Mayor Peter Urscheler Makes Proclamation to Concordia Choral Arts

Phoenixville's Mayor Peter Urscheler recently presented Concordia Choral Arts, under the artistic direction of S. Katherine Shealy, with an official proclamation at Phoenixville's second annual United Nations International Day of Peace concert, Rise Up and Sing, and declared October 6th as Concordia Choral Arts Day!

Inspired by the United Nations Peace Charter, it has long been a mission of Concordia Choral Arts’ artistic director, S. Katherine Shealy, to unite the local community in a musical celebration of peace. Having organized choral music presentations for Peace Day celebrations in other communities, two years ago Ms. Shealy wanted to expand her collaboration to include concerts in the Phoenixville area, and worked with the artistic board of Concordia Choral Arts to invite local musicians to collaborate in these efforts. "Celebrating the many ways that music of all genres inspires and nurtures peace, as well as inviting our audiences to participate in these concerts, is what gives our celebration value and credence," Ms. Shealy states.

The October 6th concert also marked Concordia's presentation of their first RISING ARTIST VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP, created to foster music appreciation and education for area youth between the ages of 8-13. This year’s scholarship applicants prepared a vocal solo and each was asked to reflect on music's role in peace-making. Maya Maloskey, age 13, of Malvern and a student at Great Valley Middle School, was presented with the 2019 RISING ARTIST VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP by Ms. Shealy and Senator Andy Dinniman, following her solo entitled "Let There Be Peace on Earth."

The International Day of Peace is held in the fall of each year and encourages creativity and collaboration among civic leaders and groups in celebration of peace in our daily lives. Phoenixville's Rise Up and Sing! concert featured music by Concordia Voices, the Grove United Methodist Church Youth Choir, under the direction of Mike Hardie, and the Owl's Nest Brass Quintet, along with reflections by Terri Potrako, Executive Director of Chester County's Volunteer English Program. The concert finale featured the combined choirs and instrumentalists in a presentation of Toto's "Africa."

With a name that means "with one heart," Concordia Choral Arts is in it's thirteenth year of making beautiful choral music in the Chester County region and is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich the community through exposure to the choral arts. Information about their 2019-2020 performance season as well as how one can volunteer, become a partner, support the RISING ARTIST VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP, or join in Peace Day celebrations may all be found on their website at www.concordiachoralarts.org.