In Memoriam: Dr. Truman Bullard (1938-2024)
- Written by Super User
- Category: News and Features
Our director emeritus and dear friend Dr. Truman Bullard passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at the age of 86.
Dr. Bullard has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in music, spanning choral, instrumental, and academic musical disciplines. He graduated with a philosophy degree from Haverford College, earned a master's degree in musicology from Harvard University, and earned his Ph.D. in musicology from the Eastman School of Music. Truman joined the faculty at Dickinson College in Carlisle in 1965 and remained on staff until 2000, rebuilding the college concert choir from near non-existence to performing with the Harrisburg Symphony within 10 years. During his 35 year tenure he served in multiple capacities for the music department and the greater college community.
Truman was appointed the director of the Harrisburg Choral Society in 2001, at a time when the future of the organization was in doubt. With his dedication and cooperation wtih the HCS the Society was able to rebound and remain a part of the musical landscape of south central PA before stepping down in 2004.
Truman continued to perform and participate with Dickinson College and other musical organizations in his retirement, including performing on bassoon for the HCS in many concerts.
In Memoriam: Dr. Robert Hart Baker (1954-2023)
- Written by Super User
- Category: News and Features
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our director emeritus Dr. Robert Hart Baker, who passed away today at the age of 69.
Dr. Baker joined the HCS in 2004, taking over for our departing director Dr. Truman Bullard. During our search, Dr. Bullard remarked that Dr. Baker was the "best choice we could make", and his recommendation was correct. Dr. Baker served as our director for 10 years, making him the third longest tenured director in our history. Dr. Baker brought his professionalism and deep musical knowledge to the Society. He was also a warm and genial partner in the Society's activities, founding our annual fundraiser tradition and expanding our performances to include partner ensembles such as the Central PA and West Shore Symphonies. He stepped down in 2014, coinciding with his departure from the York Symphony after 30 years.
His resume is extensive, conducting ensembles in St Louis, MO; Asheville, NC; and ensembles in Connecticut and New York, as well as guest conducting around the world. His most recent work was as director of the Belleville (IL) Philharmonic and Oboe instructor at Lindenwood University. He is survived by his wife Barbara Baker, who accompanied the HCS as a flautist.
HCS Website updated
- Written by HCS
- Category: News and Features
The Harrisburg Choral Society website has been refreshed and updated ahead of our new Season!
The site has a new look, some expanded sections including our history and information about membership, events calendar, more online donation options, and a new online ticketing system through Yaposdy.
HCS Resumes Activities for 2021-22 Season
- Written by HCS
- Category: Archived News
* UPDATE: The Society has modified their vaccination and masking requirements as of our last board meeting. Please review these changes on our Audition page and our COVID-19 Information page *
The Harrisburg Choral Society is preparing to present a new season of rehearsals and concerts, following our hiatus due to COVID-19 and the shutdown of activities. The Board of Directors has continuously met during our shutdown, along with our music director Dr. Zeuch, to prepare our organization for a return to in-person activities, including regular rehearsals and presentation of concerts.
During the hiatus period the HCS Board has spent time discussing our return, long-term planning, as well as staging a fundraising campaign to help prepare ourselves financially for our return, and presenting a virtual choir performance coordinated by Dr. Zeuch.
The Harrisburg Choral Society will resume rehearsals in a new venue: Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns and to launch our return in a fresh way, the HCS is moving from our rehearsal home for the past several years, Camp Hill Presbyterian Church, to the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center in Camp Hill. The new venue is a marvelous facility providing the Society with a more spacious rehearsal room while keeping our members close to the area we have been rehearsing for many years. The HCS has performed several concerts at the Pollock Center, and both organizations are excited about this new partnership.
The Harrisburg Choral Society will be holding auditions for new members this September. We encourage any singers who would like to see our organization in action to attend our first rehearsal on Tuesday, September 7th, and set up an audition with Dr. Zeuch in the following weeks. Please see our rehearsal information on the site for more information (including our COVID-19 information).