Shenandoah Valley Children’S Choir

2020 Christmas
Virtual Concert

Janet Hostetter
artistic director
Joy Anderson
assistant director
Brook Gonzalez
SATURDAY Prep & Treble Choir
bilingual instructor
DECEMBER 19 Valeria Eshleman-Robles
Concert Choir
7 PM movement instructor
Christopher Clymer Kurtz
svcc.org/virtual-concert guitarist
Tara Davis
violinist

Sponsored by:

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 Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir
presents

Faith, Hope, & Love

From the director…

Throughout 2020, faith, hope, and love have undergirded the mission of the Shenandoah Valley Children’s
Choir. When choristers lost the ability to gather indoors for rehearsals and concerts, they signed up for a
new semester anyway. They had faith that staff members would lead them in meaningful ways. SVCC staff
members held on to the hope that their innovative strategies would provide valuable (albeit different)
artistic experiences. Friends of the choir—people who express their love through selfless giving—assisted
frequently: a donor purchased needed video equipment; composers provided new music without
expecting normal remuneration; businesses sponsored SVCC’s virtual choir efforts; and many volunteers
gave time and talent to keep the heart and soul of SVCC strong. It is clear to me that even during the
turbulence and upheaval of 2020, a beautiful, resilient spirit remains strong within the SVCC community.
During the last year, we have frequently been told that “these are unprecedented times” but are they really?
The ancient world faced similar problems: sickness, fear, isolation, factions, and moral disrepair. To such a
distressed people in Corinth, the apostle Paul reminded them what love looks like, “Love is patient, love
is kind. It does not envy…” (See I Corinthians 13.) Concert Choir sings of ways to express love in Dan
Forrest’s choral arrangement of Howard Thurman’s poem “The Work of Christmas.”
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flock,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among brothers,
to make music from the heart.
Your holiday celebrations may look drastically different this year. SVCC’s Christmas concert is certainly
being presented in new form. Are you yearning for that “crowded table” as described in SVCC’s final
number? If so, hold onto the faith and hope that we will get through this uncomfortable season--better,
stronger, and more grateful than before. In the meantime, let us all think of innovative ways to love others
deeply.
“Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13

Janet Hostetter, artistic & executive director

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 Please note:
Directors’ and composers’ remarks as well as video footage from SVCC’s in-person
fall 2020 rehearsals will be interspersed throughout the concert.

Concert order will be selected from the following:

Preparatory & Treble Choirs

God Bless All……………………………………………………………………..trad. Christmas round
arr. Janet Hostetter
God bless all good friends here
A merry, merry Christmas and a happy New Year

Mbira Jam…………………………………………………………………………………Walt Hampton

Twentieth-century German composer Carl Orff and his colleague Gunild Keetman designed a
developmental approach to music education known as Orff Schulwerk. This approach includes speech
rhythms, ostinato patterns, movement, singing, and instrumental playing that is completely child-centered.
An Orff instrumentation includes barred instruments such as xylophones, glockenspiels, marimbas, and
metallophones as well as drums and other unpitched percussion instruments. "Mbira Jam," a Zimbabwean-
style selection, features three ostinato patterns for Orff instruments and is a popular selection found in
Hampton's collection entitled "Hot Marimba."

A La Nanita Nana…………………………………………………………………….trad. Spanish carol

arr. Dan Davison (b. 1956)
To the little baby…
My Jesus is sleepy, blessed will he be
A little fountain that runs clear and sonorous
The mockingbird who in the woods is singing out, calls…
To the little baby…
My Jesus is sleepy, blessed will he be
Hush, while the cradle rocks,
To the little baby, little baby
Dan Davision first became acquainted with "A La Nanita Nana" while participating in his college men's
choir, and has admired the song ever since. His arrangement as presented here was first conceived for
tenors and basses, but the same scoring works well for two-part treble voices. Davison prefers
accompaniment by guitar and two violins as these instruments provide the most authentic Spanish feel.
The carol features tonal shifts between D major and the parallel D minor, and in Davison's arrangement,
the choir serves as accompaniment to the violin in one segment.

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 Concert Choir
A Very Merry Fa La La……………………………………………………….Sally K. Albrecht (b. 1954)
Have a very merry, very merry holiday.
May your days be happy and bright.
Have a very merry, very merry holiday,
filled with gladness, joy, and delight.
Fa la la la la!

The Work of Christmas………………………………………………...music by Dan Forrest (b. 1978)

lyrics by Howard Thurman (1899-1981)
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flock,
the work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among brothers,
to make music, music,
make music from the heart.
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flock,
the work of Christmas begins.

The Light of Faith………………………………………………………………...music by Jude Roldan

Commissioned by SVCC for virtual concert lyrics by Marian Louise Abio
Lumen Fidei, strengthen in me an unwavering faith as I face the unknown horizon.
Send forth Your light, the unending flame, O Lord, the never-setting sun.
Enfold me with purpose.
At my sight, You placed the North Star.
Illuminate the path of mystery to answer the yearning heart.
Let light rays touch where darkness resides.
Let heaven reveal its marvelous dawn.
Where Your radiance dwell, brings forth life.
In harmony, we sing Your song.
Lumen Fidei, like candles kindled by Your love.
May we ignite the soul of Your people with Your lights, and never-ending grace.
Draw us near, unite us all.
Let light rays touch where darkness resides.
Let heaven reveal its marvelous dawn.
Where Your radiance dwell, brings forth life.
In harmony, we sing Your song.

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The following words were shared by composer Jude Roldan during Concert Choir’s Zoom rehearsal,
November 16, 2020:
The text of "Lumen Fidei" (Light of Faith) came from an encyclical (circulated letter to churches) written by
Pope Francis. I gave the encyclical to a member of one of my choirs, Kantabella, and asked if she could write
a poem from the encyclical. I told her that the purpose of the poem was to give hope to people during these
trying times. She told me that while writing the poetry, she had sleepless nights trying to find the right
words. She started writing the lyrics during the fifth month of our (Filipino) lockdown and was trying to
keep her worries of tomorrow at bay. Her desire was to make the words inspirational for people to hear. It
seems to me that the pandemic is like a long tunnel where there is no light. Because of these trying times,
sometimes we get lost or afraid or sad. But deep inside, we have faith that we will see light again. I realized
as I was writing this composition that we ourselves hold our own light that is the light given to us by God.
We share our light with people as we help each other get through the dark tunnel. In the Philippines, there
is a term, bayanihan. Bayan means town or nation. Bayanihan is about the spirit of a community. In the
Philippines there is so much bayanihan in action right now and it gives me hope for the future. As "Lumen
Fidei" inspires unity and social action with the Lord's guidance, it fits perfectly with the theme of SVCC's
virtual concert. And within the music, the choir's role, as God's light, is to (undoubtedly) draw people
together in hope and in love.
Once I had the text, the process of writing the composition was already half done. My job as composer is
to let the melody reveal the message of the song. I do not usually start writing at the beginning of the song
but at the peak or chorus of the composition. In the music of "Lumen Fidei" there are dissonances which
manifest the theme of light. The major and minor seconds give sparkle to the music. I like to use word
painting: soaring melodies for words like light and heaven with smaller more dissonant intervals for words
like darkness. I used minor and major second harmonies on words such as light, illuminate or lumen among
various voice parts as a symbol of light being passed from person to person and finally, around the world.

Hope Rises…………………………………………………...………………..Mark Patterson (b. 1969)

Commissioned by SVCC for virtual concert
Soloists in order of appearance: Abby Gibson, Josiah Ropp, Miley Thomas, Hannah Mast,
Micah Shank Zehr, Caleb Maas, Eli Stoll, Annie Kate Walsh, Kattalin Bennett,
Matthew Long, Haile Madden, Kendra Johnson, Aidan Cahill
Hope is living, hope is waiting,
hope is yearning to rise.
Hope is not grounded by our feelings
and our fears, hope marches on.
Hope needs just one voice to sing to another,
so let that voice begin.
Hope rises up, hope gathers strength.
Hope rises when we sing.
Hope gathers strength when we join
our voices as one.
Hope reaches and it calls out to all
who will listen.
Hope rises when we sing.
Hope is not hidden by…the shadow of war
Hope does not wither when…trials abound
Hope is…listening
Hope is…fearless
And as long as we stand together,
hope will rise.

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 Hope rises up, hope gathers strength.
Hope rises when we sing.
Hope gathers strength when we join
our voices as one.
Hope reaches and it calls out to all
who will listen.
Hope rises when we sing.
Gather close and listen.
Be the voice that begins the song
and hope will rise up,
Hope will rise!

From Mark Patterson, composer:

It has been a privilege to work with the singers and staff of the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir these
past several weeks and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to write Hope Rises for them to premiere on this
concert.
The task was an unusual one – to write a piece of music that would still make sense being sung over Zoom
with all of the timing delays and data lags that are inherently part of that experience. We’ve done some
adapting and re-writing along the way, and the singers themselves were tasked with writing some of the
lyrics. As a composition, it’s still evolving to meet the demands of this medium, but we hope you enjoy
this piece as you hear it sung today.
Hope Rises is not just about hope, but about the contagious nature of hope. One hopeful individual creates
a certain energy and enthusiasm that is caught by another. And when several of us come together to work
for a common purpose, hope takes shape, and finds strength, and yields results. Our choir members see
this happen all the time: one voice added to another, each sound made richer by coordination and
collaboration, and hope just rises out of that. Like the song says, hope rises when we sing, and right now
we sure do need that hope in our world.
Thank you for listening today, and for believing in these young men and women. They are the hope that
rises to make our world a better place.

Preparatory, Treble, & Concert Choirs

Crowded Table………………………………………..Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, Brandi Carlile
arr. Andrea Ramsey (b. 1977)
You can hold my hand when you need to let go,
I can be a mountain when you’re feeling valley low.
I can be a streetlight showing you the way home,
if you can hold my hand when you need to let go.

I want a house with a crowded table, and a place by the fire for everyone.
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able,
and bring us back together when the day is done.

If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seed,

plant a little happiness, let the roots run deep.
If it’s love that we give, then it’s love that we reap.
If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seeds.

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 Yeah, I want a house with a crowded table, and a place by the fire for everyone.
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able,
and bring us back together when the day is done.

The door is always open, your picture’s on my wall,

everyone’s a little broken, and everyone belongs.
Yeah, everyone belongs.

I want a house with a crowded table…

Andrea Ramsey arranged “Crowded Table” before the pandemic began. In her words, “[The song] has
only gotten more relevant since the pandemic.”
The story behind the “Crowded Table” arrangement as told by Andrea Ramsey to SVCC choristers in
Zoom, November 23, 2020:
“Crowded Table” was inspired by my brother. My brother is two years younger than me [and] is a really
fantastic guitarist. He’s more of a studio musician. He has a professional-level studio in his basement, and
even though he is a professor of communication, his hobby is to master and mix recordings for people. He
actually sent me the title track from the album by The Highwomen which is a pop-country supergroup that
came together to create an album. [My brother] said, “I want you to hear this song. It’s so powerful!” And
[the song] he sent wasn’t “Crowded Table.” He sent me the song “Highwomen” which is a really powerful
song. When I listened to it, I was like, “This is amazing! I want to listen to the rest of the album.” And then
when I heard “Crowded Table,” I immediately thought, “Oh, this could be translated [into a choral piece]!”
Not every pop song translates into the choral realm well but some pop songs do, and this was one that I
thought could be really cool!
Immediately I wrote to Scott Foss, who is my editor at Hal Leonard, and I said, “Can I have dibs on this
song?” There aren’t protocols but I was scared [of losing it to another arranger.] I said, “I really like this,
and I want to arrange it! When can we get the rights to it? And too, if Hal Leonard has [the rights] can I do
this first before someone else does?” He said, “We can do this song. You’ve got dibs!” I’m like, “Okay!
Great!”
So that’s what happened! [Foss] sent me the solo sheet music they had on file. That way I didn’t have to
completely start from scratch with the notation. Then I just tried to make it interesting and add some things,
like those little countermelodies in the alto. I think that’s the tension you always feel when you are
arranging something. When I’m writing my own song, I can just do whatever. But if I’m arranging
somebody else’s piece, and it’s already an existing song, then I have to think about how true I want to stay
to the original composition and how much I want to adjust it.
[“Crowded Table”] was supposed to be performed in Carnegie Hall by this big youth festival chorus [in
June 2020] and we were all excited! And then, it didn’t happen. They cancelled [the festival]. Hal Leonard
had been so generous. They were like, “We’ll print these [scores] and get them to the choristers so that they
have a souvenir score to take home” which was going to be so nice! Then, when [the festival] didn’t happen,
we asked, “Can we stop [the production of the music]?” And they said, “No, it’s too far gone!” And so, at
that point, we lost the premiere. It’s out in the universe, a double-edge sword. You [SVCC] get to sing it
now though!
Andrea Ramsey’s response after hearing SVCC’s audio mix of “Crowded Table” in Zoom
Oh my gosh! That was so great! I’m getting a little weepy here! I realized as I started listening to [“Crowded
Table”], that this was the first time I have heard it apart from those [promotional] studio recordings they
always do. But that’s not the same as hearing real instruments and real [choir]. And also, I just miss live
music. I miss people being together! Thank you, singers! That was such a gift! Thank you for giving me
that and letting me hear it! It was really beautiful!

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 Meet the composers!

Dan Davison is an educator, composer, adjudicator, clinician, and singer from the
Pacific Northwest. Davison's 40-year career as choir director at Ballou Junior High in
Puyallup, Washington, acquainted him well with the complexities of the adolescent
voice. Dan is experienced as a church choir director and has directed choirs at Western
Washington University and Pacific Lutheran University. Dan also directed the
Northwest ACDA Youth Choir (grades 7-9) for the 2014 ACDA Northwest
Convention. Mr. Davison has received numerous awards for his role in music
education, including the 1996 State of Washington Christa McAuliffe Educator of the
Year, The Educator Citizen of the Year for 2010 for Communities in Schools in
Puyallup, Washington, and also the "Outstanding Choral Director Award" for 2010 from the Washington
chapter of The American Choral Director's Association.

Dr. Mark Patterson is a nationally acclaimed composer, conductor, and teacher. He

has worked with choral groups of all ages in public school, university, and church
music settings. He is the director of music at Salisbury Presbyterian Church in
Midlothian, Virginia, where he conducts and oversees a comprehensive choral
program for adults, youth and children. As a composer, Dr. Patterson enjoys crafting
unique choral works with poetic texts, soaring melodies and stirring rhythms. As a
conductor and teacher, he enjoys engaging singers with humor and creativity
throughout the rehearsal process to deliver a powerful and meaningful performance.
Currently he has over 200 choral works in print and has been a consistent winner of the
ASCAP Award in Composition for over ten years.

Jude B. Roldan and his wife Dr. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan are front runners in
the children's choral movement in the Philippines. Together they founded the Young
Voices of the Philippines where Jude holds the multifaceted position of music director,
pianist, composer and arranger. Their former treble choir, The Hail Mary the Queen
Children's Choir, became the first-ever Children's Choir of the World winner at the
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in North Wales, United Kingdom,
and Choir Olympic Champions at 3rd World Choir Games in Bremen, Germany. Jude
gives composition, arranging, and choral workshops around the Philippines,
Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea and the United States. His compositions
have been recorded, premiered, and performed in festivals and competitions around the world.

Dr. Andrea Ramsey enjoys an international presence as a composer, conductor,

scholar and music educator. Her teaching experiences range from work with
adolescent and children's voices to high school and collegiate voices. She enjoys regular
opportunities to conduct all-state and divisional level honor choirs, festival events at
Carnegie Hall, and serves as a principal conductor for the Pacific International Young
Women's Choral Festival in Eugene, Oregon. Before leaping into full-time composing
and guest conducting, Andrea held positions at the Ohio State University and the
University of Colorado Boulder. An award-winning composer with approximately 100
works to date, she believes strongly in the creation of new music. A native of Arkansas,
Andrea has experienced in her own life the power of music to provide a sense of community, better
understanding for our humanity, and rich opportunities for self-discovery.

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Now celebrating its 29th year, Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir includes nearly 90 children of
diverse backgrounds ages 5-18 in three auditioned choirs and one music class with a staff of ten under the
artistic and executive direction of Dr. Janet M. Hostetter.
During the fall of 2020, COVID-19 forced SVCC staff members to consider alternative strategies for running
rehearsals. In September and October, the Preparatory and Treble Choirs rehearsed on the campus of
Eastern Mennonite Elementary School in three distinct groups: "Choir singing and musicianship training"
with Joy Anderson, "Spanish songs and dance" with Brook Gonzalez, and "Orff instruction" (think
"marimba band") with Janet Hostetter. The Concert Choir rehearsed in downtown Harrisonburg’s Turner
Pavilion. Heidi King led warm-ups; Janet Hostetter and Joy Anderson provided choral and musicianship
training; Valeria Eshleman-Robles provided Guatemalan dance instruction. Choristers had the option to
meet in person or online every Monday. All choristers transitioned to Zoom rehearsals during the month
of November. Zoom activities included musicianship instruction, experimental singing, conversations
with prominent composers, and engaging polls designed as social activities for students to enjoy.

Music Explorers classes for children ages 5-8, taught by Anderson and Gonzalez, met outdoors on the
campus of Eastern Mennonite Elementary School for ten weeks during the fall 2020 semester. Explorers
classes are based on the Kodály approach to music education. This program develops music reading and
listening skills and teaches music fundamentals through singing, movement, games, improvisation,
instruments and story books.

Committed to community outreach, SVCC has participated in relief concerts, organized choral workshops
in local school systems, and offered five-week non-auditioned spring choir experiences for children who
love to sing.
The beauty and reputation of SVCC have afforded Concert Choir the honor of performing for Archbishop
Emeritus Desmond Tutu, then-President Bill and Hillary Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter.
Performing choirs frequently collaborate with professional musicians and have presented at conferences of
the American Choral Directors Association ('00, '02, '06, '12, ‘18), Virginia Music Educators Association ('96,
'98, '04, '08), and Organization of American Kodály Educators ('01, '09), and have performed with the
American Boychoir (’94, ’01, ’03, ’07, ’10, ’17). Enriching the regular season are collaborative trips, most
recently for children’s choral festivals at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland, and for the Sing A Mile High
Children’s Choral Festival in Denver, Colorado; joint concerts with Virginia Children’s Chorus in Norfolk,
One Voice Chorus in Richmond, The Maryland State Boychoir in Baltimore; and the Crescent City Choral
Festival in New Orleans. Under the leadership of Dr. Hostetter, SVCC choristers have participated in music
video projects. Among them are a "signature" video of choir members singing "Shenandoah" in the
Shenandoah National Park; a collaborative video with the Cusco-based Children's choir Los K'ana
Wawakuna in Peru; a video featuring Hostetter's arrangement of "America the Beautiful" on windy Pikes
Peak; and a special holiday video entitled "A Christmas Blessing."
Artistic and executive director Dr. Janet M. Hostetter has led the organization since 2014, and assistant
director Joy Anderson has worked with the choir since 2002. Dr. Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy served as
interim director from 2012-2014. The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir was founded in 1991 at Eastern
Mennonite University by Julia J. White.

8
 Biographies
Janet M. Hostetter, artistic and executive director, received her doctorate and master’s in choral
conducting from James Madison University and her bachelor’s in music education from Eastern Mennonite
University. Her published research project, “Tone Production, Musicianship Training, Repertoire
Development, Performance Practice: A Pedagogical Overview of Selected International Children’s Choirs,”
provided her the joy of interacting with respected children’s choirs in Australia, the Czech Republic,
Canada, and the Philippines. In the years since Dr. Hostetter came to SVCC in 2014, SVCC choirs have
performed nationally and internationally, collaborated with renowned children’s choirs, and also
produced several music videos. A passionate educator of the choral art and of future music educators, Dr.
Hostetter frequently mentors as clinician, collegiate instructor, and honor choir director. She served as
repertoire and standards chair for elementary music in the state of Virginia for five years and for eight
years provided oversight and direction for a thriving music ministry at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.

Joy Anderson, assistant director, holds a bachelor of music in music education from the University of
Richmond, a master of music in music education and Level I Orff certification from James Madison
University, and Kodály certification from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, including study at the
Kodály Institute in Kecskemet, Hungary. Mrs. Anderson teaches in JMU’s summer Kodály courses and is
a frequent presenter and guest conductor for music education and choral organizations and school systems.
Her writing has appeared in several music educators’ publications, and she was a contributing author
to Winding It Back: Teaching to Individual Differences in Music Classroom and Ensemble Settings published by
Oxford University Press. A 35-year veteran music teacher and conductor, Mrs. Anderson also currently
teaches and directs K-5 music and choir, middle school plays, and high school musicals at Eastern
Mennonite School.

Valeria Eshleman-Robles , Concert Choir movement instructor, born and raised in Guatemala
City, currently teaches Spanish at Eastern Mennonite School and modern dance at the Elkton Dance
and Recreation Program. She earned a degree in contemporary dance and choreography from the
Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, which led to teaching at the Universidad Galileo de
Guatemala and in various dance studios. Her original pieces have been presented in El Salvador,
Honduras, Costa Rica, and México. In November 2016, United Nations Women commissioned Valeria
to create and perform a choreography titled "Tejido de Mujer" for the recognition of the oppression
of women in Guatemala throughout its history. Valeria believes that the most significant aspect of
dance is communication - the creation of bonds between people regardless of age, gender or culture.
She's excited to share her dance experiences and passion while connecting with people from
Harrisonburg, which she is happy to now call home.

Brook H. Gonzalez , bilingual instructor for Prep, Treble, and Explorers, received her bachelor’s
degree in vocal music education from Goshen College. Her passion for intercultural experiences and
relationships then led her to Cusco, Peru, where she taught K-12 music and English for two years.
Since then she has given private voice lessons, taught Spanish, coordinated intercultural trips and
experiences, provided Spanish/English interpreting services, and led bilingual Music Together
classes for babies and their caretakers. Señora Gonzalez is excited to provide leadership for SVCC’s
first bilingual music class and is ready to practice creativity in designi ng virtual musical experiences.
Outside of SVCC Señora Gonzalez enjoys leading music at her church, staying active, and spending
time with friends and family. She is also pursuing a master’s of counseling and school counseling at
Eastern Mennonite University.

Heidi King, rehearsal assistant, is currently in the masters of music education program at James Madison
University. She completed her undergraduate degree in music with a choral and instrumental pre-k-12
teaching licensure at Eastern Mennonite University. For the last six years, she was the choir director at
Stonewall Jackson High School and North Fork Middle School in Shenandoah County. Here she had the
opportunity to grow the schools’ choir programs, teach guitar and general music classes, and direct the

9
high school musical. Heidi enjoys singing in the local a cappella group Good Company, and is active in
music ministry at her church, Zion Mennonite. Heidi has enjoyed spending lots of time at home with her
husband Justin and their 4-month old, Everett, who has brought so much hope and joy during this
unprecedented year!

Tara Davis, violinist, is a seasoned freelance musician currently residing in Harrisonburg VA. She teaches
violin, piano and theory with EMU’s Music Preparatory Program and recently has been designing gifts for
musicians and other performing artists, with Musica Style Designs. Tara is grateful to SVCC for their
support and collaboration. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Christopher Clymer Kurtz, guitarist, was by age 10 already writing in his diary about eating
hamburgers and playing guitar. He’s still a sucker for a burger any day, and for playing guitar and
songwriting every day. He’s also worked in prison arts, education, marketing, nonprofit development,
newspaper and radio journalism. His music is included in the new Voices Together hymnal and on more
than seven albums, including two recent projects by Clymer & Kurtz, the Shenandoah Valley duo also
featuring his spouse Maria.

2020-21 Calendar
www.svcc.org
Christmas concert: Faith, Hope, & Love | Online premiere: December 19 at 7 p.m.
Featuring all SVCC choirs and guest musicians
Available at svcc.org/virtual-concert
Donations welcome!

Mid-year auditions for performing choirs | February 10 & 11

Children in grades 2-11 who love to sing, can match pitch, and have positive, cooperative attitudes are
welcome to audition. Open to new choristers for second semester in all performing choirs:
Prep Choir ages 7-11, Treble Choir ages 9-14, Concert Choir ages 12-17.
To schedule an appointment, contact the office at 540-432-4650 or email [email protected].

Spring Semester 2021

Performing choirs will begin rehearsals March 1st and conclude before
Memorial Day with hopes for a live outdoor concert.
Explorers classes for young children will begin later in March and run for 10 weeks outside.
Interested choristers may audition or sign up in February. Go to svcc.org for more information.

Auditions for 2020-21 performing choirs | May TBA

For more information, email [email protected] or call 540-432-4650.

In anticipation:
Children’s choral music festival at Carnegie Hall, New York City | June 20, 2022
Conductors Dr. Janet M. Hostetter and Dr. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan
will premiere a treble work by composer Jude B. Roldan.
Headlining choirs SVCC and Young Voices of the Philippines will be featured
along with members of other children’s choirs from around the world.

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 SVCC Personnel – Fall 2020

Staff Parent Assistants

Sylvia Aamodt, uniform coordinator Preparatory & Treble Choirs:
Joy Anderson, assistant director Megan Holland
Valeria Eshleman-Robles, Concert Choir Rebecca House
movement instructor Annette Loker
Brook H. Gonzalez, Prep & Treble Choirs & Karen Reichard
Explorers bilingual instructor
Janet Hostetter, artistic director Concert Choir:
Heidi King, rehearsal assistant Marsha Hinkle
Karen Reichard, Prep & Treble Choirs assistant Darice Jones
Kris Shank Zehr, Explorers liaison, library services Lynette Long
& program books Julie Ritenour
Erin Weldon, choir manager
Ethan Zook, director of support services

Board Special thanks:

Carol Armstrong
Jane Byrd, secretary City of Harrisonburg, rehearsal space
Jim Cahill at Turner Pavilion
Vimari Colón-León Sue Cockley, dean of the school of theology,
Will Dabback humanities and performing arts, EMU
Courtney Guiry Dan Davison, composer
Sarah Hamilton Eastern Mennonite School, rehearsal space
Les Helmuth, vice chair Mike Eberly, graphic designer
Becky Holmes, chair EMU Marketing, donation landing page design
Philip Kniss Brent Holl, Orff instrument workshop build
Joel Maas Benjamin Hostetter, virtual choir designer & audio
Clay Showalter engineer
Kelly Snow Eric Hostetter, photographer & videographer
Edward Yoder Darice Jones, ad sales coordinator
Ex Officio: Joel Maas, photographer & videographer
Joy Anderson, assistant director Mark Patterson, composer
David Berry, EMU music dept. chair Andrea Ramsey, composer
Janet Hostetter, artistic & executive director Scott Rogers, webpage support
Erin Weldon, choir manager Jude Roldan, composer & audio engineer
Ethan Zook, support services director Karen Siegel, Zoom audio support
Ivan and Jaimie Shifflett, ColorQuest Custom
Printing
Clay Showalter, virtual concert compilation

11
 Choir Members – Fall 2020

Preparatory Choir (ages 7-10)

Emily Coddington Kennedy Joyner Samantha Suderman
Corinna Conrad Louisa King Lucas Weldon
Mitchell Fife Hannah Loker Carissa Witter
Ophelia Gerber Julieta Nicholas Sosia Avery Wolfenbarger
Phemie Gerber Benji Rylak
Braelyn Jordan Sylvia Sachs

Treble Choir (ages 8-13)

Maggy Byler Julia Holland Rachel Loker
Maggie Cullers Bethany House Virginia Natale
Maela Gerber Rachel Huffman Peyton Pernell
Ila Hackman Claire Keller Sophia Roy
Eli Halteman Sara Keller Matea Wenger
Vera Heller Emily Liberace Eva Witter

Concert Choir (ages 10-17)

Lauren Abernathy Sarah Keim* Micah Shank Zehr
Kattalin Bennett Hannah Liberace Eli Stoll
Luke Beyeler Erin Loker Elaina Stoltzfus
Lena Blagg Noah Loker Lilliana Stoltzfus
Micah Blagg Matthew Long* Miley Thomas
Maria Buckwalter Rebekah Long* Annie Kate Walsh
Aidan Cahill Caleb Maas* Molly Walsh
Colin Cahill Haile Madden Briana Weldon
Jeremiah Esteban Hannah Mast* Dante Witter
Abby Gibson* Emily McAvoy Bryce Yates
Alex Green Caroline McCutcheon Kristie Yates
Zach Halteman Maggie McCutcheon Kaylee Yew
Delaney Hinkle Tristan Nussbaum Eleanor Yoder
Wayne Hyder Anna Ritenour Lewis Yoder
Kendra Johnson Josiah Ropp
Emily Jones* Amelia Rylak* * Head Chorister

12
 Chorus of Support
November 1, 2019 – October 31, 2020

Endowments Scholarships
The Henneberger Endowment Alphie and Mary Zook Memorial Scholarship
Judith Nolen Henneberger
The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Soloist’s Circle: $5,000 – $9,999
Rockingham County Judith N. Henneberger
Edgar I. Levy Endowment for the Shenandoah
Valley Children’s Choir

Chorister’s Circle: $1,000 – $4,999 Benefactor: $500 – $999

Anonymous Anonymous
Art Borden Mary Ann & Jonathan Alger
Jim Cahill & Beth Chandler Cahill Greg & Jane Byrd
Carol Fenn David & Carol Hamilton
Fidelity Foundation Gina & Tom Holden
Milton & Mary Ethel Heatwole Becky & Michael Holmes
John & Mary Ann Heatwole Phil & Irene Kniss
Alden & Louise Hostetter Fred & Rosalyn Kniss
Lynette & Keith Long Deborah Proctor
Jim & Kay Manchester Clay and Joanna Showalter
Chad & Rachel Muxlow
Suzanne & Karl Roulston
Ethan & Sharon Zook

Sponsor: $100 – $499 Felicia & Ramon Esteban Jamie King

Anonymous Denny & Marijean Eye John & Betty Kreider
Peter Dula & Ilse Ackerman Everette & Barbara Gardner Martha Jo Ladd
Mary Allen Martin Gorman Joseph & Kay Leeth
Patricia & James Alt Maurita Eberly Hanford & Amy & Val Liberace
Joy & Jonathan Anderson Joseph Hanford Carroll Lisle
Will Dabback & Katherine Phil & Loretta Helmuth Sara Louden
Axtell Les & Sylvia Helmuth Barry & Eileen McEneely
Nicole Barnhardt Dorothy & AR Hendricksen Cathy Murray
Lenora & Rick Bell Caroline & Aaron Hewitt Wayne Natale
Bridgewater Church of the Brenda & Woody High Leigh & Eric Nelson
Brethren Judith Hiller Dean Nichols
Susan & Reynolds Cahoon Kathy & Wayne Hochstedler Jeanine & Steve O'Donnell
Gary & Kathryn Chandler Richard & Carolyn Holland George & Ellen Ohsiek
Asahel & Laura Church Theresa & Richard Holmes Colleen O'Neill
Robert Coffman Hostetter Custom Homes Tom & Maire O'Neill
Phyllis & Jerry Coulter Eric & Janet Hostetter Ervin Mast & Marsha Owens
Good Company DBA Glenn & Betsy Hulvey Wanda & Alan Propst
Daryl & Sarah Detrick Trumbo Electric Inc Suzanne Fiederlein & Dave
David & Donna Detrick VMRC Inc Pruett
Paul Donaghy Polly Kauffman Brenda & Willard Rexrode
Richard Macklin & Dianne Melvin & Dorothy Keim Doreen Ropp
Eret Jen & Greg Keim Barry & Patricia Roth

13
Roosevelt & Mary Rowe Lillian Stoltzfus Norman Webb
Laverle Sappington Pat Stoltzfus Douglas & Sylvia
Michael Shank Marcia Stutzman Woodworth
Sheldon & Lois Shank Alesia & Daniel Talbot Peng Ye
Emily Short Daniel & Mini Vasquez Paul & Ann Yoder
William & Selah Sprinkel Sr. Cyndy Walsh Laura & Edward Yoder
Dean Steel Mike & Rachel Weaver
Reid & Susan Stempel Donald & Janice Webb

Contributor: $20 – $99 John & Rose Fiske James Leeth

Anonymous Ashleigh & Kemper Ramona Leeth
Susan & Robby Ackerman Funkhouser Stephen & Barbara Loizeaux
Kathryn Albright Joan & Dale Gardner Harold & Doris Long
Cathy Barnhardt John & Bonnie Glick Paul & Dolores Long
Homer Barnhardt Megan Good Kathy & Earl Lougheed
Juanita & Jonathan Barter Kathleen & Bob Gorman Sandra & Steven Lucas
Robert & Mary Barth Regina Griffin Joy & Joel Maas
Susan & Erin Beck Donald & Elnora Groff Charles & Nance Macklin
Laura & Jeff Bennett Raymond & Kimberly Gross Carol Maddox
David Berry Susan & Lowell Guengerich Marty Manson
Loine Bert Claudette Guy Larry & Barbara Marquis
James & Tracey Blagg Robert & Jeanne Halkowich Arthur & Jackie Matusow
Harold & Vicky Blosser Steve & Sara Halteman Lawrence & Lois Maulo
David Detrick & Ruth Boone Sarah Hamilton Caleb McClay
Jim & Sylvia Bowman Deborah & Frank Hargreaves Wendy & James McCutcheon
Harlan & Claire De Brun Caitlin Hawes Susan & Jerome McDonald
Dianne Cahill Robert Heller Sharon & Duane Miller
Judith Carr Gavin & Chris Hendricksen Bernard Miller
Eric & Sara Chan Megan & Stephen Holland Bobby & Beverly Miller
Regina Chestnut Louetta Shull & Dena Hoover Andrea & Bill Miracle
Sufan Chi Harold & Donna House James & Pamela Moyer
Todd Christensen Brian & Laura House John & Elizabeth Murch
Joe & Earline Clark Rebecca & Daniel House Lonald Muxlow
Kinley & Cheryl Comer Robert Fiske & Julie Huck Jim & Andrea Muxlow-
Doran & Cindy Conrad Michael & Elizabeth Huegel Yuzwalk
Ron & Vi Cox Wayne & Deborah Huffman Kathleen Myers
James & Sharon Craig Rufus & Elaine Huffman Andrew & Kathleen Natale
Fonda & Richard Cullers John Gontkof & Crystal Sarah Nelson
Justin & Lauren Deaton Huyard Curtis & Andrea Nolley
Robert & Julia Define Lynn Hyder Carlynn & Chad Patten
Dave & Adele Dengler George & Marilou Johnson Allen Peachey
Robert Detrick Darice & William Jones Sam Petersheim & Marta
Mary Ellen & Mamo Dula William & Lorna Keller Frederick-Petersheim
Michael & Fran Duman Lucinda Kenney Doris Price
Cora Dzubak Justin & Heidi King Marshall & Gloria Price
Corinne Edwards Dallas & Peggy Kipfer Charles & Mary Queen
Mark Elkins Shirley & Paulson Kurtz Adrienne Rae
Sylvia Fellows Vera Ladd Betty Redmond
John & Jean Fiske George & Xueping Lee Julie & Charles Ritchie

14
Eugene & Annette Ritter Dave Gish & Rebecca Souder William & Peggy Tincher
Wilma & Kris Robertson Eugene & Alice Souder Harold & Millie Trotter
Brenda & Ronald Robey The Beauty Spa Lucile Vaughn
Bradley & Zoe Rohrer David & Effie Spicher Lynne & Ralph Veerman
Ranene Schrock Ropp & Sarah & Ben Sprouse Stephen Wade
Joseph Ropp Bruce & Neva Stambaugh Neil & Erin Weldon
Laura & Thomas Rosazza Frank & Nancy Steller Lowell & Marlene Wenger
Joyce Ross Hugh & Kathy Stoll Barbara & Christ Wheatley
Katie & Jonathan Roy Myron & Rebecca Stoltzfus Jenny & Dan Whiting
John Sanders Grant & Susan Stoltzfus Liisa & JJ Wilkins
Robert & Audrey Schlabach Mark & Danielle Stopek Herbert & Georganne Witter
Rachel Schlabach Jennifer & Glenn Daniel & Susan Woodworth
Elwood & Lorene Schrock Strawderman Lela Faye Yoder
Jeff & Julie Shank Patti & Raymond Studwell Milton & Dorothy Zehr
Kirk & Kris Shank Zehr Ervin & Bonnie Stutzman
Phyllis Showalter Linda Laplante & Larry
Katherine & Timothy Shrader Tarlach
Dr Beverly Silver Sarah Oddenino-Tate &
Bill & Anita Simmons Stephen Tate
Ethel Smith David & Nadine Teichert-
JR & Kelly Snow Coddington
Kristen & Ron Snyder Bruce & Joy Thomas

15
 3 '

WAMPLER s %
r
& ASSOCIATES
'
3
REHAB
LD&B

r
INSURANCE AND
FINANCIAL MAST

s
SERVICES LANDSCAPES

% & FRIENDS

A GREAT BIG
DEAN
STEEL
ERECTORS
THANK YOU PARK VIEW
FEDERAL
CREDIT
UNION

TO OUR SPONSORS!

ADVERTISEMENT INDEX
SVCC is grateful for the support of these businesses!
Agri of Virginia, Inc., 29 Monroe Mortgage Co., 26
Ameriprise Financial, 28 Obenshain Law Group, 27
B&S Contracting, 31 Ooh La La Spa, 30
Barberitaville Hair Salon, 29 Park View Federal Credit Union, 21
Big L Tire – Harrisonburg, 28 Parrott Orthodontics, 25
Blue Ridge Hearing Center, Inc., 28 Showalters Orchard and Greenhouse, 31
Brian Brumbaugh Pediatric Dentistry, 27 Silver Lake Welding Service, Inc., 31
Bridgewater Retirement Community, 24 State Farm - Shannon Lokey, 29
CL Custer, 29 Steven Toyota, 30
Cobalt Communications, Inc., 29 Suter Engineering, 27
Coin & Gift Shop, 30 Ten Thousand Villages, 29
ColorQuest Custom Printing, 32 Town and Country Furniture, 30
Dean Family Dental, 30 Trumbo Electric, 27
Dean Steel Erectors, 17 Vailes Home Improvement Services, 30
Domino’s Pizza, 22 Valley Building Supply, Inc., 30
DuPont Community Credit Union, 25 Valley Engineering, 30
Eastern Mennonite School, 23 Wampler & Assoc. Rehab, 20
Friendly City Food Co-op, 26 Weaver's Flooring America, 31
Holtzman Oil & Propane, 31 Whitmers Tires & Service, 28
LD&B Insurance and Financial Services, 18 Woodstock Brewhouse, 26
LSC Communications, 32 Zola's, 31
Mast Landscapes, 19

16
 DEAN
DEAN
DEANSTEEL
STEEL
STEEL P.O.
P.O.
5366
5366
Box
P.O.Box
N.
5366N.
116
Box1164
116
Valle
N.Valle
Vall
Steel
Steel
SteelErection
Erection
Erection Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg,
Harrisonburg
Crane
CraneRentals
Crane Rentals
Rentals OOO
Dean
Dean
DeanRowe
Rowe
Rowe
STEEL
EEL
P.O. Box 1164 Harrisonburg, VA 22803
P.O. Box 1164 Harrisonburg, VA 22803
TEEL
ection
P.O.
5366 N.
5366
BoxN.1164
5366
Valley
Harrisonburg,
Valley
Pike
Pike
N. Valley Pike
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
VA 22803
n Harrisonburg, VA 22802
sion
entals Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Office:Office:
(540) (540) 434-7465
434-7465 E-mail:
E-mail: dd
E-mail:de
tals
Rowe
we
Office:
Fax: (540)
Fax:
(540) 434-7465
(540) 434-7640
434-7640 Web
Web Si
WebSit
S
owe Fax: (540) 434-7640

DEANDEAN STEELSTEEL P.O. Box 1164P.O.Harrisonburg,

5366 N. Valley
5366
VA 228
Box 1164 Harrisonb
Pike
N. Valley Pike
Steel Erection
Steel Erection
DEAN STEELDEAN
Crane Rentals
P.O.
STEEL
DEAN
Crane
5366
BoxHarrisonburg,
Rentals
1164P.O.
STEEL
N. Valley Pike
VA 22802
Harrisonburg,
Harrisonburg,
Box 1164 VA VA 22802
22803
Harrisonburg,
P.O. Box
Office: (540)Office:
434-7465
V
1164 Harr
(540)
E-mail:
E-mail:
Steel Erection [email protected]
[email protected] 5366 N. Valley
5366Pike
N. Valley Pik
Dean
Web
Crane Site:
E-mail:
RentalsRowe
Dean
Steel Rowe
Harrisonburg,
Erection
Steel Erection
www.deansteel-dse.com
[email protected]
WebCrane
Site:Rentals
VA
www.deansteel-dse.com
Fax:
22802
Harrisonburg,
(540)
VA
434-7640
Fax: (540
22802
Harrisonburg,
Office: (540) 434-7465
Crane Rentals
VA 2
Office: (540)Office:
434-7
Web Site: www.deansteel-dse.com
Dean Rowe Dean Rowe Dean Rowe
Fax: (540) 434-7640
Fax: (540) 434-7
Fax:

E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: deanaidenrow
Web Site: www.deansteel-dse.c
Web Site: www.de
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: deanaidenrowe@ic
E-mail: deanaid
17 Web Site: www.deansteel-dse.com
Web Site: www.deansteel
Web Site: ww
 Serving our Neighbors
since 1974
www.LDBinsurance.com

Harrisonburg • Bridgewater • Staunton • Broadway

Mt. Jackson • Woodstock • Luray
Advisory Services offered through Investment Advisors, a division of ProEquities, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through
ProEquities, Inc., a Registered Broker-Dealer, Member, FINRA & SIPC. LD&B Insurance and Financial Services is independent of ProEquities, Inc.

18
19
 rehab
WAMPLER & ASSOC.

Hands-on care that makes a difference in your life

540-434-9267
20
 YOUT H CO UN TS
For ages 17 and under
AC

Report Card Birthday Gifts

A+ Rewards
Get paid for your
We think birthdays
are pretty awesome,
good grades! so we like to help you
celebrate!

Deposit Rewards Grow With Me

Certificate
Get rewarded for the
deposits you make A high-dividend rate
into your account. certificate that
matures when the
child turns 18.

Interested in opening a checking account for your child?

Park View’s Electrum Student Account is a free, high-dividend rate
checking account that rewards monthly activity, while offering the
basics members know and love.

All SVCC students and their immediate famlies can join Park View!

540.434.6444 | www.pvfcu.org | Federally insured by NCUA

21
22
 • •
•

• •
•
• •
• •
•
•
• •
•
•
•
•

23
 Live here.
Live creatively.

At Bridgewater Retirement Community, creative energy makes us

who we are. People were meant to create. We create art and music.
We create families. We create lives. Retirement is not the end of
creativity—it’s the beginning. Through classes, activities and outings,
our residents immerse themselves in new experiences and refine old
skills. You’ve spent your life creating good things. Join us in keeping
the creative spirit alive.

Simple pleasures. Abundant life.

1.800.419.9129 | 540.828.2540
Call today to learn how you 302 North Second Street
can begin living the happiest Bridgewater, VA 22812
days of your life. brc-energy.org

24
 17 Gosnell Crossing • Staunton VA 24401
540-949-6600

www.parrottorthodontics.com

DISCOVER A
CREDIT UNION DCCU is your best local option, with the

THAT FITS
personal attention you deserve and competitive
rates on the financial services you need.

YOUR LIFE Visit us at one of our 4 Harrisonburg locations:

47 West Kaylor Park Drive
1925 Reservoir Street
1820 South High Street
1900 Stone Spring Road

Insured by NCUA. Membership required.

25
31901.32.11.MonroeMortgage.qxp 9/12/17 10:09 AM Page 1

Monroe Mortgage Company

A Virginia Corporation
2813 Rawley PikeHarrisonburg VA 22801

Loan Originator
Ms. Brandon C Henry
PHONE:540-434-0446
FAX:540-434-0730
EMAIL:[email protected]
(Licensed by the VA SCC MC-382)
NMLS ID #278401.
(www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).
Loan Originator NMLS 246505

Co-Go With Your Cocoa!

Live Music Thursdays

Stay warm. Grocery shop online with Co-Go!
www.woodstockbrewhouse.com
Now at friendlycity.coop

26
 LOOKING TO RIGHT A WRONG? So Are We.
420 Neff Ave., Suite 130 540-208-0727

SE
Harrisonburg, VA 22801 www.obenshainlaw.com

Senator Mark Obenshain and

Obenshain Law Group
wish to congratulate the
Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir
for another successful production!
Suter engineering, pc
205 Dry River Road, Bridgewater, VA 22812
[email protected]
[email protected]
Office (540) 237-4636
www.suterengineering.com

You’re Never Too Young

For a Healthy Smile!!

Pediatric Dentistry
Call for an Appointment
540-213-2244

15 Gosnell Crossing Staunton, VA 24401

www.cavityfreekid.com

27
 Burkholder & Associates
A financial advisory practice of
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

24 HOUR
4040 Early Road
ROAD SERVICE Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540) 434-1792
Michelin National Account
(800) 289-2445
Continental National Account
CELL: (540) 271-2577

28
 THE ART + SCIENCE OF UNDERSTANDING

Cobalt is proud to
support the Shenandoah
Valley Children’s Choir —
and sing the praises of
the young people who
brighten our days with
their voices.

cobaltcommunications.com • 540.689.0288

401 Broadway Ave. Broadway VA, 22815

540-896-7074

HARDWARE & BUILDING

SUPPLIES

Shannon Lokey, Agent

9 Killdeer Lane
Dayton, VA 22821
Bus: 540-879-2311
[email protected]
State Farm, Bloomington, IL
1211999

29
 Ooh La La Spa
“Where dreams come true”
A Rylak, Owner Mani-Pedis
Staunton, VA Nail Art

(540) 434-6365
www.valleyesp.com

30
 540.433.1517
3245 South Main St.
Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Serving the Shenandoah

Valley since 1975 540.943.3231
2530 West Main St.
Free Estimates Available
Waynesboro, VA 22980

weaversflooringamerica.com
CARPET HARDWOOD LAMINATE CERAMIC VINYL

31
 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
COMBINING OLD FASHIONED FRIENDLY SERVICE, MODERN TECH,

We cover your basic needs:

LET YOUR SEARCH FOR FAST, HIGH

QUALITY PRINTING END WITH US!
540.432.4543 • [email protected] • ColorQuestPrinting.com
EMU Campus Printshop 994 Parkwood Drive Harrisonburg, VA 22802

32
Now offered as a dual language
program in Spanish and English!

Music
Explorers
Ages 5-8
SVCC Music Explorers is a 20-week
program that develops music reading
and listening skills and teaches music
fundamentals through singing, movement,
games, improvisation, instruments, and
story books. Instruction is active, fun, child-
friendly! Both online and in-person physically
distanced options exist.
Instructors: Joy Anderson
and Brook H. Gonzalez

Give your child the gift of music!

Contact SVCC at 540-432-4650 for info about spring semester classes
33