One Former Camper's Memories Become a Legacy: - Reading ...

RMF and Our Community Lose Two Dedicated Volunteers
We mourn the loss
of two former
1977. She was a founding
member of the Berks
officers of the Reading
Genealogical Society.
Musical Foundation,
A certified public
both stalwart volunteers
accountant with Ernst
in our community. They
& Young, LLP for 36
are Ruth S. MacRae,
years, Dick Tschiderer
who died on May 30,
served as RMF’s
2008, and Richard A.
sixth president, from
Tschiderer, who died on
September 25, 2009.
Ruth S. MacRae Richard A. Tschiderer 1989 until 1991, and
oversaw the process in
Ruth MacRae served as RMF’s volunteer secretary which Ruth MacRae participated. Until then, the
from June 1981 until the summer of 1992. Her presidents of RMF’s affiliates were also trustees of
meticulous minutes of board and committee
the Foundation and participated in the process of
meetings, scrapbooks and other records contributed appropriating contributions from the public. The
greatly toward a chapter in the Foundation’s history, efforts of Dick, Ruth and others culminated during
Vision, Conviction and Compassion: 80 Years of the the term of RMF’s seventh president, Don Bristol,
Reading Musical Foundation. A Phi Beta Kappa when the presidents of RMF’s affiliates were excused
graduate of Syracuse University, Ruth participated from RMF’s board and replaced with the Funded
with fellow trustees Louise Dreisbach, Lee Kachel, Organizations Advisory Committee under Dr. Tom
Harold Perkins and Kim Webster in the early
Souders’ leadership. To this day, that committee,
1990s on the Strategic Long-Range Planning
consisting of representatives of RMF’s affiliates and
Committee that advanced governance practices at of RMF, coordinates a common concert calendar
RMF and redefined the Foundation’s relationship and serves as a clearinghouse for problems RMF’s
to its music performing affiliates and the Star Series affiliates share, such as audience replenishment.
Association.
Dick was a member of the board of trustees of
Ruth served on the staff of the Wyomissing Public Alvernia University, formerly Alvernia College, and
Library, was a member of its board of trustees, and served as treasurer of Wyomissing Borough.
wrote a history of the Library that was published in
Written by C. Thomas Work
PISZCZEK, continued from page 5
own personal generosity, she secured the full tuition
needed to pay for Gregory’s fall semester.
The Pre-College Division meets every Saturday
from September through May at the Juilliard School
in New York City. In addition to their private
lessons, all students in the Pre-College Division
take a weekly theory class and a weekly solfège (eartraining)
class. Gregory studies with Dr. Matthew
Lewis, a Juilliard faculty member since 1993. Dr.
Lewis is also the organist and director of music for
the Church of the Incarnation in New York City. In
addition to Juilliard, he is also an adjunct professor
at Westminster Choir College.
HOW TO HELP:
A benefit concert will be held at Christ United
Church of Christ (4870 Kutztown Road, Temple)
on Sunday, February 7, 2010, at 3:00 PM. Gregory
will be performing a number of organ works on the
program, which will include featured performances
by vocalists Brian Gibson and Katherine Aregood
Crusi. Patrons for the concert are welcome; please
contact Christ Church (610) 929-2020 or the
Reading Musical Foundation at (610) 376-3395 for
contribution information. A freewill offering will
also be received at the concert. All proceeds will help
to offset Gregory’s spring tuition payment.
CAMPAIGN 2009 • NEWS OF NOTE • 9