My association with the Gettysburg Children’s Choir began in December of 1999 when founding directors Dr. Sharon Gratto, music professor at Gettysburg College, and Mrs. Jane Jones, Gettysburg Area School District elementary music teacher assembled a group of elementary children to sing with the college choral groups in the holiday presentation of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Christmas cantata Hodie. Two of my children participated in this choir which continued to meet as the Gettysburg College Children’s Choir.
In the following years I supported the choir as an active parent, enthusiastic audience member, and honor choir chaperone. All four of the Kammerer children participated in the choir; two participated only briefly but two sang with the choir until graduating from 8th grade. Sadly, there was no Chorale for high school students at that time. When the choir incorporated, in 1999, as a non-profit organization independent from Gettysburg College I agreed to serve on the founding board of directors. Since then I have served as Director, Vice President and most recently President of the GCC board. |
Adrienne Seitz has been on the Gettysburg Children’s Choir board for three years. She currently serves as Vice President and on the Development Committee. As a choir parent for the past four years, Adrienne has seen the individual impact and community benefit of this incredible organization first hand.
She brings experience in fundraising and arts administration to the board. Adrienne is the Assistant Vice President of College Advancement at Gettysburg College. |
Amanda Hollabaugh is the Treasurer for the Gettysburg Children’s Choir. A graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Vocal Performance, Amanda has a deep love for music and is thrilled to be a part of this organization. As one of the family members that helps to manage and operate Hollabaugh Brothers, a successful local farm market in Biglerville PA, she has a strong business background.
Since taking over the role of treasurer in 2019, Amanda handles the financial operations for the GCC. She has had two children involved in the organization and, currently, her son sings in the Chorale and is a guest pianist for Dr. Talbot. Amanda is also the music director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arendtsville, PA. |
Carla serves as the Executive Assistant to the President of United Lutheran Seminary and works closely with faculty, administrators, and students on both the Gettysburg and Philadelphia campuses. Carla serves as Liaison to the Board of Trustees, the Diversity & Equity Task Force, and Strategic Plan Implementation Task Force and deeply believes in the Seminary mission to create a welcoming and affirming community for everyone at ULS.
Carla has worked in higher education her entire career, currently at ULS but for many years at Gettysburg College in Political Science & International Affairs, the Sunderman Conservatory of Music, the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College, and the PA Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (headquartered at the Civil War Institute). Carla has lived in Gettysburg for over 30 years, loves the natural beauty of Adams County and has a deep respect for the historic importance Gettysburg continues to hold not just for citizens of the United States but for those who value freedom and justice all around world. |
Alice began serving on the board of the Gettysburg Children’s Choir during the 2019-2020 season. She first worked with the choir as an intern in 2013, assisting with rehearsals and the choir’s summer camp. An advocate for arts education, Alice served as a school board member for the Gettysburg Area School District in 2019.
Alice is an elementary music teacher in the Mechanicsburg Area School District where she teaches fourth and fifth grade general and choral music. Alice received her BSME from Gettysburg College and her MM in music education from Michigan State University. |
Brian Granger has been on the Gettysburg Children’s Choir Board for three years and his son Brody has been a member of the GCC for the last four years. Brian has been a public school educator since 1995, currently serving as Principal of Allen Middle School, in the West Shore School District. He has a BS in Psychology and Elementary Education from Thiel College, a Masters in School Administration from McDaniel College, and has earned his Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Shippensburg University.
Having participated in choral music groups from elementary school into adulthood, Brian is an advocate for the musical arts and music education. Through his experience as a GCC parent and board member, he believes the GCC provides a rigorous yet nurturing and inclusive choral educational experience that helps kids build confidence, develop their sense of self, and grow their musical interests and abilities. |