History
History of the Village Voices Chorus
In February of 1994, a choir was organized in The Villages by Dolly Haraburda. This was the formation of the choir currently known as the Village Voices. The choir was known then as the Pennsylvania Chorus due to its members all moving from Pennsylvania. The first chorus performance was for the Pennsylvania Club Picnic at Eaton’s Beach. Twenty five people performed. Dolly Haraburda was the director and Annette Geiger the accompanist.
The choir was eventually opened to members from other states. Billy Weiss directed and accompanied. Yvonne LeMere was the substitute director.
In 1996, Jack Wimmer joined as the director and his wife JoAnn Wimmer became the accompanist. As the choir was growing, rehearsals were moved to St. Timothy’s Catholic Church. Later the choir moved to the Church on the Square. Their first concert there was held on May 28, 1997. The choir’s name changed to ‘The Village Voices.’ After three successful seasons, Jack and JoAnn retired in 1999 .
Brad Cummings succeeded as the director and Loretta Cummings as the accompanist. Many dedicated volunteers such as Nancy Lyon and Art Schwartz deserve to be mentioned in the choir’s history. Volunteers are needed for groups to grow and function. Nancy dedicated her time for fourteen years to the Village Voices choir, eventually retiring in 2012. Art gave faithfully of his time for nine years.
In June of 2001, the Cummings retired and Dr. Robert Perinchief accepted the directors role. Peggy Morton became the accompanist. The choir continued to grow and flourish. Fundraisers were held and grants were secured so music and supplies could be purchased and the director and accompanist could be paid.
Sadly, the accompanist and director decided to retire in 2003. As the choir was growing quickly and the Church on the Square was closing for renovations, the choir moved to North Lake Presbyterian Church for their weekly rehearsals and three annual concerts.
Dr. Sandra Willetts was hired as the new Village Voices director. JoAnn Wimmer became her accompanist for two years before she decided to sing fulltime and become the assistant accompanist. Bill Allen accepted the accompanist position and served the choir for three years. He was succeeded by Dr. John Lowe, who worked together with Sandra Willets until her retirement in 2014. At this point John Lowe took over as director of Village Voices and remains so today. His accompanist for the 2014-15 season was Tom Pizzi, who then resigned as he was moving to Tampa. Sean Pollack took over as the accompanist and is currently serving.
Wayne Cunkelman served on the board for 13 years and became the chairman in May of 2005 for three years. Cindy Poet joined the board and served as the new chairperson for nine years before she stepped down.
In February of 1994, a choir was organized in The Villages by Dolly Haraburda. This was the formation of the choir currently known as the Village Voices. The choir was known then as the Pennsylvania Chorus due to its members all moving from Pennsylvania. The first chorus performance was for the Pennsylvania Club Picnic at Eaton’s Beach. Twenty five people performed. Dolly Haraburda was the director and Annette Geiger the accompanist.
The choir was eventually opened to members from other states. Billy Weiss directed and accompanied. Yvonne LeMere was the substitute director.
In 1996, Jack Wimmer joined as the director and his wife JoAnn Wimmer became the accompanist. As the choir was growing, rehearsals were moved to St. Timothy’s Catholic Church. Later the choir moved to the Church on the Square. Their first concert there was held on May 28, 1997. The choir’s name changed to ‘The Village Voices.’ After three successful seasons, Jack and JoAnn retired in 1999 .
Brad Cummings succeeded as the director and Loretta Cummings as the accompanist. Many dedicated volunteers such as Nancy Lyon and Art Schwartz deserve to be mentioned in the choir’s history. Volunteers are needed for groups to grow and function. Nancy dedicated her time for fourteen years to the Village Voices choir, eventually retiring in 2012. Art gave faithfully of his time for nine years.
In June of 2001, the Cummings retired and Dr. Robert Perinchief accepted the directors role. Peggy Morton became the accompanist. The choir continued to grow and flourish. Fundraisers were held and grants were secured so music and supplies could be purchased and the director and accompanist could be paid.
Sadly, the accompanist and director decided to retire in 2003. As the choir was growing quickly and the Church on the Square was closing for renovations, the choir moved to North Lake Presbyterian Church for their weekly rehearsals and three annual concerts.
Dr. Sandra Willetts was hired as the new Village Voices director. JoAnn Wimmer became her accompanist for two years before she decided to sing fulltime and become the assistant accompanist. Bill Allen accepted the accompanist position and served the choir for three years. He was succeeded by Dr. John Lowe, who worked together with Sandra Willets until her retirement in 2014. At this point John Lowe took over as director of Village Voices and remains so today. His accompanist for the 2014-15 season was Tom Pizzi, who then resigned as he was moving to Tampa. Sean Pollack took over as the accompanist and is currently serving.
Wayne Cunkelman served on the board for 13 years and became the chairman in May of 2005 for three years. Cindy Poet joined the board and served as the new chairperson for nine years before she stepped down.
