Abington Choral Club

Leadership

Strong musical direction and high caliber accompaniment are vital aspects of successful choral performances. ACC is fortunate to have experienced, extremely talented professionals leading these areas, as well as many other members who serve on various committees that manage the operational needs of ACC.

Music Director (Spring of 2008) is Keith Beale.

[Picture of Keith Beale] Keith Beale is a graduate of West Chester University in Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Music Education. Following a year teaching music in public schools, Keith worked at Verizon Communications for 24 years until his retirement in 2003. While at Verizon, Keith worked in Marketing, Public Relations, Regulatory, Finance, and several other departments. Keith then worked as the part-time Administrator at his church, Church of the Open Door, in Fort Washington, PA. In addition, he was the Choir Director and Worship leader at the church, where his wife, Nancy is the pianist. Keith is a substitute music teacher in the Upper Dublin School District. He is an active member of the Foundation Board of Trustees for West Chester University and is the chairman of the Music Advisory Board for West Chester University. Keith assumed the position of interim Music Director of the Abington Choral Club in January, 2008.

Mr. Beale has performed many concerts with his wife and with the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, where he was a core singer. He has sung with the Philadelphia Orchestra and sung in a few operas. He currently sings with the Montgomery County Choral Society. He is also an accomplished organist and pianist.

Keith has been a judge for the ACSI Music/Arts Festivals as well as the Miss Jr. Miss Maryland Pageant. He is the father of two sons both of whom completed a year of military service for the United States Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Keith and his wife reside in Ft. Washington, PA.

ACC is searching for a new permanent music director and is now accepting applications. Interested parties are invited to read the job description, and qualified candidates may submit resumes and letters of intent to Diane Dilks, the ACC Music Committee chair, via email, or by U.S. Mail to:

Diane Dilks
c/o ACC
P.O.Box 123
Wyncote, PA 19095

Roburt Gajdos, Accompanist

Roburt Gajdos studied piano forte with Mathilde McKihney of the Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and at Oberlin College with Joseph Schwartz and Albert Stanziano.

On Scholarship to Philadelphia College of Performing Arts he continued his studies with Susan Starr. He studied composition with Dr. Eugene Copeland for an M. A. at New Jersey College.

From his earliest studies, Mr. Gajdos realized a powerful attraction to the romantic composers and a startling ability to comprehend and interpret their music. Already in command of such works as the Liszt Concerto No. 1 in E flat and the Greig Concerto No. 1 in A minor, he began appearing as a soloist with local symphony orchestras and was the winner of numerous awards and scholarships.

Mr. Gajdos commands a vast repertoire, including the many works of Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Scriabin and Chopin. In addition to radio and television appearances, he performs extensively throughout the Delaware Valley in public and private recitals. A native of Pennington, NJ, he is currently on the faculty of the Musical Arts Academy of Bucks County and the Wendy Hellyer Music Studio.

Committees

Several committees are responsible for the smooth operation of the ACC. Members are encouraged to participate in committees, which present the opportunity to actively influence the future of the ACC and offer additional time for fellowship.

Executive Committee: Defines the overall direction of the ACC; manages financial requirements; corresponds with members, patrons, and financial supporters; handles business processes and decisions

President: Chris Hemsley
Vice President: Suzy Moore
Treasurer: Roger Justice
Corresponding Secretary: Linda Solo
Recording Secretary: Joanne Weiner
Directors: Marty Rink, Kathy Haywood, Wayne Geisser
Librarian: Jane McCrabb
Past President: Nancy Huttlin

Music Committee: Sets the musical direction of the ACC and works with the musical director to select the repertoire for each concert

Musical Director: Keith Beale

Members: Diane Dilks (Chairperson), George Beschen Jr., Anne Duzan, Gary Duzan, Chris Hemsley, Laurie Pellicore, Jane McCrabb

Other Committees and Chairpersons

Patrons: Kathy Haywood
Membership : Suzy Moore
Attire: Laurie Pellicore
Publicity: Tally Vassalluzzo
Outreach Concerts: Jay Ely
Ushers/House Management - Louis Sloan
Program - Aneita Duglas
Directory - Tally Vassalluzzo
Historian - Tally Vassalluzzo

Preferred Seating for Patrons. Click here


Saturday, May 10, 2008 8:00PM Our 61^st Spring Concert "Made in America" featuring a program of American Music
Don't miss our new cookbook entitled: RECIPES in the Key of ACC Proceeds benefit the rising expenses of the club as we maintain our pledge to perform free concerts for the community. See any ACC member for details.

2008 - Abington Choral Club