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.
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.
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
CHAMBERSBURG, PA (September 4, 2020) Cumberland Valley School of Music expanded into Greencastle and acquired Growing with Music, 42 Center Square, Greencastle, PA. This location will serve as an extension of CVSM which is located on the campus of Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA.
Tracy Thomas, the former owner of Growing with Music, will remain at the Greencastle location as Branch Manager. Ms. Thomas and CVSM Executive Director Heather McEndree are working together to ensure a smooth transition of ownership. It is the goal of both organizations that the instructors and programs at the Greencastle location will change as little as possible while also benefitting from the added resources CVSM has to offer.
Growing With Music began in the summer of 2013 with Ms. Thomas’ becoming licensed as a Musikgarten instructor. What started out as a part-time hobby of teaching babies, toddlers, and preschoolers out of a rented classroom in a local church two evenings per week quickly expanded into a full-time venture. By the spring of 2015, clientele grew, and private lessons were added into the mix, making it necessary to move into a dedicated building to accommodate the growing business. Throughout the remainder of 2015 and into early 2016, the business continued to grow, which prompted the expansion into the current location.
“The benefits of merging with a nonprofit with a 30-year history include: scholarship programs, additional resources, and new opportunities,” Thomas said in a letter to families. “CVSM has a solid foundation and will add strength to our musical community.”
Growing with Music and CVSM share a passion for music and teaching all ages and stages. “Tracy and I were colleagues in the Maryland public school system, and then fellow Musikgarten teachers,” said CVSM Executive Director, Heather McEndree. “I am excited that we get to work together to bring music instruction and experiences to everyone in our community!”
As this merger is taking place at the beginning of the fall semester, details regarding upcoming offerings at Growing with Music are still under development. Updates will be posted on both organizations’ social media and websites at www.cvsmusic.org and www.growingwithmusic.org
respectively.
Photo: (left to right) Heather McEndree, CVSM Executive Director and Tracy Thomas, Branch Manager, Growing With Music. Photo Credit: Ariel Sherrill, Old Home Photography
Hello, CVSM families!
It is amazing that it has been two months since the stay-at-home order was put into place! I miss seeing you in the halls of CVSM. I miss hearing the wonderful music wafting through the building. I miss the joy of making music with you! I look forward to the day when we can be together in person again.
Thank you for your flexibility and willingness to shift to a different method of learning over the past two months. Although online is not the same as in-person, it has allowed instruction to continue and for all students to continue making progress. Many of you are even participating in online recitals to share your talents!
I want to give you an update on summer plans at CVSM. The plan is to continue instruction online until we have clear guidance from the CDC, the government, and Wilson College (our landlord) regarding the safety measures that need to be in place for in-person instruction. There are many aspects to music instruction that need to be taken into account: appropriate social distancing while in lessons or classes, not all students and teachers can wear masks during instruction (wind instruments and vocalists), sanitizing shared instruments (pianos, drum sets), health checks at entry point, etc. The staff and I, as well as a committee of a variety of community members, are working on details of a reopening plan that will keep health and safety of our families at the forefront. This may involve phasing in instrument categories over a few weeks, with voice and flute students in the final phase. There will most likely be a mix of online and in-person lessons as we move through the next few months.
Heather Kline is working with our group instructors on creating engaging online camps and classes for the summer. In many cases, participants in these camps and classes will receive a kit of supplies to be used during the camp and class time. Please keep in mind that in some cases parent assistance will be needed during the camp or class time. As these details are clarified and confirmed, we will send email updates and post on social media. If there is a camp or class listed in the brochure or online that you were planning to register for, please be in touch with Valerie Merriman ([email protected]) so she can place you on an info list to receive the finalized information when it is available.
For those interested in Voice & Drama Camp, Heather is also looking into a virtual musical option: this is a show written and designed to be performed online! This will be a very unique and amazing experience!
I hope you plan to continue taking music lessons and classes over the summer. Registration is open now and continues throughout the summer. Please contact Valerie to set up dates and times with your instructor. Email is the best option ([email protected]) however if you would prefer a phone number, please respond to this email or email Valerie to let her know you would prefer a phone call. Since these phone calls are routed through Valerie’s personal phone, we would prefer to keep them to a minimum.
Heather McEndree, CVSM Executive Director
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