Members of District 1, 
We are saddened to share the following news of the unexpected passing of Ron DePascale. Ron was a member of our District 1 Board (serving as the Elementary Professional Development Rep for the past 7 years). We extend our sympathy to his wife and family.

Ronald F. DePascale
Age 59, of Kennedy Twp., unexpectedly on June 25, 2014. Beloved husband of Gigi (Sommers); Devoted brother of Vince DePascale; Cherished uncle of Julia, Teresa, Vinnie DePascale, Terrill, Christian, and Sam Dines; Loving brother-in-law of Ruthie Dines. Ron was always involved in many music functions and various organizations. He served as an officer in the P.M.E.A., director of the Ohio Valley Community Band and longtime band director and music teacher for Sto-Rox High School, Montour High School and David E. Williams Middle School. He taught for over 20 years with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Family will receive friends on FRIDAY from 2-4 and 6-8PM at McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC. 334 Forest Grove Rd., Kennedy Twp., where prayers will be offered SATURDAY at 9:00AM, followed by Mass of Christian Burial in St. John of God Parish, St. Mary's Church at 9:30AM. In lieu of flowers, donations suggested to Focus On Renewal, 701 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks, PA 15136

Hello everyone,

As everyone prepares for summer, we wanted to give you a heads up to some changes for next year's District Chorus. Bethel Park HS will be hosting the festival in January, and Maggie Sisson has agreed to co-host the festival with me. 

The most important change, however, is the dates of the festival. The dates of District Chorus will be Wed.-Fri January 14-16, 2015.  This is one week earlier than the original calendar had for the festival.  The corrected dates will be updated on the District 1 website shortly. 

There will be an email going out to all PMEA directors shortly as well, but we wanted to contact everyone who attended Districts last year so we cover all bases as much as possible. 

Also, we will be hosting the auditions here at Bethel Park in November as originally scheduled for November 24th.  So, both auditions and the festival will be at the same location. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.  Have a good and restful summer, and we'll see you in the fall!

Thanks,

Todd Kuczawa, co-host

Maggie Sisson, co-host

The Spring/Summer 2014 issue of the District 1 newsletter has been posted under the NEWSLETTER tab.  Included in the issue is the updated audition music list as well as the most current future festival list.