The Collective Breath; An Interview with Linda Tedford, Conductor of the Susquehanna Chorale

Heart of the Artist

The love of choral singing is woven throughout not only this episode, but also in Linda Tedford’s life. Find out about her roots, specific experiences that shaped her, and how she became a founder and conductor of Central PA’s award-winning choral group, the Susquehanna Chorale. Reflections on the importance of singing and finding her own voice will resonate with you in an impactful way, especially for those of you who already love singing or simply wish to begin!

Linda L. Tedford is the Artistic Director, Founder, and Conductor of the award-winning Susquehanna Chorale, established in 1981. She is responsible for the creation of the Chorale’s Educational Outreach program, which reaches hundreds of local student singers annually. Ms. Tedford is Professor Emeritus (Director of Choral Activities) at Messiah University in Grantham, PA. Choirs under her leadership have performed at regional and state conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA); for the Legislature and Governor of Pennsylvania; and in several European venues. Her work is featured on over 16 professionally produced CDs, and her choirs appear regularly with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. In 1994, Ms. Tedford and the Susquehanna Chorale received Chorus America’s highest lifetime award, The Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence. Ms. Tedford is the 2011 recipient of ACDA-PA’s Elaine Brown Award for Choral Excellence for outstanding lifelong work in the choral art. In 2013, she received Theatre Harrisburg’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region.

Ms. Tedford holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University, where she studied with internationally renowned conductor Robert Page. She pursued additional study at Westminster Choir College, as well as with prominent conductors such as Robert Shaw, Gregg Smith, and Dale Warland, and with voice teachers Robert Grooters and Thomas Houser. She is an active member of Chorus America and the American Choral Directors Association. Ms. Tedford is a frequent guest conductor and clinician.

Links: https://www.susquehannachorale.org

https://www.messiah.edu/info/21654/academics_in_action/2417/linda_tedford

https://www.harrisburgsymphony.org

Susquehanna Chorale website: Susquehannachorale.org

Chorus America: Chorusamerica.orgAmerican Choral Directors Association: ACDA.org

Co-hosts, Molly and Justin are Co-owners of www.ThePerfect5th.com