Lebanon County Choral Society perform Mozart Mass, introduces new youth chorus director

The Lebanon County Choral Society will perform a concert featuring Mozart’s Krönungsmesse and other music of royal lineage at Friedens Lutheran Church on Sunday, May 19 at 3:00 p.m. Friedens Church is located at 301 W. Washington Ave. Myerstown, Pennsylvania.

For this concert, the Adult Chorus will be joined by both a chamber orchestra and the Lebanon County Choral Society’s own Youth Chorus, which was on hiatus last season while a search was conducted for a new director. Gabrielle Quandel Umholtz began her tenure as the director of this chorus, made up of singers in grades 3 through 8, in February. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a master’s degree in Choral Conducting, both from Messiah University. Umholtz currently teaches in the Ephrata Area School District where she serves as the high school choir director. Additional experience includes an internship with the Susquehanna Children’s Chorale under Linda Tedford and Judith Shepler.

“This season has been thrilling, and I expect the performance to be even more so,” said artistic director Sean Hackett. “Our membership has been so strong both in terms of both numbers and ability, and they have dedicated a great deal of energy to rehearsing some challenging pieces this spring. With the addition of the chamber orchestra and the youth chorus, this should be a really incredible concert.”

Hackett has been the artistic director of the organization since 2013. In addition to his work with the choral society, he is a regular guest conductor and clinician of regional choral festivals and symposiums. Holding a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Messiah University, a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from West Chester University, and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College, Hackett has been a music teacher in the Conrad Weiser School District for over 30 years.

Sean Hackett

Tickets for the concert are available on the Lebanon County Choral Society website, www.LCCSmusic.org/events. The prices are $15 for adults ($18 at the door) and $3 for students. Group discounts are available with the purchase of ten or more tickets. Patrons may contact managementLCCS@gmail.com with questions.

Founded in 1889, the Lebanon County Choral Society has a long tradition of bringing quality choral music to the Lebanon area. In the past decades they have expanded their mission to include a youth chorus, a free music day camp, and a young conductors’ program, all while continuing and enhancing the legacy of excellent choral performances by the adult chorus, the foundation of the organization. While centered in Lebanon County, the group includes singers from as far east as Robesonia and as far west as Palmyra, Hershey, and even Harrisburg.