Join us for a wonderful evening in honor of Nathan Gottschalk, who served as music director of the Pioneer Valley Symphony from 1956 through 1993. To commemorate Nathan’s passionate dedication to music education, we will present the Gottschalk Awards for outstanding contributions to music performance and education in the Pioneer Valley. This year’s award recipients are:

Alice Parker
A resident of Hawley, Mass., Alice Parker began composing in early childhood. Since that time, she has composed more than 700 works, including songs, anthems, cantatas, operas and instrumental works, and her legendary collaboration with Robert Shaw also led to hundreds of arrangements of folk materials. As Artistic Director of Melodious Accord, a professional chamber chorus which she founded in 1985, she has conducted thousands of seminars, workshops, clinics and concerts for community groups, professional conferences, schools, colleges and religious organizations.

Ron Bell
A resident of Amherst Massachusetts, Ron Bell recently retired from the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Amherst/Pelham Regional School District and played trumpet with the Pioneer Valley Symphony for more than thirty seasons.

Festivities will include a lovely dinner and a silent auction of many irresistible gifts and services. You won’t want to miss this delightful PVS event!