Choral benefit concert planned

The interest of area residents is important to Sean Ammon, treasurer of the Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) choir. "Everyone loves to support what we do ... and that support gives us so many opportunities," said Sean.

Each year, that support is evident when the family and friends of Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) choir members attend the free yearly PVHS choral benefit concert. The 2023 event will be held at the school, 4033 E. Newport Road, Kinzers, on Sunday, Oct. 1. The event will feature food trucks, including Nano Burger and D&K Smokin' BBQ, which will open at 5 p.m. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. A variety of prizes and giveaways will be featured throughout the evening.

For this year's concert, director Nathan Bankert has chosen to spotlight "The Music of ABBA," highlighting the Swedish pop group that formed in the 1970s. "I always try to pick a theme that will be enjoyable, laid-back fun," said Bankert, who noted that he believes the music will appeal to a broad spectrum of listeners. The first half of the concert will feature soloists, duets, and trios singing ABBA hits. The second half will present the full concert choir doing a 15-minute medley of songs from the show "Mamma Mia!" Among the students who will perform solos during the first half of the concert are choir secretary Madeline Heverin, who will sing "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do," and choir president Nick Ammon, who will sing "The Winner Takes It All."

Giveaways and prizes that will be available for participants to win include theme baskets made by choir members. According to choir librarian Savannah Thomas, the sopranos are creating a European culture basket. The alto section is making a fall-themed basket, and the tenors are making a coffee basket. In addition, one of the sopranos will donate jewelry from her business. The bass section is appropriately creating a fishing basket. Other prizes will include a hot air balloon ride, a weekend getaway, an archery class for two, an artificial flower arrangement, and a painting on canvas. Gift cards have been donated by local restaurants and businesses such as Stoltzfus Meats, Weis Markets, Shady Maple, and Escape Room.

Past concerts have raised $2,500, but this year, Bankert would like to see the event bring in $3,000. "The funds raised will help offset costs for choral festival fees, field trips, and will help provide many other extraordinary musical experiences for every choral member," he said.

The concert benefits choir members, but officers in the organization noted that they benefit from participating. Annika Hofstetter, vice president of the 90-member choir, said that she has been impressed with the effort her fellow choir members make. "The kids here have a passion and dedication to music you don't see everywhere," she said.

Heverin noted that the rewards of those efforts are realized gradually throughout the school year. "I like hearing growth in the choir as we continue," she said. "It's interesting to hear the difference from the benefit concert to the winter concert."

Thomas noted that she sees choir as a welcome break from the pressures of high school. "Choir is a way to relieve stress and just have fun," she said.

More information about the choir may be found by searching for "Pequea Valley Music Boosters" on Facebook.