Singer Spotlight: Shannon R. Borchert

What was your first exposure to SVC…what/who inspired you to audition?
My boss gave me a ticket to the Candlelight Christmas concert, and I attended. The concert was so beautiful. The church setting, the Christmas trees, and the full orchestra, all made me think that this could be how they celebrate Christmas in Heaven. I saw in the program that SVC was having open auditions in January, so I decided to audition.

What do you enjoy most about being a member?
I love singing with the choir. All the members are fun to be around, but mostly, I love the music and the chance to learn new music. It is amazing to go through the process of not knowing how a song should go, to making it a beautiful piece of music.

How do you like to spend your free time outside of SVC?
When I am not at work or at choir, I spend time with Scouting America. I love camping outdoors and hiking and teaching young people the values of being a good citizen and how to be a leader. I also love spending time with my church family.

Why do you think it is important to support the arts in our communities?
The Arts are everything to me. Life can be difficult at times, and we need art to bring beauty, joy, and peace to the world. For me the arts allow a place to express my creativity. Being creative is a gift that reminds us we come from God who is the ultimate creator.

What excites you most about the next era of SVC under a new conductor/music director?
I know that having a new director may be a big change because Bill is so excellent. I have loved how he leads. He is a fine balance between demanding excellence and leading with kindness and compassion. I want the same from the next conductor. At the same time, I realize a new conductor will have new ideas and can help us continue to bring awesome music to the Susquehanna Valley.