Who I am................

I grew up in Vineland, NJ where I started piano lessons at the age of five.  Throughout my school years I furthered my musical life by studying the clarinet, bassoon, tenor sax, organ, flute, and voice.  I participated in as many high school music organizations as I could:  Concert Band, Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Stage Band, Orchestra, Select Choir, and Madrigal Choir.  By my senior year of high school I participated in South Jersey Wind Ensemble and South Jersey Orchestra as the principal pianist and celeste player.  I was also Student Musical Director of the Pit Orchestra for our senior musical, "Fiddler on the Roof".  The strength of the music department at Vineland High School gave me the foundation I needed to pursue a career as a music educator.

My goal as a music educator was to teach children the love for music that was taught to me.  I decided to develop my Musical Education Skills by attending West Chester University (then, West Chester State College) in West Chester, PA.   What a wonderful School of Music they had at WCU.    As a music education student one must be skilled in learning all of the band instruments, study piano / classroom music, Orff, Kodaly, and vocal music.  Besides all of the music performance groups, my most rewarding experiences were with the Concert Choir and the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band!  (Four years of Marching Band at the College Level is so...........rewarding)  Traveling with these groups and the proper performance etiquette and discipline we learned has carried over into my teaching career.

I graduated from WCU as a Music Education Major with a double major ( Piano / Voice) in May, 1981 and started working at the J. Harold Duberson School in September of the same year.   My job description was to teach General Music for students in grades 6,7, and 8, plus Instrumental Music for students in grades 4 - 8.  At that time, the students in grades 4-6 were attending Shaner School.  There was no choral program so I established one.   In 1986, I received my Masters Degree in Music Education from WCU, then in 1990 a NJ Supervisory's Certificate  from Rowan University.

In 1988, our district expanded to include the Wm. Davies Middle School.  Mr. Andrew Seigel became my colleague at that time.  Mr. Seigel was also a Percussion/Voice double major, also from WCU.   

We opened that school year with dedication ceremonies of the new building.  It was such a privilege to have Mr. William Davies in attendance at the dedication.  He was such a supporter of music and he, himself used to perform in the old Minstrel Shows held at the J. Harold Duberson School when it was the old Mays Landing School.

Times have changed, our district continues to grow and those that enter our Music Department will find that we try to develop a "family atmosphere" in our programs.  Mr. Seigel and I co-direct the groups so the students have the opportunity to work with both of us.  We each have our different styles, yet they are compatible.  We try to give to our students whatever knowledge we can possibly deliver to them; they learn from us, and we learn from them.    We have a great feeder program at the Hess Educational Complex.  At the Shaner School, we have one of the best elementary music teachers around - our students have a fine musical education in the Hamilton Township School District.  Our "Music Team" is one big family and we will do our best to always give the children of this district the best musical education possible.

Our students have been participants in local and state festivals including:  South Jersey Jr. High School Band, South Jersey Jr. High School Chorus and South Jersey Elementary Choral Festival - 2000 Donna Marie Berchtold/conductor.  Former students have continued with their music at the high school level and have been accepted into South Jersey High School Chorus, All State Chorus, and All-Eastern Chorus.  Many students have pursued careers in Music Education / Performance and Musical Theatre.

2005 Music in the Parks Festival - Great Adventure -Jackson, NJ

First Place  - Excellent  - Show Choir            

Outstanding Female Soloist - Katie Lolla

First Place  - Excellent Concert Band

2004 - Music in the Parks Festival	2003 - Music in the Parks Festival
First Place - Good - Show Choir	Second Place - Excellent - Show Choir
Second Place - Excellent - Concert Band	Second Place - Excellent - Concert Band

Outside of school my activities include:  Wife of Howard Berchtold, Jr, and mother of  Lauren and Heather.  I am active as a Church Organist / Vocalist and St. Nicholas Church in Egg Harbor City where I direct the Adult and Select Choirs.  Our oldest daughter is a member of the Absegami H.S. Marching Band where I am active as a Band Parent and co-chair the Chaperone Committee.  I volunteer as a member of the South Egg Harbor Vol. Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, as well as co-lead the Atlantic County 4H Clover Cloggers and co-direct the annual 4H Fair Talent Show with my husband.  In June, 2005 I became the Director of the newly re-organized Aurora Singing Society of Egg Harbor City ( a group reminiscent of the original German Singing Group of the City (1857-late 1930's).  My husband, oldest daughter and I also perform professionally with the Jubilate Deo Chorale and Orchestra based in Haddon Heights, NJ.  We have performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Sony Center, Camden.  Our 2nd recording / DVD/ video became available in December 2004; our new release, "The Spirit of Christmas was released in December, 2005. 

	(Left to Right) Lauren Marie Berchtold, Dr. Ron Matthews -Orchestra / Choir Director, Howard Berchtold, Jr., Donna Marie Franchetta Berchtold (photo-Heather Berchtold)