John has been the Director of the Mohawk Valley Chorus since 1979. Currently he is a Choral Adjudicator and works in schools as a clinician focusing on choral and vocal jazz techniques.
As Director of MVC, he has instituted the chorus’ biannual singing tours of Europe in 1994. This past summer covered Wales and Ireland.
Mr. Nethaway was director of the Schenectady County Community College Choir and Vocal Chamber Ensemble from 1986 – 1996. He directed the RPI Concert Choir from 2004-2006. He has also has taught courses at Schenectady County Community College and the College of Saint Rose, been guest conductor at many All-County Festivals. He is a NYSSMA choral majors adjudicator and has judged at other various solo and ensemble festivals.
He was Vocal Music Director at Schalmont Central Schools from 1966 until 1996. Schalmont Concert Choirs, Jazz and Show Choirs received many awards, trophies and medals at New York State Festivals and other competitions during his 30-year tenure. His responsibilities at Schalmont also included teaching Music Theory and directing Middle School Choirs, Middle School Musicals, High School Musicals and Summer Theater Musicals. The school’s theatre has been named in his honor.
Earning BS and MS degrees from Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, he completed post-graduate work at the Saratoga-Potsdam Choral Institute. His background is in voice, piano and percussion.
Nethaway and his wife, Kim, live in Rome, New York. He and his late wife, Gayle, had three daughters.

Alfred V. Fedak is an organist, a composer, a choir director, a teacher and an accompanist.
This is his third year with MVC. He is accompanist for the Burnt Hills Oratorio Society; chapel organist at Emma Willard School in Troy; minister of music and arts at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany; and an adjunct member of the College of Saint Rose music faculty.
As a composer, he has published more than 60 choral anthems, two masses and 50 organ works as well as 100 hymn tunes. He has composed numerous works on commission, including pieces for the BH Oratorio Society, the Eastern New York chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the Siena College Music Series, the Schenectady Choral Society, the Octavo Singers and the Cobleskill Chamber Singers.
Fedak holds degrees in organ performance and music history from Hope College and Montclair State University and has done additional study at Westminster Choir College, the Eastman School of Music as well as in England and Austria. He is a fellow of the American Guild of Organists, a member of the Organ Historical Society and ASCAP, a life member of the Hymn Society and a visiting fellow in church music at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest.
He and his wife Susan are the parents of two grown sons.

John Nethaway and Al Fedak
Photo courtesy of Chris Chandler

President: Charles Snyder
Vice President: Wayne Brule
Secretary: Gail Shufelt
Treasurer: Linda Bialobok

The Sentimentalists are six Mohawk Valley Chorus members who have been singing together since 1996.
Known for their unique blend and harmonies, the sextet sings a wide variety of music -- from sacred songs to blues and jazz -- although it specializes in American standards and show tunes. It is available for a church service or an hourlong performance. All donations received go to the chorus.
Members are Audrey Hagadorn and Elaine O'Connor, sopranos; Beth Nanartowich and Mary Anne Eriksen, altos; Jack DeWeese and Lee Ferris, tenors; and bass Dean McCreight. Accompanists are Sally Mann and Tonie Close.
To learn more about the Sentimentalists or book an appearance, contact Lee Ferris, 16 Minaville St, Amsterdam, NY 12010, (518) 843-5196, or Elaine O'Connor, 703 S. William St., Johnstown, NY 12095, (518)-762-9728.

These three groups, led by Terrie Jackson and Margaret Lazarou and comprised of our younger members, are also part of the Mohawk Valley Chorus.