Our director and accompanist have a combined forty years experience in teaching and directing. Local instrumentalists or duos join our group, adding dimension to our concerts and allowing these talented artists to perform in a new outlet.
Conductor
Connie says, “Music touches my soul! As a choral director, my job is to teach choir members how that feels. Beyond performance, singing is an all inclusive physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental experience. This is why, during rehearsals, I stress the importance of the words, teach good vocal techniques, and encourage the joy of singing. When a choral group collectively feels the passion of a piece, the audience receives the emotion, and everyone’s soul is touched”. She strives to take every opportunity to improve the musicianship, even more importantly, the musicality of each singer.
Since 1979 she’s been a strong part of the music community in the Susquehanna Valley. Most notably, for 24 years she worked as Vocal Music Teacher in the Warrior Run School District. She’s also directed annual musicals at Susquehanna University, serves as music Co-Director, for Milton Harvest Festival Annual “Pops” Concert, and she is Choir Director at First Baptist Church, Milton. Connie joined the BVS family, first as accompanist 2011-2012, then as director 2012 – to Present.
Accompanist
Brett is an educator, organist, conductor, and artist who is a native of the Central Pennsylvania region. He was born and raised in Mifflinburg. Brett holds a BA in Music Education from Susquehanna University with an emphasis in Organ Performance and a Masters of Music in Wind Conducting from Messiah University. He served 10 years as the Director of Instrumental Music of the Milton Area School District and was also active in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), serving in various district and state level roles including District 8 President. In 2011, Hosterman founded the Milton Area Community Band, bringing a new musical experience to the Milton community, while providing a quality musical opportunity for amateur and professional musicians alike.
In 2015, Brett left the classroom and created his own photography and graphic design business, Hosterman Creative.
Hosterman remains an active educator as an adjunct professor at Susquehanna University. He is also the organist and music director at First Baptist Church of Lewisburg. Hosterman is involved in Rotary, the Mifflinburg Christkindl Market board, and the Board of Education for the Milton Area School District. He continues to serve as conductor of the Milton Area Community Band, accompanist for the Buffalo Valley Singers, and music director, pianist and orchestra conductor for musical theatre productions across the valley.
Buffalo Valley Singers 