• Saturday, December 7 at 4pm – Grace Lutheran Evangelical Church  393 Adams Street, Rochester PA 
• Sunday, December 8 at 4pm – College Avenue Methodist Church 345 College Avenue, Beaver PA 
• Sunday, December 15 at 4pm – New Brighton Methodist Church, 1033 Sixth Avenue, New Brighton PA 

Selections will be performed by the BVCS Mary Inman Honors Handbell Choir, Principal Choir, Orchestra and Treble Youth Chorale. Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sharon R. Burchill leads the 85-voice choir and orchestra. Deb Silverstein will be directing the eight boys and girls who comprise the Treble Youth Chorale and Judy O’Data directs the seven member three-octave Handbell Choir. 

“Carols by Candlelight” begins with Bill Ingram’s prelude arrangement, ”Christmas Music for Twelve Bells,” featuring the Mary Inman Honors Handbell Choir. That is followed by “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” as arranged by Trevor Manor; the Lloyd Larson arrangement of “Long Ago Prophets Knew;” the traditional carol, “Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming,” arranged by Mark Lehnowsky; “Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth,” written by BVCS chorister Kirk Haberman; and “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” written by Heather Sorenson.  

At intermission the Treble Youth Chorale performs the African American spiritual “Rise Up Shepherd, and Follow,” arranged by Audrey Snyder; “The Pembroke Carol,” written by Anna Lapwood.  and Sara Teasdale; and “Jubilate! Bells are Ringing” arranged by Ellen Foncannon.  

The second half of the concert begins with David Rasbach’s a capella arrangement of “We Shall Light a Thousand Candles;” followed by Joseph M. Martin’s choral medley “Shepherd Carols;” then the title piece, “Candlelight Carol,” written by John Rutter. The concert concludes with Benjamin Harlan’s exuberant finale, “Carol Fantasia.”  

Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Founded at Beaver College in 1923, the Beaver Valley Choral Society begins its Second Century of Song. BVCS is a 501(c)3 Christian-faith based, non-denominational, intergenerational choral and orchestral arts organization. 

Rebekah has lived in Chippewa Township her entire life, and from an early age, she has always been involved in extra-curricular activities.  She at the age of seven she started piano and violin lessons.  After taking her first piano she remembers feeling so much joy during that session that she knew she wanted to play music the rest of her life.  In high school, she had the privilege to play violin in the PMEA festivals, advancing to All-State Orchestra.  Rebekah has expanded her knowledge and experience in music by participating in the Genevans choir, playing the cello, and has had the opportunity to learn and practice conducting at Geneva College.  She also has participated in various instrumental ensembles, including marching band, symphonic band, and jazz band.

After becoming a music major at Geneva, Rebekah joined the Genevans choir, which produced a new interest in choral arts.  Going on the Genevans’ Spring Tours increased her love for choral music and the sense of community that it creates.  As a result, she has developed a passion for the choral arts and a desire to share that passion for music and singing in the classroom.

Upon graduation in May 2024, Rebekah’s desire is to obtain a position as a choral arts music teacher at an elementary school where she can train, encourage, and have a positive influence on the lives of young people who need authentic unselfish leadership.  She is very thankful for her parents who instilled in her a love for life, family, friends, and God, the one who makes all life possible.

Congratulations to Rebekah Cox, our 2024 Philip H. Inman Excellence in Choral Conducting Arts Scholarship recipient!

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.

The world’s largest percussion organization with over 5,000 members, 40 chapters the U.S. and 28 chapters abroad, the PAS is a central source for information and networking for percussionists and drummers of all ages.

Witkouski is one of 33 student delegates worldwide and will serve as a liaison between student percussionists and chapter leadership. Student delegates also receive materials from the PAS to share with peers, campuses and other chapters in order to communicate initiatives and recruit students to join PAS.

At Westminster, Witkouski is a member of the Titan Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble and Wind Ensemble. She has also performed with the Trumpet Ensemble and Theatre Westminster.  She is a member of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association (PcMEA), the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and the international professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon, Phi Omega Chapter.

Witkouski, who is also a freelance musician, has performed with Belle Voci in Pittsburgh, Beaver Valley Choral Society, Shenango Valley Chorale and the Mercer Area School District. A resident of Brighton Township, Pa., she is a graduate of Beaver Area High School.

The PAS was established in 1961 as a non-profit music service with the mission to inspire, educate and support percussionists and drummers throughout the world.

This is a 12-month position with annual renewal based on performance. An annual stipend is paid in full at the end of fiscal year.

The Assistant Conductor must adhere to the values and mission of the Beaver Valley Choral Society and reports to the Artistic Director.

The Assistant Conductor will carry out specific responsibilities and will be involved with the music direction of the principal choir and orchestra. The Assistant Conductor will act as director/conductor when necessary and support the Artistic Director as required.

Collegiate upperclassmen will be considered if they choose to apply.

A detailed listing of required qualifications and job responsibilities can be found on Beaver Valley Choral Society’s Facebook page. Interested applicants should send a letter of intent, current resume or curriculum vitae, with three references to BVCS President Jim Angeloni at jra_228@hotmail.com

The Beaver Valley Choral Society is a landmark community, intergenerational, Christian faith-based, non-denominational, not-for-profit choral and orchestral arts music organization that values excellence, energy and entrepreneurial spirit