PV Benefit Concert To Fund Choir Activities

"This is (the event) when we get the most creative liberty," said Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) chorus vice president Liv Hostetter. "We get to choose our solos."

Chorus director Nathan Bankert agreed. "(For the choral benefit concert), I let the kids pick a solo and sing it," admitted Bankert. "This is the one time of year, there are no auditions. I tell them, 'This is a chance to sing and just showcase your voice,' and we have amazing talent."

"We are small, but we're fierce," added chorus treasurer RJ Forsythe.

For about a decade, the family and friends of PVHS choir members have attended the free choral benefit concert, where they can hear solos, duets, trios, and full choirs. The 2025 event will be held at the new Pequea Valley Secondary School, 4033 E. Newport Road, Kinzers, on Sunday, Oct. 5. The event will feature food trucks, music, and prizes. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Solos and small groups of singers will perform starting at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., the full choir will sing, and at 7:30 p.m,. prizes will be announced.

According to Bankert, the theme began as strictly movie musicals, but as students suggested song selections for the event, he decided to broaden the focus. "That gave the kids more options to choose from," noted Bankert. Chorus treasurer RJ Forsythe said that he will sing a song from "Phantom of the Opera," and chorus secretary Josiah Fisher said he had chosen a song from "Newsies." Chorus president Bella Biddle has selected a song from "Grease," and Hostetter will perform a piece from "Les Miserables."

Bankert shared that the full choir will do a song from "La La Land" along with a medley of songs from "The Greatest Showman." Because Bankert now oversees the seventh and eighth grade choirs as well, he has chosen a song from "Newsies" for that group to perform, and then he will combine the choirs for "You Will Be Found" from "Dear Evan Hansen." Bankert will accompany the choirs on the new Steinway while directing the numbers.

Food for the event will be provided by the Nano Burger food truck, and the concession stand will sell hot dogs, snack foods, and beverages, including iced tea and lemonade. Organizers hope to have some desserts available for purchase as well.

Prizes and giveaways are a large part of the evening. "The prizes are really great," stated Bankert, who noted that usually more than 100 prizes are given away. He noted that he believes a signed Saquon Barkley jersey and theater tickets to Sight & Sound will be among the prizes. "Each section of the choir (alto, soprano, tenor, and bass) creates a baskets," shared Bankert, adding that the students work together to choose a theme and provide items to build a basket.

The goal of the concert is to raise funds that the group can use to fund activities throughout the school year. "We do this at the beginning of the year, and it helps us financially throughout the year," explained Bankert, who said that past concerts have raised more than $3,000, but he would love to see this year's event top $5,000. "The whole point is to raise funds for the choral program for music trips, cleaning choral robes, festivals, and auditions," he said.

The students hope area residents will come to the concert and enjoy the music. "This event is the most fun (of all the presentations we do)," pointed out Fisher.

Biddle said she likes looking back at the tapes of the benefit concert later in the school year. "Because this concert is early, it marks our growth," she explained. "We listen back to recordings, and we can see how much we have grown in the winter months."

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