CVSM’S 16^TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CONCERT TO HONOR HERM HOPPLE ON OCTOBER 23

Herm Hopple

The Cumberland Valley School of Music will be holding its 16^th annual Gala Concert this year on Sunday, October 23 at 3:00 PM in Thomson Chapel, Wilson College , Chambersburg , PA.   The concert will feature some of the best musical talent in the Cumberland Valley and covers a wide variety of musical styles from classical and opera to musical theater, jazz, and popular American song.  It will also include a special tribute to Herm Hopple, who will receive the Bravissimo Award for his outstanding and ongoing contributions to the arts community.  

Performers at the concert will include CVSM faculty, alumni, award-winning students, and friends.  Some highlights will include clarinetist Mike Hoover, cellist Camilo Perez-Mejia, and pianist Suzy Thierry playing a movement from a Brahms trio; soprano Paula Hepfer and baritone John Dromazos performing a song from Fiddler on the Roof; trumpeter Ray Dryburgh and organist Kathleen Dryburgh; CVSM alumnus and Peabody Conservatory student mezzo soprano Leah Serr, accompanied by pianist Valerie Merriman; merit award winning students Christa Hoover (violin), Daniel Lawson (piano), and James Eury (voice) performing solo showcases; singer-guitarists Roy Justice and Tresa Paul; and several numbers featuring Herm Hopple, including an appearance by the CVSM Jazz Quartet (bassist Hopple, flutist Tim Gotwald, pianist Andrew Sussman, drummer Sam Hepfer) and a selection from the CVSM Community String Orchestra, conducted by Hopple. 

The Bravissimo Award is given to an individual who has contributed immensely, through years of service, to the cultural betterment of the Cumberland Valley .  It was last awarded in 2000 to Lynn Lerew.  CVSM executive director Andrew Sussman notes: “I can think of  no better example of a worthy recipient for this award than Herm Hopple.  A highly respected educator, conductor, and performing musician, Herm’s enthusiasm for the arts and considerable talent have impacted on thousands of lives for more than three decades.” 

Herm Hopple holds a B.S. in Music Education from Susquehanna University and a Masters in Music Education from Penn State University .  Retired as string instructor and director of the Chambersburg Area School District Symphony after 30 years, Herm also taught for seven years in the Shamokin District prior to coming to Chambersburg .  He has played upright bass with the Potomac Symphony and the Gettysburg College Community Orchestra and is currently principal bass and section leader with the Shippensburg College Community Orchestra.  In addition, Herm is well known for his work on electric and upright bass with the groups Four Easy Pieces, the CVSM Jazz Quartet, and the CVSM Concert Jazz Band.  He also teaches bass at CVSM.

Aside from being a wonderfully entertaining musical afternoon, the Gala Concert is one of CVSM’s most important annual fundraising efforts, and all profits go to support the school of music, a non-profit certified member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.  CVSM’s 53 faculty members teach nearly 600 students a year at four locations: Thomson Hall, Wilson College , Chambersburg; the Evangelical Lutheran Church , Waynesboro ; St. Andrew School , Waynesboro ; and the Mercersburg Academy .  In addition, the school sponsors a community symphonic band, a concert jazz band, a community string orchestra, a youth chorus; presents numerous concerts, workshops, camps, and special events throughout the year; and provides outreach programs and scholarships to area children who are at-risk or in financial need.

General admission tickets for the Gala Concert can be purchased in advance for only $12 each, or will be available for $15 at the door.  Students (grades K - 12) are only $8 each, and currently enrolled CVSM students are admitted free.  Gala Patron tickets (which include seating in a reserved section of the theatre and a listing in the Gala program book) are $30 per person.

Tickets are available at the CVSM office in Thomson Hall on the Wilson College campus or by calling CVSM at (717)-261-1220.