Student and director share a commonality in that 2013 is the final year for both at Lycoming College. Dr. Fred Thayer will retire while Juli Morgan will graduate and pursue a career.

MUNCY- The kickoff of the 2013 season for the Lycoming College Tour Choir was hosted by the United Methodist Church in Muncy.

Tom Ruhl, the church’s choral director, welcomed the choir and the audience by saying, “It’s like having them home again and this year the group has one of our own, Juli Morgan.”

Muncy was the first of many stops for the 40-voice choir which will include three appearances in Puerto Rico.

Juliana is the daughter of Mitch and Barbara Morgan of Turbotville and a 2009 graduate of Warrior Run High School. The Morgan’s are members of the host church, Muncy Rotary and the mother is affiliated with Susquehanna Health System in Muncy.

Juli has been singing since age two. She named her mentors as being high school chorus director Kevin Myers, Tom Ruhl and Lucy Buck from the church, and Emily Wertz and choir director Dr. Fred Thayer at Lycoming College. “I’ve been blessed to have so many excellent musical supporters and teachers throughout my life,” Juli said.

Thirteen Lycoming College Choir alumni joining current members in the final song Saturday night at United Methodist Church in Muncy were (front l-r): Nathan and Katie Williard, Joanne Vasey, Pamela Munford, Vivian Welch, Joanne Castlebury. (Row 2): Emily Kelchner, T. J. McCabe, Mike Munford, Robert Breitenbach, Carol and Keith Barrows and Chase Mack.    

At the college, the vocalist is a member of all three choirs: the regular choir, the tour choir and the chamber choir. Ms. Morgan has the distinction of being head of the Soprano One section and on this tour she is the featured soloist in the song “Keep Your Lamps Lit.”

Juli and Dr. Thayer have a commonality in that this is their final year at Lycoming College. Dr. Thayer is retiring and Morgan will graduate with a major in European History and she will move on to a career.

At the conclusion of the Muncy concert, audience members who were choir alumni were invited to join members on stage for the final song. They included Katie and Nathan Williard, New Berlin; Joanne Vasey, Lewisburg; Pamela and Mike Munford, Liberty; Vivian Welch, Montoursville; Joanne Castlebury, Muncy; Emily Kelchner, South Williamsport; T. J. McCabe, Watsontown; Carol and Keith Barrows, Jersey Shore; Chase Mack, Mechanicsburg and Robert Breitenbach, Takoma Park, MD.

The church is proud to have had several members in the Lycoming College choir in past years and among them were Sue Covert, Emily and Peter Ruhl, Michael Buck, Courtney Anderson and the current Juliana Morgan.