Music

91ɫ��Ƭ to Host Cumberland Valley Chorale Spring Concert

Jenny — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:38:44 +0000

91ɫ��Ƭ to Host Cumberland Valley Chorale Spring Concert Jenny Fri, 04/17/2026 - 14:38

91ɫ��Ƭ will host an afternoon of inspiring music as the Cumberland Valley Chorale at 91ɫ��Ƭ presents its Spring 2026 concert, On the Edge of Light, on Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. in Laird Hall.

The free concert will explore themes of light and darkness, examining human experiences of despair, hope, joy and love through choral music. The program will feature selections from The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, timetested hymnody and additional works spanning popular, classical, and contemporary traditions.

The concert will also include a performance by Wilson’s a cappella group, the Ten Tones, featuring a new spring set and live selections from the group’s second professional recording session.

The Cumberland Valley Chorale at 91ɫ��Ƭ is a community chorus bringing together singers from both the 91ɫ��Ƭ campus and the greater Central Pennsylvania region. The ensemble is known for its diverse repertoire and for performing music that reflects faith, laughter, and love.

The event is free and open to the public and is made possible through the generous support of 91ɫ��Ƭ. The concert will also be livestreamed at https://www.wilson.edu/spring-concert

Community members interested in joining the Cumberland Valley Chorale are welcome. Those interested may contact Dillon Beede, 91ɫ��Ƭ director of choral activities, at dillon.beede@wilson.edu for more information.

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91ɫ��Ƭ Announces 2026 ArtsFest Schedule

Jenny — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:14:05 +0000

91ɫ��Ƭ Announces 2026 ArtsFest Schedule Jenny Mon, 03/23/2026 - 14:14

91ɫ��Ƭ will host ArtsFest 2026 from April 6–10, a weeklong celebration showcasing talents of Wilson artists, nationally recognized visiting professionals, and creative programming for the campus and surrounding community. Now in its fourth year, ArtsFest has become a signature Franklin County event that highlights the role of the arts in fostering connection, collaboration, and community dialogue.

The theme for the 2026 festival is “Art Is… Experimentation.” ArtsFest is supported in part by The Palmer Family Foundation, a fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. This support enables Wilson to welcome four visiting artists whose work reflects innovation across disciplines: Broadway producer Sue Gilad; multidisciplinary visual artist Jada Patterson; letterpress printer and educator Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.; and dance theater collective Project ChArma.

Featured Events and Exhibitions

A Conversation with Sue Gilad

Broadway producer Sue Gilad will lead an insider’s discussion on the business of bringing shows from page to stage. She will share behind-the-scenes insights into the creative and logistical forces that shape awardwinning productions. The conversation will also highlight the West End hit “Burlesque the Musical,” co-produced by Wilson President Wesley R. Fugate and Gilad, offering a dual perspective on the collaborative process behind a major international production.

“A Seed’s A Star” Exhibition and Talk with Jada Patterson

This exhibition features work by multidisciplinary artist Jada Patterson, whose practice explores identity, adornment, material culture, and Black traditions of hair and body ornamentation, particularly as they relate to girlhood. Patterson’s art merges traditional craft with contemporary perspectives, illuminating the complexities and beauty of human experience. Patterson will discuss their influences and artistic journey in a public talk.

“Consider Everything an Experiment” Exhibition and Talk with Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.

This exhibition showcases the expressive, socially engaged letterpress prints of Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. His bold, layered print work blends cultural wisdom, civil rights history, and graphic power, transforming traditional printing into a tool for community engagement and social justice. Kennedy will participate in a public conversation about his process, purpose, and the evolving role of art in social change.

Spirit-led Dance in the New America with Ama Law of Project ChArma

Project ChArma's movement style has always been shaped by a blend of influences: Hip-Hop culture, West African polyrhythms, and post-modern dance flow. In this dance workshop, they will explore solidarity through these forms. They will start with line dances—literally “jumping in” to learn sequences, embodying the Africanist principle of “each one teach one.” They will review popular line dances, invite participants to share new ones they bring, and close by creating a unique group sequence that marks our coming together in this new space and time. They will discuss the historical significance of these dances in African American resistance, survival, and progress.

The Arts at Wilson created ArtsFest to showcase the remarkable art, artists, and artistic opportunities at the College. The festival seeks to engage the 91ɫ��Ƭ campus and regional community in creative experiences to open dialogue and build connections that inspire positive change in the world.

ArtsFest is free and open to the public, although some events are limited to the 91ɫ��Ƭ community or require reservations. A detailed schedule and event descriptions are available at www.wilson.edu/artsfest.

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91ɫ��Ƭ Joyously Celebrates 105 Years of Christmas Vespers

Jenny — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:19:41 +0000

91ɫ��Ƭ Joyously Celebrates 105 Years of Christmas Vespers Jenny Tue, 11/18/2025 - 15:19

91ɫ��Ƭ invites the community to begin the holiday season at its 105th Christmas Vespers on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 4:30 p.m. in the historic Alumnae Chapel in Thomson Hall on the college campus. Leading the service will be the Rev. Andrew Hart, D.Min., the Nancy Adams Besch ’48 and Elisabeth Hudnut Clarkson ’47 college chaplain, and Dillon Beede, M.M., Ed.M., director of choral activities and chair of music.

“Christmas Vespers invites us to experience the inbreaking light of hope and peace into the shadows of a weary world,” said Hart. “This service is a reminder that even in seasons of darkness, the promise of light endures and that light calls us to prepare our hearts for joy.”

This year, the service will draw inspiration from the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols first held on Christmas Eve in 1918 at King’s College, Cambridge, England, at the end of World War I. The program will feature readings, anthems, and carols that transcend divisions, affirm shared humanity, and encourage spiritual preparation for the holiday season.

The service will showcase musical performances by the Cumberland Valley Chorale, the BrassWorks brass quintet, organist David Erickson, and pianist Diana Reinert, and readings by members of the 91ɫ��Ƭ and Chambersburg communities.

Wilson’s Christmas Vespers is free and open to the public. The service will also be livestreamed. For more information visit www.wilson.edu/vespers.

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91ɫ��Ƭ Singers to Make Special Festival Performance

Jenny — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 16:03:04 +0000

91ɫ��Ƭ Singers to Make Special Festival Performance Jenny Thu, 04/17/2025 - 12:03

The 91ɫ��Ƭ Ten Tones a cappella ensemble will provide a special performance during the inaugural “Sing On: Keystone Collegiate Choral Festival.” This collaborative event marks the first collegiate choral music festival in Central Pennsylvania. It will be held in the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre at Penn State Harrisburg April 26 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Students from Wilson, Alvernia University, and Penn State Harrisburg will spend the afternoon on campus working with choirs from the other universities and will perform a free concert for the public. The concert will showcase individual performances by each university’s choir, culminating in a combined chorus featuring all participating groups.

The Ten Tones, under the direction of Dillon Beede, Wilson’s director of choral activities and chair of music, will provide a special performance during the concert. Beede will also conduct the combined choruses, bringing his expertise and passion for choral music to this unique festival.

This collaborative effort marks the first collegiate choral music festival in Central Pennsylvania. It is free and open to the public, making it a perfect opportunity for the community to experience the vibrant collegiate choral scene in Central Pennsylvania.

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Ten Tones: Connections and Camaraderie Through Song

Jenny — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 15:24:31 +0000

Ten Tones: Connections and Camaraderie Through Song Jenny Tue, 02/04/2025 - 10:24

The Ten Tones have returned! This much-loved a cappella ensemble originated in the late 1950s and provided entertainment through musical performances on campus and regionally for several decades. According to its former and current members, the group embodies the core of what Wilson is: a welcoming mixture of ages, abilities, and interests that inspire, encourage, and support each other through music.

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91ɫ��Ƭ Concert Will Explore Elements of Life

Jenny — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 17:57:34 +0000

91ɫ��Ƭ Concert Will Explore Elements of Life Jenny Thu, 04/11/2024 - 13:57

91ɫ��Ƭ will host a musical exploration of human experience represented by the four elements of life—earth, water, wind, and fire—during the Spring ’24 Concert presented by the Cumberland Valley Chorale at 91ɫ��Ƭ (CVC). This free concert will be held Sunday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the Alumnae Chapel of Thomson Hall.

CVC is a unique community chorus which performs a diverse array of musical traditions including popular and contemporary music, classical, spiritual, and new choral works. The ensemble brings together members of the 91ɫ��Ƭ and greater Central PA communities to perform songs of faith, laughter, and love. Rehearsals are held on Sundays from 3-5 p.m. Contact Dillon Beede, 91ɫ��Ƭ Director of Choral Activities, at dillon.beede@wilson.edu for more information in joining the chorale.

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Student Spotlight: Chelsea Zimmann

Jenny — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:11:53 +0000

Student Spotlight: Chelsea Zimmann Jenny Wed, 03/06/2024 - 12:11

91ɫ��Ƭ has a rich history of music and today the music offerings are growing and developing. Early childhood education major, Chelsea Zimmann '26, shares how music at Wilson is enhancing her experience on campus. "Ten Tones A Cappella especially has been a place where we can figure out who we want to be as a music group and are constantly growing and changing."

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Cumberland Valley Chorale Lends Its Voice to Vespers

Jenny — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 17:51:17 +0000

Cumberland Valley Chorale Lends Its Voice to Vespers Jenny Wed, 02/07/2024 - 12:51

The 91ɫ��Ƭ Christmas Vespers service, a time-honored tradition reaching its 103rd year, was a profound celebration of community, spirituality, and the arts on December 10, 2023. Under the guidance of Dillon Beede, Wilson’s director of Choral Activities and chair of Music, the event showcased the Cumberland Valley Chorale's talent through a curated selection of readings, anthems, and carols. These elements were thoughtfully chosen to echo themes of unity and compassion.

The service, inspired by the celebrated Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, was not only a reflection on the holiday season's meanings but also a beacon of hope and joy. It brought together a diverse group of participants, including students, college leadership, and local community members, each contributing their voice toward a moving and shared human experience. The program aimed to foster a sense of belonging and collective reflection, urging attendees to carry forward the spirit of goodwill into the new year and beyond.

This event underscored 91ɫ��Ƭ's commitment to nurturing a supportive and inclusive community through the power of music and storytelling, highlighting the enduring significance of the Christmas Vespers in the College's rich history of spiritual life.

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91ɫ��Ƭ Opens Chorale to Community Singers

Jenny — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 20:03:53 +0000

91ɫ��Ƭ Opens Chorale to Community Singers Jenny Thu, 09/14/2023 - 16:03

Relaunched choir revives campus music tradition with emphasis on inclusion.

Music at 91ɫ��Ƭ invites the community to join students, faculty, and staff in the Cumberland Valley Chorale at 91ɫ��Ƭ for its 2023-24 season.

Rehearsals take place on Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Alumnae Chapel in Thomson Hall, 91ɫ��Ƭ, beginning September 10. All voice parts are welcome, and no audition is required.

The Chorale will present a Christmas Vespers concert on December 10, 2023, and a spring concert on April 28, 2024. The ensemble is under the direction of Dillon Beede, 91ɫ��Ƭ’s Director of Choral Activities.

Formerly the 91ɫ��Ƭ Choir, the Cumberland Valley Chorale at 91ɫ��Ƭ expands on the tradition of choral music at 91ɫ��Ƭ to include the greater Chambersburg community.

“Music is a way to build connections with our community across beliefs, identity, age, and more,” Beede said. “The Chorale is a space for every voice to come together and create moments of transcendence, beauty, and peace.”

91ɫ��Ƭ is located at 1015 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg, Pa. For more information about the Cumberland Valley Chorale at 91ɫ��Ƭ, contact Dillon Beede at dillon.beede@wilson.edu.

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Glee at Wilson

Jenny — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 15:53:18 +0000

Glee at Wilson Jenny Thu, 12/08/2022 - 10:53

The College launches show choir

If you’ve seen the Fox Network’s long-running show “Glee,” you’ll know that a show choir performs energetic live music, song, and dance routines before live audiences. With the launch of Wilson’s new show choir program, regional and local audiences will soon have a chance to see professional-grade performances like this in person. “The enthusiastic, energetic singing, high energy dance, and consummate performance skills featured in “Glee” are a good reflection of what show choir is all about,” said Dillon Beede, Wilson’s new director of choirs and chair of music. “It’s the combination of the art of entertainment, healthy vocal production, dancing, and showmanship. It’s meant to be a high-energy and fun spectacle, and that’s what show choir will bring to 91ɫ��Ƭ.”

Dillon Beede

The first students are slated to enter the program in the fall of 2023 and will perform before live audiences that same semester while working up to performing a full-length show scheduled for the end of the academic year. “I am delighted Wilson has added a show choir to her performing arts offerings,” said Wesley R. Fugate. Ph.D., the College’s president. “Students will have the opportunity to develop their vocal, musical, and performance skills under Dillon Beede, a choral director who has performed with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic.”

Before Beede was performing with world-famous orchestras, his musical career began less auspiciously on his parents’ horse ranch in Nebraska. As an only child, he entertained himself by singing to the horses and goats. The livestock has not commented on his talent for this article. In high school, he discovered show choir and was the dance captain and section leader. During his undergraduate studies at Hastings College, Neb., he sang traditional choral masterworks. In graduate school, he learned a deeper appreciation for classical masterworks when singing with the Westminister Symphonic Choir, N.J. “I pull from these three threads – show choir, traditional choral ensemble, and symphonic choir,” Beede said, “and recombine for my own unique style and choral sound.” His goal for the 91ɫ��Ƭ show choir is to “combine the elegant and profound with the brash and energetic.”

Wilson’s rich music tradition began in 1881 when we offered a Bachelor of Music degree. In the early twentieth century, this changed into the more familiar bachelor of arts degree with a major in music. Our choirs toured widely and hosted and performed with choirs and glee clubs from other colleges. In the late 80s, due to nationally low enrollment in music programs at liberal arts colleges, we sunset our music program. Thanks to an endowment funded by generous alums, Beede has been hired to revive, revitalize, expand, and grow the music program. The College also received a grant from the Gilmore-Hoerner Endowment to help establish a show choir.

“At Wilson, we pride ourselves on developing well-rounded students who excel academically, socially, and emotionally and have the broad skill set to be future leaders,” Fugate said. “The show choir continues Wilson’s long history of fostering artistic and musical talent.” Beede added that show choir develops skills that are transferable to other areas of life. “The far-reaching impact of an ensemble like this is that students develop the confidence and the ability to carry themselves with a certain amount of dignity and learn how to present themselves to others.”

Students interested in participating in the new show choir program can get more information from Beede at dillion.beede@wilson.edu

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