ABOUT US
The Franconia-Lancaster Choral Singers is dedicated to bringing to our communities programs of high quality music. Major oratorios, masses, requiems, and motets as well as shorter classics from the past three centuries provide our repertory.
Our concerts are designed to be inspirational, as well as educational. We select from the great religious compositions, but do not design our concerts as worship services, even though worship may be a frequent result.
Our normal schedule includes a concert in December and a concert at the end of April. We also plan the occasional hymn sing in February.
Most of the rehearsals occur with half of our group at Salford Mennonite Church on Tuesday and half at Akron Mennonite Church on Thursday. The final week, we meet at Conestoga Mennonite Church as a single group.
Interested in singing with us? New members are always welcome!
OUR FOUNDER AND CONDUCTOR EMERITUS
Hiram Hershey (1926 - 2020) founded the Franconia-Lancaster Choral Singers in 1971 when he combined the Lancaster County Mennonite A Cappella Choir and the Franconia Choral Singers for their semi-annual performances.
>> Read more about Hiram and the origins of the chorus
>> Voice of Youth Chorus (1948)
OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR
Ralph Alderfer (1940-2022) conducted the Franconia-Lancaster Choral Singers from 1995 to 2022. His music degrees are from Eastern Mennonite University and University of Iowa with additional church music study at Westminster Choir College. For three years he taught at Iowa Mennonite School and for 19 years at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School. Mr. Alderfer was a member of Ambler Mennonite Church and also served as a board member for the Lansdale Community Concert Association.
SUPPORT US
The Franconia-Lancaster Choral Singers is a program of the non-profit Franconia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. To make a donation to support us, please make a check out to "Franconia Foundation" and mail it to:
Franconia Foundation
107C Menno Home Drive
Souderton, PA 18964