Allegro Chamber Singers

Artistic Director: Jon Clemens

Jon has a varied background, with degrees in both math and music from Bluffton University. Jon spent 5 years after college earning graduate degrees in music composition and theory at the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music. Jon has been a part of the team at Cargas Systems since 1999, with roles that include software engineer, sales, executive leadership, and member of the board of directors. Cargas Systems is an employee-owned software and consulting company, located in downtown Lancaster. 

While music has not been part of his professional career since graduate school, he has stayed involved in a variety of ways. Since moving to Lancaster, Jon has participated with Musical Associates as a founding member, Opera Lancaster Chorus, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra chorus, and Allegro Orchestra Chorus. Jon was the choral director for Allegro Orchestra’s performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, in the 2023 summer season. In addition, Jon is currently a member of the board of directors of Allegro Lancaster.

Monica Hochstedler Carlson,

accompanist and Music Educator, holds a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Performance degree from Westminster Choir College of Rider University and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Goshen College. She teaches third through sixth grade general music at Lancaster Mennonite School and is Director of Prelude Music (grades K-1) with the Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster. In addition, she has accompanied a variety of choir programs and youth performers.

Before moving to the Lancaster area in 2019, Monica taught elementary general music in a private school setting and built a thriving private piano studio in Harrisonburg, VA. Previous work has also included serving as a private and group piano instructor at Goshen College (IN), Southern Methodist University (TX), Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music (VA), and Woodberry Forest School (VA). Accompanying school programs, musicals, choirs and student performers has peppered her work experience throughout life as well.

Founder: Emery DeWitt

Emery DeWitt is the founder (in 2003) and former Artistic Director of Musical Associates. From 2004-2021, he was Director of Music at Lancaster Church of the Brethren, where he administered the traditional music programs and conducted the adult ensembles. He also created and administered the popular Starlight Tea Concert Series, which offers seven concerts annually at the church.

Emery earned the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory in 1978 from Mississippi College, graduating with special distinction and with high honors in the Honors Program. Beginning in 2002, he spent two years in residence at the Pennsylvania State University, earning a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting. While at Penn State, he studied conducting with Lynn Drafall, and served as assistant conductor of both the University Choir (working with Tony Leach) and the Glee Club (working with Bruce Trinkley). In addition, in 1991 Emery earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Villanova University. From 1986 through 2001, he was Manager of Information Systems at Amerimax Home Products, a manufacturing firm in Lancaster, PA.

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In addition to his duties as a conductor, Emery recently retired as an oboist after having played several seasons with Allegro: The Chamber Orchestra of Lancaster. He studied oboe with Jeffrey O’Donnell, Timothy Hurtz and Jill Marchione Hoffman. Emery lives in Lancaster, PA, with his lovely wife, the pianist and harpsichordist Mary Ellen DeWitt .