna. “We are delighted that Jim has stepped up to assist in this most important community enhancement program that supports the musical and educational studies of deserving college music students of our region.”

JIm lives in Baden with his wife, Maria and teenage daughter, Katie. He is employed as a Senior Compensation Analyst for UPMC.

The Assistant Chair position was created in December 2020 to further develop the administration of BVCS’s scholarships programs. The BVCS Board of Directors approached Mr. Angeloni and offered him the position during the directors’ board meeting.

“Jim is a tremendous supporter of the BVCS mission and programs, commented BVCS Board President and CEO Lee Pfeifer. “His assistance with the administration of our scholarship programs will help ensure continued support of young musicians.”

In 2001 the Society established the Philip H. Inman Excellence in Choral Conducting Arts Scholarship in recognition of the late Philip H. Inman, Artistic Director of the Beaver Valley Choral Society from 1979 to 2011.

The scholarship is awarded annually to a music student who is focusing on the Choral Arts. Colleges participating in the scholarship program are Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne Universities and Geneva, Grove City and Westminster Colleges.

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For more information about any event fee and program details or the Beaver Valley Choral Society’s many community and music education opportunities for adults and children, visit us at www.bvchoralsociety.org, on social media: Facebook.org/beavervalleychoralsociety, or write to Beaver Valley Choral Society, PO Box 1628, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

“BVCS Leading in Musical Arts”

Pandemic protocol caused the Society to suspend its in-person church concert series that were scheduled during Lent and this Advent season. The alternative resulted in the creation of a virtual presentation involving BVCS choir and orchestra members. Members of Treble Youth Chorale and Jubilation Bells! Mary Inman Honors Bell Choir also participated.

United through their love of music, God, and country, members of the Beaver Valley Choral Society created this virtual ensembles performance of “You’ll Never Walk Alone with Climb Every Mountain.” Incorporating beautiful vistas of Beaver County in the virtual video production, the choral society members are thrilled to showcase, through their performance, the transcending effects of making music come to life, even during challenging times, which can raise the human spirit to new hope and assurance.

“We will do whatever is possible to keep the BVCS singing and playing through these challenging times,” stated Raymond Rotuna, BVCS Artistic Director and Conductor. “Our long history of spreading the message that is found in sacred music will go on.”

The idea of creating a virtual production was suggested by BVCS Associate Director Sharon Burchill, who earlier was part of an international virtual choir directed by acclaimed director and composer Eric Whitacre. Ms. Burchill took the lead role as conductor and directed the details of the Choral Society’s project.

The chosen selection is the Mark Hayes arrangement of two songs written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II – “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” from the musical “Carousel,” with “Climb Every Mountain,” from “The Sound of Music.”

After parts were distributed, singers and musician alike rehearsed and recorded their individual parts using their own computer devices. They were aided during recording by a rhythm and sync track.

Dr. Bryan R. Helsel, Helsel Music Recording Services, Butler provided digital engineering services by editing and balancing the submitted raw videos.

“We continue our mission of sharing our Christian message through our music,” commented Sharon Burchill. “Now more than ever our community and our world need the Good News that Jesus Christ alone can bring. Now more than ever our message is timely and powerful.”

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For more information about any event fee and program details or the Beaver Valley Choral Society’s many community and music education opportunities for adults and children, visit us at www.bvchoralsociety.org, on social media: Facebook.org/beavervalleychoralsociety, or write to Beaver Valley Choral Society, PO Box 1628, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

“BVCS Leading in Musical Arts”