​Janet Hostetter - Children's Honor Chorus

Janet M. Hostetter, artistic and executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir, received her doctorate and master’s in choral conducting from James Madison University and her bachelor’s in music education from Eastern Mennonite University. Her published research project, “Tone Production, Musicianship Training, Repertoire Development, Performance Practice: A Pedagogical Overview of Selected International Children’s Choirs” provided her the joy of interacting with respected children’s choirs in Australia, the Czech Republic, Canada, and the Philippines. In the years since Dr. Hostetter came to SVCC in 2014, SVCC choirs have performed nationally and internationally, collaborated with renowned children’s choirs, and also produced multiple music videos. With 35 years' experience, Dr. Hostetter is a passionate educator of the choral art and of future music educators, and frequently mentors as clinician, collegiate instructor, and honor choir director. She served as repertoire and standards chair for elementary music in the state of Virginia for five years and for eight years provided oversight and direction for a thriving music ministry at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church. From 2007-2014, Hostetter directed choirs and Orff classes at Wilbur S. Pence Middle School in Dayton, Virginia where the choral program grew from ten participants to more than 120. On the home front, she enjoys spending time with her husband, three adult children, a son-in-law, and one cherished granddaughter.

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