Beaver Valley Choral Society

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Beaver Valley Choral Society The Beaver Valley Choral Society is a community choir that is made up of adult singers of various ages who like to sing!

"Frequently sing in choruses, especially the middle parts, this will help to make you a real musician.. But how do we be...
09/24/2026

"Frequently sing in choruses, especially the middle parts, this will help to make you a real musician.. But how do we become musical? This...is a gift from above; it consists chiefly of a fine ear and quick conception. And these gifts may be cultivated and enhanced. You will not become musical by confining yourself to your room and to mere mechanical studies, but by an extensive in*******se with the musical world, especially with the Chorus and the Orchestra."
-Robert Schumann, from 'Advice to Young Musicians'

On behalf of the Beaver Valley Choral Society Principal Choir, Chamber Singers, Treble Youth Chorale, Bell Choir, and Orchestra:
We warmly invite you to join us for our 105th season!

Our Advent concert "Of Jesse's Lineage" shares the beauty of the everlasting bloom through magical choral works intimate and epic to celebrate the sacred season of Advent. The BVCS will perform works by Andre Thomas, Dan Forrest, Randall Thompson, Herbert Howells, Arvo Pärt, Kerensa Briggs, Will Todd, Heinrich von Herzogeberg in addition to the "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Our Lent program “Sing Me to Heaven” consists of meditations on the human spirit and the gravity of sacrifice through dreams and prayers made manifest in music. This concert will include Daniel Gawthrop's titular piece and feature additional works by Elaine Hagenberg, Frank Tichelli, Eric Whitacre, Jeffrey Ames, Erik Esenvalds, Moses Hogan, as well as Elgar's stunning and incomparable "Angel's Farewell" from his epic work "The Dream of Gerontius."

Finally, “Our Love and Strength United” celebrates the music of Beethoven 200 years later as we conclude America’s 250th and our 105th season. In addition to Beethoven's "Hallelujah" from Christus am Ölberge, op. 85, Elegischer Gesang op. 118, and Bundeslied op. 122, this concert concludes with the Fantasia in C minor (Choral Fantasy) op. 80 featuring Dr. Douglas-Jayd Burn as the piano soloist.

If you have interest in joining the Beaver Valley Choral Society as a singer, instrumentalist, or are simply interested in this organization, please reach out to Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Dr. Douglas-Jayd Burn at [email protected] The BVCS Principal Choir currently rehearses at New Brighton Methodist Church on Mondays from 7:00-9:15pm. Rehearsals will be scheduled for Chamber Singers once auditions are complete and the ensemble roster is established.

We look forward to sharing our 105th season with you!

Soli Deo Gloria!

The Beaver Valley Choral Society is delighted to share the appointments of Mr. Tim Heavner as Principal Accompanist and ...
09/24/2026

The Beaver Valley Choral Society is delighted to share the appointments of Mr. Tim Heavner as Principal Accompanist and Mr. Michael Widjaja as Assistant Conductor. Many congratulations and warm welcomes to these wonderful artists joining our BVCS Artistic Staff!

Pictured below from left to right are Douglas-Jayd Burn, Artistic Director, Michael W Widjaja & Timothy Heavner.

05/09/2026

This Sunday, members of our Treble Youth Chorale, High School Apprentices, and Principal Choir are participating in the PYCO 20th Anniversary Concert performance of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana , with our own Archivist, Sean Donaldson, singing the baritone solo from this iconic masterwork.

Heinz Hall 600 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Click here for more information about Heinz Hall

The concert is open to the public.
Suggested Donation: $15 per adult
General Admission is free and open to the public in the Orchestra Level

There are a limited number of seats in the Dress Circle Level available for a $50 donation!

We wish all the best to our BVCS performers!

Be sure to join us later this month for one of our Pops concerts!
05/01/2026

Be sure to join us later this month for one of our Pops concerts!

Deborah R. Silverstein, a member of the Artistic Staff of the Beaver Valley Choral Society, received the Purple Baton on...
04/26/2026

Deborah R. Silverstein, a member of the Artistic Staff of the Beaver Valley Choral Society, received the Purple Baton on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during the last concert of the organization's Lenten concert series at the Trophimus Center, Ambridge, PA.

In presenting the award to Mrs. Silverstein, BVCS Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sharon R. Burchill stated, “We are pleased to present an official Takai Alsop Conducting Fellowship Purple Baton in grateful recognition of your outstanding work with the BVCS Orchestra, as well as the Treble Youth Chorale.”

“You are amazing female conductor who shares so generously of your time and talent,” Mrs. Burchill added. “You are a treasure and we applaud you.”

The Purple Baton celebrates women conductors in classical music, advocates for greater representation of women music directors and conductors, and broadcasts support for orchestras to invite more great women conductors onto their podium. American conductor Marin Alsop was the driving force behind the Purple Baton initiative, and invites recipients to share pictures of their awardees with her through social media. The picture below will be sent to Ms. Alsop to recognize Mrs. Silverstein as a new Purple Baton conductor.

A native of Batavia (NY), Mrs. Silverstein recently was lauded as a Musician of Note from her alma mater, Batavia High School, in recognition of her career as a professional musician. She earned degrees in Flute Performance from the New England Conservatory and Ithaca College. Her career in public school teaching in New York and Pennsylvania spans 12 years.

Locally, Mrs. Silverstein taught for 22 years at Rhema Christian School in Moon Township, as Band Director, General Music Instructor, and private music teacher. Additional past posts include lecturer in flute at Geneva College, Principal Flute for Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra, Founder and Director of the Beaver County Flute Choirs, and music ministry in several area churches. Mrs. Silverstein currently serves the BVCS in three distinct artistic areas: Orchestra Manager and Concert Master of the BVCS Orchestra, Conductor of the Orchestra, and Director of the Treble Youth Chorale, the organization's children's choir, now in its second decade.

Mrs. Silverstein resides with her husband, Lawrence, in Ambridge. They have three children.

Now in its 104th season, the Beaver Valley Choral Society continues its legacy as a Christian Faith-Based, non-denominational, inter-generational choral and orchestral arts organization presenting vibrant concerts throughout western Pennsylvania. The Beaver Valley Choral Society Adult Principal Choir, Chancel Choir, the Treble Youth Chorale, and the Jubilation Bells! Mary Inman Honors Hand Bell Choir comprise the Community of Ensembles dedicated to inspire, educate, and enrich their members and the audiences they reach. Each member strives for performances of the highest musical standards while focusing on the compelling spirituality of their musical repertoire.
For detailed information on membership in any of the choral or orchestral programs, contact Judi Contino, Membership Coordinator at 724-312-5778. For information on the chancel choir program, placing an ad in the BVCS seasonal program booklet, how to become a corporate sponsor, the scholarship programs, the benefactor program, or how to request an on-site church or other venue performance, please write with specifics to Beaver Valley Choral Society, PO Box 750, Rochester, PA 15074 or through [email protected] The Beaver Valley Choral Society is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.

In the attached photos, Mrs. Silverstein, center, proudly holds her Purple Baton, with (left) Sharon R. Burchill, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor and Jim Angeloni (right), President of the BVCS.

Deb Silverstein conducts the BVCS Orchestra with her newly received Purple Baton.

Beaver Valley Choral Society formally announces that Dr. Douglas-Jayd Burn has been appointed the organization's new Art...
04/24/2026

Beaver Valley Choral Society formally announces that Dr. Douglas-Jayd Burn has been appointed the organization's new Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, effective June 1. Sharon R Burchill is retiring from these positions to devote more time to her family and teaching career.

Dr. Burn will conduct the BVCS Principal Choir and supervise the BVCS Orchestra, Jubilation Bells! Mary Inman Honors Hand Bell Choir, and Treble Youth Chorale. This summer Dr. Burn will lead the BVCS organization in several appearances as part of Beaver County's America 250 celebratory events.

The Richmond, VA native holds degrees in piano performance from the University of Arizona, the Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, CT, and Virginia Commonwealth University. He previously served on the collaborative piano faculty at Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, as an instructor at the University of Arizona, and as a teaching fellow at the Hartt School.

Dr. Burn has performed with members of the Zurich Opera Orchestra; Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Deutsch Oper Berlin, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Symphony; Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and Richmond Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Burn is a prizewinner of the 2023 Pittsburgh Concert Society Major Artist Competition. He has over thirty years' experience as a choral musician, having served previously as the director of music at Sixth Presbyterian Church in Squirrel Hill, Director of the Pittsburgh Compline Choir, and collaborative pianist for the Districts I and V Pennsylvania Music Educators' Association Honors Choir.

Dr. Burn, a Pittsburgh resident, is organist and choirmaster at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mount Lebanon. He is also a member of Pittsburgh's noted Mendelssohn Choir.

Now in its 104th season, the Beaver Valley Choral Society continues its legacy as a Christian Faith-Based, non-denominational, inter generational choral and orchestral arts organization presenting vibrant concerts throughout western Pennsylvania. The Beaver Valley Choral Society Adult Principal Choir, Chancel Choir, the Treble Youth Chorale, and the Jubilation Bells! Mary Inman Honors Hand Bell Choir comprise the Community of Ensembles dedicated to inspire, educate, and enrich their members and the audiences they reach. Each member strives for performances of the highest musical standards while focusing on the compelling spirituality of their musical repertoire.

For detailed information on membership in any of the choral or orchestral programs, contact Judi Contino, Membership Coordinator at 724-312-5778. For information on the chancel choir program, placing an ad in the BVCS seasonal program booklet, how to become a corporate sponsor, the scholarship programs, the benefactor program, or how to request an on-site church or other venue performance, please write with specifics to Beaver Valley Choral Society, PO Box 750, Rochester, PA 15074 or through [email protected] The Beaver Valley Choral Society is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.

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PO Box 750
Rochester, PA
15074

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