Monday, February 13, 2017
Staff report
LIBERTY
Kris Harper, musical director of Mahoning Valley Chorale and Southside Fine Arts Academy, will give a presentation at 10 p.m. Saturday in the meeting room of Kravitz Deli, 3135 Belmont Ave.
His address is part of the Memories of a Lifetime series, sponsored by the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society. Admission is $5. The event will include refreshments and a raffle.
Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins will be admitted as space permits. For information or to make reservations, call Richard S. Scarsella at 330-726-8277.
Originally from New Castle, Pa., Harper has lived in the Youngstown area for the last 35 years, where he has been involved in music direction, production, education and performance in numerous schools, churches and community centers.
The former director of music/faith formation at St. Patrick Church in Youngstown, he previously served as the director of SMARTSings, when it was under the auspices of Youngstown State University.
He spearheaded the John Knox Presbyterian Church organ salvage project, which resulted in the historic instrument being relocated and rehabilitated.
As director of Mahoning Valley Chorale, he has overseen the expansion and diversity of program offerings.
The Southside Fine Arts Academy founder is dedicated to exposing low- and moderate-income students to music and performance opportunities.
Harper earned his bachelor’s degree from Westminster College in 1981, and a master’s degree in music education from the Dana School of Music in 1995.
The Poland resident is on the faculty of Neshannock School District. He formerly taught at Southern Local School District, Diocese of Youngstown elementary schools and at Westminster College.
Upcoming speakers in the series include local historian Rick Shale, March 25; Chamber of Commerce director Tom Humphries, April 15; author and publisher Mark Peyko, May 20; and historian and author Tom Welsh on June 17.