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Board of Directors |
President
Laura Sanner
Email: laura.sanner@verizon.net
 Laura Sanner is a graduate of Texas Christian University, where she prepared to be a secondary school choral director. A resident of Irving since 1960, Ms. Sanner directed the Irving Women's Choral Club for several years and several Irving church choirs of all ages for more than 25 years. She also taught music at the Creative School at Walnut Hill United Methodist Church in Dallas. She also participated in the Irving Community Theatre for several years, both as performer and conductor. Ms. Sanner joined the Chorale in 2006 after serving on the Irving Arts Board for six years.
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PRESIDENT:
The president is the leader of the Chorale Board and serves a two year term. The duties of this office include presiding as chair at all Board meetings; appointing at- large Board members and committee chairs; working closely with the Artistic Director to coordinate the current and future performance year calendar and representing the Chorale in the community.
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President-Elect
Carol Sullivan
Email: cs31music@aol.com
 Ms. Sullivan is an Elementary Music Specialist at M.C. Lively Elementary in Irving. She has been a music teacher for more than forty years. Carol has won numerous teaching awards, including Elementary Teacher of the Year, Irving Elementary ATPE Teacher of the Year, Region 10 ATPE Teacher of the Year, and Walmart Teacher of the Year. She has served as Elementary Lead Music Teacher for Irving ISD and helped coordinate the joint concert with the elementary honor choir last spring. Ms. Sullivan received her B.S. in Music Education from State University College at Potsdam, New York. and M.Ed. in Elementary Education from State University of New York, Buffalo, New York.
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PRESIDENT ELECT:
The president elect is a two year position which trains the holder to succeed the current Chorale president. The president elect presides at Board meetings
if the president is absent and is chairperson of the fundraising committee. This person is also a member of the program and budget committees, and is in charge of appointing a nominating committee when needed.
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Vice President
Kate Thompson
Email: casathompson@verizon.net
 The Chorale's current Vice President is Ms. Kate Thompson. Ms. Thompson spent fifteen years in sales with IBM, supporting international clients in the banking and insurance industries. She attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, majoring in vocal performance. While living there, Ms. Thompson performed with the May Festival Chorus and was a soloist with the Musica Sacra choir.
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VICE PRESIDENT:
The person holding this office is in charge of coordinating all marketing activities for the Chorale and is chair of the publicity committee. This position has two year term.
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Recording Secretary
Pam Engman
Email: bahbeee@msn.com
 Pam Engman is a native Irvingite and graduate of IHS in the 60's. She sang in the A Cappella choir for two years at IHS and has sung in her church choir for 40 years, at Bethel Methodist Church. She has served several terms on her church board as recording secretary. This is Pam's fifth year as secretary of the chorale. She joined the chorale in the fall of 1990 and has served as secretary, president-elect, and president in the 1990's and has traveled to England, Wales, Scotland, Austria and Toronto, Canada with the chorale.
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RECORDING SECRETARY:
Maintains and records minutes of all Board and general membership meetings and keeps them in a permanent file. This officer is responsible for maintaining accurate attendance records for all Chorale functions. Duties also include disseminating Chorale information via email as needed and keeping an updated roster of members.
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Corresponding Secretary
Terri Bembenek
Email: bigfatdiamond@verizon.net
 Native Irvingite, Graduated from Nimitz High School and toured Europe with Bill Davis and the Nimitz Chorale in 1973. Graduate of Executive Secretarial School and Northlake College - business degrees.
Sang in church choir at St Mark's Episcopal Church - forever - 30+ years.
Joined Irving Chorale in 1994 and served as secretary and fund raiser chairman (garage sale, Christmas wreaths, and pie sales)
Traveled to England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Austria, New York and Ireland with Chorale.
Spent 17 years with Sun Oil/Oryx Energy and have been with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network (Strategic Employee Benefit Services) for the last 15 years.
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CORRESPONDING SECRETARY:
This officer is responsible for managing all of the Chorale's correspondence and mailings. Coordinates with the vice president of marketing regarding advertising follow up and serves as the historian during their term.
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Treasurer
Donna Schardt
Email: d.schardt@sbcglobal.net
 Donna began her musical journey by singing in the choir and playing the bass in grade school. She continued to sing in her church choir during high school and was accepted into her collegiate choir, the Southwestern Singers ( Rhodes College, Memphis TN) . She traveled with her college choir to Russia and Poland in 1979 and was in Moscow for the military May Day parade. It was in college that she first performed and fell in love with the Mozart Requiem. Law school put a stop to organized chorale music for a while (although she did sneak in one term as a Sweet Adeline in Lubbock), but after getting her first job she joined the Midland Odessa Symphony Chorus, where she once again got to perform the Requiem. Upon moving to the metroplex, she joined the Irving Chorale in 1991 and has been a member since that time. She has traveled with the Chorale to Canada, England, Scotland , Wales, Italy and New York City. In June 2006 she was able to perform the Mozart Requiem at Carnegie Hall as part of the Masterworks Festival Chorus conducted by Ann Howard Jones, an absolutely incredible life experience. In her non music life, Donna has been a licensed, practicing attorney since 1985.
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TREASURER:
Handles all aspects of the Chorale's finances including maintaining the checking account and providing the Board with monthly updates. Chairs the budget committee and coordinates the filing of yearly income tax forms.
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Past-President
Phil Armstrong
Email: armie413@aol.com
 The Chorale’s Past President is Mr. Phil Armstrong. Phil is employed with Flight Services & Systems as District Manager for the South Central District. Previously, he served Delta Airlines for over twenty-seven years and retired as the Station Manager for Delta at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport. He is very active in the community and serves on two boards in the Metroplex, Travelers Aid for DFW Airport and the United Way of Texas. Phil attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas and then completed his education at the University of Texas at Arlington. He majored in Music with a concentration in voice.
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PAST PRESIDENT:
The Past President serves a one-year term on the Board of Directors the season immediately succeeding Presidency. The Past President serves as an advisor to the President, presides at Board of Directors’ meetings in absence of other key Board members, serves as chair of the Arts Center Committee, and serves on the Fundraising & Development Committee.
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Librarian
Wilma Yarrington
Email: yarringwr@verizon.net
 Wilma received her B. S. in Music Education from Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College and taught instrumental and vocal music and directed many student musical theater productions in the public schools of Missouri for 16 years before she came to Texas to get her Master of Music Education degree from SMU. She continued teaching elementary music education and directing children's musical theater performances in the public schools of Irving and Euless for a total of 38 years. She was awarded a PTA Life Membership in both states and honored with a National PTA Lifetime Award for her dedication to children. She was named Teacher of the Year at Elliott Elementary in Irving. In Missouri, she was involved in the Little Theater, Community Band, and Cantorum for numerous years, serving in many different capacities in each organization. She currently works as an Administrative Assistant to a young lady who owns her own business. She has thoroughly enjoyed getting back into a community singing group such as the Irving Chorale.
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LIBRARIAN:
Responsible for the distribution and storage of all Chorale music and folders. Keeps accurate records of member possession of Chorale property.
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2007-2008 Additional Board Members
Voting Members
Members at Large are appointed by the president to assist the Board in running the Chorale. |
Member at Large
Sharon McCullough
Email: sharon.mccullough@hotmail.com
 Ms. McCullough is a long time Irving resident who began singing in the 8th grade at Crockett Middle School.She attended McArthur High School where she sang in the Concert & Acapella choirs. She also sang in her church youth choir during this time. After graduation, she then attended Stephen F. Austin University where she sang in the Acapella choir & majored in music - a primary focus in voice. She was a substitute teacher in the Irving ISD for 10 years. She is also a member of Plymouth Park Baptist Church & sings in their Sanctuary Choir. This is Ms. McCulloughs' 6th year to sing with the Irving Chorale.
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Member at Large
Ursula Hawkins
Email: ursulahawkins@irvingisd.net
 Ms. Hawkins currently teaches 2nd grade at Townley Elementary in Irving. Previously, she and her husband owned and operated an early childhood education center and day care in South Dallas for seven years. Ursula also serves on the Board of Directors for the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra and is a member of the South MacArthur Church of Christ in Irving. Ms. Hawkins holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Abilene Christian University.
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Member at Large
Robert Boyer
Email: reb1@att.net
 Mr. Boyer holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Dallas and a Master's degree in Library Science from the University of Kentucky. He has worked in public library technical services and library administration in the North Texas area for thirty-four years. Robert was a founding member of the Arlington Civic Chorus. Mr. Boyer is currently a Data Specialist for L-ibrary Integrated Solutions & Associates and also serves as the music librarian for the Dallas-based baroque ensemble Orchestra of New Spain.
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Member at Large
Jene Gravley
Email: jenegravley@verizon.net
 Ms. Gravley has forty years of accounting and administrative experience in for-profits and non-profits. She served Bankers Commercial Life Insurance Company for over thirty years in various executive positions, and retired as President in 2001. At St. Mark's Episcopal Church, she is treasurer of the church, Women's Guild treasurer, member of the choir, and facilitator of a Bible study class. Jene is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Episcopal Foundation of Dallas. She has been a member of Irving Chorale since 2001 and was Chorale treasurer board member from September 2004 through August 2008. Ms. Gravley received her undergraduate education from the University of Texas at Arlington.
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Member at Large
Rick Harding
Email: rhard19526@aol.com
 Rick Harding has a bachelor's degree in music education and vocal performance and taught choral music and voice lessons for 5 years in the public school system in South Texas. He has been performing in the North Texas area for over 25 years with groups like the Irving Chorale, Plymouth Park United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, Central Christian Church Disciples of Christ Choir and Preston Hollow Presbyterian Choir as a tenor soloist and with theater groups like Mainstage Irving Theater, Garland Community Theater, Plymouth Park Players, Westside Players and Flowermound Performing Arts Theater. |
Non-voting Advisory |
Webmaster
Bert Gravley
Email: BertGravley@yahoo.com
 Bert Gravley is the current website content manager for the Irving Chorale. He is the son of Jene Gravley, former Irving Chorale Treasurer and current Member at Large. He keeps busy with several other web sites, coaching fastpitch softball and playing racquetball.
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Assistant Librarian
Bill Werner
Email: wp.werner@verizon.net
 Mr. Werner is a graduate of North Texas State University with both Bachelor and Master of Music Education. He also holds Counselor Certification for public schools. He taught choral and elementary school music and served as elementary counselor with Irving ISD for thirty-four years before retiring in 1998. He is currently music director for the Bridgewood Church of Christ in Fort Worth.
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Tour Director
Judy Garza
Email: jgarza@dcccd.edu
 Having traveled on all of the singing tours both at home and abroad, Ms. Garza is currently serving as travel coordinator for the Chorale. A veteran of 22 years in adult education and training with the Dallas County Community College District, Judy is currently working as a Project Manager/Grant Manager in the Contract Training Division of the Community College System.
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Usher Coordinator
Marge Flowers
Email: mrgflowers@aol.com
 Ms. Flowers retired from the Irving Independent School District after twenty-two years as a School Nurse. Marge is currently a member of the Church of the Incarnation at the University of Dallas, where she sings in the choir. Ms. Flowers graduated from The University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.
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Grant Writer
Sherece Johnson
Email: shecejoh@yahoo.com
 Ms. Johnson is an ESL teacher at Pierce Early Childhood School in the Irving Independent School District. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Anthropology. She has been a member of the Irving Chorale since 2004. She also sings with the choir of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and serves as an altar guild member, lay reader, and lay Eucharistic minister.
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Database Manager & Grant Writer
Sherry Johnson
Email: sherrjoh7@yahoo.com
 Ms. Johnson is retired from her position as Library Media Specialist with the Irving Independent School District after twenty-one years and currently works part-time at the Central Dallas Public Library. She serves St. Mark's Episcopal Church as webmaster, church choir member, and parish librarian. She is the database manager and grant writer for the Irving Chorale. Ms. Johnson received her bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman's University and her Master of Library Science degree from the University of North Texas.
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Stage Director
Heather Flora
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Costume Coordinator
Donna Lucas
Email: dlucas@dallasisd.org
 Donna Lucas is currently serving the Irving Chorale as Costume Mistress. This is her second season with the Chorale and she truly treasures her time with such talented and caring musicians. Donna visited Ireland with the Chorale in the Summer of 2008 and hopes to spend more time traveling now that she has a passport. She sang with the Young Texans and also the Concert Choir at Duncanville High School. She was part of the support cast of the Country Dinner Playhouse and was a dance hall girl at Six Flags Over Texas. She attended Julliard for one year and completed her education at the University of Texas, Arlington, with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology. She has a Masters in Education from East Texas State University and a Masters of Library Science from Texas Women's University
Donna is a school librarian for Dallas ISD and will complete 25 years in education this May. She has one son, Michael, daughter-in-law Alice, and two beautiful grandchildren, Darcey and Jackson. Her roommate, "Mac", has four legs and a curly tail.
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Chairman of Friends of the Chorale
Jean Buchanan
Jean studied piano with Faye Rhodes Abild in Des Moines, Iowa. Jean entered the Iowa State music contests every year, frequently earning Superiors. At the age of 16, she presented her own solo recital of classics. In high school, Jean joined the Mixed Chorus and Girls Glee Club, where she was in the Girls Sextette and the Mixed Quartet. (Husband, Bill, was the Bass.) She often served as accompanist. Jean spent two years at Drake University earning a temporary teaching certificate. While at Drake, she sang in the A Capella Choir. Later, Jean earned her Bachelor''s Degree at Avila University, in Kansas City, with a double major in Education and Religious Studies. She has served as a Kindergarten Teacher, Religious Education Coordinator, Aerobic Dancing Instructor, and Event Coordinator, as well as organizing and directing several races in Kansas City. She sang in the Johnson County Community Chorus in Johnson County, Kansas. Jean joined the Irving Chorale in 2000. She also sings in the choir at Church of the Ascension, at University of Dallas. Jean enjoys playing the piano, power walking, dancing, and traveling. She takes pride in her ten grandchildren, all of whom could match pitch and carry a tune when they were babies!
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Artistic Director
Harry Wooten
Email: hwooten@royallane.org
 Harry Wooten is Minister of Music at Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. A native of Arkansas, Mr. Wooten holds degrees from William Jewell College, Vienna International Music Conservatory, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He has served churches in Tennessee and Alabama as Minister of Music and appeared as guest soloist, conductor, and presenter for numerous workshops and music events. His choirs have participated in the International Church Music Festival (Coventry Cathedral 1994 and 2000 and Bern, Switzerland 1997) and the Manhattan Festival of Sacred Music 2001.
His wife Debi is a music educator in the Plano Independent School District. They have three beautiful, busy children: Brittany, Barrett, and Blair.
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Accompanist
Eunice Tavaglione
Email: etgrand@juno.com
 Eunice Tavaglione completed her Master of Music degree in piano performance at the University of North Texas under the private instruction of Artist in Residence Stefan Bardas. Prior to this, she studied with Ronald Boud and Janet Hutchinson in Philadelphia, receiving her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. It was here that she gained valuable training in performing, accompanying, and arranging.
Ms. Tavaglione has traveled throughout many parts of the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America accompanying various choral groups and performing as piano soloist. Since coming to Dallas in 1976, she has taught extensively at all levels and continues to maintain a large teaching studio. Ms. Tavaglione is widely recognized as an adjudicator in piano throughout the state of Texas and remains an active accompanist for national voice and instrumental competitions. Her work in the field of sacred music for the piano has been significant. She is the accompanist for the Irving Chorale and a member of The Elysee Piano Quartet. In 1984, Ms. Tavaglione became part of the music faculty at Eastfield College in piano and theory, where she presently serves.
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