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Apr 13

Donor Spotlight – Gene & Sally Herritt

By Meet CVSM

Gene is originally from the Williamsport, PA, area with a BS in Education from Clarion and an MEd in Reading from Shippensburg. Sally was born and raised in Chambersburg, then moved to Shippensburg when they got married. They have a daughter, Andi, and a grandson, Lyric. Sally retired as Executive Director of Chambersburg Community Theatre (CCT) after 25 years but continues to volunteer & perform with the group.

Sally is a singer, having studied voice with Peg Weeks as a teenager, and with Marjorie Hirsch at Juniata College. She continues to perform in her church choir and, when available, with the Mercersburg Area Community Chorus, as well as being an independent performer.

Sally knew Meagan Boozer from Read More

Apr 13

Student Spotlight – Carolyn Kent

By Meet CVSM

For how long have you attended CVSM and which teachers have you studied with?

I have studied for about 4 years with Brian Helman and Kevin Gorman.  However, I have also eavesdropped during my children’s lessons for many years, on Richard Overcash, Valerie. Merriman, Geoff Weeks, and Deb Stotelmyer!

Where do you attend school and what grade are you in? 

I am not in school at the moment, but I have taken music classes recently at Gettysburg College and Messiah University.

What are your favorite music activities?

I love to sit at the piano and play for myself in the evenings, but also enjoy concerts and listening to music. 

What is your best/favorite memory of your time at CVSM? 

Playing with Read More

Mar 26

Congratulations to Zakary Reynolds & Lauren Swain!

By Announcements

Cumberland Valley School of Music students, Zakary Reynolds and Lauren Swain won first place in the United States International Duo Piano Competition held in Colorado Springs, CO on March 20, 2021. Zakary and Lauren are longtime students of CVSM instructor Susan Matson. Zakary and Lauren have already established themselves as excellent students at CVSM as they are the first and second place Piano Merit Award winners respectively in Piano for the 2020-2021 year. In addition to piano, Zakary is also the first-place Vocal Merit Award winner, earning him the Margaret Weeks Voice Award Scholarship.

Lauren Swain is the daughter of Dan and Julie Swain. Lauren has been studying piano for almost 14 years with Susan Matson and finished the 7th Suzuki book in 2019. She frequently plays in church as a soloist and accompanist. She enjoys collaborating with other musicians, including playing in ensemble with flute and other pianists. In May of 2019, she was awarded a perfect score in the Rockville Piano and String Competition and was invited to play in the Winner’s recital. Lauren also studies harp with Carol McClure and has won prizes in national and international competitions.

Zakary Mikael Reynolds is the son of William and Jamie Reynolds and is a 12th grade student at Greencastle-Antrim High School. Zak has been studying piano with Susan Matson for over 13 years. He participates in the school choir as a singer and accompanist and percussion in the band. In his junior year, he became drum major of the marching band. He has participated in District band (2019), District choir (2018-2020), Regional Choir Accompanist (2019-2020), Regional choir vocalist (2020), pianist for All-State Orchestra (2020), and All-State Choir vocalist (2020). He is also a keyboardist and organist for Spring BIC and Trinity Lutheran Churches. Zakary had the extreme honor of singing The National Anthem for Vice President Pence as he visited Manitowoc in 2019.  A member of the Tri-M National Honor Society, Zak was also a CVSM Merit Award winner in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020.  Zakary received the CSEHY Summer School of Music scholarship award of honor in 2019.

The United States International Duo Piano Competition was created in 1999. The mission of the USIDPC is to provide a top-quality international duo competition that challenges talented performers of all ages to reach their musical potential in a setting promoting international cooperation and the coming together of musicians in the spirit and joy that is music. Each year at the competition, students compete among 9 skill levels ranging from age 6 and below through adult. This year, 54 duos competed at the home of the event, the prestigious Broadmoor Hotel.

Mar 03

Performathon 2021

By Uncategorized

CVSM PLANS ANNUAL PERFORMATHON FUNDRAISER ON MARCH 20

(March 3, 2021) The Cumberland Valley School of Music will present its annual Performathon, sponsored by F&M Trust on Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 9am – 4 pm. Performathon is an all-school event featuring students, along with faculty members, friends and family performing in a continuous stream of recitals from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  The public is invited to view the event being held on CVSM’s YouTube Channel and on their Facebook page. The event will feature live streamed and pre-recorded performances.

Students will be singing and playing their way through the day in musical styles varying from rock and jazz, to classical and Broadway. A broad range of performances will feature students of all performance abilities from elementary ages through our most seasoned performers.  

“Peformathon is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a musical community and share our love of music.” said Heather Kline, CVSM Program Director. “In these unprecedented times, we are even more excited to be able to continue sharing music together with our hybrid options, which include virtual performances and streaming live performances.” Student musicians seek monetary pledges as part of participating in the Performathon. All donations are tax deductible and will benefit the non-profit school.

Various area businesses and individuals contribute prizes for the students who obtain the highest amounts of donations to sponsor their performances. Among the prizes offered to students this year are a Shaman Standard Black Electric Bass, donated by Tregan Guitars; Sundae of the Month, donated by The Meadows; Apple AirPods, donated by Sunrise Electronics; a Deluxe Lego Set, Chick-Fil-A gift cards, donated by Chick-Fil-A Chambersburg; Kenny’s Grill Gift Cards; Paint Night, sponsored by the Chambersburg Council for the Arts; and a Creative Art Pack. Every student who meets the minimum donation requirement receives a commemorative t-shirt.

For further information about the Performathon, or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit the school website at www.cvsmusic.org . Additional information about the event can be accessed by calling the school directly at 717-261-1220 and speaking with any staff member.

Nov 20

CVSM Thanksgiving

By Meet CVSM

The staff of CVSM are so thankful for all of our instructors, families and community!! We love hearing the beautiful music created by our students. We decided to share some Thanksgiving memories and recipes with all of you.

RECIPES

Pumpkin Dip – shared by CVSM Co-Founder Paula Hepfer

Stuffing – shared by CVSM Bookkeeper Sharon Eshleman

Baked Corn – shared by CVSM Store Manager Sheryl Gudgeon

Creamed Mushrooms – shared by CVSM Marketing & Communications Steph Allee

Squash Casserole – shared by CVSM Program Manager Heather Kline

Buttermilk Pecan Pie – shared by CVSM Marketing & Communications Steph Allee

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake – shared by CVSM Executive Director Heather McEndree

MEMORIES

“2008: My grandfather was in the final days of his life, at a personal care home.  He was hospitalized on my birthday, which is always very near Thanksgiving.  He was released from the hospital and put on hospice at the home.  On Thanksgiving Day, I went to visit him.  He wasn’t really talking any more by that day.  I chattered on for a little while, letting him know that it was Thanksgiving Day and I was so thankful for having him in my life. He passed away the next day.  I’m so glad that I got to tell him that.” ~Valerie Merriman, CVSM Registrar

“I grew up with a large extended family. Each Thanksgiving, we would descend on my Aunt Patricia’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone brought a dish to share, either appetizer, dinner, or dessert. My Aunt & Uncle made a HUGE turkey to feed the ravenous clan. I remember the warmth, the sounds, the people, the energy, and feeling so absolutely stuffed by the end of the evening that I felt I would not need to eat for another month – at least until it was time for Christmas dinner, LOL!” ~Heather McEndree, CVSM Executive Director

“The year I found out I was pregnant I kept it a secret until we had our Thanksgiving meal. I knew I wanted to share it during our annual “What I’m thankful for” go around the table. My brother had been (what I like to call) lovingly harassing me about having kids, and I kept telling him I might never have kids just to annoy him. So, as we went around the table on Thanksgiving I ended up being right after my brother and just happened to be the last one to go. He said his thought and then made a joke about how no one could top him. Honestly, I don’t even remember what he said. I followed and said I was “thankful for my unborn baby.” I wish I could share the look on his face, because his eyes got huge in disbelief and excitement at the same time. He shouted, “Are you for real?” He couldn’t believe it and kept asking me over and over if it was for real. He was so excited when he realized I was telling the truth. Ever since then we have joked about the year that I topped my brother and practically knocked him off his chair.” ~Heather Kline, CVSM Program Manager