Dr. Stephen Barr
Artistic Director
Stephen Barr is a product of the Shenango Valley, having graduated from Hickory High School and completing his undergraduate degree in music at Westminster College, and counting his predecessor, Ed Groves, as an important mentor. He brings a wide variety of conducting experience with both choral and instrumental ensembles, including large mixed choirs, chamber choirs, and women’s choirs, as well as symphonic winds and orchestras. Recent performances of choral masterworks under his baton include Duruflé’s Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, and Orff’s Carmina Burana. He serves as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor for high school assessments and district and regional choir festivals throughout Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
In addition to Westminster College, he holds advanced degrees from the University of South Florida (MM), and West Virginia University (DMA), where he was awarded a prestigious Swiger Doctoral Fellowship. His primary conducting teachers at WVU were Kathleen Shannon and Don Wilcox; in addition he has studied with William Wiedrich, René Clausen, and Robert Page.
Stephen is an award-winning composer and arranger working in a variety of mediums, from concert music for choirs, wind bands, orchestras, and chamber groups, to contemporary film score and music for media in orchestral and electronic styles. He has been a resident at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, FL, and the Aspen Music School and Festival in Aspen, CO. His music has been performed by ensembles such as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Florida Orchestra (Tampa, FL), American Academy of Conducting Orchestra and Aspen Contemporary Ensemble (Aspen Music Festival, CO), and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, as well as college and university instrumental and vocal ensembles, and appeared on the programs of regional, national, and international music conferences.
Jeanetta Plotner
Accompanist
Jeanetta Plotner has over 20 years experience as an accompanist. She is the principal accompanist at ACTS Performing Arts Center, and has also filled the roles of vocalist and music director. Formerly the interim Music Director at First Presbyterian Church of Sharon, Jeanetta is the accompanist for the Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex. She also sings with the SVC Madrigal Singers. Jeanetta has also had the privilege of collaborating with various musical groups throughout Mercer and Lawrence County, including Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Greenville Area Community Theatre, and pit orchestras for high school musicals around the area. While attending Westminster College, Jeanetta was accompanist for the Concert Choir touring California and Southern Italy, Women’s Choir, Chapel Drama, as well as being collaborative pianist for vocal/ instrumental soloists and evening Mass, music director/accompanist with the Westminster Theatre program and New Castle Playhouse. Jeanetta resides in Sharpsville, with her husband Marc, and sons Chase and Cole.
Joseph Spurio
Assistant Director
Joe Spurio’s passionate and authentic approach to music making has allowed him the opportunity to lead a variety of high-caliber ensembles over the years. Joe graduated from Westminster College with a bachelor’s degree in music education. Following graduation, he was hired as the Director of Choral Activities for grades 4-12 at Campbell City School District in Campbell, Ohio. Under his leadership, the choral program at Campbell developed a reputation as a notable, thriving program where students of diverse backgrounds and adverse situations performed quality repertoire. The high school chamber group even commissioned an original composition, “O Day of Fire and Sun,” by Michael Kahle.
Eager to become more involved in choral singing, he joined the Shenango Valley Chorale in 2018 as a tenor and was invited to serve as assistant director soon thereafter. He regularly rehearsed the group and directed multiple pieces on annual concerts, achieving expressive and meaningful performances that resonated with both singers and audience members. With the trust and encouragement of Dr. Barr, Joe was also tasked with rehearsing and refining the choruses of Handel’s Messiah for the annual masterwork concert.
Joe holds a master’s degree in choral conducting from Youngstown State University and currently serves as Music Director at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hubbard, Ohio. Recently he has music directed for the Youngstown Playhouse’s production of Rent and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical where he collaborated with Tony and Grammy award-winning Michael J. Moritz Jr. and music directed the Pennsylvania premiere of Broadway producer Ron Sinesio’s Rhapsody in Gershwin. Joe also currently serves as the music director in residence at ACTS Performing Arts Center in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and serves as music director for productions at the Youngstown Playhouse and vocal music director at Youngstown State University. Joe continues to enjoy being the assistant chorus master for Opera Western Reserve’s productions; chorus director for productions with the Symphony at the DeYor Performing Arts Center; and maintaining a voice studio of over 40 students of all ages in the area.