The BCSO Presents The Music of John Williams

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra presents the final regular concert of its landmark 75th anniversary season. Featuring the music of the incomparable John Williams on Saturday, April 13th at 7:30 pm in Butler’s Intermediate High School Auditorium. Experience iconic motion picture musical scores from Star Wars, Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., and many more. Re-live the unforgettable movie melodies that span generations and have become legendary in shaping cinematic history! Get your tickets now!

The guest conductor is the Grammy Award-winning Lucas Richman, who has also appeared as a guest conductor for numerous orchestras. These include the New York Philharmonic, Boston Pops, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Iceland Symphony Orchestras. John Williams invited Richman to lead a three-month national summer tour of Star Wars in Concert. Mr. Richman has collaborated with numerous film composers conducting scores for such productions as the Academy Award-nominated The Village, As Good as It Gets, The Manchurian Candidate, Kit Kittredge, An American Girl, and The House With a Clock In Its Walls. Conductor Lucas Richman’s music has been performed by over two hundred orchestras across the United States and has been recorded by numerous organizations.

The Butler County Symphony Association will also honor three individuals that evening for their outstanding service. These include The Butler County Symphony Association Award given to James Cunningham, The Orchestra Musician Award given to Judy Deahl, and The Outstanding Music Educator Award given to Chessa Fernandez-Crum.

Jim Cunningham, The Butler County Symphony Association Awardee has enjoyed a long and distinguished dual career as a fundraising consultant and a professional trumpet player. He has also served as a volunteer for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Jim’s personal and volunteer interests are significant. He has helped raise millions of dollars in charitable resources for numerous organizations throughout the United States. Cunningham has been a professional trumpet player for over 60 years and continues to play with the Butler County Symphony Orchestra. He joined the orchestra in 1971 upon his discharge from the Navy. While in the Navy he was the lead trumpet player in the Northwest Navy Band in Seattle and has also performed with the Seattle Philharmonic, the Frederick Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra. Jim is also a current member of the Board of Directors of the Butler County Symphony Association and serves on the Resource Development Committee. Jim Cunningham lives in Butler with his wife Jeanette.

Judy Deahl, the recipient of The Butler County Symphony Association Orchestra Award, was a member of the orchestra as a violinist for over fifty years. She served in a variety of capacities from musician, and board member, to the orchestra’s music librarian. Judy is described as someone who would play the violin regularly in her home. This inspired her daughter Evie to also play the violin all her life. “It was refreshing,” says Evie, “to live in a home where my father also championed the talents and abilities of my mother”. Judy Deahl would bring her violin to every one of the Deahl Quartet performances for over 40 years around Butler and has recordings on each of their three CDs. She has performed solo for many of her own concerts in Butler, playing for churches, dance schools, and the theater. Judy Deahl continues to inspire with the joy of music in the personal care home where she now lives playing for the many residents who love hearing her. The violin and music are a vital part of a wonderful life that Judy, her family, and friends have enjoyed.

Chessa Crum, the recipient of The Outstanding Music Educator Award is Choir Director at her alma mater, the Seneca Valley School District. There she is excited to work with the very educators who made her want to become a music teacher. In addition to teaching middle school choir at Ryan Gloyer Middle School in the Seneca Valley School District, she is also the Vocal Director for the middle school musical and the Junior Cast Director. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned a Master of Education Degree from Point Park University. Crum is a vocalist, flautist, and pianist who has worked with numerous groups in the area including the Pittsburgh Creator’s Project and Circle of Friends Chorus where she served as Assistant Director for 5 years. She also teaches private students the love and joy of music. It is her goal to not only teach her students to love music but also be good humanitarians making the world a better place. Mrs. Crum enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, and family time. She and her husband David have two children, Violet Laurel age 6, and Ivy Rose age 4.